I was lucky enough to visit Pompeii (3 days) and Herculaneum (1 day) last summer! As a solo traveler who’s main goal was to see the archaeological sites and see what life was like for southern Italians, staying in Pompei was awesome. The single rooms at Hotel Visagi were about $40 USD a night for a very comfortable room and friendly hotel, and it was about a 30 minute walk to Pompeii. I’ll admit the walk is not accessible or straightforward, but for a young person who loves walking and exploring it was a fun way to get around and see the beautiful landscape
Visiting Pompeii was the one time I regretted booking a tour. The guide took us in the direction they wanted us to go, not necessarily the most interesting parts. Considering the length of the your we actually saw very little
Same, my guided tour experience was too fast, too furious for a young family in the heat. We ditched the tour after 15 mins. Regret not being independent and better prepared with more time, but not leaving the tour. We probably missed heaps but was still well worth the visit.
But you must understand they cant have literally hundreds of people wandering off in every direction, it is still an archeological site being worked upon
My boyfriend loved visiting Pompeii! I also love seeing your wife and kids give a few "don't's", so glad they did in this video! Always fun hearing from everyone! Can't wait to see what the next don't's video is!
We have been to Pompeii 2x. The 1st time, my husband & I did it on our own and really enjoyed wandering around. 2nd time we were with family, and the 8 of us decided to get a guide when we got there. She was great, and we learned so much more than when we did it on our own. It really depends what you want to get out of it. I would advise doing some research before visiting, so that you know and understand what you are seeing. We speak highly of our visits to Pompeii. We took the train from Naples the 1st time to Sorrento, then stopped in Pompeii on the way back. Train is very easy to take. Great video with some great advice. - Coreen
We LOVED our trip to Pompeii! As parents (and a history teacher in the mix!), with 4 kids going for the first time, it was GREAT! What was NOT great..... THE HEAT!!! ANY TIPS YOU CAN FIND -- Listen to them!!! (I find sunscreen and bringing extra water sort of a "DUH thing," lol! Apart from her tip about those around you, which ppl don't tend to heed... be careful with your parasol/umbrella. What is your lifesaver is someone else's major annoyance!! And they will NOT hesitate to let you know!! And YES! The local train is a rough ride!!! While you are melting, standing as you ride, and getting jostled amongst your fellow travelers, you are still PRIME for pickpockets! Who are just WAITING for you to go on your daytrip so you can pay for theirs on their holidays!!..
Oh, you are so right about the walking! You mustn’t forget, it is a city- a whole town you’re covering. But so worth it, with a bit of preparation. That’s why UA-cam videos are so helpful- and it extends your holiday, before and after!
You did an awesome job on providing important information before going to Pompeii. I find it very helpful. It will be the first time visiting Italy and I can't wait to visit Pompeii. Thank you very much!
Going to Naples, Pompei and the Amalfi Coast in early November to avoid the crowd and heat. Thank you for the tips about Herculaneum and the archeological museum!
TRAIN- from Naples take the TrenItalia run to Pompeii. It's like 2-3 Euros more and hugs the Bay of Naples- it's absolutely stunning!!! Then you can easily walk to the Amphitheater entrance or a cheap 1-2 euro bus shuttle. You also get A/C.
In all fairness, we didn’t go to Pompeii.. but, the Herculaneum felt like a very authentic Italian experience. Almost no tourists, there were field trips of school children, Ercalano (?) was a nice chill city. Had a great time!
We were fortunate to have gone this summer❤. Beautiful, historical, grand. Regarding water: We needed a bottle of H20 and upon receiving it, decided to open it up on the spot due to thirst😊. Lucky we did, bc the water bottle was already opened!! So I’d like to caution travelers to open the bottle right in front of the store owner/staff if possible before leaving the establishment.
LOVE this. I desperately want to see the murals at the Villa of the Mysteries. And Jocelyn laying down the law about eating (!!) and PICKING THINGS UP (!!!!!!) was amazing 🥰
I remember seeing a magazine article about Pompeii when I was about 5 and that was where I was going to go some day. It took 50 years but I got there. The one thing I'll say is - yeah, it's bigger than most people think. It was one of the few places that we actually did spring for a private tour. Very interesting but there is no way we would have seen as much as we did if left to our own devices.
Thank you for the input about accessibility! So often, travel videos make no mention of it. I'm a wheelchair user and although I have no plans to travel any time soon, I "travel" vicariously through your videos and others. If you're ever looking for a collab idea, partnering up with an experienced disabled traveler might be a good one 😉
Just an FYI. When we went there we didn't realize that Pompei was an actual city and not just an archeological site. So we ended getting off at the wrong bus stop and got loss. Thankfully we paid for the international package on one our phones so we were able to use GPS. So remember that Pompei is the modern city and Pompeii is the ruins.
