DH and I are off to Italy in May on the Leisurely Italy tour. One of the optionals offered is a full day excursion to Pompeii for 88 euro. I think this optional leaves from Rome. Not cheap at all but worth it????? Dh and I like to do things on our own but we are considering this optional because it would be difficult to get to Pompeii on our own.We will have 5 days in Rome 2 of which is on our own so I think a total of 5 days in Rome will allow us to see quite a bit of the must sees in Rome.

I would love to hear from people who have done this optional and if you feel it was worth the money? What time did you leave the hotel and what time did you return?

A trip to Pompeii is worth every cent . .. .. . or Euro, that is . .. .. .

My husband and I took a tour to Italy with Perillo and Pompeii was included in it . .. .. . just wish we had more time to spend. Needless to say, I can't tell you anything about the time leaving the hotel or how long the day is.

This is a trip you won't regret taking! We took so many pictures and learned so much about the civilization there. They were so advanced for their time.

Enjoy it!

My wife and I did the Grand Tour of Italy and Sicily last June 2007 and Pompeii was included as part of that tour so I cant tell you about doing it as an optional from Rome. I think you would enjoy Pompeii and it would be worth the money. Look on YouTube. There are many videos people have put on there of Pompeii as well as Rome and Florence and Venice and all the other places you will be going. I would think the optional to Pompeii from Rome would be a full day affair. Leaving early and coming back to Rome late in the afternoon. Good Luck. And good traveling. I love Globus. Such nice people.

Hi again. I talked with my wife about this. She thinks a long bus ride of 3 hours each way. So it would most likely leave early in the morning and come back late in the evening. Do you really want to spend one whole day on Pompeii? Maybe not. Maybe it would be best to do that another time on a tour of South Italy. Re thinking this I would advise against it. Costly both in time and money. Pompeii is kind of like Pisa something to see on the way to somewhere else. It is one of those must see places but is it worth giving up a full day and evening in Rome? Now I dont think so. Go see it some other time when you go to Naples and Sorrento and Capri and Sicily. I mean I know you would enjoy it but I dont know if it is worth a full day and evening of your time. Whatever you decide. Happy Traveling!

I agree with joeb. Pompei is something to see on the way to something else. Pompei was included as a 2 hour stop on our Globus tour, "Best of Italy". . We had left Rome at 7:00 AM in the morning and arrived there about 9:30 AM. Two hours was enough to see everything. After Pompei we went to Sorrento for the afternoon before taking a boat to the Isle of Capri where we spent two nights. Sorrento and Capri were high on our list. Pompei and Naples were at the bottom of the list. So was Piza (tourist trap and pickpocket heaven)

Thanks so much everyone for your help. Sure gives me alot to think about.
We have a total of 5 days in Rome so I guess I will wait and see if we really want to leave Rome on our last day there or want to hang out in Rome or ? I chose this tour because it was 3 days in Rome,Tuscany and Venice and only had 2 travel days on the coach.Although I am fascinated with Pompeii I really don't know about a whole extra day on a bus.After doing some checking it would cost us close to the same amount to take the train to Pompeii from Rome on our own.

Another thought is Ostia Antica.
Has anyone been to Ostia Antica?

Rick Steves says this is just as interesting as Pompeii but also very close to Rome,only about 45 minues by metro.Hmmm.something else to think about.

My post got error message. I'll test this one.

Strange that one posted. Anyway, we (DH & DS) have been to OA 3 times. We love it. Unlike Pompeii, one can climb in, under, & all over the ruins. We have never shared OA with more than about 25 people. Much nicer than the people packed Pompeii.

It is only a 25 minute above ground subway-type train ride (1 Euro) from Rome. Easy to get there without getting lost. fodorsdotcom has a good talk board that will give directions, etc.

Have fun, Julie

OA sounds like the place to visit and for 1 euro is worth the travel cost.

It sure does sound good compared to paying Globus 88 euro pp to go to Pompeii.

I found out you can also take a boat to OA.I'll have to get more info on that.
Thanks everyone!