Uncover the superlative power of Mt. Vesuvius while exploring Pompeii and Herculaneum, villages that were destroyed in the violent eruption of A.D. 79. The small seaside town of Herculaneum was preserved by mudflows while Pompeii, the larger of the two cities, was covered by ash. The resulting preservation of these two cities is unlike anything else in the world. You will encounter a history lesson like no other today!

Set out with your private car and guide on a full day discovery of two of the most important archaeological sites in all of Italy. Get a glimpse into everyday life in the Roman era exploring the two ill-fated towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Marvel at the grid-like streets, bordered with bars, shops and public baths, and see everything from mosaics to furniture to frescoes in elegant villas.

Meet your personal driver and expert guide at your accommodation in Naples and begin your history journey towards the extraordinary ruins of Herculaneum. This ancient city was a holiday getaway for Rome’s elite until the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79. On the way, your guide will entertain you with captivating stories behind the lives of these Roman patricians.

Walk through history in the ancient city of Herculaneum. Visit homes of wealthy Romans while hearing stories that will capture your imagination. Smaller than the commercial port town of Pompeii but better preserved, in some places Herculaneum is as if the locals had just left. Though Pompeii is more widely known, this exquisitely preserved site offers a vivid impression of the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthier citizens of the early Roman Empire.

You will then take a break for lunch before continuing on to the nearby city of Pompeii. This awe-inspiring site will take you back in time to the moment when life here came to a fiery end. See the best of the archaeological area together with the plaster casts of some of Pompeii’s residents on a journey that will ignite your imagination.

Walk among the stone-slabbed streets where Pompeian villagers and aristocrats alike once went about their daily activities. Your guide recreates for you the final days of Pompeii explaining what each building was for, where families ate their meals, did laundry and socialized – and where sailors went when they docked.

Explore their homes, including villas which have only recently reopened to the public, and admire the brightly painted frescoes and marvelous mosaics. Your guide will bring these relics back to life through rich, entertaining and educating stories and captivating commentary. Your private tour will end with transportation back to your accommodation.