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:

2010 Prices From Rome:
Two people: Three people: Four people: Five people: Six people:   765 EURO/group 1027 EURO/group 1141 EURO/group 1324 EURO/group 1512 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 17.50 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:   964 EURO 1047 EURO 1096 EURO 1144 EURO 1244 EURO 1293 EURO 1521 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:   990 EURO 1085 EURO 1146 EURO 1207 EURO 1319 EURO 1380 EURO 1621 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:   782 EURO 850 EURO 899 EURO 947 EURO 1024 EURO 1073 EURO 1235 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:   807 EURO 888 EURO 949 EURO 1010 EURO 1100 EURO 1161 EURO 1336 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:   891 EURO 968 EURO 1017 EURO 1065 EURO 1156 EURO 1205 EURO 1407 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:   916 EURO 1006 EURO 1067 EURO 1128 EURO 1231 EURO 1293 EURO 1507 EURO	Price includes pick-up from and return to your downtown hotel, transportation, entrance fees, full lunch, and private guide

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.