At the time you selected, an English-speaking driver on a luxury van will pick you up from your hotel/apartment in Naples. The trip to Pompei is 30/40 minutes, depending on where your hotel is located.

Once in Pompei, you will meet your private guide, access the archaeological park with skip-the-line tickets, and start the visit. The itinerary is flexible, our guides will be happy to show you what you prefer in the 3-hour tour of the ruins. Typically, the itinerary looks like this:

• Meet your tour guide at the entrance of Pompeii. Get a detailed overview of Pompeii’s history, from its founding to its destruction by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
• Begin your tour in the Forum, the central square of Pompeii, where political, economic, and religious activities took place. Explore key structures such as the Temple of Jupiter, the Basilica, and the Macellum, while learning about their significance in ancient Roman society.
• Visit one of Pompeii’s well-preserved bath complexes, such as the Stabian Baths or the Forum Baths. Explore the various rooms, including the frigidarium, tepidarium, and caldarium, and learn about Roman bathing rituals and hygiene practices in detail.
• Wander through the residential neighborhoods of Pompeii and explore the interiors of several well-preserved houses, such as the House of the Vettii, the House of the Faun, and the House of the Tragic Poet. Admire the intricate frescoes, mosaics, and architectural features that provide insights into the daily lives and social status of Pompeii’s inhabitants.
• Visit the Amphitheater of Pompeii, one of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheaters, and learn about the gladiatorial contests and other spectacles that took place here. Explore the nearby Gladiators’ Barracks (Barracks of the Gladiators), where gladiators trained and lived, and discover the fascinating artifacts and graffiti left behind by these ancient warriors.
• Venture outside the city walls to visit the Villa of the Mysteries (Villa dei Misteri), a sprawling suburban villa famous for its well-preserved frescoes depicting mysterious religious rites. Explore the villa’s rooms and courtyards while unraveling the secrets behind the scenes depicted in the frescoes.
• Return to the entrance of Pompeii with your guide, who will summarize the highlights of the tour and answer any remaining questions you have about the ancient city.

This three-hour tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Pompeii’s rich history, architecture, and daily life, allowing you to delve deeper into the fascinating world of this ancient Roman city.

You deserve a break at this point. Your driver and your guide will suggest places where you can eat some of the typical food of Naples which, let’s not forget, is the birthplace of the two most iconic Italian dishes: pasta and pizza.

After lunch, a 15/20 minute trip will be sufficient to reach Herculaneum, smaller, but better preserved than Pompei. The same guide you had for the tour of Pompei will welcome you inside the ruins of Herculaneum, the itinerary is flexible but, typically, it looks like this:

• Meet your tour guide at the entrance of Herculaneum.
• Get a brief overview of Herculaneum’s history, including its significance as a wealthy seaside town and its tragic fate due to the volcanic eruption.
• Begin your tour with a visit to the House of the Skeleton (Casa dello Scheletro), one of the most iconic structures in Herculaneum. Explore the well-preserved rooms and marvel at the intricate frescoes and mosaics, including the famous skeleton mosaic after which the house is named.
• Walk along the main street of Herculaneum, the Decumanus Maximus, which was lined with shops and businesses in ancient times. Admire the preserved storefronts, thermal baths, and other public buildings that offer insights into daily life in Herculaneum before the eruption.
• Visit the Villa of the Papyri (Villa dei Papiri), a luxurious seaside villa believed to have belonged to Julius Caesar’s father-in-law, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus. Explore the villa’s grand architecture, elaborate gardens, and extensive library, which contained a collection of papyrus scrolls that were carbonized by the eruption.
• Descend into the archaeological site to see the boat houses (Naviere), where excavations have revealed the remains of ancient wooden boats. Learn about the significance of these boat houses and their role in Herculaneum’s maritime economy.
• Return to the entrance of Herculaneum with your guide, who will answer any remaining questions you have about the site.

This two-hour tour will provide you with a fascinating glimpse into the daily life and architectural splendor of Herculaneum, allowing you to appreciate the unique history and preservation of this ancient Roman town.

Once finished, your driver will take you back to Naples, dropping you off at your hotel/apartment.

Meeting point: your hotel/apartment in Naples
Hotel pick-up: included
Drop-off: your hotel/apartment in Naples

• luxury van with a driver at disposal for up to 8 hours
• 3-hour private tour of Pompei with an expert licensed local tour guide
• 2-hour private tour of Herculaneum with an expert licensed local tour guide
• skip-the-line tickets
• radio headphones (depending on group size)

Exclusions:

• gratuities
• lunch
• any other personal expense

Here are some important things to know to ensure you have the best possible experience with your tour:

• the itinerary is indicative and can be changed in case some monument is inaccessible for restoration
• if you are traveling in Spring/Summer time, it is highly recommended to bring with you a hat, high-protection sun cream, sunglasses, and water. We also recommend you wear comfortable shoes. In Fall/Winter time instead, it is highly recommended to have an umbrella or a raincoat and wear waterproof shoes

Our standard cancellation policy applies to this tour:

• if you cancel at least 61 days in advance, you will get a full refund
• if you cancel between 60 and 8 days in advance you will get a refund of 80%
• if you cancel between 8 days and 48 hours before the tour, you will get a 50% refund
• in case of cancellation, for any reason, in the final 48 hours, there will be no refund