Explore Pompeii with AESU!
Pompeii was once a vibrant port town in ancient Rome, but the eruption of Mount Vesuvius destroyed it all in the course of one day. 20 feet of ash and pumice preserved the excavated city, and now provides detailed insight into the day-to-day life of Pompeii’s many previous inhabitants. Today, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting more than 2.5 million visitors each year.
Getting There
Pompeii is one of Italy’s most popular attractions and is easy to reach from the major surrounding cities by car or by train. Just 30 minutes from Naples, 45 minutes from Sorrento, 2.5 hours from Rome, and 4.5 hours from Florence, travelers can easily add Pompeii to their itinerary. On the Explorer trip, AESU adventurers will experience the captivating views of the southern Italian countryside en route from Rome to Pompeii.
Exploring Pompeii
Pompeii was once home to 11,000 people and currently consists of over 170 acres of land. As preservationists work to maintain the glory of the city, many sites and streets are blocked off to visitors. The best way to explore Pompeii is with a guided tour, with a firm knowledge of the history and accessibility of the city. If you don’t have access to a guided tour, consider purchasing a guidebook that outlines the street plan.
What to Experience
Pompeii was once a prosperous city and a vital port town for the ancient Roman Empire. The middle-class city served as a vacation destination for wealthy Romans, equipped with public baths, an amphitheater, and two theaters. Visitors should not miss the theater known as the Roman Forum, with acoustics so powerful that even the softest voice can be heard from the stage. Walk through the Anfiteatro di Pompeii, the oldest known Roman amphitheater in existence, where gladiators once battled, and chariots raced wildly. Tour the small family restaurants and the humble bakeries, explore the local brothel and experience the House of the Vetti, one of the best-preserved homes in Pompeii.
Explore Italy with AESU!
AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal—designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group.
Experience Italy with AESU on the Cosmopolitan, Euro Spree, Explorer, Euro Focus, Continental, and Great Escape tours!
2019 tour dates and prices are available and selling out quickly! If you have any questions or want help booking your European adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.