We spent the whole day just exploring on our own; can't go wrong doing that, saw most every area, very satisfying. It was much larger than we had anticipated, and although still hot in September, was more doable than summer. Wear hats. There are places out of the sun to rest or just be cool while visiting (baths, graveyard, villas, eatery, shop, interior presentations of archeological items) so one can manage well. It is a highlight of Italy. We are a bit older and followed our plan to rest for a time in Sorrento, and did a day trip from Sorrento to Pompeii and back. Amazing vacation, 2017.
Don`t think that Pink Floyd is the houseband in Pompeii 😄 Do mind, DON`T steal or take things with you! Treat Pompeii like a rainforest. The only things you kill - is time. The only things you take - is pictures. The only things you leave - is footprints. Thanks for this video La Familia 💗
Just visited in June. It is overwhelming. Absolutely beautiful. We spent the entire day. You spot on about the heat. We stayed one town away in Scafati. Our Airbnb was very affordable as was the town.
I traveled from Rome in a fiat.., I went with my wife and we did our own tour saw everything even some time in the museums…, we ate from our backpack..,and also the restaurant in the middle., walked all day and at night went to the stadio Maradona to see Napoli play. What an amazing experience I had.
This is phenomenal! Do you have any idea the number of visitors get it wrong? I agree totally with Jocelyn - Herculaneum is by far more manageable. I refuse to take anyone to Pompeii outside of winter because it is oppressive, too hot, too crowded. An extra tip. Don't touch the wall mosaics. During the 1st visit I was stunned by the level of restoration and touched one of them only to have staff sternly telling me to "NO TOUCH!" If you opt to head to Vesuvio NP the trek to the main crater isn't a wow factor. But the sulfuric air, the connection, the realisation that she can blow at any time is mind blowing. And the bus ride is super pretty.
Another area to be VERY CAUTIOUS of pickpockets and purse snatchers is the main entrance of the National Museum of Archaeology in Naples that you mentioned. Especially vulnerable are tourists milling around waiting for or after exiting their buses and the elderly. On my last visit, as I waited for my taxi, I witnessed 2 purse snatchings of women and a young man whose wallet was picked from his rear pants pocket. Secutity or police followed up on the screams by blowing whistles and chasing the perpetrators, but all apparently got away.
Please never ever put your phone or wallet in your back pocket & before going abroad, please invest in handbags/backpack/rucksacks etc with metal in the shoulder straps to prevent the slashing thereof & bag stealing, also never ever take out large amounts of cash from an ATM when abroad & never leave large amounts of cash valuables or jewellery in your hotel rooms, leave anything of value in the hotel safe before going out & always make sure that windows balcony doors & hotel room doors are locked before leaving. Also check that they are still locked upon returning if they're not do not enter but contact hotel security/management firstly. Also invest in a scanner proof wallet so that no one can scan your cards. Buy sunscreen in your own country in the sales to save money & take plenty of loose clothing and large water bottles. & plenty of changes of underwear and socks & odour eaters for all your footwear and change your shoes boots trainers regularly. Invest in good quality sunglasses and hats.
Thank you for your videos. So informative and great production value. I'm glad I watched this one because in four days my wife and I start our Mediterranean cruise with four friends that includes an excursion to Pompeii. Your tip for planning ahead on what we want to see is especially helpful as we're only going to have 3-4 hours at the site. Keep up the great work and thanks again. Top notch travel vlog!
I visited Pompeii some 40 years ago. Honestly: don't miss out on that great view of Mount Vesuvius you have from all over the city. It is just majestic. And yes, getting into the shade is important, especially during summer time.
Thank you so much, Wolter that was really helpful advice, Thank you so much. Also all the security information about pick pockets. I will remember that.
Thanks for this video. I am taking my family on a 37-day European adventure and had booked a tour from Rome to Pompeii by train to Naples and van to the ruins. I canceled that and booked the trains and Pompeii with a guided tour myself and saved $400. We also get to spend four hours in Naples so win-win!
I agree with all your advice. Be prepared to be stepping up and down all the kerbs (sidewalks) they are deep and give you a work out. The Brothel is worth a visit even if you are a little prudish. It is small, the pictures advertising the menu are quite high up so small children will miss them. I advise going as late in the afternoon as most of the bus tours go earlier in the day. The bus that goes up Vesuvius is very close by and well worth the trip, the final walk up you do yourself.
Excellent advice in this video! We underestimated the scale of Pompeii, much bigger than we thought 🙂 Luckily it was very quiet, final three hours of opening. We only noticed one restaurant, and it didn't seem that big. Some stray dogs there too. And fruit trees, amazing place.
You definitely need to bring water, a small umbrella to block out the sun, a cap, and wear very good athletic shoes. The place is huge. Don’t miss the terrific Pink Floyd exhibit located in one of the amphitheater’s. Nobody told me about it and I just happened upon it. Absolutely worth visiting, but Pompeii is not easy to navigate.
