At the risk of offending slow-travelers with a decidedly fast-travel question, here goes. We'll be spending a week in rural Tuscany with a big family group. Before going home, we'll spend a few days in Rome (arrive Saturday afternoon; fly out Tuesday late-morning). I've been fascinated with Pompeii since I was a kid - 50 years ago! - and am tempted to think of it as a must-see that would be worth taking a day away from our limited time in Rome. The best solution would be to extend the trip, of course, but job demands won't allow it.

For those of you who have been there, is Pompeii awesome enough to be worth sacrificing a day out of our too-short stay in Rome? Or should we save it for a hypothetical "next time"?

Hi Balto: You will find lots of information here. I have been to Rome a few times (once for 10 days) and 2 other times, just for a one day visit. I was in Pompeii about 9 or 10 yrs ago. With that said and based on your interests, this is a toss up for me. If you have had a childhood interest, Pompeii will 'call' to you. However, you will need to factor in travel time to Pompeii and you will need the rest of the day to really explore the site. Personally, if I had only two days, I stay in Rome. I still have not seen all that Rome offers in her splendor and history. Clear as mud?

I think you need to re-think your plans. Either a) spend the time in Rome or b) spend the time in Naples/Pompeii/Herculanaeum.

It is a long hard day slog from Rome to Pompeii to end up only spending a couple of hours at Pompeii. I'd recommend going directly to Naples, seeing the National Museum there and then possibly Herculanaeum in the afternoon then going to Pompeii the following day.

Rome is too special (and spectacular) to just do a quicky one day stop. I'd rather you didn't go at all then give it such short shrift.

I also feel this might be too much, but I can understand wanting do this trip. I personally love Pompeii and have been several times, but each time, we spent too little time there. We rented the audio guides and asked the desk person to mark the most important sights, which they did. After that, we just wandered, but still haven't seen the entire place.

If you really have your heart set on this, have you considered renting a car and driving down? You could leave early and spend more time there, since you wouldn't be at the mercy of a train schedule. We did this once and really enjoyed the freedom of the car. Once you get out of Rome, it's an easy drive on the Autostrada. We arrived back in Rome around 9:00 p.m. You could also hire a driver to take you there, but they are usually very expensive and you will feel like you are spending a lot of money knowing the driver is sitting around doing nothing while you visit the ruins.

We have done some pretty crazy things in all of our trips to Italy, including a day trip to Venice from Tuscany one time. We knew the couple with us would never travel anywhere unless they were with us and they really wanted to see Venice. We left early in the morning, arriving back at the rental around midnight. We all agree, it was one of the best days of our entire trip. They didn't get to see everything, but I think it helped that we knew Venice so well and didn't waste a lot of time getting lost.

If you decide to do the trip to Pompeii, go and have a wonderful time. I do advise a good GPS system to get in and out Rome, it does save a lot of time. We once spent two and a half hours trying to get out of Rome. Others say it's very easy, but we always found it difficult. On our last trip on September, we traveled with a GPS for the first time and breezed right in from Tuscany to the Borghese underground parking lot, without making one wrong turn......heaven.

Sharon J

In Rome there is so much to see that your time is little even without the trip to Pompeii, so I would definitely save it for your next time. And actually if you save it, you will have a very good reason that will help you make sure you will come back.

And whatever you decide ... enjoy it :-)

While not recommending a reduction in your stay in Rome, I think the only practical way to do as you suggest is to delay your arrival time in Rome. More specifically, get up very early and drive straight to Pompeii--tour, and return to Rome the same day. You can "steal" some time by getting an early start on Saturday. You will have to research rental car return opening hours-(might require airport return) for your anticipated late arrival. Its a squeeze but it does still allow you your original 2 days in Rome and gets you to Pompeii in the fastest, most efficient method. Not classic Slow-travel but we've all put in extra effort when required.

BTW-best start this plan well rested! Good luck-Paul.

My heart and head are so torn on how to answer this; we are not the slowest of SlowTravelers by any stretch of the imagination and yet, I really want to say save Pompeii for another trip, one where you can start in Rome and make your way south for a decent amount of time.

