Excursions to Pompeii - Excursion to Hercolaneum

Pompeii and Herculaneum

No visit to Sorrento would be complete without a visit to these archeological marvels. We offer a full day guided excursion by coach to the famous excavations of Pompeii and Hercilaneum. Pompeii holds an intense fascination for visitors today. Following the eruption of the Volcano Vesuvius in the year 79 AD, Pompei lay buried and forgotten for hundreds of years. The town is high on the list of Wonders of the World and the excavations begun in the 18th century are still being carried out today. Our guide will take you through some of the ancient streets of Pompeii where you can see Baths, Forums and Villas built the prosperous Romans in the year 80 BC. Marvel at the fabulously preserved frescoes which adorned the walls and floors of the Villas. Even if your interests do not lie in history, this is a vast archelogical site that you cannot help but be impressed by. When the catastrophe of 79 AD occurred Herculaneum was submerged under a torrent of mud and lava that hardned into a tufa (a coarse rock) that preserved many of the timber features and household objects which can be seen today. Many more treasures lie buried under the rock, to the extent that some modern-day families are being rehoused so work con continue. Return to Sorrento in the afternoon.

Pompeii holds an intense fascination for visitors today. Following the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D., Pompeii lay buried for hundreds of years. The town is high on tha list of Wonders of the World and the excavations, begun in the 18th century, are still being carried out today. Our guide will take you through some of the ancient streets of Pompei where you can see Baths, Forums and Villas built by the prosperous Romans in the year 80 B.C. Marvel at the fabulously preserved frescoes which adorned the walls and floors of the Villas. Even if your in interests do not lie in history, this is an archeological site that you cannot help but be impressed by. Mount Vesuvius dominates the Bay of Naples. It is the only active volcano (with Etna) on tha mainland of Europe. The slopes were an innocent looking backdrop for the bustling town below. The coach will take you to within 1.000 meters of the top of Vesuvius and from there you can walk to the very top and admire the splendid panoramic views across the bay. From the blackened crater rises a single plume of smoke, a reminder that the volcano is only sleeping for now... Reminder: bring comfortable, closed in, shoes and your camera. Return to the Aminta by coach in the afternoon.

Pompeii Half Day

Pompeii holds an intense fascination for visitors today. Following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D., Pompeii lay buried and forgotten for hundreds of years. The Town is high on the list of Wonders of the World and the excavations begun in the 18th century are still being carried out today. Our guide will take you through some of the ancient streets of Pompeii where you can see the Baths, Forums and Villas built by the prosperous Romans in the year 80 B.C. You'll marvel at the fabulously preserved frescoes which adorn the walls and floors of the Villas. Even if your interests do not lie in history, this is an archeological site that you cannot help but be impressed by. Return to the hotel for lunch time.

Herculaneum Half Day

Our journey takes us along the gorgeous coastal road trough Castellamare di Stabia and out along the motorway to Herculaneum. Herculaneum was destroyed along with Pompeii in 79 A.D., and rediscovered in 1709. It was a residential town without Pompeii's commercial importance, surrounded by the villas of the wealthy Romans. When Vesuvius erupted, Herculaneum was submerged under a torrent of mud and lava that hardened into a tufa (a coarse rock) that preserved many of the timber features and household objects which can be seen today. A large portion of the old Herculaneum is still buried under the modern town and even today excavations are going on to discover new treasures - to the extent that some modern-day families are being rehoused so work can continue. Return to Sorrento and the Aminta in the afternoon.