It’s a nice introduction to both sites plus a quick small lunch at a beautiful winery. Def worth it for your first time.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Headphones for all passengers in Pompeii and Herculaneum
- Authorized official English speaking guide
- Light Lunch in a typical local restaurant
- Pick-up from our meeting point
- A/C Minibus
- Entrance tickets to Pompeii and Herculaneum
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- This is the meeting point in Sorrento on Monday, Thursday and Sunday (Please choose the Sorrento Departure's Option). See you 08:15 am c/o Achille Lauro Parking, close Info Point area
Return
- This is the meeting point in Sorrento on Monday, Thursday and Sunday (Please choose the Sorrento Departure's Option). See you 08:15 am c/o Achille Lauro Parking, close Info Point area
Itinerary
The ruins of Pompeii are a vast archaeological site in the southern Campania region, near the coast of the Gulf of Naples. Once a thriving and sophisticated Roman city, Pompeii was buried under meters of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The preserved site features remain of excavated streets and houses that visitors can freely explore.
The Civil Forum represents the center of the daily life of the city, all the main public buildings for the administration of the city and justice, for the management of business, for commercial activities, such as markets, overlook it, in addition to the main places of city worship.
The Temple of Jupiter dominates the northern side of the Forum, and Vesuvius rises spectacularly behind it. With the deduction of the colony (80 BC) the temple was the subject of a radical renovation and became a real Capitolium, with the three cult statues of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, which imitated those of the Capitolium in Rome, placed on a high base, so as to make them visible to those passing through the Forum square.
The Macellum consists of a tuff Quadri-porticus with a hall for worship in an elevated position on the eastern side, in line with the entrance. The Macellum of Pompeii was nothing more than the city market where people could buy food. Located north-east of the Forum, the complex had to remain out of the way from the square so as not to create too much crowding, given the high number of people who certainly frequented it. The walls of the porticoes were decorated with scenes from daily life, such as selling fish and poultry, and mythological subjects.
“Via dell 'Abbondanza” is one of the main streets of the ancient city of Pompeii, in Campania, which connected the Forum with the Amphitheatre.
The Stabian Baths were built at different times. The initial phase of construction dates back to the 4th BC. The main entrance by via dell'Abbondanza leads to a large courtyard. The pool is found to the left, whereas a colonnade is found to the right, which leads to the men's quarters, which are split into the apodyterium, with the frigidarium, which leads to the tepidarium and then to the calidarium.The heating was guaranteed by a piping system in the walls and double floors that circulated the hot air coming from the furnaces and from mobile braziers. The women's quarters, close to the men's quarters, were split the same way in the apodyterium, tepidarium and calidarium. However, all were smaller and had no rich decorations as the men's quarters. The baths that we can admire today were built in the 2nd century BC, a period in which Pompeii underwent a major building renovation. In the spa not only did people bathe, but they also discussed politics, battles, trials, women.
The brothel of Pompeii, with its erotic paintings, is one of the best-known buildings of the excavations and had the function of a brothel. The prostitutes in the brothel were mostly Greek and Oriental slaves. The building has two floors. The homes of the owner and the slaves are at the top and there are five rooms at the bottom, all fitted with a built-in bed. The brothel is named from Lupa, a Latin word meaning 'prostitute'.
The Large Theatre was built around the middle of the 2nd century BC and significantly restored according to the Roman style. In the theatre they represented comedies and tragedies of Greek-Roman tradition. The theatre was the first large public building completely freed from the deposits of the eruption.
The house of the black salon owes its name to its party hall entirely painted in black with geometric patterns. In this house were found waxed tablets of L. Venidius Ennychus who was supposed to have owned the house. The tablets speak of her eligibility for Augustale, the purchase of a slave, and the birth of a daughter.
The ruins of Herculaneum are an archaeological site in the southern Campania region, near the coast of the Gulf of Naples. Once a small and sophisticated Roman city, Herculaneum was buried under meters of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The site is still perfectly preserved, has remains of streets, houses and villas excavated that visitors can admire.
