Stopped in its tracks by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in a.d. 79, Pompeii offers the best look anywhere at what life in Rome must have been like 2,000 years ago. An entire city of well-preserved ruins is yours to explore. Imagine the streets lined with stalls and jammed with customers from sunup to sundown, as chariots vied with shoppers for street space. On this three-hour tour, you'll start at the Porta Marina and continue along Pompeii's streets exploring typical homes and businesses; the Forum, basilica, public baths, brothels, ampitheater and more. Don't forget to download the handy PDF companion map.
Sightseeing nitty gritty: Cost: €11, or €20 combo-ticket includes Herculaneum (called Ercolano) and three lesser sites (valid 3 days).
Hours: Daily April–Oct 8:30–19:30, Nov–March 8:30–17:00 (last entry 90 min before closing).
Excerpted from Rick Steves' Rome 2010.
Copyright 2009 Avalon Travel.
Related travel information at www.ricksteves.com.