It was so amusing, hearing you talk about staying out of the sun and keeping hydrated . . . I've wanted to see Pompeii for as long as I can remember, and I'm 65. I finally got there on Tuesday 26 March 2024, by train/s from Rome. And it rained. It rained and rained and rained, often torrentially. There were rivers running down the Roman roads, there were umbrellas everywhere poking you in the head and the eye, and brightly-coloured ponchos which were being sold by hawkers outside the entrance, which took away from the whole grandeur of the scene. And it was cold - maybe 9 or 10 degrees C which isn't freezing obviously, but combined with being completely soaked right through, it was teeth-chattering time. I have a bit of difficulty walking these days but if it had been warm I know I'd have spent longer and gone further into the site. As it was, I was so cold and wet that I couldn't take it any more and left much sooner than I wanted to. Of course, as soon as I was out the rain eased off and there was a brief period of hazy warmth from the sky - but then it started raining again, and rained all the way back to Rome. The following day it was the Forum and the Colosseum, when it rained even harder . . . but I guess I will just have to go back another time, and pray to Jupiter to let the sun shine! This is just a warning, I suppose, to point out that it's not always sunny in Pompeii! Take spare shoes and spare trousers because sitting on a plane in wet shoes is no fun.
I wrote the above before finishing the video. There were plenty of people with big rucksacks visiting the site. I also saw about three people in wheelchairs so there's definitely some access. I'd been told about the pickpocket problem, but I solved it by having my wallet, cash, cards etc in a bag inside my rucksack. And holding my phone with a demon's grip. Herculaneum is definitely on my list for next time, many people have told me it's better.
Thank you for this video, you have made my mind up, I won't be going to Pompeii! We've only got a 6 hour window on our MSC cruise and I would hate for our one and only visit to Pompei to be a rushed affair where we are constantly looking at our watches to make sure wo don't miss the boat (I know it's a ship but miss the boat sounds better). We will now go to Herculaneum and take in the sites of Naples and come back to see Pompeii on a weekend city break. Thank you, sincerely.
I was their during my Celebrity Cruise in May... My wife and I purchased the Naples Pompeii tour...It was a 10 hour tour...DO NOT do this in the summer months, the heat can be extreme and the crowds can be overwhelming... It was so nice in May...No kids, not too hot and not crowded.
Love your content! I didn't realize we need to validate the train ticket, really appreciate you pointing that out, made a BIG note to remind me haha. Thanks again!
I wanted to go there when I went to the Amalfi Cost in July but I didn't manage! This was great for me, I am very fascinated by that place! Hugs from Florence (Tuscany)!
I was waiting for this one to come out! We'd been getting the great teaser videos from Jocelyn with the archeological trivia which were great!!! Can't wait for more about Pompeii and Herculaneum...
Before we went to Pompeii, I was under the impression that they had uncovered just a few buildings and found bodies here and there. You're point about the size of the city is spot on. We were very surprised to witness the remnants of a small city. Lots of tourist groups so traffic was heavy but definitely a place to visit and experience.
Loved Pompeii, we did it on our own, but it was good. That’s true on seeing the plaster cast of the bodies. Yes wear good shoes. It was hot, but worth seeing for me anyway. Bye these pics, I don’t think we got to see all of it. We where in Roma when we went to Pompeii road the fast train. Had a couple of issues on the train on the way back. We had to leave my husband behind, because the person that stamp his card at the window stamped the wrong date on it, he had to purchase a new ticket and ride back on his own.Thankfully he was able to find his way back. Also, there was and issue with one of the teenagers tickets, I don’t remember the issue of that, it wasn’t our son, but the dad had to go with the young man and try to figure it out with the conductor/ticket guys😳it was one of those days🙁but we go through it all. Thank goodness.
You hit on just about everything a visitor should know. It was great! Perhaps you should hit on the heat some more...I went in June and was from Miami where heat stroke is required by law and found it hot! The Museum in Naples is a must see since everything they talk about being found in Pompeii is actually on display in the museum. A visitor can see a lot in one day but two or even three days will give a visitor a good view of all three sites and the museum in Naples. Good work by the Wolters Tour team!
Another tip: make sure you take your time, especially when it's hot. Whenever you can, sit down in the shade for 10 minutes and drink some water. You'll be much happier, even though it takes longer to see everything.
Went to Pompeii a few days ago. Now in November it was a good experience. It was nice and sunny, but not too hot and dry, not too many tourists, no problem with parking. I used the audio guide app. The stories are well told. BUT: The usability is really bad. Your screen has always to be on otherwise the audio stops. That badly consumes your battery. Also: Many times when you switched the app (f.ex. to take pictures), the audio list jumped to the beginning and you needed to scroll down to your audio every time. That was really anoying. Also some intersting things were missing. There was a "house of the four styles". WHICH STYLES? There was no audio guide to this house unfortunately.
Certain bulletpoints in this video, more than any of your other DON'TS OF series, strike me as "Why should people even need to be TOLD this?" Like "Don't take things." But like all your videos, it gives me a good sense of what to expect! Thanks!
