The genteel town of Sorrento provides a comfy gateway to the dramatic Amalfi Coast. And towering above is the mighty volcano, Mount Vesuvius. The group was small and hit all the highlights and was not long and drawn out, which may be a bit much for an 11 year old who may be more interested in walking around and not standing and listening to someone talk. For how many attractions/destinations? Thank you for posting about your experience. Either way, imagine the caf buzzing with the intellectuals, journalists, and high-society bigshots who sipped and munched here during Naples' 19th-century heyday. dilg, 3 posts , July 2022 Serene Sorrento, an hour south of Naples' urban intensity, is a great home base and the gateway to the much-drooled-over Amalfi Coast. Neither rich nor poor, Pompeii was a typical middle-class town. The museum also has highlights from other parts of the Roman Empire. Take a Peek Behind the Chic . Then on October 24, AD 79, everything changed. Pompeii Tour Guides - Rick Steves Travel Forum Gaetano: This was the tepidarium, so people coming from gymnasium after sport, they were massaged by the slaves. Remains of homes give a glimpse into Roman lifestyles. ), and then drove to where the ferry goes to Sicily. Rick: Oh, vongole! We took a Walks of Italy tour in Pompeii and it was wonderful. Rick Steves: Pompeii Italy's frozen-in-time Roman city To book a tour with Gaetano put your search line Pompeii tours by Gaetano and Ciro. We had good luck using a guide who was hanging out at the entrance. laura 2 posts, October 2022 Our tour of Pompeii with guide, Gaetano Manfredi was educational, interesting, and moved at an excellent pace. I find almost all the audio guides at the museums in italy to be poorly translated, somewhat slow, and just not good. We are driving from Val d'orcia --south of Sienna --It is 4 to 5 hours to the sites. But it seemed just fine at the time. Are there places to rest if we get tired.since we are not allowed re-entry. Rick likes Sorrento as a home base with a good mix of public transport in multiple directions, if you're staying a few days and also want to visit Amalfi and/or Capri, for instance. Another time we took our son and booked a regular guide for about half of Gaetanos fee. We'll go shopping Neapolitan style, dodge scooters in Naples' crazy traffic, explore the city's vibrant neighborhoods, admire exquisite ancient mosaics, taste pizza in its birthplace. https://www.napoliunplugged.com/naples-circumvesuviana-railway It's hard to advise without those details, but Herculaneum does not take all day like I consider Pompeii to, being smaller. You need to distinguish between signs for (and train tickets to) "Pompeii Scavi" (i.e. If you're still, you can hear the occasional cascades of rocks tumbling into the craterVesuvius could indeed blow again. Each demands at least a half day, Pompeii could take more, but to be honest, after four hours, you burn out a bit, especially if it is hot and you are taking in Herculaneum as well. And if you have feedback on your tour, please let me know at books@ricksteves.com. Watching the police try to enforce traffic sanity is almost comical in this gritty city. From the Mediterranean to the Alps, from fine art to fine pasta, experience it all with Rick Steves! I'm Rick Steves. I completely agree with this comment. In this program we go shopping Neapolitan style, dodge scooters in Naples' crazy traffic, explore the city's vibrant neighborhoods, admire exquisite ancient mosaics at the National Museum of Archaeology, taste pizza in its birthplace, climb the lip of Mount Vesuvius, and wander the amazing ruins of the Roman town it destroyed: Pompeii. I didnt find it all that bad to use except once when it was very crowded. We are booked with tours of Italy for a small group in late April but we have to get from the port to the ruins and back on our own. He committed to give us a 3-hour tour on June 9th. Italian Law 675/96 - enacted by the President of the Italian Republic to conform to the directive of the European Community to safeguard the privacy of the personal details of people and other subjects. Roberta: This is basso living. How to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum - Rick Steves Travel Forum We are paying $250 euros per person so $500 euros total. Take the Eurostar (fast train) from Rome Termini to Naples, transfer to local commuter train Circumvesuviana and head for Pompeii Scavi. ( i did tip him 20 euros) Posted by lpricehike Italy intensifies as you plunge deeper. Roberta: Basso. The outcome is clear by the fear in the eyes of the Persians, and the focus and determination of Alexander the Great. How did you have to pay for the tour? New discoveries since then include more skeletons, vivid frescoes,an ancient snack stand, and evidence that the eruption had taken place two months later than historians had long thought. Most tourists don't spend a whole day at either Pompeii or Herculaneum. I have no experiance with Mr Manefredi, and I believe he is mentioned in the RS guides. We are expert (4 generation since 1948) on providing great experiences and memorable time in Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, Naples, Vesuvius, Capri, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi Coast and in all the Campania region. Although, the replies ranged from 3 hours to all day at Pompeii. This past February, when I was planning a family trip