Travel back in time to one of the most tragic chapters in Italy's history with this visit to the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Better yet, you'll have the opportunity to hike to the highest point of Mount Vesuvius, the most notorious active volcano in the region of the Campania.
Discover the Tragedy
It's certainly true to say that it seems rather unusual that one of the greatest catastrophes in Italy's history is now to thank for one of their most popular tourist attractions in Campania. On this tour, you'll discover how the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD laid waste to Pompeii and Herculaneum, two of the most prosperous cities of their age.
At the time shown, we'll meet at the Via Roma. From there, we'll travel by minibus to Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum and finally Pompeii. You'll travel to the very source of this disastrous story, Mount Vesuvius, one of the most famous volcanoes in Italy.
Reaching over 1000 metres (3280 feet) in height, Vesuvius leaves its visitors dumbfounded time and time again. Upon your arrival, an expert volcanologist will reveal to you all the keys to understanding the activity of this crater, and the events that led up to this catastrophic eruption. You'll have free time after this to climb to the summit and enjoy the amazing views of the Gulf of Naples, and the Sorrento Coast. You're sure to love it!
After this, you'll be brought to the town of Herculaneum, where you'll experience your first point of contact with the Roman cities that were left buried after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Once there, you'll have time to explore the site at your own pace, walk the streets and discover how life was during the Ancient Roman Empire.
Houses, pubs, temples and an enthralling number of coloured mosaics decorate the walls of the buildings here, bringing you back in time. Moreover, one of the most stunning attractions of Herculaneum is the forum and the mosaic found in Neptune and Amphitrite's house.
Once the visit to Herculaneum has come to an end, you can make your way towards the World Heritage Site of the ruins of Pompeii. Thanks to an audioguide in English, you'll come to discover the secrets of this once great city of Ancient Rome that was completely destroyed by the lava of Mount Vesuvius.
As you wander around, you'll pass by the cobblestoned streets that seem as though they are stuck in time, and next to them, the remains of once very symbolic buildings such as the House of the Faun, the House of the Tragic Poet, or the Basilica. You can observe the detailed mosaics that decorate the walls of the city's buildings and the plaster of Paris that show the victims of the event.
Finally, you'll return to the start point of Pompeii, where the day will conclude after the 8-hour historic tour.
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