Pompeii - when to go, where to stay?

[StayingZen]

Really want to go to Pompeii before the children stop learning Latin and I no longer have an excuse! Preferably by air and not hiring a car, if that is possible. Any tips on where to stay and what in (preferably self-catering flat, caravan or ready-assembled tent)? Timing is July/August or October half-term 2009 - is the former likely to be stifling hot and the latter rainy? And what else is there to do in the area? The children will be 17/16/14 by then, but aren't night-clubbing or sporty types. Many thanks for all suggestions!

Easijet to Naples, then train Circumvesuviana I think (very cheap and reliable).

We went in August and yes it was hot but we had a thunderstorm/bout of rain every afternoon and it made it bearable. Everything dry after an hour or so.

We had self catering flat in Sorrento and took the Circ to get around plus local buses.

You can visit Pompeii during the day but also at night. I think it is open two nights a week and that is a different experience, fewer people but you can't walk around everywhere.

You can also climb/walk up Vesuvius if they let you. We had to miss it as the path was closed due to landslides (all the afternoon rain) but would have been great experience.

For P bring children's passports I think they get free entry!

There will be plenty to do and the Amalfi coast is fab, local tourist office will give you details of coach trips. Well worth it. Also fab boat trips.

Can I come as well?

I was going to suggest staying on the Amalfi Coast - about 1.5 hours from Naples airport, and an hour or so from Pompeii. It's not a cheap holiday spot but absolutely beautiful - we've done self catering a few times around there. Amalfi itself is lovely. Pompeii is fantastic but possibly the hottest place on earth (there is no breeze), and far bigger than I was prepared for - bring loads of water.

very doable on public transport, particularly from Sorrento (it's only about 20 minutes on train, and 5-10 minute walk from station to entrance of the historic sites). Have been to South Italy in November, and it was very warm in daytime, no rain. As well as boat trips and Vesuvius, there are a couple of cave trips you could do, and also the city of Naples is quite an experience!

We had a lovely week April/May time a few years back. Naples is grotty & the Amalfi coast quite pricely. Found it cheapest & most convenient to do a package to Sorrento with First Choice. It means you get your transfers sorted (as you do not want to hire a car there as scary roads) and access to trips should you want them. We did Pompeii & Vesuvius as part of an organised group which we found very good. Lots of time in the place, no queuing, informative guide. Also did trip to the greek temples at Paestum. As someone else said, Sorrento has good transport links. We did a day trip to Naples by train. The Amalfi coast by local bus then back on bus to Positano then from there back to Sorrento by boat. We were hoping to do a day in Capri as there is a ferry from Sorrento but weather turned and DP not good on boats. So much to see in the area. We were shattered by the end of the week. Lots of good places to eat as well. Fab week.

Went in summer this year. Very hot as others have said. We stayed in a b&b above Sorrento with a little pool and the owner cooked supper for us every night - perfect. My only tip in addition to the ideas on here is if you go in summer go really early - it opens at 9 or maybe 8.30 - as you really want to be out of there by 12. There is fabulous ice cream and fresh juice at the exit - literally the most expensive street food in the world - but heavenly after the hot hours inside.

It is one of my favourite places in the world but sadly my kids were largely unimpressed - too young maybe (8/6).

spring, Sorrento. Oct prob better than summer if you can't go in spring.

All this is just what I needed to know! Many many thanks!

Depends on the kind of holiday you enjoy but with children self catering is probably the best option. We were on the Amalfi coast this Oct and it can be done on a budget - it's also an easy day trip to Pompeii. We stayed here:
www.villamarietta.it/en/index.htm
Had an apartment with kitchen but joined other B&B guests every morning for a HUGE and sociable breakfast on the terrace overlooking the gorgeous coast.

I've been to Pompeii 3 times and this trip included nearby Herculaneum - would highly recommend it over Pompeii for children (and adults). Much smaller and better preserved.

We also took a day trip to Paestum - and that was the historical highlight of the trip
www.initaly.com/regions/campania/paestum.htm

I'd definitely second Sorrento - took my two aged 9 and 12 and they loved it, it was the best holiday we've ever had. The train system is cheap and fantastic - think it was about 40 mins from Sorrento to Pompeii.

Don't do Pompeii in high summer though - it's horrendous, no shade, and only one place to stop and get out of the heat/get water etc. It is completely awe-inspiring though, with Vesuvius brooding away in the background. My children loved it.

Did a diy hoilday 6 yrs ago. Flew to Naples got the bus at the airport to the harbour cost 2 euro each and then ferry over to Ischia which is a lovely little island and not so commercial as capri. Buses on island were really good and one route is a circle around the whole coast which we just got on and off when we fancied. Then went over on a hyrofoil to Sorrento. To be honest we weren't that taken with sorrento so we went on a bus to amalfi one day which was amazing and the train to Pompei. The train station stops by the front entrance. Then a few days later we got the train to Naples. Whole holiday was done on public transport and one taxi and we really loved it in August.

Hope this helps....wish I was going....