We just got back from Italy, we paid our second visit to Pompei in 17 years, in 41 deg c heat and still didn’t see everything we wanted to see, guess that means another trip in the future but not in August. I have never been so hot. We had Factor 50 cream lots of water an umbrella but the heat was overwhelming.
Important to discuss mobility issues on any trip for sure. We are fairly young still but enjoy cruises on ships like Silversea. We have been to some awesome places and with 300 aboard, and talks given by experts (like our trip to New Zealand and Australia we could learn from marine biologists, etc. about important things. Don’t po po a cruise Mark they are now all a 5000 people cruise. Went from Polynesia, Rangiroa, marquesas etc. Hawaii ending up in Lax. What an adventure. Alaska too. One of our best was Southampton to Ireland to Iceland to Greenland (I passed on raw whale meat) to St. Lawrence Canada Ouebec ultimately to Toronto where we had a short flight to ORD. Again I think you’d enjoy a Silversea cruise and they have the exploration ships and regular ones that go into Arctic and “on top of globe.” Take a couple of these younger as you meet all types of world travelers and it can be a lot of fun!
I visited in 2019 and I was very surprised with its size. Don’t be fooled, the place is huge. Fortunately I had an umbrella to stay in the shade because there is very little.
WOW... I visited back in 1969 when in college. Hardly anyone was there, we had the run of the place. No fancy modern entrance and no vendors selling stuff.
One more recommendation: go in the winter if you can. It's less crowded and you won't worry as much about heat and sun. I went last month (February) and highly recommend it.
Pompeii is on our to visit list for our trip to Italy next summer. We just haven't decided on when to go yet. We only have our 4 days (5 nights) in Rome set for now. We do want to go to Naples, the Amalfi Coast before renting a car and heading to Campobasso province in the Molise region to visit Larino, the comune where my nonno was born before coming here to Canada with my great grand-parents when he was four. For first timers, do you recommend doing both Pompeii and Herculaneum, or just one of the two? Bonjour! Hi! from Montreal, QC!
Thank you so much for all the tips! My mom went to Pompeii in the 60s and women were not allowed in the brothels 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Her brother got to go in but not her. It was fine for them to be in there 2000 years ago but in the 60's, not so much 🤣
6:00 - 6:20. Hey, Mark. Looks life your wife is thinking: "Honey, stop talking to the camera! It's hot out here and we have a lot of Pompeii to see!" 😂😂😂
Tip for train travel. Pomei scavi station has very narrow steep steps and NO accessible access in or out. If this affects you take another form of travel from naples. Alfo consider the rear entry to the park not the main entry. It is less crowded and brings you in near regular shops to the ampitheatre. Great accomodation etc tgere too. The main entry is a tourist trap
hi there! First of all, I would like to thank you very much for your informative videos, they certainly do help a lot of people! My husband and I are traveling around Italy for a month next May. Have you ever been there during May? I was wondering if it’s a good time to go. Also, any airline recommendations? I live in South Carolina. Thank you so much in advance
I was lucky enough to visit Pompeii (3 days) and Herculaneum (1 day) last summer! As a solo traveler who’s main goal was to see the archaeological sites and see what life was like for southern Italians, staying in Pompei was awesome. The single rooms at Hotel Visagi were about $40 USD a night for a very comfortable room and friendly hotel, and it was about a 30 minute walk to Pompeii. I’ll admit the walk is not accessible or straightforward, but for a young person who loves walking and exploring it was a fun way to get around and see the beautiful landscape
That’s great info, thank you! I would love to go by myself, so that’s very appreciated
Visiting Pompeii was the one time I regretted booking a tour. The guide took us in the direction they wanted us to go, not necessarily the most interesting parts. Considering the length of the your we actually saw very little
Same, my guided tour experience was too fast, too furious for a young family in the heat. We ditched the tour after 15 mins. Regret not being independent and better prepared with more time, but not leaving the tour. We probably missed heaps but was still well worth the visit.
You would have been able to enter many locked buildings with guides which is basically the only plus in my opinion.
Well that would have pissed me off as well.
that'll teach ya
But you must understand they cant have literally hundreds of people wandering off in every direction, it is still an archeological site being worked upon
My boyfriend loved visiting Pompeii! I also love seeing your wife and kids give a few "don't's", so glad they did in this video! Always fun hearing from everyone! Can't wait to see what the next don't's video is!
I visited Pompéi last week for the first time !
I spent 4 hours there. Not enough to see everything…
It’s a so beautiful and fascinating place… 😍
We have been to Pompeii 2x. The 1st time, my husband & I did it on our own and really enjoyed wandering around. 2nd time we were with family, and the 8 of us decided to get a guide when we got there. She was great, and we learned so much more than when we did it on our own. It really depends what you want to get out of it. I would advise doing some research before visiting, so that you know and understand what you are seeing. We speak highly of our visits to Pompeii. We took the train from Naples the 1st time to Sorrento, then stopped in Pompeii on the way back. Train is very easy to take. Great video with some great advice. - Coreen
We LOVED our trip to Pompeii! As parents (and a history teacher in the mix!), with 4 kids going for the first time, it was GREAT!
