Rome & Pompeii with kids- how?

[1wokeuplikethis]

I’m a package holiday queen and seemingly useless at booking separate flights/hotels.

we are looking at going to Rome in the Easter holidays (probably NOT actual Easter weekend) with 2 kids. Ideally want to fly to Rome, stay there a couple of nights then get the train to pompeii and stay there a couple of nights and then fly back from Naples.

But I’m struggling hugely with the logistics, can anyone help! Anyone who’s done this, how did you organise?

I looked on skyscanner for flights but they all have stops making the journey 6+hrs, we need direct flights back to the same uk airport we depart from.

im useless at this. Any advice on how to go about booking would be greatly appreciated

Just to add I think Pompeii is the best day out ever. It's such an amazing & fascinating site. Possibly the best "tourist" thing I've ever done. I love it.

I went literally 25 years ago and still talk about it. I am committed to taking my kids when they are a bit older.

@SchoolDilemma17 , agree, I wouldn't go to Rome this year, even Feb half term will have very expensive costs.

@Clearinguptheclutter you would be astonished how much bigger Pompeii is now.

Oh yes, completely missed that!

Can’t wait. My 9 year old is obsessed with history planning on taking him when he’s 12/13

We've booked this for Easter with Rome and Florence. Booked a "multi-city" flight direct with BA, flying into Rome and out of Florence. We'll catch the train to Florence. Then booked an apartment in Rome and a hotel in Florence (only staying 2 nights in Florence and evening flight home so can keep luggage at hotel). We've often booked trips flying in and out of different cities - it's a great way to maximise time in two different places.

I would really recommend Camp Fabulous in Rome. The camp consists of mobile homes, there is loads to do for the kids, and the camp is about 30 minutes bus ride from the city centre.

Eurocamp is one of the operators who sell the
holidays, amongst others and they can arrange the flights.

Pompeii and Herculaneum deserve a full day each really. Pompeii is HUGE! We went to Naples in February one year and it was quite warm enough and all the attractions were quiet. I prefer Naples to Rome, although they are both must sees. I think we did 4 days in each place but they were separate holidays.

Wear your most comfortable shoes. There’s an incredible amount of walking 🤣 My feet were in tatters after Rome as I’d stupidly worn converse.

Apparently they invented pizza here: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187785-d1235237-Reviews-L_Antica_Pizzeria_da_Michele-Naples_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

We had a late lunch here and it was fantastic and yes the pizza was amazing.
They do several pizzas with a pumpkin sauce (in place of the tomato sauce). I got chatting with someone leaving the restuarant and he said I had to try the pumpkin sauce, which I did, and it was fantastic. I'd choose pumpkin sauce over tomato sauce anytime its offered now - not that I've ever seen it outside of Italy. Worth a try.

Naples is a bit grungy - lots and lots of graffiti. My kids were 15 & 11 and found it a bit intimidating - we had been in Venice before Naples and they weren't prepared for the change of vibe. I loved Naples though and will return.

Apparently this is the best pizzeria in Naples, we were told by about three different locals (cab driver, our walking tour guide and hotel conciege/s). It's about half an hour out of town but there's a station just across the road (Agnano not Bagnoli-Agnano Terme which is about a 20 min walk). It does get very busy though. Sorry for the ridiculous link!

I'm very jealous, I adore Naples.

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJwFwUEKgzAQBVDcFrxDoHTtHy1DJ0fwEhKTSRiQaK0U8fS-92i70hFF-opMmdH4F04ahhnKGSpg_mSPUyOpAm-BxD5xGp_JtKzub0coi4W6us2uS3cLzqqrYVv0dwOl8hx0&q=diego+vitagliano+pizzeria+in+naples&oq=diego+vit&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqDQgCEC4YrwEYxwEYgAQyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDINCAIQLhivARjHARiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDINCAYQLhivARjHARiABDINCAcQLhivARjHARiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABDIHCAoQABiABDIHCAsQABiABDIHCAwQABiABDIHCA0QLhiABDIHCA4QABiABNIBCTEwODM5ajBqNKgCAbACAQ&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#ebo=0

We had the same dilemma a few years ago when we were planning our visit to Rome. I tweeted Dame Mary Beard to seek her advice as there is a site similar to Pompeii and Herculaneum on the outskirts of Rome called Ostia Antica. She replied 'Ostia Antica every time' or words to that effect.

Although it wasn't covered following a volcanic eruption but just due to the original Port of Rome silting up we found it so interesting that we went twice even though we were only in Rome for a week. It was incredible, huge and much less crowded. We had a hire car but you can get to it via public transport from Rome. I honestly recommend it.

Good tip . Thanks .

Will your kids be able to cope with visiting what is the site of a disaster where many died? Just something to consider.

Rome deserves 4 days on its own at least, so I think you’re wise to shelve it for this year. Easter is manic crowds at the best of time and Jubilee will only add to it.

It’s worth going in Feb half term in a future year - the temperature is fine for walking around and it’s practically empty compared to Easter and summer. It’s much more fun to explore the ancient sites without the crowds.

Your kids will love Herculaneum and Vesuvius. Mine still talk about it and it was many years back.

I studied Pompeii as it was the basis of our Latin textbooks (set in AD79) and we went to the RA exhibition. No trauma. And kids are morbid little buggers anyway!

Yes, Ostia Antica is great. I recommend it if you are in Rome and fancy a day trip out of the city.

Totally agree! This is where we stayed. We had a wooden lodge type thingy. It was great and we'd absolutely stay there again.