to Rome with my adult children and grandchildren, I again wanted a tour of Pompeii, so I contacted Gaetano and was thrilled that he was still giving tours 12 years later. Heres the website https://www.sharedtours.com/: We just booked a guided group tour at the ticket booth. Its people have an impressive knack for living, eating, and raising children in the streets. The date on which the request to cancel is received by the Company will determine the applicable cancellation fees. Today, Italy's third-largest city feels in many places like an urban jungle. The white-gray ash settled like a heavy snow on Pompeii, its weight eventually collapsing roofs and floors (but leaving walls standing). I was told the same thing (that week) at Herculaneum. The vast majority of visitors come for the day from either Naples or Sorrento, using the Circumvesuviana (a gritty, hot, crowded local commuter rail service that originates at the same station where the long-distance trains come into Naples.) Pre-registration is required, and each tour will depart only if at least six people have signed up (6-19 people maximum). Thanks for joining us. Speaking of which, any Naples hotel recommendations in walkable, but NOT hilly neighborhoods? Serious excavations began in 1748 and are still ongoing, making Pompeii the longest-continually-excavated site in the world. We were very impressed, and should we return, we will definitely choose one of the Manfredis. All you have to do is relax and enjoy your time/trip for as long as you are with us, we will be sure to take care of you. We bought tickets to a guided tour when we arrived. Unemployment is chronically high, and past local governments set an example that the Mafia would be proud of. From pickup to drop-off, the tour is 9 hours. Consider Rick's free, downloadable audio tour for Pompeii. In this epic battle, Alexander and his Greeks meet and defeat Darius and the Persians. It's possible to day-trip to Pompeii from Rome, if you start early and plan on a long day. Pompeii?? : r/travel A bomb casing hangs in the corner. Pompeii - Rick Steves was right about Gaetano Manefredi & his tours Throughout the tour, Gaetano brought the 79 AD city to life, We felt as if we could relate to the people and times. This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. Is it easy to take the train there from Naples? as long as 6 people show up the tour goes ( i did this in April). I have hear great things about Gaetano from multiple sources so I am excited for my tour. This one shows little cupids playing out commercial activities of the town: collecting flowers, taking your knocks on a chariot, and enjoying the local wine. We had an excellent tour guide and it was a great deal! This was very convenient. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. I do a lot of research and I know what guides and companies I want, and by paying in advance I can spread out the trip expenses. http://www.pompeitour.com/. (16:58). Thats the email we got confirming our tour for walks of Italy. It was one we will always remember. Pompeii - Rick Steves was right about Gaetano Manefredi & his tours Jump to bottom Posted by chrisknisely5 on 05/01/23 09:34 AM My husband and I visited Italy in 2012, and then again last week with family, using our Rick Steves (2011) guidebook both times. To skip the lines at the site's entrance, purchase your ticket online (for a small surcharge). It was originally faced with gleaming marble. The last stop was the frigidarium the cold bath. And I highly recommend reading Robert Harriss book, Pompeii, before a visit. Naples and Pompeii - Video - Rick Steves' Europe A much more enjoyable option would be to spend a couple of nights in Sorrento which is at the end of the Circumvesuviana line. It stands directly across Spaccanapoli from the Gothic Church of Santa Chiara. Red lights are considered discretionary. To complement your Pompeii visit, stop by the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. Download Italy Audio Tours - Rick Steves Europe I will take advice from the replies and not stay near Pompeii. I know there are people who will say you only need a couple of hours in Pompeii and/or that Herculaneum is "better", but we were obsessed with visiting Pompeii and spent nearly 6 hours there. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. From Naples, we'll climb smoldering Mount Vesuvius and visit the ruins of Pompeii. Walking through its colorful old town is one of the most memorable . I would verify that any hotel also has private parking. It's the easiest and best experience if you have an iPhone (any iOS device) or Android. We found a great selection of restaurants, including one with a Michelin star that we could just walk into without a reservation. Be careful, but be assertive. Culture thrived at Pompeii. Everyone seems connected by cell phones. I would schedule at least 3 hours for Pompeii. Because tepidarium means "lukewarm bath.". He was fantastic! She picked us up at our hotel in Naples at 8 am, drove to Ercolano, Pompeii, and another recently renovated farmhouse; had lunch, and were back by 5 pm. I just used the Rick Steves audio guide. We will try to email you at least 3 days before the tour departure. The collection's centerpiece is the largest intact statue from antiquity said to be carved out of one piece of marble. The curia housed the government. Since the rate for a one-way transfer from