Week in Rome - is Pompeii doable? Eurocamp

ratherbepaddleboarding · 2023-04-15T12:02:07+00:00

Hi all, Have done a search on Pompeii and saw lots of helpful posters, so was hoping to get some thoughts / advice. We are travelling to Rome in October, staying at the Eurocamp there. Two kids ages 4 and 7. We would love to visit Pompeii but I am aware it is a long journey for kids, around 3 hours by coach, I think? I had thought about doing the trip myself one day, and leaving DH and kids at the campsite. But I'm now wondering if we could all get the train from Rome to Sorrento, book a hotel in Sorrento for one night, visit Pompeii the next day, and then get the train back to Eurocamp in Rome that evening? I'm wary of trying to pack too much into a week. Trying to balance having a fun/relaxing holiday with seeing everything we want to see (I realise a week isn't nearly long enough to see everything). We are arriving in Rome late Thursday morning, and flying out again the following Thursday early afternoon, so will have exactly one week. The kids love Eurocamp so we will be wanting to spend a decent amount of time in the camp at the pool etc. Plus one day visiting Rome. So I'm wondering if the Sorrento / Pompeii idea would just be too much? Any thoughts much appreciated!

Augend23 · 15/04/2023 13:06

If you're near Rome, I would spend at least a couple of days in the city and save Pompeii for another time. There's so much to see and do in Rome, you won't even scratch the surface in a single day, so (to me) it would seem a waste to spend hours on a coach when you could visit the place you're already near?

CC4712 · 15/04/2023 13:10

Pre-covid, we stayed in Naples 3 nights, then got the train to Rome for 4 nights and loved it. The train from Naples to Rome was a fast one, clean and on time. The one from Naples to Pompeii was slower and more of a local train. I don't know how far it is from Sorrento, but I would stay at least 1 night, ideally 2, otherwise you'd all be knackered!

One thing to note is, that the majority of the frescoes, statues, plaster casts etc are in the museum in Naples- NOT onsite at Pompeii anymore. Although actually seeing Pompeii and Heracleum was great, I found the museum and all the artifacts more interesting.

Personally, I'd get the train to Naples in the morning. See the museum and stay overnight there. Next day, get the local train to Pompeii/Heracleum. Stay a 2nd night and get an early train back to Rome. IF the museum is of no interest, then Sorrento might be a better choice- I didn't go there so cannot comment.

Juicesausagecake · 15/04/2023 13:13

I agree with a pp that you would be better going to Rome (which you already are doing).

Pompeii won’t be a lot of fun for kids that age. It is a tricky place to understand at the best of times.

Save it for the teenage years and go specifically to Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, Herculaneum etc ( and let them enjoy their camp!).

Have a great holiday. October will be a lovely time for Rome.

Original poster

ratherbepaddleboarding · 15/04/2023 13:13

Augend23 · 15/04/2023 13:06

If you're near Rome, I would spend at least a couple of days in the city and save Pompeii for another time. There's so much to see and do in Rome, you won't even scratch the surface in a single day, so (to me) it would seem a waste to spend hours on a coach when you could visit the place you're already near?

Thank you @Augend23, I suspect you may be right.

I don't want to ruin the holiday by trying to pack too much in. I've been keen so see Pompeii for years though so the thought of being nearby is just so tempting!

But I suspect you may be right. I don't mind jetting around to fit it all in if I was by myself, but everything takes so much longer with the kids that it might all just be too stressful.

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Silkierabbit · 15/04/2023 13:14

I would see Pompeii if that's what you really want to do, Vesuvius was also very good. I would do as day trip from Rome and then have a lazy day after. Though TripAdvisor Forum can be good for local knowledge.

Original poster

ratherbepaddleboarding · 15/04/2023 13:15

Juicesausagecake · 15/04/2023 13:13

I agree with a pp that you would be better going to Rome (which you already are doing).

Pompeii won’t be a lot of fun for kids that age. It is a tricky place to understand at the best of times.

Save it for the teenage years and go specifically to Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, Herculaneum etc ( and let them enjoy their camp!).

Have a great holiday. October will be a lovely time for Rome.

Thank you @Juicesausagecake, I suspect you are right.

And yes, very much looking forward to it! The kids are excited about all the pizza, spaghetti and ice cream, so yes, perhaps visit again when Pompeii will be of a bit more interest to them!

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Twizbe · 15/04/2023 13:16

If you want something similar to Pompeii but closer to Rome you could do a day trip to Ostia. It was the port of Rome (though now not that close to any water) you can get a train there from central Rome very easily.

Ostia is interesting as a lot remains including some upper floors. You rarely get to see those. It also has a very distinctive black and white mosaic style. Lots displaying the various trade guilds that had offices there.

