Old and new come together on this full-day adventure. See the old city of Pompeii and present-day Naples! Enjoy this full-day combo sightseeing excursion.
To start your journey, you will meet your guide at the Naples cruise port. Your air-conditioned transportation will take you to Pompeii in a 40-minute ride. You will have a 2-hour guided walk through this historic site. Founded in the 7th-6th century BC, this incredible city was destroyed in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted and was buried in ash. Discover the rich history and fascinating stories of the ancient city. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the memories. After your time in the ancient City, you will ride back to Naples where you will have some free time for lunch if you wish (ruins entrance and lunch are at your own expense).
You will meet up again with your guide and begin the second part of your combo sightseeing day. Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and you will see many of its highlights. First, you will go on a guided walk in the city center at Piazza Plebiscito. This beautiful plaza is where you will go to the public shopping gallery, Gallery Umberto I. Intended to be a public social hub of businesses, cafes, shops, and even apartments, today the gallery is filled with several shops for you to enjoy. At the Royal Palace, you will see magnificent architecture and exterior decorations. Today, the palace contains a museum and houses and the oldest continuously active opera house in the world: The Teatro di San Carlo! Before leaving the plaza, you will also see outside the Castel Nuovo (the New Castle) built in the 13th century. The exterior of this castle is majestic!
It's time to relax and enjoy the panoramic view as you board your transportation for sightseeing. You will see the residential section of Posillipo with its many houses and villas, including the residence of the President of Italy while in Naples. Your guide will provide you with all the historical information about the sites. Another of the sites you will pass is the splendid Spaccanapoli, the narrow main street that divides the historic center. It is lined with more historic structures than you can imagine, as well as beautiful churches. You will see the Piazza del Gesu Nuovo, with the Gesu Nuovo Church, built as a palace in the 15th century. Another of the old churches your coach will pass is Santa Chiara Church, today the home of the convent of the Poor Clares and a community of Grey Friars! Note that there are no interior visits.
Your guide will bring you back to the Naples cruise port after you explore both old and modern Naples. Interestingly, even in the present day, you may feel like you've stepped back in time!
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4/5 (Visited on January 2019)
