Bay of Naples: Pompeii & Herculaneum

Standard Group Tour in brief

Day 1: Fly to Naples • Cava dei Tirreni

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Naples with British Airways. Transfer to Cava dei Tirreni and, after an introductory lecture and welcome dinner, stay at Hotel Victoria Maiorino (or similar) for 6 nights. (D)

Day 2: Cumae • Baia

Full-day tour to the Phlegrean Fields, also known as the ‘Burning Fields’ due to their volcanic nature. Morning visit to Cumae, the first Greek settlement in mainland Italy and home to the cave of the Sibyl, as described in Virgil’s Aeneid. Continue to Baia Archaeological Park with its Roman thermal spa. Finish with a visit to the volcanic crater of Solfatara. (B)

Day 3: Paestum

Full-day visit to Paestum, one of Italy’s most majestic sites, to see the Doric temples of Ceres, Hera and Neptune. Visit the museum and the recently discovered Greek tomb paintings. (B, L)

Day 4: Pompeii • Villa of the Mysteries

Visit the extensive ruins of Pompeii. See the archaeological park, inclduing the basilica, the forum and the amphitheatre. Continue to the excellently preserved Villa of the Mysteries, which features controversial frescoes thought to depict the secret cult of Dionysus. (B)

Day 5: Herculaneum

Morning visit to the ruins of Herculaneum, which are better preserved than those at Pompeii. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 6: Oplontis • Stabiae

Visit the excavated imperial villa at Oplontis, thought to be the home of Emperor Nero’s second wife, Poppaea. After a wine tasting and lunch, continue to Stabiae, where ancient Romans built magnificent villas painted with frescoes and where Pliny the Elder died during the volcanic disaster. (B, L)

Day 7: Naples • Fly to London

Morning visit to the Naples National Archaeological Museum and its collection of treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Lunch at a typical Neapolitan pizzeria before returning to the airport for a flight to London. (B, L)

Meal basis

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information Arts & Culture tours

A collection of expert accompanied tours focusing on creativity in its many forms. No prior knowledge of the subject matter is required. All tours can be viewed at our Arts & Cultures page.

Expert-led tour

This tour is fully escorted throughout by a lecturer who has specialist knowledge of the destination and its culture, as well as an experienced local guide.

Standard tour

This tour is based in 4-star accommodation.

Single supplement

From £315pp.

Accessibility

This tour involves some long walks and therefore requires a good level of fitness.

Private visits

Please note that the exclusive and individual nature of private visits means that they are subject to confirmation nearer the time of departure. Also, churches, private houses and other buildings often have fluid opening times. If any visits have to be rearranged, please be assured that we will seek alternatives of equal interest.

Private & tailor-made travel

This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.

Expert lecturers Dr Steve Kershaw

Dr Steve Kershaw has taught Classics in a number of establishments, and now works for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education and the Victoria and Albert Museum. He wrote and teaches Oxford’s The Fall of Rome online course and has been featured as an expert contributor on the History Channel’s Barbarians Rising series.

Stephen Nelson

Stephen Nelson has extensive, specialist knowledge of Italy’s art, archaeology and architecture and a particular interest in southern Italy and sites discovered off the beaten track. Stephen is a practising sculptor, working in the UK and in Italy and exhibiting internationally. His work has been shown at the Royal Academy and the Estorick Collection. He has also curated exhibitions, including for the British Council in Tanzania and Eritrea.

Standard Group Tour in brief

Day 1: Fly to Naples • Cava dei Tirreni

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Naples with British Airways. Transfer to Cava dei Tirreni and, after an introductory lecture and welcome dinner, stay at Hotel Victoria Maiorino (or similar) for 6 nights. (D)

Day 2: Cumae • Baia

Full-day tour to the Phlegrean Fields, also known as the ‘Burning Fields’ due to their volcanic nature. Morning visit to Cumae, the first Greek settlement in mainland Italy and home to the cave of the Sibyl, as described in Virgil’s Aeneid. Continue to Baia Archaeological Park with its Roman thermal spa. Finish with a visit to the volcanic crater of Solfatara. (B)

Day 3: Paestum

Full-day visit to Paestum, one of Italy’s most majestic sites, to see the Doric temples of Ceres, Hera and Neptune. Visit the museum and the recently discovered Greek tomb paintings. (B, L)

Day 4: Pompeii • Villa of the Mysteries

Visit the extensive ruins of Pompeii. See the archaeological park, inclduing the basilica, the forum and the amphitheatre. Continue to the excellently preserved Villa of the Mysteries, which features controversial frescoes thought to depict the secret cult of Dionysus. (B)

Day 5: Herculaneum

Morning visit to the ruins of Herculaneum, which are better preserved than those at Pompeii. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 6: Oplontis • Stabiae

Visit the excavated imperial villa at Oplontis, thought to be the home of Emperor Nero’s second wife, Poppaea. After a wine tasting and lunch, continue to Stabiae, where ancient Romans built magnificent villas painted with frescoes and where Pliny the Elder died during the volcanic disaster. (B, L)

Day 7: Naples • Fly to London

Morning visit to the Naples National Archaeological Museum and its collection of treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Lunch at a typical Neapolitan pizzeria before returning to the airport for a flight to London. (B, L)

Meal basis

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Arts & Culture tours

A collection of expert accompanied tours focusing on creativity in its many forms. No prior knowledge of the subject matter is required. All tours can be viewed at our Arts & Cultures page.

Expert-led tour

This tour is fully escorted throughout by a lecturer who has specialist knowledge of the destination and its culture, as well as an experienced local guide.

Standard tour

This tour is based in 4-star accommodation.

Single supplement

From £315pp.

Accessibility

This tour involves some long walks and therefore requires a good level of fitness.

Private visits

Please note that the exclusive and individual nature of private visits means that they are subject to confirmation nearer the time of departure. Also, churches, private houses and other buildings often have fluid opening times. If any visits have to be rearranged, please be assured that we will seek alternatives of equal interest.

Private & tailor-made travel

This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.

Expert lecturers

This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.

Dr Steve Kershaw

Dr Steve Kershaw has taught Classics in a number of establishments, and now works for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education and the Victoria and Albert Museum. He wrote and teaches Oxford’s The Fall of Rome online course and has been featured as an expert contributor on the History Channel’s Barbarians Rising series.

Stephen Nelson

Stephen Nelson has extensive, specialist knowledge of Italy’s art, archaeology and architecture and a particular interest in southern Italy and sites discovered off the beaten track. Stephen is a practising sculptor, working in the UK and in Italy and exhibiting internationally. His work has been shown at the Royal Academy and the Estorick Collection. He has also curated exhibitions, including for the British Council in Tanzania and Eritrea.