FULL DAY GUIDED TOUR OF POMPEII

Have you ever dreamed of stepping into the future or the past? We still have to work on the future but the past is a cinch. Let yourself be transported into the Roman world of 2000 years ago - still completely intact. Walk along chariot-marked streets where a bustling city once nestled complacently under the shadow of Vesuvius until the fatal eruption in 79 AD. According to Pliny the Younger, it shocked the ancient world and froze the city - just as it was - under tons of volcanic ash and debris. Perhaps you will be captivated by the exceptional frescoes to be found throughout the city or by the opulence of the villas, with their atriums and charming peristyles, owned by the rich and influential of the day.

Visit the Amphitheater as well as the Villa of Mysteries with its masterpiece frescoes depicting the secret dionysic rites, the Roman Forum and basilica, temples, public baths, and the tiny Odeon created for music recitals. See the more intimate side of the city as well; local bake shops, wineries, tabernae (fast-food eateries in the ancient world), graffitti and political slogans still etched into the walls - not to mention advertisements for wares of various kinds, savory and non.

Your guide on this full-day trip is Stefano, a young archaeologist who introduces himself as follows: "I was born in England but I spent most of my youth in Rome. As an Anglo-Italian kid I was raised under the influence of both cultures. I regularly visited Britain to spend time with relatives: my grandfather is an expert on the history of London, as well as a guide. Thanks to my father's job as an airline pilot I have enjoyed travelling around the world. I have visited the States three times, spent a couple of months in Australia, travelled around most of Europe and just got back from Tokyo. During my fourth year of high school I was an exchange student at Toutle Lake in Washington state. I spent a lovely year living with a host family under the constant presence of Mount St. Helen's, visible from the town. Perhaps it was the recent history of that volcano in combination with my interest in archaeology that inspired my special fascination with Pompeii.

Moving to London for my university experience I took a degree in Classical Archaeology. For the last three summers I have participated with the British School at Rome in the excavation of an ancient Roman town in Central Italy. The British press actually renamed this site "The Roman Las Vegas," because of the presence of an important amphitheatre in such a small town. I was one of the supervisors in charge of the Amphitheatre excavation.

Last October I started an MA in Archaeological Field Techniques to improve my knowledge in the excavation of ancient sites and fulfil my dream of digging around most of the Mediterranean basin. I look forward to sharing this exciting aspect of Italian history with you."

Travel effortlessly and quickly by train with Stefano on a fascinating journey into the past. Cost for this unforgettable day:

2008 & 2009 Prices From Rome:
Two people: Three people: Four people: Five people: Six people:   728 EURO/group 978 EURO/group 1087 EURO/group 1261 EURO/group 1440 EURO/group	Prices include public transportation by train (with your guide) to and from Rome Termini Rail Station, lunch and private guide. Entrance fees are extra and cost 10 Euro/person.

Don't have the time or Euros to visit Pompeii on this trip? Consider an easy half-day trip to Ostia Antica, the fascinating ancient harbor of Rome. In three hours you can visit the entire town, which is remarkably well preserved. Click here for details.

FULL-DAY GUIDED TOUR OF POMPEII AND MOUNT VESUVIUS FROM ROME

If you want to visit Pompeii but do not have the time to stay in Naples or the Amalfi area, consider this stress-free way to truly experience Pompeii. You will be picked up at your downtown hotel and drive for about 90 minutes to the world's most fascinating ruins. Here you'll recreate a day in the life of your ancient counterparts: vacationers bent on enjoying the amenities of what was then a world-class resort town. You'll peek in on their homes, their baths, their clubs, and all the facilities used by the large local population of workers to ensure that everything worked smoothly in Pompeii.

But why did it all come so suddenly to an end? As any schoolchild knows, this whole area was buried under twenty feet of ash one dark day in 79 A.D. The fatal blanket spewed forth from Mount Vesuvius, which still looms overhead. As a result of that same ash, the slopes of the volcano are now a lush Garden of Eden. Heavenly-scented citrus groves and vast Lacrima Christi vineyards surround gracious homes on the way up to the summit, which is still one of the world's most active craters (though not considered dangerous). It also offers the very best view of the Bay of Naples, one of the panoramic wonders of the world. Along the way to the top, we'll stop for lunch at a fantastic local restaurant. Your guide will help you order local specialties, if you like. After your excursion to the crater, you can relax on the drive back to your hotel.

Round-trip from Rome:
Two people: Three people: Four people: Five people: Six people: Seven people: Eight people:   940 EURO 1008 EURO 1054 EURO 1101 EURO 1158 EURO 1204 EURO 1522 EURO	Price includes pick-up from and return to your downtown hotel, transportation, entrance fees, lunch of pizza and drink, and private guide

Round-trip from Rome:
Two people: Three people: Four people: Five people: Six people: Seven people: Eight people:   964 EURO 1044 EURO 1102 EURO 1160 EURO 1229 EURO 1288 EURO 1617 EURO	Price includes pick-up from and return to your downtown hotel, transportation, entrance fees, full lunch, and private guide

This can also be a one-way tour starting in Rome and ending in Naples, or vice-versa

One-way from Rome to Naples or from Naples to Rome:
Two people: Three people: Four people: Five people: Six people: Seven people: Eight people:   750 EURO 807 EURO 859 EURO 910 EURO 967 EURO 1014 EURO 1228 EURO	Price includes pick-up from and return to your downtown hotel, transportation, entrance fees, lunch of pizza and drink, and private guide

One-way from Rome to Naples or from Naples to Rome:
Two people: Three people: Four people: Five people: Six people: Seven people: Eight people:   774 EURO 843 EURO 907 EURO 970 EURO 1039 EURO 1097 EURO 1324 EURO	Price includes pick-up from and return to your downtown hotel, transportation, entrance fees, full lunch, and private guide

One-way from Rome to Amalfi Coast Towns or from Amalfi Coast Towns to Rome:
Two people: Three people: Four people: Five people: Six people: Seven people: Eight people:   804 EURO 861 EURO 913 EURO 965 EURO 1022 EURO 1068 EURO 1370 EURO	Price includes pick-up from and return to your downtown hotel, transportation, entrance fees, lunch of pizza and drink, and private guide

One-way from Rome to Amalfi Coast Towns or from Amalfi Coast Towns to Rome:
Two people: Three people: Four people: Five people: Six people: Seven people: Eight people:   828 EURO 897 EURO 961 EURO 1024 EURO 1093 EURO 1152 EURO 1465 EURO	Price includes pick-up from and return to your downtown hotel, transportation, entrance fees, full lunch, and private guide

You can also tour Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast from Rome or Naples. For details, click here.

Don't have the time or Euros to visit Pompeii on this trip? Consider an easy half-day trip to Ostia Antica, the fascinating ancient harbor of Rome. In three hours you can visit the entire town, which is remarkably well preserved. Click here for details.