What was NOT great..... THE HEAT!!! ANY TIPS YOU CAN FIND -- Listen to them!!! (I find sunscreen and bringing extra water sort of a "DUH thing," lol! Apart from her tip about those around you, which ppl don't tend to heed... be careful with your parasol/umbrella. What is your lifesaver is someone else's major annoyance!! And they will NOT hesitate to let you know!!
And YES! The local train is a rough ride!!! While you are melting, standing as you ride, and getting jostled amongst your fellow travelers, you are still PRIME for pickpockets! Who are just WAITING for you to go on your daytrip so you can pay for theirs on their holidays!!..
Oh, you are so right about the walking! You mustn’t forget, it is a city- a whole town you’re covering. But so worth it, with a bit of preparation. That’s why UA-cam videos are so helpful- and it extends your holiday, before and after!
In my next life I want to come back as Wolter, lol. How blessed you and your family are to travel the world!
I’ve watched your son grow up in these videos! It’s great to see him get involved in them too! Good job!
As Mark said, don't forget to visit Herculaneum. It's hard for me to say whether I prefered Pompeii or Herculaneum; both were great.
You did an awesome job on providing important information before going to Pompeii. I find it very helpful. It will be the first time visiting Italy and I can't wait to visit Pompeii. Thank you very much!
Going to Naples, Pompei and the Amalfi Coast in early November to avoid the crowd and heat. Thank you for the tips about Herculaneum and the archeological museum!
how was your travels during november? are there a lot of closed shops? we are planning a trip at the moment for Italy in November.
Excellent video with extensive helpful information. Thank you for making our visit easier to plan.
TRAIN- from Naples take the TrenItalia run to Pompeii. It's like 2-3 Euros more and hugs the Bay of Naples- it's absolutely stunning!!! Then you can easily walk to the Amphitheater entrance or a cheap 1-2 euro bus shuttle. You also get A/C.
In all fairness, we didn’t go to Pompeii.. but, the Herculaneum felt like a very authentic Italian experience. Almost no tourists, there were field trips of school children, Ercalano (?) was a nice chill city. Had a great time!
Agree 👍
We were fortunate to have gone this summer❤. Beautiful, historical, grand.
Regarding water: We needed a bottle of H20 and upon receiving it, decided to open it up on the spot due to thirst😊. Lucky we did, bc the water bottle was already opened!! So I’d like to caution travelers to open the bottle right in front of the store owner/staff if possible before leaving the establishment.
LOVE this. I desperately want to see the murals at the Villa of the Mysteries. And Jocelyn laying down the law about eating (!!) and PICKING THINGS UP (!!!!!!) was amazing 🥰
She definitely used her "Mom mode" when she talked about it being a world heritage site 😁!
@@kelly1827 oh for sure!! It was perfection 😁
I remember seeing a magazine article about Pompeii when I was about 5 and that was where I was going to go some day. It took 50 years but I got there. The one thing I'll say is - yeah, it's bigger than most people think. It was one of the few places that we actually did spring for a private tour. Very interesting but there is no way we would have seen as much as we did if left to our own devices.
I read about it in a children's encyclopaedia when I was about 6 and was instantly fascinated.
Thank you for the input about accessibility! So often, travel videos make no mention of it. I'm a wheelchair user and although I have no plans to travel any time soon, I "travel" vicariously through your videos and others. If you're ever looking for a collab idea, partnering up with an experienced disabled traveler might be a good one 😉
I second this.
Just an FYI. When we went there we didn't realize that Pompei was an actual city and not just an archeological site. So we ended getting off at the wrong bus stop and got loss. Thankfully we paid for the international package on one our phones so we were able to use GPS. So remember that Pompei is the modern city and Pompeii is the ruins.
The train from Naples (or opposite direction Sorrento) goes direct to Pompeii. For the ruins you get off at Pompeii Scarvi (Ruins).
Dad talked about visiting Pompeii back in the 70s when he was in the navy. Said was interesting and eerie.
We spent the whole day just exploring on our own; can't go wrong doing that, saw most every area, very satisfying. It was much larger than we had anticipated, and although still hot in September, was more doable than summer. Wear hats. There are places out of the sun to rest or just be cool while visiting (baths, graveyard, villas, eatery, shop, interior presentations of archeological items) so one can manage well. It is a highlight of Italy. We are a bit older and followed our plan to rest for a time in Sorrento, and did a day trip from Sorrento to Pompeii and back. Amazing vacation, 2017.
Don`t think that Pink Floyd is the houseband in Pompeii 😄
Do mind, DON`T steal or take things with you! Treat Pompeii like a rainforest.
The only things you kill - is time.
The only things you take - is pictures.
The only things you leave - is footprints.
Thanks for this video La Familia 💗
Just visited in June. It is overwhelming. Absolutely beautiful. We spent the entire day. You spot on about the heat. We stayed one town away in Scafati. Our Airbnb was very affordable as was the town.
