As the story goes Romans had taken control of Pompeii in 200 BC. On August 24th, 79 AD, Mt. Vesuvius erupted and buried the city in ash and soot, killing over 20,000 people. Unbelievably, the city was preserved by the intensity of the eruption, giving the world the unique opportunity to see what life was like all those centuries ago. Today Pompeii is a vast outdoor museum and excavation site supplying evidence and the mysteries of the ancient Roman settlement. The 79 AD eruption preserved, in detail, paintings, furniture, jars and even people, literally frozen in time, a truly remarkable sight to see.

Pompeii is a walking only site and while the ground can be rough to handle, is worth every footstep. You'll be walking over the original cobbled roads where carts and people of a proud Roman past carried about their business. If visiting during the summer months be sure to dress appropriately with comfortable shoes, light clothing, a hat and plenty of sunscreen and carry plenty of water. You'll want to set an entire day aside to visit Pompeii to really get a chance to see everything.

When you purchase you tickets to explore Pompeii you'll be given a booklet and a map that will help you get a chance to see all the important parts of this magnificent open air museum. Some areas that you will not want to miss include the following:

The Amphitheatre
The Amphitheatre is said to have been created in 80BC and is the earliest remaining permanent amphitheatre in Italy. It hosted gladiator battles and a variety of events, some involving wild animals.

House of the Vettii
The House of Vettii is said to have been home to two freed slaves who were brothers that became prosperous over time. The area features several frescoes of gods and mythological figures.

Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo houses some of the earliest remains uncovered, with several dating back to 575BC.

The Basilica
The Basilica was Pompeii's most vital public buildings where trade was carried out and justice carried out.

The Forum
The Forum was the thriving center of public life during Roman times and surrounded by most of the critical religious, business and government buildings.

We have only touched on the many natural miracles that you'll see when you visit Pompeii. You'll definitely want to spend at least a day here and be sure to bring your camera because you'll have plenty of fantastic photo opportunities here in this very special location in Southern Italy.