When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the wealthy resort town of Herculaneum was immediately covered in mud and volcanic debris, nearly freezing it in time. (Pompeii was farther away from the volcano and pelted with ash and pumice stone for nearly two days before the city was destroyed.)

Herculaneum is a smaller, more well-preserved site, allowing visitors to see the entire archaeological park in a 2-3 window, as well as the small museum, which has sculptures, jewelry, and two well-preserved wooden boats. At Herculaneum, you can also see the extraordinary view of the Tyrrhenian Sea, making it easy to imagine the luxury in this once-rich Roman city.

Our 2.5 hour tour of Herculaneum is a complete experience of the ancient city led by a local historian.