Once a lavish resort town for wealthy Romans, Pompeii, situated 25km (16 miles) south of Naples, was literally buried alive under hot volcanic ash and mud during an eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The city was eventually forgotten, and it was not until the 16th century that it was rediscovered. Now excavated, it provides an enthralling insight into the everyday lives of the ancient Romans. Visitors can view restored villas complete with erotic and religious wall paintings, temples and the forum, as well as actual brothels and plaster casts of fallen volcano victims. Nearby Ercolano (Herculaneum) was also destroyed by Vesuvius, and is a smaller but better-preserved site consisting of villas and shops. From Ercolano, the modern town, it is possible to take a bus to the top of Mount Vesuvius.

Azienda di Cura, Soggiorno e Turismo Pompeii (Pompeii Visitors Centre), Via Satra 1, CAP 80045, Pompeii (NA), Italy
Tel: (081) 850 7255

Air: Naples International Airport. Rail: Train: Pompeii FS Station, Pompeii Santuario, Pompeii–Villa dei Misteri Station or Ercolano Station. Circumvesuviana (Bay of Naples rail system): Pompeii-Scavi-Villa dei Misteri Station. Road: Car: A3 to Pompeii (from Naples); S18 to Ercolano (from Naples).

Herculaneum: Daily 0830-1700 (last admission 1530) (1 Nov-31 Mar); daily 0830-1930 (last admission 1800) (1 Apr-31 Oct). Closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan. Pompeii: Daily 0830-1700 (last admission 1530) (1 Nov-31 Mar); daily 0830-1930 (last admission 1800) (1 Apr-31 Oct). Closed 25 Dec and 1 Jan.

Pompeii: EUR8.50/L16,458 (adult over 24), EUR4.25/L8229 (adult 18-24 and over 65, EU citizens only), free (child under 18, EU citizens only). Full adult price applies to most non-EU citizens of any age. Herculaneum: EUR8.50/L16,458 (adult over 24), EUR4.25/L8229 (adult 18-24 and over 65, EU citizens only), free (child under 18, EU citizens only). Full adult price applies to most non-EU citizens of any age. Combined ticket for both sites: EUR13.50/L26,140 (adult over 24), EUR6.75/L13,070 (adult 18-25 and over 65, EU citizens only), free (child under 18, EU citizens only). Full adult price applies to most non-EU citizens of any age.

Italy