Sorrento to the Naples Rail Station is probably 140 Euros or less, you have to consider the time spent by the driver waiting for you at Pompeii, instead of making money transporting other people. The city's one essential museum visit offers the best possible peek into the art of Pompeii. We also got to see a motel or two on the (modern) road outside the Scavi. pghautz, 2 posts, April 2023 Look here, look what we have: Maradona, our big superstar, the soccer hero. 10/02/22 09:03 AM 132 posts yes, the Mondo shared tours: https://www.sharedtours.com/ it's 15 euro a person which you pay to the guide, and you sign up on the site above. Were you asked for tips? Just wondering, did this tour guide give you any incentives to post a positive report? A few days before the tour, Gaetano told me he had been asked by Rick Steves to give Ricks cousins a tour of Pompeii which conflicted with our tour and based on his 25 year relationship with Rick, he felt he had to comply. In good Roman style, the city was well-organized, with a grid street plan contained within its walls. Belly up to the crater-edge viewpoints. Pompeii & Herculaneum - Rick Steves Europe It is very relaxing, orange and lemon trees throughout I can remember smelling them on a windy day. And we had, in fact, the 3-day, 5-site tickets that might (but did not) convey Executive Tour status! How would I book a tour with Gaetano? This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity. Absolutely wonderful. Add your name and credit card number as a promise to be there, then pay the guide (cash only) at the start of the tour. Pompeii's impressive baths were just past the gymnasium. I am baffled when recommendations for a guide do not include the specifics: How many people were in your group? Pompeii tour advice - Rick Steves Travel Forum It spewed for 18 hours straight, as winds blew the cloud south toward the city. Plus the cost is very reasonable so if your kid gets antsy no big loss if he get uninterested and you need to just wonder away and do your own thing. There is another train that runs less frequently called the Campania (?) Signs of animals have also been found, including a saddled-up horse that appears ready to carry its master to safety. Learn more about the Rick Steves Audio Europe app or download the app now: 01/19/23 01:41 PM 2813 posts In April 2022, we booked our Pompeii private guide through Askos tours. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Very relaxing base for Pompeii. Some folks offer discounts for early booking. So far only the two of us. In the year 79 AD, Pompeii was a thriving, middle-class Roman city of around 15,000 people-until it wasn't. That summer, nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the city of Pompeii and 2,000 of its inhabitants, effectively preserving the city in its entirety as part of a massacre. Now we walk. We climbed Mount Vesuvius, and resurrected the ruble at Pompeii, but that's just the beginning of this region's charms. It is worth the extra hour train ride from Naples. Gaetano said his father and grandfather were Pompei guides, so that makes Ciro the 4th generation! Pedestrians need to be wary, particularly of the motor scooters. While excavating, modern archaeologists detected hollow spaces in the volcanic debris that were created when victims' bodies decomposed. It's about a 15 minute train ride from Sorrento to Pompeii. [clams] And that's probably if you stick just to the audio guide. Would we do this same trip now? Scot, do you have a specific website for Tours of Italy? They seem reasonably priced and the groups are small. at the Porta Marina entrance, and she made it extremely clear that re-entry was not allowed. Hello from Rick Steves The Naples region has many fascinating sights and areas that are best explored with a local guide. Shared tours for Rick Steves. These were commonplace in Pompeii's wealthier homes. Naples' Archaeological Museum is one of the world's great museums of ancient art. Transfers. But if you are sleeping in a hotel in Sorrento, the train is a trivial (and extremely cheap) excursion to Pompeii, stopping right across the street from the Porta Marina entrance to the ancient site. Pompeii: Italy's Frozen-in-Time Roman City by Rick Steves And a steady stream of water flushed the chariot-rutted streets clean. When you get back in April, I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on the tour. Capri Pompeii Amalfi Positano Rome Venice Florence MondoGuide srl And a short jet-boat ride takes you to the enchanting Isle of Capri. By making a booking with our Company, you accept on behalf of yourself and all those named on the booking, including minors and people under a disability, to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. But (and you have NOT stated where you marathon drive on the next day!) I asked Gaetano the best place to leave the rating, and he suggested Rick Steves' Forum as this is where I found the listing. We did the same as Beth, when you buy your tickets at the booth there will be an option to buy a guided tour. Visiting Pompeii + Mount Vesuvius: Complete Guide Pompeii is right across the street from the Circumvesuviana station. Pompeii is the only one that has food service inside the site, which is the most likely re-entry issue. In 1599, Pompeii was accidentally rediscovered during construction of a canal. Shared Tours Amalfi Coast, Capri, Naples, Pompei and Sorrento