The luxurious house with sea view terrace belonged to Q. Granius Verus, a slave freed shortly before the destruction of Herculaneum. In the garden there are two statues of deer assaulted by a pack of dogs, from these the house takes its name
Enchanting are the mosaics in glass paste, (very expensive for the time), with floral and hunting scenes and in a central position the mosaic with Neptune and Amphitrite, (the marine deity and his wife).
The skeleton house is probably the result of the aggregation of three smaller buildings, and its name derives from the discovery of human remains in a second-floor room in 1831.
The Sacellum of the Augustales was built near the forum when Emperor Augustus was still alive and in power. It is a building with a quadrangular plan that preserves the splendid frescoes that represent Hercules entering the Olympus in the company of Jupiter, Juno, Minerva and Hercules against Achelous. The janitor’s skeleton was found in his room lying on the bed.
The house of the Hotel is a house of roman times, buried during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 and found following the archaeological excavations of Herculaneum. The house of the Hotel is located on the edge of the hill, in a panoramic position, with its two thousand hundred and fifty square meters is the largest house of Herculaneum so far discovered and is also the only one of the city to own a spa district was for these reasons considered at first to be a hotel.
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Reviews
Pick up was good but the first mini bus was a bit old. We were taken to a cameo factory/shop first which was not on the itinerary and not necessary. The guide at Pompeii rushed us round and was going past things like the Basilica which many of us wanted to see. Lunch was OK with no hard sell at the vineyard. The tour of Herculaneum was much better, the 2nd guide took her time and explained everything more slowly and clearly. I feel Pompeii deserved more time as I can't really remember anything about it.
A very educational tour. Our guides were very informative. We saw all the best things. Trip was well timed. We were surprised at the amazing restorations.
Very good tours. They picked us up and dropped us off right next to our hotel. Guides are very informative. Would recommend bringing water, a fan and an umbrella if doing in July / August as it gets very hot outside! Its a full day if doing both sites at once but still very fun!
I loved the tour. The tour guides were very knowledgeable about the history of Pompeii and Herculean. The shuttle was effortless and in a convenient location for pick up. And the winery was excellent.
long but great day. True raptor was great Farina. The two guides in each place or both knowledgeable approachable and did everything at the right pace. My one complaint was we prepaid for the lunch, which I really thought was terrible. You could recommend a few of the kiosks that you endorse of the Mas production nature of the lunch and the length of time allocated to lunch when there was really nothing else to do. There should be reconsidered. Also, I think the pick up direction could be a little bit more specific in terms of how the Guide will find us how we should look for her because we seem to be the last group coming and going from the pick up point.
Such a great experience with knowledgeable guides and a delicious lunch. Would highly recommend.
Touring Pompeii and Herculaneum in the same day was the only way we could fit them both in. Despite being a little stiff at the end from all the walking, we are very glad we did it that way. Both sites are amazing and shouldn't be missed! Rosa, our tour organizer was delightful and kept us on track without making it feel rushed. Celsestina brought Pompeii to life for us! Her detailed knowledge of the site and her descriptions of daily activities of the residents were fascinating. Diana knows Herculaneum very well and highlighted the many differences between that site and Pompeiil Her sense of humor was bright and cheery and she had many stories to tell. You could tell that both of our wonderful guides love their jobs! The drivers were patient and proficient. Many thanks to all the talented people who put together a super once-in-a-lifetime experience for us!
Well organised tour with comfortable, on time transportation. We would recommend a guided tour as Pompeii tends to be very crowded and having a small party with knowledgeable leader is definitely an advantage. We were particularly impressed with Herculaneum which is well preserved and much less busy - the guide was also excellent.
We had a wonderful tour of both sites. The guides were informative and entertaining. The lunch was good at a beautiful winery.
