Fashion Sequel/ by Samantha Huynh: Pompeii Travel Guide

The ancient city of Pompeii was once a bustling, blue-collar port town. It was famously ruined in A.D. 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted. Today, Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions and one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world.

I planned a day trip to Pompeii from Rome during my five-day trip in Italy. From Rome, I took the train to Naples (Napoli Centrale Station) through Trenitalia. Then from Napoli Centrale, I took the Circumvesuviana train using the Napoli-Sorrento Circumvesuviana line to Pompeii (Pompeii Scavi- Villa dei Misteri stop).

I arrived in Pompeii at noon and spent the whole day there. Walking the streets of Pompeii really gave me a taste of how Ancient Rome was like. Back then, Rome controlled the entire Meditteranean Sea, and Pompeii was an important, big port town. Like most Roman-built cities, Pompeii is very well organised, surrounded by its wall and designed with a grid street plan.

Walking the streets of Pompeii, I listened to Rick Steve's Pompeii travel guide on his travel app Rick Steves Audio Europe. It is also helpful to ask for a map when you purchase your admission ticket at the information booth.

I toured the sites of Pompeii for about four hours. Visiting the Roman Forum, which is the main piazza of Pompeii, was a great astonishment. The site held notable sites such as the Basilica, Temple of Jupiter, and the city's primary market. Being in the middle of it all, I was in great awe of how these buildings and creations are still in place. Even walking through everything, you can really see how the Ancient Romans played a significant influence in the world and life today. You can also see the impressive view of Mount Vesuvius in the distance. It was 2,000 years ago that this still-active volcano erupted and buried the city of Pompeii.

The most beautiful sights were the beautiful villas of ancient Pompeii's richest citizens. For example, the House of the Vetti was owned by a wealthy merchant in the city. These villas were filled with extravagant rooms covered in frescoes and inner courtyards with fountains and gardens.

Growing up, in school I would learn about the ancient history of Rome, and to actually experience it in person was an amazing experience. I would definitely recommend this visit for anyone who's visiting Italy. Scroll down to view my the photos I captured of the ancient city.

Bodies of the unlucky people who had stayed behind buried in the ancient city. Archaeologists filled these bodies with plaster, creating moulds that capture these citizens last moments of life.