Almost no one stays in or by Pompeii to see the ancient site. We stayed in Sorrento and used the Circumvesuviana train. From the Pompeii stop, shuttle vans take curious visitors up the volcano to the end of the road. There is no verbal or written; representation, warranty, prior agreement, or description of services, other than as expressed herein. The original Greek street plan is remarkably intact, and back then, like today, small businesses by day became private homes after hours, and life tumbled out of the homes and into the lanes. They brag it takes several years of practice to get the dough just right. I found the Circumvesviana train to be uncomfortable and dirty, not particularly gritty however my mum, when she travelled with my dad, was faced by a young man masturbating in front of her, an experience she would probably describe as somewhat stronger than gritty! It's not always properly staffed and may not always be open. lsietsema, 5 posts all in July 2022 Each stall is eye-catching. Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines. I contacted Gaetano @ www.pompeiitourguide.com, but 290 EUR for our family of 4 is more than I want to spend. I'm at the point now of waiting until we get there and hire someone on the spot. Stopped in their tracks by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii and Herculaneum offer the best look anywhere at what life in Rome must have been like around 2,000 years ago. Standard gratuities in Europe run between 10 % 25% depending on the service received. Guides are not needed at either place, audio-guides are very good and helpful, though. City tours. Pompeii's many finely crafted mosaics give a sense of the sophistication and wealth of the city and its people. This form is designed to help us assemble a large enough group for each departure. But I will specifically confirm that in 2014 I ASKED the turnstile guard/aide (who punched my ticket because the electronic scan was broken? Water was abundant in this well-plumbed city. The steaming vents are a reminder that while Vesuvius may be quiet, it's just taking a geological nap. As we still do today, after the sauna to harden the muscles and for the body's circulationthe cold bath. I try to avoid saying exactly how much I paid for some good reasons: I usually book and pay for tours months in advance. Sorrento offers pleasant strolling and lots of tourist services. Gaetano made us feel as if we were guests in the city long ago and related the lives and times of the ancient Roman people to the people of the world today. Inside the niches all around there were oils, creams, perfumes for the body massages. Deb, the train from Naples can be something like a Fellini movie! Count me as one of those people that prefer a real guide to an audio guide. The last thing I want to do is get on the internet and tell people that this or that guide charged me X amount, when it is not likely that everybody will get the same deal that I did, thereby putting a guide that I really liked in the position of having to explain why Estimated Prophet paid less. We're not the sort who look for night life beyond a great restaurant, and a bar in a lovely square by the cathedral with families, students, and whoever having a great time. Ancient Rome controlled the entire Mediterranean Sea. The city has a brash and vibrant street life "Italy in your face" in ways both good and bad. For lovers of antiquity, this museum alone makes Naples a worthwhile stop. Gaetano: Yes to the crossroad, avoiding wet feet. The Company must confirm acceptance of the Client's booking in writing. He was fantastic! Today, this scene is just one more page in the 2,000-year-old story of Naples. Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines. That's not a bad price, Laurel, if just for Pompeii, and if it included entry fees? Great Self-Guided Tour w/ Rick Steves - Review of Pompeii Since you'll have a car, maybe find a place to stay in Pompeii for the night and let your archaeology buff stay as long as s/he wants and take a taxi to the hotel. All Pompeii & Herculaneum Travel Forum Posts. What does everyone recommend? And also, assume able-bodied beggars are actually pick pockets. The last eruption was in 1944. You can do more if you have the time. Im planning to stay in Naples. No. And plunging deeper? All this affects advice about sleeping near Pompeii. Neapolitans lament that after their city joined the newly united Italy, its riches were swallowed up by the new country. They will tailor the tour to your time and interest. I don't know your budget but I've found hiring a driver from Sorrento to Pompeii is outrageous. Thank you for your informative replies. Join free & follow Rick Steves' Italy. Rick: So why the stones in the street here? New Shared Trips endorsed by Rick Steves. I don't believe the writer of those mean-spirited words has ever actually stayed in Pompei. Terms of Service | Privacy. It is particularly important, now, to know if your archaeologist is going to insist on going to all five "Pompeii ticket" sites, or whether he will (quite properly) insist on seeing the remote and distant Paestum temples. I am still leaning towards hiring a private guide for the 4 of us. About Gaetano - Pompeii Tour Guide That's why, even though this site is so impressive, the finest art and artifacts of Pompeii ended up back in Naples, at the National Museum of Archaeology. He is an amazing tour guide! Rick: One day a thriving city, the next daythis. You name it, it occurs right on the streets today, as it has for centuries. Then on October 24, AD 79, everything changed. Or you can email us (sharedtours@mondoguide.com) or call us (tel. The local king who ruled from Naples demanded, "Bring me back the best of whatever you find!" Would anybody have an update number or email address? 