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Herculaneum —smaller,
less ruined, and less crowded than its famous sister, Pompeii—offers
a look at ancient Roman life. Covered by the eruption
in a.d. 79, Herculaneum is a small community of intact buildings with
plenty of surviving detail. |
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Paestum is one of
the best collections of Greek temples anywhere—and certainly the
most accessible to Western Europe. Serenely situated, it's surrounded
by fields and wildflowers and a modest commercial strip. Founded by the
Greeks in the sixth century B.C. Conquered
by Romans in the third century B.C. and later by malaria-carrying
mosquitoes that kept the site wonderfully desolate for nearly a thousand
years. Rediscovered in the 18th century, Paestum today offers the only
well-preserved Greek ruins north of Sicily. |
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Vesuvius, mainland Europe's only active
volcano, has been sleeping restlessly since 1944. Complete your Pompeii
or Herculaneum experience by scaling the volcano that made them famous.
The 4,000-foot summit of Vesuvius is accessible by car, blue Vesuvio
shuttle bus (from the Herculaneum station), or taxi. From the Vesuvius
parking lot, you'll hike 30 minutes to the top for a sweeping Bay of
Naples view, desolate lunarlike surroundings, and hot rocks. On the top,
walk the entire crater lip for the most interesting views. The far end
overlooks Pompeii. Be still and alone to hear the wind and tumbling rocks
in the crater. Any steam? Vesuvius is closed when erupting. |
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