I traveled from Rome in a fiat.., I went with my wife and we did our own tour saw everything even some time in the museums…, we ate from our backpack..,and also the restaurant in the middle., walked all day and at night went to the stadio Maradona to see Napoli play. What an amazing experience I had.
This is phenomenal!
Do you have any idea the number of visitors get it wrong?
I agree totally with Jocelyn - Herculaneum is by far more manageable.
I refuse to take anyone to Pompeii outside of winter because it is oppressive, too hot, too crowded.
An extra tip. Don't touch the wall mosaics. During the 1st visit I was stunned by the level of restoration and touched one of them only to have staff sternly telling me to "NO TOUCH!"
If you opt to head to Vesuvio NP the trek to the main crater isn't a wow factor. But the sulfuric air, the connection, the realisation that she can blow at any time is mind blowing.
And the bus ride is super pretty.
Another area to be VERY CAUTIOUS of pickpockets and purse snatchers is the main entrance of the National Museum of Archaeology in Naples that you mentioned. Especially vulnerable are tourists milling around waiting for or after exiting their buses and the elderly. On my last visit, as I waited for my taxi, I witnessed 2 purse snatchings of women and a young man whose wallet was picked from his rear pants pocket. Secutity or police followed up on the screams by blowing whistles and chasing the perpetrators, but all apparently got away.
Agree- I saw thieves with knives slash the straps of purses- didn’t hurt the person but the knives were big and looked too close.
Please never ever put your phone or wallet in your back pocket & before going abroad, please invest in handbags/backpack/rucksacks etc with metal in the shoulder straps to prevent the slashing thereof & bag stealing, also never ever take out large amounts of cash from an ATM when abroad & never leave large amounts of cash valuables or jewellery in your hotel rooms, leave anything of value in the hotel safe before going out & always make sure that windows balcony doors & hotel room doors are locked before leaving. Also check that they are still locked upon returning if they're not do not enter but contact hotel security/management firstly. Also invest in a scanner proof wallet so that no one can scan your cards. Buy sunscreen in your own country in the sales to save money & take plenty of loose clothing and large water bottles. & plenty of changes of underwear and socks & odour eaters for all your footwear and change your shoes boots trainers regularly. Invest in good quality sunglasses and hats.
hi wolters world , great guide on don'ts in pompei very informative many thanks.
You are the best for explaining useful things!
I will be in Italy at the end of the month. Because of your videos, we are staying in Naples and will visit Herculaneum. Thank you for your videos.
Great video Mark. Learned so much.
Thanks for the advice. It's a lot to take in.
Thank you for your videos. So informative and great production value. I'm glad I watched this one because in four days my wife and I start our Mediterranean cruise with four friends that includes an excursion to Pompeii. Your tip for planning ahead on what we want to see is especially helpful as we're only going to have 3-4 hours at the site. Keep up the great work and thanks again. Top notch travel vlog!
I visited Pompeii some 40 years ago. Honestly: don't miss out on that great view of Mount Vesuvius you have from all over the city. It is just majestic. And yes, getting into the shade is important, especially during summer time.
Having visited Pompeii and Herculaneum it was great to get your insight for tourists.
Great job on your UA-cam channel! I like your channel and learn a lot from it. By the way we were there this August on our excursion.
That's awesome about the first Sunday being free.
Awesome!!! Thank you for for all the tips!! Be there next month!
Excellent guide thank you I'm going to send it to my dad
Thank you so much, Wolter that was really helpful advice, Thank you so much. Also all the security information about pick pockets. I will remember that.
Thanks for this video. I am taking my family on a 37-day European adventure and had booked a tour from Rome to Pompeii by train to Naples and van to the ruins. I canceled that and booked the trains and Pompeii with a guided tour myself and saved $400. We also get to spend four hours in Naples so win-win!
I agree with all your advice. Be prepared to be stepping up and down all the kerbs (sidewalks) they are deep and give you a work out. The Brothel is worth a visit even if you are a little prudish. It is small, the pictures advertising the menu are quite high up so small children will miss them. I advise going as late in the afternoon as most of the bus tours go earlier in the day. The bus that goes up Vesuvius is very close by and well worth the trip, the final walk up you do yourself.
Excellent advice in this video! We underestimated the scale of Pompeii, much bigger than we thought 🙂 Luckily it was very quiet, final three hours of opening. We only noticed one restaurant, and it didn't seem that big. Some stray dogs there too. And fruit trees, amazing place.
You definitely need to bring water, a small umbrella to block out the sun, a cap, and wear very good athletic shoes. The place is huge. Don’t miss the terrific Pink Floyd exhibit located in one of the amphitheater’s. Nobody told me about it and I just happened upon it. Absolutely worth visiting, but Pompeii is not easy to navigate.
I appreciate you mentioning the accessibility of the place 🙏🏼
Great video! Very helpful. We’re heading to Naples in September and visiting Pompeii is on our to-do list. Really helpful 👍
It was so amusing, hearing you talk about staying out of the sun and keeping hydrated . . .
