Herculaneum small-group tour with a local guide

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Herculaneum is one of the most dramatic relics of ancient Roman civilisation. This small group tour gives you up-close looks at excavated luxury villas with priceless frescoes and mosaics. It’s hard to believe they’re over 2,000 years old. Giuseppe, one of our local guides, says ‘Herculaneum is so well-preserved that all that’s missing are the Romans interacting in the spaces you see. You’ll learn about the hobbies, work and diets of the tunic-wearing citizens.’Gaze over the seaside town, rediscovered in the 18th century, before you descend the entrance tunnel and admire how original roofs, balconies, steps and floors are still intact today. While smaller than Pompeii, Herculaneum was wealthier than it. Antonio, another of our local guides, says, ‘Despite sharing the same tragic fate as Pompeii, the mixture of ash and scorching temperatures destroyed Herculaneum in a different way, leaving beautifully preserved remnants.’Admire the famous mosaic and fountain room at the House of Neptune and Amphitrite, a real crowd pleaser. See how the wealthy lived at Villa of the Papyri and the House of the Deer, lavish waterfront villas decorated with frescoes and marble plaques. As you visit the gymnasium, basilica and baths – adorned with dolphin mosaics and funky geometric tiles – your guide will animate these places with stories of Romans going about their day-to-day lives. Your visit also contributes to future excavation and conservation projects.