Herculaneum

We visited Herculaneum in 2004 and again in 2010. Herculaneum was an ancient Roman town that was destroyed by volcanic superheated pyroclastic mud flows in 79 CE. It is one of the few ancient cities that can now be seen in (almost) its original splendor. Unlike Pompeii, Herculaneum burial was so fast and deep (up to 25 meters) that it ensured the building's upper stories remained intact. Also the hotter ash preserved wooden household objects, such as beds, doors, and even food. Herculaneum was also a wealthier town than Pompeii so it had an astonishing number of fine houses with far more lavish use of colored marble, mosaics, and frescos in its buildings which are great to visit.