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Art & History Abroad Tours

Pompeii, Herculaneum & The Treasures of Campania

We spend time in Campania tracing daily life in the ancient world, from Pompeii’s forum and amphitheatre to Herculaneum’s preserved houses. Paestum, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples and other sites around Vesuvius give the story a wider setting.

Guided by our tour lecturers, we look beyond the famous excavations to consider how art, architecture and domestic spaces reveal the rhythms of ancient life. Sites such as Stabiae and Boscoreale add further insight through villas and rural estates.

Views from Mount Vesuvius bring the surrounding landscape into focus, while the combination of archaeological sites and museum collections helps connect individual places to a broader classical world.

From

£3,175

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, 6 light lunches     and 7 dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Seven nights’ accommodation at the four-star Hotel Scapolatiello, Cava de’ Tirreni, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
  • Discover the Authentic Pompeii
    From the ancient Greek temples of Paestum to the streets of Pompeii, the remarkably preserved houses of Herculaneum, and the treasures of Naples’ National Archaeological Museum, uncover two thousand years of southern Italy’s classical past with an expert tour lecturer.
  • Your Expert Guide
    Accompanied by Dr Simon Elliott throughout.
  • Transfers & Tours
    Airport transfers and full coach touring itinerary including all tours and entrance fees as detailed.
  • Flights from the UK
    Return flights from London Heathrow to Naples.
Meet Your Expert Guide

Dr Simon Elliott

Simon is an award-winning archaeologist, historian and bestselling author renowned for his expertise in the classical world. He holds a PhD in Classics and Archaeology and has published more than a dozen books on Roman and ancient history.

An Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent, Simon also works with leading archaeological organisations and co-directs excavations. His regular television, radio and international lecturing work reflects both the depth of his knowledge and his engaging style, making him an ideal guide to the cities, monuments and everyday life of the Roman world.

Meet Our Expert Guides
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Day 1: London to Naples

Depart London for Naples then transfer by coach to our hotel for a seven-night stay. Evening welcome drink, dinner with wine and talk from your tour lecturer.

Day 2: Paestum

Step back in time at the UNESCO-listed Archaeological Park of Paestum, where three remarkably preserved Greek temples from the 6th and 5th centuries BCE stand as a testament to Magna Graecia.

Continue to the Paestum Museum, which houses painted tomb slabs, pottery, and everyday objects from the ancient city. While here, we take a guided tour of the Store Rooms to explore a wide range of objects discovered during excavations. The visit concludes with the Tomb of the Diver, a unique 5th-century BCE burial featuring rare frescoes that provide insight into early Greek art and symbolism.

Day 3: Pompeii 

We spend the full day exploring Pompeii, the Roman city buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Walk through its streets and visit key sites such as the amphitheatre, theatre, and forum, which reveal the civic and cultural life of the city.

See the bathhouses and thermopolia (bars), offering a glimpse into daily routines and social customs. Newly reopened areas from ongoing excavations provide fresh perspectives on this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour lecturer will be on hand with his expert commentary, giving insight and depth to the visit.

Day 4: Naples & Pozzuoli

This morning we travel to Pozzuoli to visit its impressive Roman amphitheatre, one of the largest in Italy. Later we take a special visit through the ancient tunnels at the Cave of Sejanus to the Villa of Pausilypon overlooking the Bay of Naples.

In the afternoon, visit the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, one of the world’s finest collections of Greco-Roman art and artefacts, and renowned for its collection of mosaics, frescoes, and artefacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum. 

Day 5: Stabiae & Castellammare di Stabia

In the morning, tour the Villas of Stabiae, including Villa Arianna and Villa San Marco, which were once luxurious residences adorned with vibrant frescoes and commanding views of the Gulf of Naples.

In the afternoon, visit the Archaeological Museum of Castellammare di Stabia (Libero D’Orsi), where over 500 artefacts from these villas illustrate the wealth and lifestyle of the Roman elite. 

Day 6: Herculaneum & Boscoreale

Start the day at Herculaneum, a smaller yet remarkably preserved site that offers intimate glimpses into Roman homes and streets. Its wooden structures, upper floors, and household items survived the eruption, offering unique insights into Roman domestic life. The Antiquarium provides additional context through its collection of finds.

In the afternoon, journey to Boscoreale to see the charming Villa Regina and its Antiquarium, showcasing rural life and agricultural practices in the Vesuvian countryside.

Day 7: Vesuvius & Villa Oplontis

Our final day of touring starts with a morning visit to Mount Vesuvius, where you can view the crater and take in sweeping panoramas of the Bay of Naples.

In the afternoon, visit Villa Oplontis, a grand seaside residence attributed to the family of Emperor Nero. Its elaborate frescoes and architectural design reflect the opulence of imperial leisure during the first century AD.

Day 8: Departure

Free time today before our transfer to Naples airport for the return flight to the UK.

Availability

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Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
08/03/2027
London
£3,175
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £264
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Hotel Scapolatiello
Tucked away in the charming medieval hamlet of Cava de’ Tirreni, Hotel Scapolatiello offers a peaceful retreat after days exploring ancient wonders. Surrounded by woodland and panoramic mountain views, this historic property combines traditional Italian elegance with modern comforts. Guests can unwind in the wellness centre, take a swim in the panoramic pool, and enjoy authentic regional cuisine at the hotel’s renowned restaurant. Its tranquil setting and warm hospitality make it the perfect base for an archaeological journey through Campania, close enough to Naples and the key sites, yet worlds away from the bustle of city life.

Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a demanding fitness rating and is designed for travellers who enjoy a more active pace of exploration. While it is not a walking holiday, you should expect busy days with extended periods on your feet and visits where conditions may be more varied. These may include uneven terrain, cobbled streets, archaeological sites, steep paths, steps, stairs, limited handrails or fewer opportunities to sit and rest.
 
A good level of fitness and mobility will help you enjoy the full experience of the itinerary. Please read the day-by-day itinerary carefully, as we highlight specific practical details wherever possible. This may include notes about ground conditions, stairs, walking distances, coach access or sites where lifts are not available.
 
If you have any questions about whether this tour is suitable for you, please contact our team before booking. We are always happy to talk through the itinerary and help you make the right choice.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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Travel with purpose, passion, and like-minded companions, here’s what sets Travel Editions apart.

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Founded in 1994 offering unique cultural tours beyond typical high street itineraries.

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Expert Tour Guides, Unique Insights

Industry-leading guides, some since day one, who speak local languages and have detailed knowledge.

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