Pompeii Travel Forum

Hi all - we plan to visit Pompeii on Oct. 13th and would like to see it independently. I've read that you can purchase guidebooks at the site but am wondering if they're all the same or if one is better than another? I've seen "Pompeii Under The Volcano-Guide to the town buried by Mount Vesuvius 2000 Years Ago" (by Edizioi Spano) mentioned but no others. I'd like something easy to use and not too big/heavy/expensive. Suggestions? Also, I've read more than few recommendation on Trip Advisor to see Herculaneum vs Pompeii (if you have time for only one site) as it's better preserved and less crowded. Any opinions from you VT'ers on this? Thanks for your help!

I'm glad you asked this question. It made me go look for my guidebook on Pompeii, which I was pretty sure was the one you mention. Yes, that's the one I have, and I liked it. It's small enough, but detailed enough.

I'm glad I opened the book because inside I found 8 unused Rome bus/metro tickets! Hope they're still good for my next visit.

The first time I went to Pompei, I took the two-hour tour offered by the guides outside the entrance which I believe is worth doing. It definitely helps get you oriented. Then I spent the rest of the day on my own with the book. (You can also purchase an audio guide at the site, but I did not do this.)

I've been to Herculaneum, Pompei, and Ostia Antica. They are all great, but I think that the plaster casts of men, women, children, and animals at Pompei make the visit so much more emotional, immediate, viceral...when you see the casts at the "Garden of the Fugitives" (most tours don't take you there) you will be moved.

I must also recommend to you the National Archeological Museum in Naples, which has many of the treasures from Pompei and elsewhere. Truly an astonishing collection. It's only 1 metro stop from the main Naples train station, so easy to get to, and worth a couple of hours. Usually open til 8, but closed on Tuesdays.

Hope this helps!

hi Cristina, do you still remember how much you payed for that 2 hour tour ? Did they show you also INside the houses that are locked ?

Ciao Michael!

The cost of the tour depends on how many people they collect. They usually ask you to wait for a few minutes so they can find more people to reduce the price to each person. (By the way, these are licensed guides.) They divide the total cost of the tour by the number of people. If I remember correctly, the last time I went, March 2007, we paid about 8-10 euros, since they had a full group of about 10 or 12. I believe they will be happy to take just one person if you are willing to pay the full amount.

No, this tour does not get you into any of the "locked" houses. But you can book a reservation to see the famous locked houses (most are closed for restoration).

Only just now, links that formerly worked regarding how to make a reservation aren't working.

But check here for an explanation: http://timesonline.typepad.com/dons_life/2006/08/how_to_open_loc.html

Perhaps some searching on google will come up with the booking site.

thanks for the infos ! I just remember the "mafia" of guides, offering to take you into the locked houses and they would never tell you a price for such a tour in advance, but say, give me at the end, what you think...

Thanks for the reply, Christina! I've actually been to Pompeii (35 years ago) and while the guide ran us through at breakneck pace and was really hard to understand (one reason for wanting to do it solo) I do remember the casts. We also just saw the Pompeii exhibit, with some of the casts, that's here in Mpls right now. Anyway, having seen them, I thought maybe we'd focus on some other things - thus my question about the guidebook and Herculaneum. Based on your vote for thr Spano guide, I'll look for that one! Glad you found those tickets for your next trip!!! :)

I appreciated Herculaneum a lot more AFTER visiting Pompeii, because it was a like a breath of fresh air. It's definitely smaller and it's got fewer artifacts, but it's also infinitely less crowded. However, I'm glad I saw Pompeii as well. If I were going to return to Pompeii I would make sure to go FIRST thing in the morning, as there is NO shade, and I would also not bother walking all the way to the amphitheatre (unless I'd never seen one before).

Hi I recommend you go to your local library a nd take out several guide books on Pompeii and other destinations you are visiting. Read up before you go and then buy a copy of the best one for your reference.

We like the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, they have them in all sizes , pocket book to Bible.

Pompeii is well worth visiting, take your camera.

Do not overlook research on VT pages. We had an enjoyable 19 days in Italy 18 monts ago, do not try and visit too many locations.
Good Luck,
Mike

Hi Mike - thanks for the Pompeii advice! I'd already hit the library and found very little adult material available. Same with my local bookstore. I know what you mean about trying to do too many locations and that won't be a problem - will be in Rome 4 nights, Capri for two nights, and Sorrento for 3 nights. Pompeii will be a day trip from Sorrento and, hopefully, Positano as well. The Eyewittness guides are my favorites (although weighty) - bought one for Rome. Yes, have been combing VT, Rick Steves and Trip Advisor sites for lots and lots of info but there wasn't much to be found on this guidebook question. :)

Hi We were in New York early June , I bought the large DK eyewitness Guide Book 6 months before our holiday and shortly before we left home my wife bought the pocket size DK Eyewitness Travel book, it just went in my pocket or her bag and had the condensed version of the large book. It worked very well, just find a bookshop that sells them. Maps , Train lines the lot.

www.dk.com may help

Good Luck,
Mike