My husband would say go for it if Pompeii is your heart's desire (actually we had this very conversation on the weekend), that's what he would do. I pointed out to him that we were going to do that once, changed our minds and waited for another trip.

Another trip is the key here perhaps. If you are truly sure that this is your one and only trip to Italy, then you should try to see Pompeii. If you know you will return, then I would say spend your few days in Rome, which are hardly enough as it is, and enjoy the beauty that is Rome. The ruins at Ostia Antica are a much shorter distance and might satisfy you on this trip.

And I agree with the above, whatever you decide to do, enjoy it all.

If Pompeii is that important to you (and it is awesome) and you can afford it, I'd hire a driver. Pick-up/drop off, door-to-door, and most are very friendly and offer lots of useful information along the way- most likely it would be an entertaining ride.

I don't think you will have the time to get there. In the rush you may not appreciate what Pompeii has to offer. Do something nearer to the airport that will give you more pleasure.

Rob's first response to your question was "that is like saying you have two days in NY and you want to go to Miami for one of them".

My suggestion would possibly be try Ostia Antica as it is only 45 minutes away from the center of Rome. I realize it is not Pompeii, the place of your lifetime dreams, but still an extremely fascinating site and it will give you the feel/taste of life and architecture of the same period.

Just my thought. Enjoy your time in Italy and whatever/wherever you do/go enjoy every breath, taste, sight and experience. W.

quote:

"that is like saying you have two days in NY and you want to go to Miami for one of them"

Ouch; that's harsh! Can we make it Boston or Philly, rather than Miami? *grin*

Yeah, actually it's more like Philly or Baltimore than Miami, distance wise.

BTW - I'm with the others who suggested instead of Rome, just spend your time in the Pompeii vicinity.

Here is another way to think of it really you can't see Rome in 2 days.So maybe just skip Rome this trip and go for both days to near Pompeii?

I guess to you its more important to see Pompeii, and skipping it would not feel right.

Whether you skip Rome or not, you are skipping most of Rome if you truly plan to go to Pompeii which will entail nearly 8 hours on an extremely uninteresting train ride during your precious 2 days.
Therefore I agree with others, might as well skip Rome and devote your time in Naples with its faab old stones, great food and beautiful bay.

if you are going to skip Rome and stay in the bay of Naples area for 3 days, you might want to stay in Sorrento instead of Naples. Pompeii is almost equidistant from Naples or Sorrento. It takes an hour and 10 min to get to Naples from Sorrento on the Circumvesuviana train or an hour on the hydrofoil forn the port so you couod day trip to Naples and see what you want forn there.

Sorrento is prettier, and more tourist friendly than Naples.

Cliff top park in Sorrento Feb 2006
http://www.slowphotos.com/phot...photo=31394&cat=3997

Sorrento from the hydrofoil in the Bay of Naples
http://www.slowphotos.com/phot...photo=38540&cat=4167

This is the place I have bookmarked for my future Amalfi area stay. It gets great reviews everywhere and appears to be a good location for you. 20 Km for Pompeii according to their website.

Amalfi place RR

okay, change it to Philly, it was just an extreme anyway.

I agree with the idea of skipping Rome all together and staying closer to your must-see/most dreamed of site - this is what dreams are for. Whatever you decide enjoy every moment of your trip. You will be back and can then spend more time in Rome.

I do think it boils down to 3 options
1. Rome and Pompeii - this feels unwieldy and you run the risk of being worn out before you even get there - and to do it proper justice, you really need to be able to stomp around easily.

2. Just Rome, Pompeii is another trip. This has merit if you're able to convince yourself you will do this. The Amalfi coast has a wonderful charm, with wide appeal and it would even be feasible for you to head off on your own, whilst the family chills out.

3. Naples & Pompeii. This feels the best option. Fast trains service Naples, plus flights are an option. Not just does this allow a lifelong dream to see Pompeii, but also allows you ample time to visit the archeological museum in Naples, housing many of the treasures removed from Pompeii. The short length of time available works much more in your favour with this plan. An added bonus might be finding an onward flight out of Naples itself.

regards

Ian

Let add my two cents. When someone tells me they didn't like Rome, I ask how long did they stay. Virtually all had one or two days there.
My favorite city in the world is Rome and I now always stay at least a week (after 8 trips).
Go to Pompeii (which adds lots of extra travel time),if that's where your heart is.

