Classic Italy (both) - Archeological Museum in Naples
I need some help!!
UPDATE: First problem solved. I finally got tickets through CoopCulture! :~) There is no strike-through on this forum software, so unless you are interested, you don't need to read the brown text.
We are on the 22 May, Classic Italy, Small Groups tour and I have some questions for previous travelers who visited the National Archeological Museum in Naples on their own.
We arrive in Naples/Sorrento two days early and have arranged for car and driver to take us around Naples and the Pozzuoli suburb. My plan is to visit Herculaneum (Ercolano) first, followed by the Museum, then the Antifeatro Flavio (a colosseum) in Pozzuoli, and other sites in the area as time permits. I have already purchased Herculaneum tickets online. But I am having trouble with tickets for the Museum.
First, the English version of the museum's official website does not seem to be working (like many things there, so I've read), and doesn't seem to sell tickets. Online sources for tickets (CoopCulture (official?), Viator, Expedia, etc.) only seem to provide tickets for certain entry times- I don't know when we will arrive from Herculaneum. Also, CoopCulture says, "This service is an official internet pre-sale, authorized by the concession agreement with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities. The ticket for the National Archaeological Museum of Naples is valid only for the day it gets printed." I'm not sure whether they are talking about the "day requested" or truly mean "day printed."
So, has anyone purchased tickets online for National Archeological Museum in Naples and know the real story?
According to online reviews, it seems the descriptions of the museum contents aren't very good and aren't all in English. Also, the quality of the local "guides" who accost you at the museum entrance can be hit or miss, so we had planned to just rent audio guides, but they don't get great reviews either! The company providing our car and driver can also provide a guide for 4 hours for an additional €200. We only plan to spend about 2 hours there, so it doesn't seem worthwhile, although this just might be a case of "bite the bullet."
I wasn't able to find a Rick Steves audio tour for Herculaneum, just Pompeii.
So, who can help with ticket info? Will I be forced to buy them onsite when we get there? What is your opinion of the audio guides?
Final question- the websites say "bags" are not allowed and must be checked at the entrance (free locker)- do they mean all bags? How about a women's purse or the man-purse I use to carry my camera, etc.?
