Pompeii and Herculaneum

Spend the day exploring some of the most famous, and well-preserved, archeological sites in the world.

Pompeii was a flourishing and sophisticated Roman city with a thriving agricultural scene and was a popular holiday destination for Roman nobility. When Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., it blanketed the area under ash and pumice which today offers us an excellent snapshot of what life was like under Roman rule in the first century. Walk into perfectly preserved houses and see everyday objects such as bowls and food just as they were left. Throughout the site you will see sculptures and paintings on the walls, and even see the remains of some of the victims.

Once you have surveyed this ancient city, you will head up the side of Mt. Vesuvius, renamed the World Reserve of the Biosphere by UNESCO. Make your way up one of the steep uphill roads, then continue on foot to the crater at 1,282m above sea level for magnificent views.

From there you will drive to ancient Herculaneum, one of 5 towns (including Pompeii) at the edge of the volcano that was totally decimated by the eruption. Although less famous than Pompeii, Herculaneum was in fact a wealthier town with dense housing. The first accidental excavations started following the discovery of statues while digging a deep well commissioned by Austrian Prince Elboeuf; King Carlo di Borbone ordered the first official excavations in 1738.

Walk around the remains of this still partially-hidden city and be sure to take the underground tunnel to the Villa dei Papyri, one of the then most luxurious houses in all of Rome with exquisite art and a library room full of papyri rolls.

This 9-hour active tour sells out fast! Book now to stand on top of the infamous Mt. Vesuvius and get an up-close look at ancient Roman life through Pompeii and Herculaneum.