If you have had a passion to see Pompeii and if you think this might be the only time you will visit Italy, then I would take the time to see it.

It's a long day but we have done the daytrip several times just because we enjoy walking through the ruins of Pompeii. And, the way they are carving up all the good fresco's and art pieces, if you wait much longer you will have to visit the Naples National Archeological Museum to see them. It just would not be the same as seeing them on the actual walls of the original buildings.

There is a train that departs around 7am from Termini Station that takes about 2 hours to get to Naples. Its about a 5-10 minute walk between stations in Naples but you will then take the Circumvesuviana rail to Pompeii. (about 30 minutes)

I would expect 4-6 hours to see all of Pompeii, and I would suggest the small fee for the audio tour and go at your own pace. Don't miss the coliseum or the Villa of Mysteries at the North or Ercolano Gate, which has the best fresco's in Pompeii.

It's a long day but well worth the travel time. Although there is so much to see in Rome and just one day won't even scratch the surface, Pompeii is a once in a lifetime experience also and I hope you won't miss it.

You need more than two days for Rome.....no question. In fact, I think I'd skip Rome altogether and just stay South....Naples is FANTASTIC, IMO. I'm with AMERICANA In PARIGI on this one.....

It's a crazy idea. But sometimes the craziest things are the most memorable. So go for it! (Provided you can be sure that you have at least five or six hours at Pompeii.) I hope the weather is kind.

quote:

Originally posted by Balto:
At the risk of offending slow-travelers with a decidedly fast-travel question, here goes. We'll be spending a week in rural Tuscany with a big family group. Before going home, we'll spend a few days in Rome (arrive Saturday afternoon; fly out Tuesday late-morning). I've been fascinated with Pompeii since I was a kid - 50 years ago! - and am tempted to think of it as a must-see that would be worth taking a day away from our limited time in Rome. The best solution would be to extend the trip, of course, but job demands won't allow it.

For those of you who have been there, is Pompeii awesome enough to be worth sacrificing a day out of our too-short stay in Rome? Or should we save it for a hypothetical "next time"?

Absolutely NOT! (I didn't read everyone else's response, so I hope I'm not repeating the obvious).

If you desperately want to see ruins (and can't find enough in the centro storico), go by train to Ostia Antica, maybe a 30-40 min. ride west out of the City.

Don't waste the few hours you have sitting in a bus.

quote:

Originally posted by Kim:
Yeah, actually it's more like Philly or Baltimore than Miami, distance wise.
.

Except NY and Philly are only about 90 minutes by car...and I rather doubt you could get from Rome to Pompeii that quickly. Probably take almost that long to get over the GRA and onto the A1. Although Pompeii itself is wonderful the area immediately outside the site is...hmm, ugly,smelly, and "tourist-trappy." While that should not prevent enjoying the site, if I only had limited time I would want my departing memories to be of the magic of Roma, particularly at night.

Balto

It seems your question is not should I travel slow or fast, but rather is Pompeii worth sacrificing a day in Rome to go and see.

This forum is all about doing the opposite of what you are planning so the obvious majority of answers here would be "are you crazy! ".

But you should know that people with time constraints do do this all the time.

Now there are super high speed trains from Rome reducing the journey to Naples to about 1 hour 15 mins. From there another 45 mins circumvesuviana train ride takes you to Pompeii. Last time I checked, there was one leaving 6:45 am then at 9am. So two and a bit hours each way, plus time in Pompeii. If you leave at the crack of dawn, you could be back for a respectable dinner in Rome.

In these circumstances, being super organised and having a an expert guide is going to help you leverage the time in each place. For Pompeii and Herculaneum, I know previous slow travelers have had success with Barbara Giambattista

Here is a another independent site that specializes in all manner of Pompeii tour questions. http://pompeiitours.org/

BY getting a great overview this trip, you will know where to spend more time on your next trip. If that trip never happens then at least you will have seen Pompeii.

Hope this helps and have a great trip Balto

Craig

Very good words Craig, and great info. Thank you