Original poster

ratherbepaddleboarding · 15/04/2023 13:17

CC4712 · 15/04/2023 13:10

Pre-covid, we stayed in Naples 3 nights, then got the train to Rome for 4 nights and loved it. The train from Naples to Rome was a fast one, clean and on time. The one from Naples to Pompeii was slower and more of a local train. I don't know how far it is from Sorrento, but I would stay at least 1 night, ideally 2, otherwise you'd all be knackered!

One thing to note is, that the majority of the frescoes, statues, plaster casts etc are in the museum in Naples- NOT onsite at Pompeii anymore. Although actually seeing Pompeii and Heracleum was great, I found the museum and all the artifacts more interesting.

Personally, I'd get the train to Naples in the morning. See the museum and stay overnight there. Next day, get the local train to Pompeii/Heracleum. Stay a 2nd night and get an early train back to Rome. IF the museum is of no interest, then Sorrento might be a better choice- I didn't go there so cannot comment.

Thanks @CC4712. For some reason I have never really fancied Naples. But I didn't realise that about the artefacts being in museums there, thank you.

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Original poster

ratherbepaddleboarding · 15/04/2023 13:18

Silkierabbit · 15/04/2023 13:14

I would see Pompeii if that's what you really want to do, Vesuvius was also very good. I would do as day trip from Rome and then have a lazy day after. Though TripAdvisor Forum can be good for local knowledge.

Thanks @Silkierabbit, I think I would do this if it was just me, but I think the coach journey would be too much for the kids, which is why I was thinking about splitting it up over two days by staying overnight.

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Original poster

ratherbepaddleboarding · 15/04/2023 13:19

Twizbe · 15/04/2023 13:16

If you want something similar to Pompeii but closer to Rome you could do a day trip to Ostia. It was the port of Rome (though now not that close to any water) you can get a train there from central Rome very easily.

Ostia is interesting as a lot remains including some upper floors. You rarely get to see those. It also has a very distinctive black and white mosaic style. Lots displaying the various trade guilds that had offices there.

Thank you @Twizbe, will look it up!

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WoodenFloorboards · 15/04/2023 13:19

Twizbe · 15/04/2023 13:16

If you want something similar to Pompeii but closer to Rome you could do a day trip to Ostia. It was the port of Rome (though now not that close to any water) you can get a train there from central Rome very easily.

Ostia is interesting as a lot remains including some upper floors. You rarely get to see those. It also has a very distinctive black and white mosaic style. Lots displaying the various trade guilds that had offices there.

Seconding Ostia. It's a really quick journey on the train, it's huge and not crowded. You can read up on the history and imagine how it looked when it was active, and the DC can run around and look for lizards.

DoggerelBank · 15/04/2023 13:24

If that's your plan, I agree with PP that you'd be better staying in Naples. But why rush it when you could do the Sorrento area another year. There's SO much there - Capri and Procida islands could take up two days, Positano another day, Pompeii etc etc etc. If you're ever looking for a nice campsite in the Sorrento/Naples area, we stayed here, and it was absolutely the best place I've ever stayed. Fab cheap restaurant on site, views from outside our cabin across the bay to Vesuvius, pool, stony private beach. Heaven.
https://www.santafortunata.eu/en/#home

Santa Fortunata Villaggio Sorrento, Campeggio in Penisola Sorrentina

Il Santa Fortunata Villaggio Sorrrento si trova nel cuore della Penisola Sorrentina. Con bungalow, case mobili, campeggio e camper stop.

https://www.santafortunata.eu/en#home

Thislittlekitten · 15/04/2023 13:25

@ratherbepaddleboarding Sorry to derail but can you tell me where you’re staying or PM me?

My children are desperate to see Rome but we were worried it’s too hot and a long week for kids but a eurocamp plus a visit to Rome sounds idea!

Twizbe · 15/04/2023 13:26

I'd love to take my kids to Rome, I did classics at uni and adore running around ancient sites. My kids aren't quite as keen on doing that lol.

If it's open again Nero's Golden House is worth a visit. It was closed for ages though.

Hadrian's villa in Tivoli is really interesting too.

By the big wedding cake monument in central Rome there are the remains of an ancient apartment block. It's one of the only surviving ones. You can only look at it from the railings above. You can see the shop front and then I think 3 further floors. It's one of my favourite hidden gems in the city.

Original poster

ratherbepaddleboarding · 15/04/2023 13:29

Thislittlekitten · 15/04/2023 13:25

@ratherbepaddleboarding Sorry to derail but can you tell me where you’re staying or PM me?

My children are desperate to see Rome but we were worried it’s too hot and a long week for kids but a eurocamp plus a visit to Rome sounds idea!

