booking for specific buildings in pompeii

Leicester
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booking for specific buildings in pompeii
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We are going to Pompeii in February. Apparently some buildings on the site need times to be booked online prior to visiting. Can someone guide us as to which buildings we need to book for and through which website. Thanks.

Norwich, United...
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All that's been made more difficult recently, by the closure of the PompeiViva website.

There may be other places, but try your luck with the last two items here...

http://www.arethusa.net/w2d3/v3/view/flecta/arethusa/italiano/prenotazioni/contenuto.html

Peter

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Dear a_brit_in_ischia- thanks for your advice. it worked and we got to see what was open which was subterranean baths and casa di principe napoli in Pompeii. Also putting in a review of the entire trip.

Review for Naples-Pompei-Sorrento trip in February 2012

We are a family of three who spent a week in Feb mid-term, travelling Southern Italy (a snapshot really).

Day0- Flight with easyjet from London Stansted to Naples. Arrived in the midst of heavy rain. Took the Curreri Viaga bus from airport towards Sorrento. The first stop for this is Pompei in 25 minutes. We had a 1 ½ hr wait for the bus, but travelling to Garibaldi int he dark and thru’ the rain did not seem appealing. Price for the 3 of us was 24 euros. Stop was at Pompei Scavi. Thankfully it had stopped raining when we arrived, so we had an easy 20 minute walk to Hotel Diana, following the signs. After check in we had a late dinner a ‘Pizza Margherita’ near the Pompei Circumvesuviana station. Lovely lovely pizza. A great start to the trip.

Day1-Pompeii Scavi- after a hearty breakfast arrived at the amphitheatre entrance at 8:25 am. Surprised to be followed about by two friendly dogs, well fed with collars only much later realizing that they were common strays!

Being the first through he gates, for ½ hour it looked like we had the ruins all to ourselves. The majesty of the sprawling city is awespiring. Started with the amphitheatre, the necropolis and gladiator barracks. Also had some clear pictures of a snow capped Vesuvius. We then worked our way through towards the Porta Marina entrance for the 10 am reservation for the subterranean baths. There was no one at the gates when we arrived and we felt a bit lost until we noticed a passing staff to whom we showed the booking. He unlocked the gates and waved us in. Only ones in the building. Had a leisurely half hour and then proceeded towards the forum area and then towards the villa dei misteri. The villa took a good 40 minutes to browse through, thankfully shielding us from the rain. Took lots of pictures of the Dionysiac frieze. After the rain stopped, we went on to see the bakeries, shops, house of Faun finally arriving at Casa Principe dei Napoli, reserved for 14:00. No markings near the building, just located it by map. There were no signs of staff waiting to let us it. After waiting for a few minutes, we found our way to the nearest porta where there were 2 staff. I tried explaining in English, but the lady kept picking up only ‘Napoli’ and trying to send me back to Naples in Italian. (I could pick up Porta marina, circumvesuviana stazione- hence my guess!) It was when I showed the paper reservation to the gentleman that he took us through and unlocked the doors. Again just the 3 of us in the building. We then went on to see the brothel, triangular forum and were finally at the amphitheatre entrance again at 17:00.

The vastness of the place leaves you gasping for breath at the end of a long day.

Day2- Herculaneum, Oplontis and Boscoreale. Took the circumvesuviana down to Herculaneum first. The site appears a lot more manageable than Pompeii. More lovely pictures and mosaics to go through. The most impressive mosaic was in the nymphaeum of casa di Nettuno e Anfitrite. Next stop Oplontis- again an easy walk from the station. It is a grand sprawling villa. Especially loved the paintings of fruits and flowers in the small rooms around the main hall. The site needs at least 45 minutes to do justice. Next stop Boscoreale, which was deceptively far from the station (considering the other 3 scavi). Took a very brisk 25 minute walk. The last turen was into a residential area after which the directions get obscure. One of the residents hooted out to us and pointed us in the right direction. Just madede it at 3:30 pm. Disappointingly the villa was closed, but we did get a view from above. Museum was interesting especillay the casts of victims oth human and animals with expressions frozen on their faces for eternity.

