Tour Details

Private Pompeii & Herculaneum

Departing from the cruise ship terminal in Salerno, this full day private tour starts at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, in the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii. Explore with your private guide the archaeological and cultural treasure of Pompeii, where the ghosts and echoes of history can still be seen and heard in the ruins of the ancient Roman city. You can wander two thousand-year-old roads and glimpse into the temples and villas of the ancient city. You will see everything from colorful, lively frescoes and mosaics to the ghostly, white stone people of the city, frozen in time forever.

Pompeii is one of the most significant proofs of Roman civilization and, like an open book, provides outstanding information on the art, customs, trades and everyday life of the past. You'll have three hours to explore the history and culture of Italy in Pompeii before breaking for lunch.

History buffs and anyone with archaeological and anthropological interests take note, your next stop will be at the historical site of Herculaneum. Herculaneum's fate runs parallel to that of Pompeii. Destroyed by an earthquake in AD 62, the AD 79 eruption of Mt. Vesuvius saw it submerged in a thick sea of mud that essentially fossilized the city. The ruins of Herculaneum, like Pompeii, are very well preserved and harbor a wealth of archaeological finds, from ancient advertisements and stylish mosaics to carbonized furniture and terror-struck skeletons. Indeed, this superbly conserved Roman fishing town of 4000 inhabitants is easier to navigate than Pompeii.

Bookings for this full day guided tour of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius are available from March through November. Your tour does not include entrance fees or tickets to local attractions. Though your English-speaking driver can provide commentary while driving you around, they cannot act as a guide outside of the car. At the end of this history-steeped tour, your driver will return you to the cruise ship terminal in Salerno.

Please Note: Some terrain in Italy is uneven, and archaeological sites can be challenging for those who are not surefooted or do not have good mobility, please keep that in mind when booking your tour. This particular tour involves a hike.