I've wanted to see Pompeii for as long as I can remember, and I'm 65. I finally got there on Tuesday 26 March 2024, by train/s from Rome. And it rained. It rained and rained and rained, often torrentially. There were rivers running down the Roman roads, there were umbrellas everywhere poking you in the head and the eye, and brightly-coloured ponchos which were being sold by hawkers outside the entrance, which took away from the whole grandeur of the scene. And it was cold - maybe 9 or 10 degrees C which isn't freezing obviously, but combined with being completely soaked right through, it was teeth-chattering time.
I have a bit of difficulty walking these days but if it had been warm I know I'd have spent longer and gone further into the site. As it was, I was so cold and wet that I couldn't take it any more and left much sooner than I wanted to. Of course, as soon as I was out the rain eased off and there was a brief period of hazy warmth from the sky - but then it started raining again, and rained all the way back to Rome.
The following day it was the Forum and the Colosseum, when it rained even harder . . . but I guess I will just have to go back another time, and pray to Jupiter to let the sun shine!
This is just a warning, I suppose, to point out that it's not always sunny in Pompeii! Take spare shoes and spare trousers because sitting on a plane in wet shoes is no fun.
I wrote the above before finishing the video.
There were plenty of people with big rucksacks visiting the site. I also saw about three people in wheelchairs so there's definitely some access.
I'd been told about the pickpocket problem, but I solved it by having my wallet, cash, cards etc in a bag inside my rucksack. And holding my phone with a demon's grip.
Herculaneum is definitely on my list for next time, many people have told me it's better.
Was there back in March, was so crazy that they are still unearthing new things to this day!
Thank you for this video, you have made my mind up, I won't be going to Pompeii! We've only got a 6 hour window on our MSC cruise and I would hate for our one and only visit to Pompei to be a rushed affair where we are constantly looking at our watches to make sure wo don't miss the boat (I know it's a ship but miss the boat sounds better). We will now go to Herculaneum and take in the sites of Naples and come back to see Pompeii on a weekend city break. Thank you, sincerely.
I was their during my Celebrity Cruise in May...
My wife and I purchased the Naples Pompeii tour...It was a 10 hour tour...DO NOT do this in the summer months, the heat can be extreme and the crowds can be overwhelming...
It was so nice in May...No kids, not too hot and not crowded.
Love your content! I didn't realize we need to validate the train ticket, really appreciate you pointing that out, made a BIG note to remind me haha. Thanks again!
I have learned a long time ego to never travel during high tourist season since I don’t like crowds
Excellent content! Looks hot and difficult. I bet it is difficult on a rainy day. Sounds like a National Graphic show for me!
Travelling there next month. Absolutely love your vlogs. So helpful!!! Thanks a ton.
I wanted to go there when I went to the Amalfi Cost in July but I didn't manage! This was great for me, I am very fascinated by that place! Hugs from Florence (Tuscany)!
Awesome video and great tips
Nice video , wonderful upload !
Good overview and tips. Thanks for making the vid.
just learnt a lot here, thanks. I thought it was a small place and thought the bodies were real....well now, thanks for sharing
I was waiting for this one to come out! We'd been getting the great teaser videos from Jocelyn with the archeological trivia which were great!!! Can't wait for more about Pompeii and Herculaneum...
Before we went to Pompeii, I was under the impression that they had uncovered just a few buildings and found bodies here and there.
You're point about the size of the city is spot on. We were very surprised to witness the remnants of a small city. Lots of tourist groups so traffic was heavy but definitely a place to visit and experience.
That was really helpful, thank you!
You guys are really the best.
Just good sensible advice without all the self promotion.
Wonderful.
Thank you.
Perfect description. Thanks
One of my favorite places.
Excellent informative vid, thank you. 🙂
After over 2000 years, even in its ruined state, its still a tourist destination, Amazing
Great information - thank you!
Loved Pompeii, we did it on our own, but it was good. That’s true on seeing the plaster cast of the bodies. Yes wear good shoes. It was hot, but worth seeing for me anyway. Bye these pics, I don’t think we got to see all of it. We where in Roma when we went to Pompeii road the fast train. Had a couple of issues on the train on the way back. We had to leave my husband behind, because the person that stamp his card at the window stamped the wrong date on it, he had to purchase a new ticket and ride back on his own.Thankfully he was able to find his way back. Also, there was and issue with one of the teenagers tickets, I don’t remember the issue of that, it wasn’t our son, but the dad had to go with the young man and try to figure it out with the conductor/ticket guys😳it was one of those days🙁but we go through it all. Thank goodness.
Thanks for this! Very helpful.
Glad to help
You hit on just about everything a visitor should know. It was great! Perhaps you should hit on the heat some more...I went in June and was from Miami where heat stroke is required by law and found it hot! The Museum in Naples is a must see since everything they talk about being found in Pompeii is actually on display in the museum. A visitor can see a lot in one day but two or even three days will give a visitor a good view of all three sites and the museum in Naples. Good work by the Wolters Tour team!