Day 3- had to choose between Stabiae and Paestum because of time constraints. Went to Paestum. The site takes 2 hours maximum to browse through even in detail, but travelling can be tricky and trains are infrequent. A direct train goes from Pompei. (the national rail, not circumvesuviana) direct to Paestum. We had a buy one get one free offer for Valentine’s Day! The three temples (Ceres, Neptune and Hera) do not disappoint. Walking from the Ceres temple to the other two, on the right there are residential homes with a variety of beautiful mosaic floors. These are not well sign posted and missed if you take the main central road. You need to take a stroll through the houses and peer over the remaining walls to discover the mosaics.

Back to Pompei, took bags from the hotel and on the circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Arrived into a colourful and crowded market – 14th February is the day for Saint Antonio. Pushed through the crowds to our hotel and fell asleep inspite of the fireworks going on around us.

Day 4-Capri, Anacapri

Awoke to thunderous clouds which threatened to make a disaster of the day. On a hunch still took the ferry to Capri as the clouds looked lighter away from the coast. Turned out to be a lucky decision. Capri was absolutely bathed in sunlight with a tranquil blue sea around. The Blue Grotto was closed though (never expected it to be open in this season). Took a 1 ½ hour boat ride for 70 euros, on a little motor boat upto the limestone cliffs of Isole Faraglioni, with stops at white grotto, coral grotto and ‘baby blue grotto’. Lovely trip. Back at the Marina Grande, we took the bus upto Capri town.

Form the Piazetta we took the walk upto arco naturale and Grotta di matermania (which was more impressive than we had hoped, really interesting Roman remains of the shrine to a water Nymph). We continued along that road to make a full circle to come back to the Piazetta which follows via Tragara and via Camerelle. The views of the sea and especially Isole Faraglioni along the road are simply stunning.

Next we took a bus up to Anacapri and walked up to Axel Munthe’s Villa San Michele. Too late to go into the museum but more stunning views of the sea. Back to Capri after a stroll to see Casa Rosa.

At Capri we had time to kill before our ferry was due. So we had dinner with sights of the sea around. Back at Marina Picolo we walked up the path we had taken in the morning from our hotel, only to realize that the Villa Communale Park gates close after 19:30. There was no choice but to go back to Marina Picolo and take another way up. Certainly a hectic though rewarding day.

Day 5- Amalfi coast

Started off with a brilliantly sunny day. Took the bus (with a day ticket), first stop Positano. Visited the Santa Maria Assunti. The church has brilliant gilded artwork. The main altar has a painting of a 13th century byzantine Madonna and child. Emerald grotto was closed as well. So the next stop was Amalfi. The Cattedrale di Sant Andrea makes an imposing sight on Piazza del Duomo.

On the way back to Sorrento, we were rewarded with the brilliant colours of the setting sun.

Once in Sorrento we popped in to see the cloisters at Chiesa di San Francesco and the mural inside the Duomo.

Day 6- Took the morning ferry to Naples. We then took the bus R4 to museum Capodimonte. It was an interesting bus ride, extremely crowded and quite adventurous with all our luggage. I managed to convey to a lady that we wanted to get off at museum Capodimonte. She tried to explain the directions once we got off at the stop but unfortunately in a mix up we missed it first time. A group of ladies around us got excited and all of then started talking at the same time with lots of hand gestures, the result was that they made sure we got off at the next stop and knew which direction to walk towards. They waved us off enthusiastically!

Paintings of note in Capodimonte were Pieta by Annibale Carracci, Danii by Titian, crucifixion by Masaccio and Maria Amalia’s porcelain parlour. Number of rooms were closed, so we got out quite early. Our next stop was our hotel which was near the Archaeological museum. After check in, we too the funicular to Vomero. Passed by Piazza Dante. The Castle Sant Elmo gives amazing views. We then went on to Piazza Plebiscito to see the San Francesco di paola and Palazzo Reale and Gallerie Umberto. Ended the day with pizza napolitean at Piazza Dante.

Day 7- started the day at Museo Archaelogico Nazionale. Exhibits of note were the Farnes Hercules, Farnese Bull, the Artemis and muses in the Farnese collection. The collections from Pompeii and Herculaneum included the famous Battle of Alexander mosaic, Painting of sacrifice of Iphigenia, the blue vase and the secret cabinet with its erotic collection.

