Declan in front of the murderous volcano,Vesuvius.

Can one do Pompeii in 30 minutes?  An entire ancient city, in 30 minutes?  The answer is yes.  Can you do it thoroughly?  No.  But you can get a taste.  See some mosaics.  Piggyback on someone else’s English tour and find out some tasty tidbits about the ruins in front of you.  Grab some water. Get out of the sun before the kids get too cranky.  Take some pictures to prove that you have been there.  Promise to come back for more on another trip.

We only had 30 minutes because we had to check out of the hotel, drive on the crazy Italian roads, turn the car back in to Avis, argue with the Avis people, walk to the Circumvesuviana, eat lunch, direct several Irish folks to the correct train, take the Circumvesuviana, get off at the right stop, see Pompeii, get back on the Circumvesuviana to Napoli and take the train to Rome all before 3:50.  Lots to do and not much time to do it.  Plus it was hot.  So this is what we saw.  We'll have to come back for more anon.