As usual - thanks for all the (don't ) information.
I want to go to Pompeii so bad, my grandfather was from Naples.. it would be great to go visit
Pompeii is great, I explored it without a guided tour. It was very interesting, but so hot there when I went there in May 2014.
Great tips and advice, gracias 🙂
great video, thank you
Good timing. I'm going to be there in three weeks!
Another tip: make sure you take your time, especially when it's hot. Whenever you can, sit down in the shade for 10 minutes and drink some water. You'll be much happier, even though it takes longer to see everything.
We didn't get to go while we were in Italy. Maybe next time. But this good to know. Thank!
Thanks prof
Went to Pompeii a few days ago. Now in November it was a good experience. It was nice and sunny, but not too hot and dry, not too many tourists, no problem with parking.
I used the audio guide app. The stories are well told. BUT: The usability is really bad. Your screen has always to be on otherwise the audio stops. That badly consumes your battery. Also: Many times when you switched the app (f.ex. to take pictures), the audio list jumped to the beginning and you needed to scroll down to your audio every time. That was really anoying. Also some intersting things were missing. There was a "house of the four styles". WHICH STYLES? There was no audio guide to this house unfortunately.
Go in March....best time
Great advice!
Certain bulletpoints in this video, more than any of your other DON'TS OF series, strike me as "Why should people even need to be TOLD this?" Like "Don't take things."
But like all your videos, it gives me a good sense of what to expect! Thanks!
you would be surprised my friend :)
We just got back from Italy, we paid our second visit to Pompei in 17 years, in 41 deg c heat and still didn’t see everything we wanted to see, guess that means another trip in the future but not in August. I have never been so hot. We had Factor 50 cream lots of water an umbrella but the heat was overwhelming.
Important to discuss mobility issues on any trip for sure. We are fairly young still but enjoy cruises on ships like Silversea. We have been to some awesome places and with 300 aboard, and talks given by experts (like our trip to New Zealand and Australia we could learn from marine biologists, etc. about important things. Don’t po po a cruise Mark they are now all a 5000 people cruise. Went from Polynesia, Rangiroa, marquesas etc. Hawaii ending up in Lax. What an adventure. Alaska too. One of our best was Southampton to Ireland to Iceland to Greenland (I passed on raw whale meat) to St. Lawrence Canada Ouebec ultimately to Toronto where we had a short flight to ORD. Again I think you’d enjoy a Silversea cruise and they have the exploration ships and regular ones that go into Arctic and “on top of globe.” Take a couple of these younger as you meet all types of world travelers and it can be a lot of fun!
I visited in 2019 and I was very surprised with its size. Don’t be fooled, the place is huge. Fortunately I had an umbrella to stay in the shade because there is very little.
You gotta get to South and Southeast Asia sometime! India is one of my absolute favorite countries to visit
WOW... I visited back in 1969 when in college. Hardly anyone was there, we had the run of the place. No fancy modern entrance and no vendors selling stuff.
One more recommendation: go in the winter if you can. It's less crowded and you won't worry as much about heat and sun. I went last month (February) and highly recommend it.
Good footwear
Respected as a archaeological site
Not all areas are open to public
Pompeii is on our to visit list for our trip to Italy next summer. We just haven't decided on when to go yet. We only have our 4 days (5 nights) in Rome set for now. We do want to go to Naples, the Amalfi Coast before renting a car and heading to Campobasso province in the Molise region to visit Larino, the comune where my nonno was born before coming here to Canada with my great grand-parents when he was four.
For first timers, do you recommend doing both Pompeii and Herculaneum, or just one of the two?
Bonjour! Hi! from Montreal, QC!
Thank you so much for all the tips! My mom went to Pompeii in the 60s and women were not allowed in the brothels 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Her brother got to go in but not her. It was fine for them to be in there 2000 years ago but in the 60's, not so much 🤣
Oh you're joking..... 😳
6:00 - 6:20. Hey, Mark. Looks life your wife is thinking: "Honey, stop talking to the camera! It's hot out here and we have a lot of Pompeii to see!" 😂😂😂
Great vid
Thank You!
Will the app work for Herculaneum as well as Pompeii?
Thank you.
Tip for train travel. Pomei scavi station has very narrow steep steps and NO accessible access in or out. If this affects you take another form of travel from naples. Alfo consider the rear entry to the park not the main entry. It is less crowded and brings you in near regular shops to the ampitheatre. Great accomodation etc tgere too. The main entry is a tourist trap
Well, in the museum, we could see teeth sticking out, so the skeletons are in there 2:34
hi there! First of all, I would like to thank you very much for your informative videos, they certainly do help a lot of people! My husband and I are traveling around Italy for a month next May. Have you ever been there during May? I was wondering if it’s a good time to go. Also, any airline recommendations? I live in South Carolina. Thank you so much in advance