The tour was very good considering it packed a lot in for a single day. Winery stop for lunch gave a break from the history we were observing. Due to traffic queues, we had a great sunset view on the way back to Sorrento.
It was an exelently organized trip. Our guides were great! We got all the informations we need. I strongly recomend to everyone how is interested to see these absolutely maevelous historical sites. Thank you to all!
Wonderful trip to Pompeii and Herculaneum with great friends. The lunch at the winery was a welcome rest between sites. We all learned so much and will never forget it……..
The tour guides were great! Knowledgable! The place for lunch was very nice, the food delicious and great wine to taste!
A wonderful educational day out. The day was well organized. The journey was comfortable, and entry to both sites went smoothly. The guides at each site were knowledgeable and made the tours entertaining. The venue for the 3 course lunch was in a lovely location. The main pasta course was disappointing as it was very basic and undercooked. The samples of wine were of the region and were a nice addition. A very good day overall. The sites are amazing and well worth seeing.
Many thanks to Lorenzo for guiding us around Pompeii and Herculaneum. So much knowledge and a very personable approach! Definitely worth going with teenage and post-teenage children. Picked up from hotel in Sorrento at the exact time specified. Lunch wasn't great, but what can you expect from mass catering for a group of tourists! Certainly a welcome break in the middle if the day and at least provided sustenance. A very well organised trip with excellent hosts - Raffaele (apologies if spelt incorrectly) and the superb Lorenzo. Many thanks again.
A wonderful experience. Easy to follow directions to meeting point. Regular follow up prior to date. Guides had thorough knowledge of history. I would highly recommend this tour.
It was an enjoyable day. The guides were really knowledgeable and made the trip interesting. Lunch was nice. The transport was good. The only thing that could maybe enhance would be giving free time at each after the tour to allow additional exploration.
We had an incredible experience on the Pompeii and Herculaneum tour! Exploring the streets, houses, and ancient toilets with our authorized guides was a unique journey into the past. Visiting both sites consecutively with a local archaeological expert truly brought the eruption’s impact to life, and the reserved entrance made it seamless. The air-conditioned van/mini bus was comfortable, and the wine tasting with lunch featuring local products on the slopes of Vesuvius was delicious. Immersing ourselves in the tragic history of these sites was unforgettable—highly recommend this tour!
A most fascinating experience. Incredible to see the ruins of 2 cities more than 2000 years old and to realise the knowlege and infrastructure these people had. The tour guides were excellent
This was very informative and interesting! Pompeii was so much larger than expected and Herculeum was a bit smaller and less crowded. We enjoyed the winery lunch as a nice break between the two visits. The organization and transportation of this tour was excellent and so glad we did a guided tour!! Take lots of water as it is a lot of walking and hot!
The tour was excellent and the guides at Pompeii and Herculaneum were clearly knowledgeable about the history of the sites. The guide (Paula) also made sure that the lunch suitably catered for a food intolerance that my girlfriend suffers from. The drivers were great and skillfully navigated difficult traffic conditions! I also would like to thank Buyourtour in Sorrento and your driver/tour guide on the return journey to Sorrento for retrieving and delivering back to me my phone ( which i had left on the coach)! Very grateful for a great day and would highly recommend your tours.
Everything was very well organised, staff were polite and professional. Unfortunately there were 6 cruise ships in Naples that day so Pompeii was packed and we didn't get to see as much as we'd have liked. This wasn't the fault of the guide though. Lunch was fabulous at the vineyard and was a welcome break. Herculaneum was amazing, as was the guide. Thankfully our driver dropped us back at our hotel too which was so appreciated after a long day. Couldn't fault this trip and highly recommend it.
My third time to Pompeii and probably the worst of the three. Long lines to get in, didn't see as many buildings. First time to Herculaneum and way better, no line, guide very knowledgeable.
