Tony O

Hi,

I will be coming to Rome in 2 weeks to do the marathon. One of the side
trips I would like to do is Pompeii. I have already been there but g/f
would like to see. Most of the tour places offer combo tours to see both
Rome & Naples. Are there any tour places that do just Pompeii and provide
transportation to Pompeii as well from Rome?
Thanks in advance for any tips..

Tony

Calif Bill

"Tony O" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I will be coming to Rome in 2 weeks to do the marathon. One of the side
> trips I would like to do is Pompeii. I have already been there but g/f
> would like to see. Most of the tour places offer combo tours to see both
> Rome & Naples. Are there any tour places that do just Pompeii and provide
> transportation to Pompeii as well from Rome?
> Thanks in advance for any tips..
>
> Tony
>
>

Easy to do by yourself. Take the train to Naples, transfer to the Circum
Vesuvious (spelling?) train and get off at Pompeii. Walk to the entrance
and buy a ticket to the ruins. Rent a handset to explain the ruins
(probably the worst explanations of anything in Italy) or hire on with a
guide.

-Marco

> I will be coming to Rome in 2 weeks to do the marathon. One of the side
> trips I would like to do is Pompeii. I have already been there but g/f
> would like to see. Most of the tour places offer combo tours to see both
> Rome & Naples. Are there any tour places that do just Pompeii and provide
> transportation to Pompeii as well from Rome?
> Thanks in advance for any tips..

Hi Tony
you can book online this tour from our site:
http://www.siteseeings.com/tour_12.html

Marco

Poetic Justice

Tony O wrote:
>I will be coming to Rome in 2 weeks to do
>the marathon. One of the side trips I
>would like to do is Pompeii. I have already
>been there but g/f would like to see. Most
>of the tour places offer combo tours to see
>both Rome & Naples. Are there any tour
>places that do just Pompeii and provide
>transportation to Pompeii as well from
>Rome? Thanks in advance for any tips..

Yo Toeknee,
If you decide to do it on your own I've posted detailed directions here
http://tinyurl.com/mhnvr

I would pass on the many bus tour companies that do Pompeii (along with
Naples, Sorrento & shopping) from Rome, they only spend ~2hrs actually
in the site.
And being a large slow moving herd they don't cover alot of ground.
Plus it's a 12-14hr day for ~twice the price of going on your own.

enjoyrome.com offers R/T bus transport there with 3hrs on your own but
that is only in peak-season.

This is what you are looking for but it is rather costly
www.contextrome.com, I didn't check the site recently but it's ?250
p/p IIRC. The max group size is 6 persons or less.

Contextrome is an excellent tour company and I have taken this tour (it
was a freebee.
They put you on the train in 1st Class, the guide meets you when you
arrive in Naples, a van takes you to Pompeii, guided tour, van back to
Naples for an historic walk, lunch and visit to the Archaeological
Museum (Pompeii & surrounding area artifacts).
Train back to Rome.
Regards, Walter



..And Paradise Was Lost...like teardrops in the rain...

B Vaughan

On Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:07:15 -0500, "Tony O" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I will be coming to Rome in 2 weeks to do the marathon. One of the side
>trips I would like to do is Pompeii. I have already been there but g/f
>would like to see. Most of the tour places offer combo tours to see both
>Rome & Naples. Are there any tour places that do just Pompeii and provide
>transportation to Pompeii as well from Rome?

It's a fairly long trip from Rome to Pompeii, and from what I've heard
most of the tours waste a lot of your time stopping in souvenir shops
that give them a cut.

It's very easy to get to Pompeii on your own. You take the train from
Rome to Naples and then switch to a commuter train, the
Circumvesuviana. The archeological site is a short walk from the train
station.

One of our regular posters, nicknamed Poetic Justice, has published on
this newsgroup a much more detailed description of the route. Probably
he'll post a link to those directions. If not you could search in
Google groups for "train Rome Pompeii".

Once you're at the site, you might want to join a tour group. The
signs there leave a lot to be desired and some buildings seem to open
magically only for tour guides. There are plenty of guides on the site
offering tours in all languages.
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup

B Vaughan

On Tue, 27 Feb 2007 04:26:03 -0500, [email protected] (Poetic
Justice) wrote:

> If you decide to do it on your own I've posted detailed directions here
>http://tinyurl.com/mhnvr
>
I knew you would come through!
--
Barbara Vaughan
My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it
I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup

Tile

"Tony O" <[email protected]> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I will be coming to Rome in 2 weeks to do the marathon. One of the side
> trips I would like to do is Pompeii. I have already been there but g/f
> would like to see. Most of the tour places offer combo tours to see both
> Rome & Naples. Are there any tour places that do just Pompeii and provide
> transportation to Pompeii as well from Rome?
> Thanks in advance for any tips..
>
> Tony
>
>

one train stop before Pompei there is

Poppea's Villa in Oplontis ( the train stop is Oplontis )

It is one of the best preserved Roman Villas and one of the biggest.
It is said it was the villa of Poppea Sabina.