@Thislittlekitten

www.eurocamp.co.uk/campsites/lazio/is018-camping-village-fabulous/ataglance.html

This is the Eurocamp near Rome. It's near both airports, and has good transport links into Rome, so we will be using public transport rather than hiring a car, and going in October so hopefully will be a nice temperature.

Can't wait!!!

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Original poster

ratherbepaddleboarding · 15/04/2023 13:31

Twizbe · 15/04/2023 13:26

I'd love to take my kids to Rome, I did classics at uni and adore running around ancient sites. My kids aren't quite as keen on doing that lol.

If it's open again Nero's Golden House is worth a visit. It was closed for ages though.

Hadrian's villa in Tivoli is really interesting too.

By the big wedding cake monument in central Rome there are the remains of an ancient apartment block. It's one of the only surviving ones. You can only look at it from the railings above. You can see the shop front and then I think 3 further floors. It's one of my favourite hidden gems in the city.

Great tip @Twizbe, thank you!

I also (briefly) studied classics, a long long time ago, and am so excited about this trip.

I think ultimately though I just need to manage my expectations, enjoy the holiday with the kids, and go back again in a few years to see some more of it.

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TheFeistyFeminist · 15/04/2023 13:31

You could spend a week in Rome and still feel like there was more to do. Pompeii is a long day trip (I've driven it) and I think you'd come back feeling like there was still more to see.

Ostia is a good option - you can roam through at your leisure, and save a longer trip for Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius. It's all worth seeing but you can't cram it in one day and call it done.

Chuck a coin in the Trevi fountain and commit to going back :-)

bluesky45 · 15/04/2023 13:52

Definitely go to Ostia antica (pretty sure that's what it's called). We stayed in Rome for a week 10ish years ago (pre kids) and loved it! Ostia antica is similar to Pompeii but less touristy, we went in June and it was very quiet. So much space to wander and really explore at your own pace. It was one of our favourite places in Italy. We also saw Pompeii when we went down to Amalfi and it was great but I do prefer Ostia antica. You can get a train there from Rome and easily do it in a day. The kids may prefer it as well because it's very open for them to run around and explore the different paths etc.

Iwasafool · 16/04/2023 19:54

I did a day trip to Pompeii when I was in Rome for a week, went by train. It was fascinating and I was glad we went but my kids were older and very tired by the end of the day.

Squirrelsnut · 16/04/2023 20:01

Pompei is amazing but absolutely knackering. It's vast and the streets are very uneven cobbles with huge kerbs. I took 60 kids there last year and they were wrecked at the end of the day. I was also a little disappointed that most of the artefacts were elsewhere.

APMom6 · 17/04/2023 15:28

We stayed in that campsite before Covid and loved, had two teenage boys with us. We got the bus and metro into Rome to do the sights and also did Ostia Antica. Ostia was amazing and I’d go back to Rome just to spend a full day there, it’s huge. Don’t hire a car, they’re crazy drivers. The site does a minibus transfer to the airport and the bus is up the road. Supermarket on site has everything and there’s another supermarket not far away.

purplecorkheart · 17/04/2023 15:34

How does your husband feel about Pompei? If he is not too bother I would stick with your plan to do the trip solo.

KinderCat · 17/04/2023 15:35

Hello, definitely doable. We stayed in Sorrento and went to Rome for a day which is further. The trains around Rome/Naples are amazing. I will say the Sorrento train is very local and packed. It is great but timings can be a bit out/delayed as a warning. I would say it is a heck of a day from Sorrento to Pompeii and left us knackered as did the day to Rome and we were doing it without young children. It is doable but if I was doing it again I may be tempted to stop over closer to Pompeii for a night just to make it easier as it is A LOT of walking and we did the volcano as well and it is a long day. Still Pompeii was on my "bucket list" and I loved it. Definitely a highlight of Italy to me so I get the draw and if you don't plan on going to Italy again then I would try and make it work as it is really is amazing!

Honeyroar · 17/04/2023 15:47

Hmm. I’m on the fence. I think it’s doable, particularly with a night nearer to Pompeii somewhere (I think a night in Naples would probably make it easier that a night in Sorento). And October is perfect weather for going.
But…
Your children are quite young, they’ll probably do a lot of walking in Rome and be tired.
You’ve only got a week in Rome, and will probably need a day or two relaxing. Plus Rome itself is fabulous and there’s so much to see there.

So… I would probably just do Rome this time, then book another week in Sorrento another time and do Capri, Amalfi and all the Roman sites/volcano etc in that area.

PrinnyPaupersPurse · 17/04/2023 15:58

Just so you know, the shop at eurocamp Rome is TINY. Like, not much bigger than an average living room and kitchen tiny. We went last year and were expecting it to be like the other Italian human travel sites and it was not. But we did find it easy to get the bus outside to get into the city centre etc.