The Archaeology of the Bay of Naples

The Archaeology of the Bay of Naples

Pompeii, Herculaneum and More!

Classical History and Archaeological ToursExperience ToursGeneral History Tours

21st - 27th October 2024
(7 Days)

Expert Historian : Oliver Gilkes

Tour price: £2,795

click here to book

The Archaeology of the Bay of Naples

Pompeii, Herculaneum and More!

Classical History and Archaeological ToursExperience ToursGeneral History Tours

Your Holiday Essentials

21st - 27th October 2024
(7 Days)

4-star hotel, meals as indicated,

drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,

tour manager and expert historian

throughout, all internal travel,

optional travel from UK.

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Oliver Gilkes

Prices:

Standard price: £2,345

Incl. travel from UK: £2,795
Room sole occupancy supplement: £215
Non-refundable deposit: £500

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

click here to register your interest

Tour Introduction

This comprehensive archaeological tour of the Bay of Naples and the events of AD79 not only includes the well-known and impressive remains of Pompeii and the superbly preserved Herculaneum but also those lesser known, but nonetheless important sites such as the seaside villas of the wealthy at Oplontis, possibly once owned by Poppeia, wife of the Emperor Nero; Stabiae, where the frescoes are amongst the most beautiful found anywhere in the world; Cumae, the first Greek colony on the Italian mainland; Baiae, a fashionable Roman seaside resort, and Pozzuoli, the main port of the early Roman Empire.

Background

When Vesuvius erupted, pyroclastic debris was hurled more than twenty miles into the atmosphere, engulfing the entire Bay of Naples and beyond, killing thousands of people. Pompeii was not the only city to be destroyed - the inhabitants of all the neighbouring Roman resort cities, including Herculaneum and Stabiae, were also completely obliterated. The devastation wrought and the way the volcanic ash sealed and preserved everything it engulfed, has fascinated visitors since the first archaeological investigations at Pompeii in 1748. The fact that it has been the most famous archaeological site in the world for so long means that centuries' worth of repairs and restorations have added their own overlay to the Roman originals. Modern day archaeologists have to sift through not only layers of dust and ash to interpret this large city but also the theories and presumptions of the excavators that went before them.

Highlights

  • • Expert classical historians/archaeologists accompany the tour throughout
    • Discover the Bay of Naples area in quieter months
    • Visit the summit of Vesuvius
    • Explore the heart of the ancient city of Poseidonia
    • See the 'Tomb of the Diver' at Paestum
    • A whole day in Pompeii exploring the public monuments and private residences
    • The impressive houses of Villa San Marco, Villa Arianna and the Villa of Poppea at Oplontis
    • Explore Herculaneum
    • A day exploring the area west of Naples known as The Phlegraean Fields

What's Included

  • 4 Star Hotel
  • Return flights from London (optional)
  • Expert historian throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
  • Dedicated Tour Manager
  • Dinner parties hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
  • The company of like-minded travelers
  • Helpful and friendly travel advice
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
  • Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
  • Tour information booklet
  • Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach

Itinerary

Day 1: Naples
Fly London to Naples. Drive to our four-star hotel in Pompeii for six nights. Welcome drink and dinner. (B)

Day 2: Paestum
Spend the day exploring the heart of the ancient city of Poseidonia. The most dramatic sights are the three Doric temples; roofless, but still standing, these are among the greatest archaeological monuments in Italy. In the afternoon we visit the Museum which contains paintings and grave goods from tombs in and around Paestum. The most famous of these is the fresco from the 'Tomb of the Diver', the only extant wall-painting from a Greek tomb. (B,D)

Day 3: Cumae, Baiae and Pozzuoli
A day exploring the area west of Naples known as The Phlegraean Fields. Cumae, the epicentre of the Greek colonization of the 8th Century BC; Baiae, the home of pleasure palaces of Roman emperors; the Castello Aragonese which now houses the Archaeological Museum of the Campi Flegrei; and Pozzuoli, with its impressive amphitheatre begun by Roman Emperor Nero and finished by Vespasian. (B,D)

Day 4: Pompeii
A whole day in Pompeii exploring the public monuments and private residences that best illustrate what life was like in this bustling port and market town. The fountains in the street, worn where thousands of people have rested to take a drink, the stepping stones, wheel ruts, corner shrines, bakeries, public baths, the brothel, street cafés and ancient graffiti – all of human life in AD79 is here when you know where to look for it. Dinner at your own expense this evening. (B)

Day 5: Herculaneum
During the eruption of Vesuvius, the buildings of Herculaneum were smothered by toxic gas and boiling mud which, as it solidified, prevented their collapse. Subsequently sealed under an airtight layer of volcanic rock, the partially excavated town now offers a unique insight into Roman life, with many buildings still with upper storeys intact and frescoes and mosaics in an excellent state of preservation. In the afternoon, we drive up the slopes of Vesuvius, taking the final stage to the summit on foot (a walk of around 200m). (B,D)

Day 6: Stabiae and Oplontis
Ancient Stabiae, founded between the 7th and 6th Centuries BC, was one of the places chosen by the aristocracy of Rome to build their large luxury villas in a panoramic position on the edge of Varano Hill. It was here that Pliny the Elder met his death, probably during the last fatal surge of the pyroclastic cloud. We visit three impressive houses today - Villa San Marco, Villa Arianna and the Villa of Poppea at Oplontis, a grand residential building on an imperial scale, with a huge pool, and cleverly designed gardens. (B,D)

Day 7: Naples
The National Archaeological Museum, great treasure trove of the Bay of Naples and home of one of the most important collections of classical archaeology in the world. Among the notable exhibits are the Herculaneum papyri, carbonized by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the Alexander Mosaic, originally from the House of the Faun in Pompeii. Transfer to Naples for return flights home. (B)

Recommended Reading List

Oliver Gilkes

Oliver Gilkes is an archaeologist and researcher who has specialised in the Mediterranean. He worked as a museum curator and field archaeologist in the UK and taught at the University of East Anglia. Oliver has led archaeological projects in Italy, where he worked for the British School at Rome, and Albania at the Unesco World Heritage Site of Butrint and the Ottoman ‘stone city’ of Gjirokastra.

Read more

Photo Gallery

  • We explore the two temples of Hera
  • We discuss the Roman Bath Swimming pool
  • Mt Vesuvius
  • the Theatre
  • The temple of Isis
  • the Amphitheatre
  • Our 2019 tour group
  • Into the Sybill's grotto
  • Exploring the temple of Hera from the inside
  • Amanda explains the Basilica

Your Holiday Essentials

21st - 27th October 2024
(7 Days)

4-star hotel, meals as indicated,

drinks with dinner, all entrance fees,

tour manager and expert historian

throughout, all internal travel,

optional travel from UK.

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Oliver Gilkes

Prices:

Standard price: £2,345

Incl. travel from UK: £2,795
Room sole occupancy supplement: £215
Non-refundable deposit: £500

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

click here to register your interest

Tour Reviews

Take a look at some of the images taken on our most recent tour

Take a look at some independent reviews of this tour by previous participants here

Photo Gallery

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