Archeological excavations are still being made..
even if part of the villa is under a road and a big building

there are well preserved frescoes in this villa..

very few people know about this villa.. but for sure it is worth a stop and
a visit.

Tony O

Thanks All for the replies. I will probably look into doing it on our own.
There is so much to see there. And the time I did it the tour only did
spend a little time.
But thanks again!!

Tony

"Tony O" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I will be coming to Rome in 2 weeks to do the marathon. One of the side
> trips I would like to do is Pompeii. I have already been there but g/f
> would like to see. Most of the tour places offer combo tours to see both
> Rome & Naples. Are there any tour places that do just Pompeii and provide
> transportation to Pompeii as well from Rome?
> Thanks in advance for any tips..
>
> Tony
>
>

-Michael

"tile" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
>
>>
> one train stop before Pompei there is
>
> Poppea's Villa in Oplontis ( the train stop is Oplontis )
>
> It is one of the best preserved Roman Villas and one of the biggest.
> It is said it was the villa of Poppea Sabina.
>
> Archeological excavations are still being made..
> even if part of the villa is under a road and a big building
>
> there are well preserved frescoes in this villa..
>
> very few people know about this villa.. but for sure it is worth a stop
> and a visit.

I agree that it's well worth visiting but if you do make sure you have a map
or directions. I struggled to find the villa - there are signposts from the
station but not very many (and more difficult to follow in reverse when
going back to the station).

Alan Harrison

"Michael" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I agree that it's well worth visiting but if you do make sure you have a
> map or directions. I struggled to find the villa - there are signposts
> from the station but not very many (and more difficult to follow in
> reverse when going back to the station).
>

I didn't spot the signposts, but just asked at the bar outside the station
at Torre Annunziata - Oplonti. Basicall, on leaving the station, turn left,
then right at the main road, go straight on over the next traffic lights and
the villa of Oplontis is just beyond them on the left.

I visited the villa and Herculaneum in the same day, easily doable on the
Circumvesuviana.

Alan Harrison

Alex Cruz

"Tony O" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks All for the replies. I will probably look into doing it on our
> own.
> There is so much to see there. And the time I did it the tour only did
> spend a little time.
> But thanks again!!
>
> Tony
>
> "Tony O" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Hi,
>>
>> I will be coming to Rome in 2 weeks to do the marathon. One of the side
>> trips I would like to do is Pompeii. I have already been there but g/f
>> would like to see. Most of the tour places offer combo tours to see both
>> Rome & Naples. Are there any tour places that do just Pompeii and
>> provide
>> transportation to Pompeii as well from Rome?
>> Thanks in advance for any tips..
>>
>> Tony
>>
>>
>
>

Here's a tour group that provides Pompeii Shuttle Service from Rome, in case
you change you mind and NOT do it yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/347apn

Poetic Justice

tile wrote:
>one train stop before Pompei there is
>Poppea's Villa in Oplontis ( the train stop
>is Oplontis )
>It is one of the best preserved Roman
>Villas and one of the biggest. It is said it
>was the villa of Poppea Sabina.
>Archeological excavations are still being
>made.. even if part of the villa is under a
>road and a big building
>there are well preserved frescoes in this
>villa..
>very few people know about this villa.. but
>for sure it is worth a stop and a visit.


I agree 100% this villa is very beautiful and sadly overlooked.
IMO it was very likely designed by a woman (Poppea Sabina?) because the
latrine has a urinal in it (very rare) and with the seats alot smaller I
doubt our aim was any better back then:-).

But what hits me there on a gut level is a very simple inscription
covered by plexiglass.
www.indiana.edu/~leach/c409/oplan.html located at #52.

This graffito is in Greek written by a man named Beryllos who they
believe was a slave and hoped not to be forgotten.

The graffito reads "Mnesthei Beryllos" which is translated as "Be
Beryllos remembered".

It's believed that this graffito was a farewell statement from a man
who believed death was upon him during the eruption.
No bodies were found in the villa but with Vesuvius before him, Pompeii
to the right, Herculaneum to the left and the sea at his back he
probably didn't escape death.
But he could have if he hauled ass and didn't stop.