We now had 1 ½ hours more to spend before we should start towards the airport. This was a whirlwind. We took the via dei Tribunaldi, took pictures of the Duomo Gerolamini and arrived panting at Pio Monte di Misericordia to ask for the ‘seven acts of mercy’- the Caravaggio over the altar. The man at the reception told us that they were closing down, we had two minutes to go and feast our eyes. Which we did with gratitude. We went on to see san Paolo Maggiore and San Lorenzo Maggiore- both magnificent and even managed to wander through the underground city at San Lorenzo Maggiore.

Feeling full with wonderful memories, we took a taxi from the hotel back to airport. A near perfect holiday!

Norwich, United...
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3. Re: booking for specific buildings in pompeii
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Thank you, and well done indeed - for both coping with all the minor setbacks, and turning out such a great report of your week's adventures... so speedily too!

Trust you won't mind, but I've recommended it to someone asking about a visit to Pompei next month over on the Lonely Planet forums - who may have a q or two of their own for you...

One thing, if I may? Our guide friend was telling us recently that they're not always opening Herculaneum's suburban baths (so they're closed even more, he thought, than just the "mornings only" restriction that applied years ago)...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/105332100

.... so I was wondering whether you'd been able to see those - or are the staff shortages becoming an issue again there as well?

The shutters seem to go up and down like a bride's...

http://bloggingpompeii.blogspot.com/2010/08/herculaneums-suburban-baths-re-open.html

Thanks again, and I know your efforts will much appreciated by those who follow in your footsteps!

Peter

Los Angeles...
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Thanks for the report ddna. Just in time to help us plan for our trip.

On the more mundane level, since we will be traveling to Pompeii on a day trip from Rome with 2 kids this summer, we are concerned about provisions and facilities. Are there stores or shops outside the site or at the Pompeii SCAVI train station where you can buy food and water? How about the availability of bathrooms?

Also should we get admission online beforehand since we are visiting during the high season? (unfortunately we are not going to be able to make it there at 8:30 like you guys).

Any input is appreciated ddna and Peter.

Norwich, United...
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At that mundane level, you can have a 'wander' around the area outside the entrance using the 'Streetview' in GoogleMaps....

Indeed you can even stroll through the archaeological site - and several others.....

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k4363597-Google_street_view_Pompeii_Herculaneum-Rome_Lazio.html

With 2 million + visitors annually, just about every conceivable need is catered for!

There's also an "Autogrill" within the site. Haven't tried that one but others - at various train stations and airports - have all been OK, if not the most superb of culinary experiences...

For some maps of the site - one or more of which show the position of WCs (there's also a set in the Autogrill of course) - try:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187782-i162-k5180582-Pompeii-Sorrento_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html#38929464

Peter

Norwich, United...
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If not familiar with the term, WC comes from water-closet... and you may sometimes hear Italians talk of a "watter" - when referring to the toilets, comfort stations or wat-ever euphemisms that the rest of us use!

In places with Roman baths, that disambiguation can save a long and ultimately disappointing walk to the ruined "bagni"....

Peter

Leicester
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1. We did see the suburban baths at Herculaneum

2. Peter, you are right about buildings opening and closing without notice. In Pompeii around the morning en route to the forum, we entered an unmarked open house with beautiful paintings. We then rushed for the subterranean bath reservation, thinking we'd come again in the evening, en route to the amphitheatre entrance. It was closed by 4:30.

3. Toilets are more abundant than an old guide book suggested but not plentiful around each corner. Most entrances seem to have one nearby. Well marked on the official map, helping you to plan for the day.

4. Booking online even for high season is not something we've come across even in any guide book.

Just another thought- I know everyone will do trips depending on what they are interested in but a day trip from Rome might be too rushed to take Pompeii in. The modern town of Pompei is lovely as well and we would recommend a night stay anytime.

Cheers!!

Leicester
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A correction for the last post- we saw the male baths at Herculaneum and had a peep in entrance for female baths where some work was going on.

Norwich, United...
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Thanks!

P

wixom, michigan
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10. Re: booking for specific buildings in pompeii
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Checked the site for booking buildings in Pompeii, but it's in Italian. Is there a way to translate it to English?

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