Our tour guide did not have any way to find her in the crowds(like a flag or a hat) Although very knowledgeable she rushed us thru both Pompeii and Heurculeum And we definitely missed a lot. The tour included a lunch at a winery that was clearly a way to use up valuable time instead of touring. Our bus tour guide was missing on the way to Pompeii and fell asleep on the way back to Sorrento. We had no narration at all. I personally went to the info desk at Pompeii to get the free brochure's to hand out to our bus because she did not.
The tour was 10/10, our guides for both pompeii were both so knowledgeable and also great fun! The restaurant for lunch was also fab, great food, great wine and great views. Highly recommend!
The whole experience was fantastic. The team communicated via WhatsApp, which really helped us. The tour teams were amazing, really friendly and professional. The guides in Pompeii and Herculaneum were knowledgeable, friendly and really helpful. The lunch meal was not the normal sales process, it was a really pleasant and relaxing time. Overall it was a fantastic, but tiring day We would definitely recommend Ian
The tour guide we had for Pompeii was funny and knowledgeable. The winery we had lunch was very good. Vesuvius was a looooong hike but once you make it to the top worth it. To top it off the tour took us to a limoncello store where we tasted the owners amazing creations. We would do this trip again.
This tour was great! Our guides were knowledgeable and made the history of Pompeii and Herculaneum come alive. In between exploring the ancient ruins, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at a vineyard. A perfect blend of history, culture, and cuisine—highly recommend!
The guide was very knowledgeable and provided lots of interesting information. It was very hot and she made sure to find some shade while she was offering explanations.
We had a fantastic time on our Pompeii and Vesuvius tour wit Buyourtour. The process we easy all around, with straightforward pick up and drop off at a well recognisable restaurant, a great air conditioned bus to travel in with a top notch driver, as well as fun and informative guides throughout the day. Overall I would 100% recommend this trip to couples, families with older children and in particular those with a interest for history. It was a brilliant experience we won't forget 🙏🇮🇹
Booked the tour a few days ahead in Sorrento. The pick-up time was prompt. The vehicle was clean and with air conditioning. The lady accompanying us was pleasant and gave us informations before arriving on the site. The visit was amazing and the guide very knowledgeable. Herculaneum wasn't included in the visit though. Maybe I was sent the wrong link to review. After Pompeii, we stop at a local vineyard/restaurant where we had a quick lunch, nothing memorable. Then off to Vesuvius where we had time to climb to the top of the volcano where an amazing view is awaiting. Then finally stop at a Limoncello factory before returning to our respective hotels. It was a fantastic day. Definitely recommend that company!
We would like to thank you the team at Buyourtour 🇮🇹 for a wonderful trip to Pompeii, wine tasting on Vesuvius and Herculanum. The whole day went smoothly and was very well organised. I would especially like to thank our wonderful guide around both world renowned sites, she was very knowledgeable and super friendly, she made the day very memorable.
Highly recommend! Paola and team were fantastic. My father and I had an amazing time with the local tour guides at both sites. Knowledgeable, polite and fun! Overall excellent experience
This was a great trip, tour guides were very informative and showed us a lot in a small amount of time. The addition of food and wine tasting in the vineyard was great! Highly recommend this tour to anyone!
My wife and I really enjoyed our tour to Pompeii and Herculaneum. The guides and the drivers were good, and there were no queues to enter. The small group meant there was a good spirit and chat between the participants. Lunch at a beautiful winery on the lower slopes of Vesuvius was outstanding - nice food and wine produced on site. I was impressed that the lunch stop was used as a hub to "mix and match" tours, depending on whether clients has chosen full or half day trips, and their destination for the afternoon. At the end of the trip my wife left her phone on the bus, but after a quick call to the office it was found and returned very efficiently.
Special tour, very well organized and guided by Annalisa in Pompei and by archaeologist Monica in Ercolano. Giovanna, the guide who ciceroneed us in the transfer was also great. Lunch was an opportunity to fraternize and meet very kind and friendly tourists with whom I shared the tour. It is a company I highly recommend!
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