The corridor where this graffito is, is the safest place in the villa.
A narrow hall with walls and small rooms nearby also with strong walls
which means a very strong roof.
Roofs collapsed in Pompeii due to the weight of the pumice stones and
ash which killed many people.
Perhaps weaker roofs and porticos also were collapsing in the villa and
he sought refuge here?
Plus he would have been only a couple of meters from the open
doorway to the outside if the ceiling did start to go.
Also from there he'd be able to watch the Hell his Gods had unleashed
upon him from Vesuvius.
Even if he was out of the path of the major volcanic fallout the
violent Earth tremors/quakes would still make this a very safe location.

The villa was unoccupied and being repaired (damaged possibly from
the 62AD earthquake) at the time of the eruption.
Beryllos could very well have been a slave who lived in the villa as a
night watchman/guard during the repairs.
Or if this was Imperial property he could have been an Imperial
slave/guard perhaps even overseeing the repairs for the Emperor.
Or even escaping and just seeking refuge there for a while. Regards,
Walter



..And Paradise Was Lost...like teardrops in the rain...

Tony O

Thanks that would be perfect but the service does not start up till April.
:-( But I will have to remember it.

Tony

"Alex Cruz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> "Tony O" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Thanks All for the replies. I will probably look into doing it on our
> > own.
> > There is so much to see there. And the time I did it the tour only did
> > spend a little time.
> > But thanks again!!
> >
> > Tony
> >
> > "Tony O" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I will be coming to Rome in 2 weeks to do the marathon. One of the
side
> >> trips I would like to do is Pompeii. I have already been there but g/f
> >> would like to see. Most of the tour places offer combo tours to see
both
> >> Rome & Naples. Are there any tour places that do just Pompeii and
> >> provide
> >> transportation to Pompeii as well from Rome?
> >> Thanks in advance for any tips..
> >>
> >> Tony
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
> Here's a tour group that provides Pompeii Shuttle Service from Rome, in
case
> you change you mind and NOT do it yourself.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/347apn
>
>
>

Poetic Justice

Tony O wrote:
>Thanks that would be perfect but the
>service does not start up till April. :-( But I
>will have to remember it.

If you ever do, book it directly thru www.enjoyrome.com.
Viator.com is just an online booking service that tacks-on a
commission.

It's ?45 thru enjoyrome and ?53 if you booked today thru Viator for
an April trip.
Regards, Walter



..And Paradise Was Lost...like teardrops in the rain...

Tony O

If we were to get off at this stop. How far of a walk would it be to get to
Pompeii?

Thanks,

Tony

"Poetic Justice" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
tile wrote:
>one train stop before Pompei there is
>Poppea's Villa in Oplontis ( the train stop
>is Oplontis )
>It is one of the best preserved Roman
>Villas and one of the biggest. It is said it
>was the villa of Poppea Sabina.
>Archeological excavations are still being
>made.. even if part of the villa is under a
>road and a big building
>there are well preserved frescoes in this
>villa..
>very few people know about this villa.. but
>for sure it is worth a stop and a visit.


I agree 100% this villa is very beautiful and sadly overlooked.
IMO it was very likely designed by a woman (Poppea Sabina?) because the
latrine has a urinal in it (very rare) and with the seats alot smaller I
doubt our aim was any better back then:-).

But what hits me there on a gut level is a very simple inscription
covered by plexiglass.
www.indiana.edu/~leach/c409/oplan.html located at #52.

This graffito is in Greek written by a man named Beryllos who they
believe was a slave and hoped not to be forgotten.

The graffito reads "Mnesthei Beryllos" which is translated as "Be
Beryllos remembered".

It's believed that this graffito was a farewell statement from a man
who believed death was upon him during the eruption.
No bodies were found in the villa but with Vesuvius before him, Pompeii
to the right, Herculaneum to the left and the sea at his back he
probably didn't escape death.
But he could have if he hauled ass and didn't stop.

The corridor where this graffito is, is the safest place in the villa.
A narrow hall with walls and small rooms nearby also with strong walls
which means a very strong roof.
Roofs collapsed in Pompeii due to the weight of the pumice stones and
ash which killed many people.
Perhaps weaker roofs and porticos also were collapsing in the villa and
he sought refuge here?
Plus he would have been only a couple of meters from the open
doorway to the outside if the ceiling did start to go.
Also from there he'd be able to watch the Hell his Gods had unleashed
upon him from Vesuvius.
Even if he was out of the path of the major volcanic fallout the
violent Earth tremors/quakes would still make this a very safe location.

The villa was unoccupied and being repaired (damaged possibly from
the 62AD earthquake) at the time of the eruption.
Beryllos could very well have been a slave who lived in the villa as a
night watchman/guard during the repairs.
Or if this was Imperial property he could have been an Imperial
slave/guard perhaps even overseeing the repairs for the Emperor.
Or even escaping and just seeking refuge there for a while. Regards,
Walter



..And Paradise Was Lost...like teardrops in the rain...