Pompeii and Herculaneum--both in the same day?

[GeneMachine]

We have been to Pompeii and would like to visit Herculaneum in July. Our plans are to visit the museum in Naples in the morning and see Herculaneum in the afternoon. We would also like to go back and see some sites in Pompeii that we did not see on our first tour, like the amphitheater. For those that have visited Herculaneum, how long did you spend there? I am under the impression that it is small enough to see in an hour or two. Is there enough time to see both, or is it better to focus on just one? Also, between the two, which is the better site to visit with a 13-year-old with an interest in history?

Thanks for your opinions--all insights welcome!

[sippican]

Hurculaneum is by no means small. Much of it is still unexcavated. We spent well over two hours there with a guide and saw perhaps 1/4 of the ruins. I have never been to Pompeii, so can't compare. We chose to go there first thing in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds (and it was very hot in September). I would plan on no less than two hours.
We chose Herculaneum over Pompeii based on the reports of other travelers (hard choice). It was covered in mud rather than ash, so things are better preserved. You may want to check out the video on the PBS website, Secrets of the Dead series - Herculaneum. That may spark some interest for your son.

[tajz90]

We did both in one day with time to spare. Beautiful site. I was amazed. Loved seeing both.

Our kids loved both. Pompeii is wonderful and big. Herculaneum isn't as big, but almost more interesting because it's being excavated now.

[tessa67]

We spent nearly all day at Pompeii, and were exhausted from the walking.

[ldo]

we did both DIY via the tram at the end of the pier and the local circumvensia train. When we DIY, we always go to the farthest point first and work back. So, we went to Pompeii 1st thing in the AM--which is also the coolest and least dustiest time, then hopped the circumvensia back and got of at Herculeum, then back to ship by 4pm. It would be tough to fit in the museum, as well, I think. You can cover H in 2 hours. We did not have a guide. I had a guidebook and we did a DIY tour. We plan to do the exact same thing this summer with our kids.

[pixie08]

I think time wise you can do it, but we were there at the beginning of August and Pompeii was sooo hot (105 degrees). I think two sites may be a bit much, an indoor activity or something more laid back (we did a tour of the Amalfi Coat) might be better, but it depends on you.

[GeneMachine]

Thanks, everyone!