39:20. Shore excursions. The adjacent Victorian iron and glass of the 100-year-old Galleria Umberto I takes you back to a grander time. Tipping is not included in our service fees,It is never mandatory although it is always appreciated. If I book a tour that includes transportation from Naples, it saves me having to take the train there myself. I'll be giving him a shout out as the reason for my trip in an upcoming Trip Report. This much-adored statue celebrates Giuseppe Moscati, a Christian doctor famous for helping the poor. Get the entire package audio tours, maps, scripts, updates, and more in the Rick Steves Audio Europe App. ddodds0402, 1 post, June 2022. Antica Pizzeria da Michele is a favorite. It's the . On the recent visit we decided to visit Pompeii, and saw a reference by Rick Steves to a wonderful guide person Gaetano Manfredi. Because Pompeii was a major port, people naturally searched for it near the sea. We found it excellent for our purposes but of course it is not geared to you personally. bob, 1 post, October 2021 Rick: Walk together, OK? Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast - Rick Steves Europe We would highly recommend him and feel the tour was extremely good value. 2023 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy. The collection ranges from grand statuary and exquisite mosaics to the most intimate details of everyday Roman life. Most of your time for that day is spent on the train. In this scene, a lusty faun playfully pulls the sheet off what he thinks is a beautiful woman, only to be shocked to learn she's a hermaphrodite perhaps the original "Mamma mia!" Last year I did a similar tour in the south of France with an excellent tour guide. For a better understanding of life at Pompeii, Italian archeologist Gaetano Manfredi is taking us on a walk. And if you look closely at some of the walls, bright red graffiti pops out exclaiming that Julius was here. 06/21/22 02:17 PM 5666 posts I was just about to post about Gaetano. Does Herculaneum need one day to see? The much higher quoted price I was referencing - which just happened to be for you, Allan - included driver services, and guide services for both Herculaneum and Pompeii so a different situation. https://www.napoliunplugged.com/campania-express-tourist-train-to-herculaneum-pompeii-and-sorrento. Should we stay at lodging close by Pompeii so we can walk? I gave the book five stars, a rating I rarely give, on Goodreads. Except there are no Princess Breakfasts or Space Travel Experiences at your hotel. Then, with the unification of Italy in 1861, Naples fell from being an important political capital to just another provincial town. In the 18th century, Naples finally became the capital of its own independent kingdom. To make things easier and more affordable for my readers, I've partnered with Naples-based Mondo Guide to coordinate shared tours. OK! Southern Italy's leading city, Naples offers a fascinating collection of museums, churches, and eclectic architecture. I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. Inside Rick Steves Italy you'll find: While the site is evocative, the horrors of that day in 79 AD are hard to imagine. To the purposes of Section 10 of this Law, we would like to remind you that the information you provide when subscribing to our reserved area will only be seen by Mondoguide srl staff and related companies. There was a circulation of hot air, and just when everything was really hot, they opened the water fountain over here, the water slowly fell on the floor the floor was hot and this produced steam. (We did it, but opted for a car transfer on departure!) As a result, its ruins offer the best look anywhere at life in an ancient Roman town, with its gridded street plan, villas and homes, commercial buildings, public baths, and colorful frescoes left remarkably intact. This is great information to know, does anyone know if the Manfredis also offer tours for the nearby historical sights in Herculaneum, Baiae, Mt. If you are intimidated by the Circumvesuviana commuter train, there is also the Campania Express. Notes Who knows what the hotels are like now, but 20 years ago in June we did indeed stay in a very, very basic hotel that was in the city of Pompei within close walking distance of one gate to the ruins of Pompeii. I tend to find the audio guides a bit dry. Rick also recommended a novel entitled Pompeii by British writer Robert Harris. I find it strange that so many would register on RS, post a single review, and move on. Large groups could make the visiting experience worse than going solo. It was "restored," in part, by Michelangelo. You can stand at the bar or pay double to sit. We agreed and what better reason than to be bumped by the great Rick Steves relatives!! If you need to cancel: As these are shared tours that rely on the participation of people who have signed up, please help us (and your fellow travellers) by cancelling as early as possible, and no later than 3 days prior to the tour date or you will be billed.