European city frozen in time where dark tourists descend every year
This ancient city has become such a holiday hotspot that tourist numbers had to be capped at 20,000 a day. Still, millions flock to see this remarkable ruins of this once thriving Roman town
Dark tourism has become a key fixture of the travel industry in recent years and is continuing to expand at an exponential rate. According to research published in Digital Journal, the global value of the dark tourism market is set to reach USD$43.5billion by 2031.
Dark tourism is the practice of visiting sites leaning into the morbid, macabre or generally unusual. Some popular dark tourist destinations include the abandoned city of Varosha in Cyprus, Chernobyl and the Aokigahara Forest in Japan.
While dark tourism may seem like a new phenomenon - popularised by shows like Netflix's Dark Tourist and HBO's Chernobyl - it has been an ever-present part of the travel industry. One of the most popular destinations - drawing dark tourists, historians and curious travellers alike is Pompeii.
Located in the south of Naples, Pompeii was founded in 600 BC and was once home to 20,000 residents. But when the Vesuvius volcano erupted in 79 AD and buried the city under 30 feet of volcanic debris.
It wasn't until 1599 that Pompeii was rediscovered and the long work of excavating the city began. But the same ash that had destroyed the city had managed to preserve it, leaving it truly frozen in time.
Today, the ruins of Pompeii offer travellers an accurate look at life in the ancient Roman town. The gridded urban layout, villas and public baths are all spectacularly intact and so too are the r emains of its former residents.
As victims' bodies decomposed, hollow spaces were left in the volcanic debris that archaeologists used to create moulds of Pompeiians. These plaster casts are remarkably detailed - showing the folds of togas and even the pained expressions of the victims.
These casts have, naturally, been a big draw for dark tourists over the years, but they also represent a feat of archaeological work. The Archaeological Park of Pompeii is an official decentralised body of the Ministry of Culture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holding special autonomy to ensure the preservation and conservation of the site.
Even if you've already visited the ancient city, there is still more to be discovered. A new excavation mission in 2018 uncovered a whole host of new artefacts and skeletons in a part of the city that had never before been unearthed.
There are also many impressive buildings that travellers can wander through, most notably, the Forum of Pompeii. Despite only ruins remaining, the significance of the formed political and cultural hub can still be felt.
The Temple of Apollo is another key landmark to keep an eye out for, considered the oldest structure in the Pompeii ruins. While the original statue of Apollo is no longer present at the site, a copy is on display to add historical accuracy. The House of Vetti - with its colourful frescoes - and the Pompeii amphitheatre are other must-visit landmarks.
To get the most out of your visit to the 440,000 square-metre site, it is recommended to book a guided tour. It is also recommended that you book your ticket in advance and arrive early during the day, as there are often long queues and wait times at the on-site ticketing centre.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
11 hours ago
- The Sun
Why NOW is prime time to buy travel cash as pound hits highest level in nearly FOUR years – how to get the best deal
THE value of the pound to US dollar has leapt to its highest level in almost four years. Sterling rose to a 43-month high against the dollar today, trading at about $1.3746, which is great news for holidaymakers. This is because a strong pound means that sterling has more purchasing power relative to other currencies. This also means that travellers can get more for their money when exchanging cash for the summer holidays. For example, if the pound-to-dollar rate is $1.37/£1, exchanging £100 would give you $137, compared to $134 just a week ago. The pound has gained strength because the US dollar is weakening, with growing expectations that the Federal Reserve (US Central Bank) will cut interest rates. Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "The fact the pound is riding high against the dollar is good news for anyone heading to the US this summer. "But it also benefits anyone travelling to tourist areas in countries where dollars are widely accepted – like Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cambodia, and Vietnam. "If you exchange your holiday money now, it'll boost your holiday spending fund, so this could be a prime time to buy." However, it's always important to recognise that there's never an optimal time to convert your cash. James Lynn, Co-Founder of travel debit card Currensea, said: "People can try to take advantage of the strong performance of the pound against the dollar by exchanging their holiday money now. "But the pound could continue to rise, so this doesn't guarantee you'll get the best rate." If you do have a holiday booked and want to take advantage of the current rates, we've some tips on how to ensure you're not short-changed at the exchange. BUY AHEAD Buying your foreign currency ahead of when you travel means you can search around for the best rates. Don't buy cash at the airport on the day - these are usually among the worst rates around. According to FairFX, exchange rates at airports can be over 20% more expensive, meaning you could lose over £200 of cash for every £1,000 you change. You'll more often than not be able to get better rates at other places if you plan ahead. Airport exchange desk rates are generally higher as they have a captive market among those changing cash last minute and don't need to be competitive. USE COMPARISON WEBSITES Compare travel money companies online, including the rates and any fees, to find the best deal. Factor in delivery costs and choose the option that gives you the most cash to spend on holiday. If you have left it too late, you might still be able to order online and collect it at the airport. You can use comparison websites such as 's TravelMoneyMax, where you can compare pick-up and pre-order rates. Never pay for travel money with a credit card. Transactions like this are usually treated as a cash withdrawal. This means you're likely to pay a cash fee and have interest added even if you fully repay. It's best to always use a debit card or cash to buy currency. Using your card abroad THERE are a number of specialist cards that can give you a great exchange rate and fee-free spending and cash withdrawals when abroad. These cards include debit and credit cards and pre-paid cards, which allow you to pay abroad without fees or at a set exchange rate. Check your debit card You should always check the terms and conditions of your debit card to see if, on the off chance, you can use it abroad without any extra fees. This can often take the pain out of having to buy currency ahead of time and rely on cash. Your bank will automatically convert your transactions to the correct currency with the live exchange rate so ensure that you always pay in the local currency. Chase, First Direct and Starling all offer fee-free spending when yous use their debit cards abroad. Those without this capability could choose to link their bank account with Currensea's Mastercard debit card via open banking. Then when you spend or withdraw on the Currensea card, it charges your linked current account in pounds (via direct debit), avoiding the non-sterling transaction fees and ATM fees that most banks charge. Travel credit cards Travel credit cards allow you to spend money abroad without being hit by any fees or hidden charges. But, they may still charge you for taking cash out. We recommend the Barclaycard Rewards Visa because it doesn't charge for using it abroad, and there are no fees for withdrawing cash if you pay off your bill in full each month. You must always pay off your balance before the end of the month with these cards to ensure that any money you save isn't wiped away by paying interest. Prepaid card An alternative to carrying cash or your debit card around is to get a pre-paid card. Brands like Revolut, Wise and EasyFX all provide prepaid travel cards. The card can hold up to 10 currencies and be used in more than 200 countries. These cards allow you to put a set amount of cash on the card at a fixed exchange rate. So if the rate is good now you can put money on your card, and it will stay that rate when you are on holiday. But, these cards can sometimes have hidden costs and charges so be sure to read the small print.
The Independent
12 hours ago
- The Independent
Stranded at sea for five days with no plumbing: Netflix tells the inside story of infamous ‘Poop Cruise'
The story of a nightmare cruise that got stuck at sea with passengers reportedly fighting over food amidst raw sewage has just dropped on Netflix. Trainwreck: Poop Cruise tells the fateful story of the 14-storey Carnival Triumph cruise that was stranded for five days in the Gulf of Mexico in 2013 with 4,000 plus passengers and crew on board. The 'luxury cruise' was meant to be a four-day round trip from Galveston in Texas to Cozumel in Mexico, but an engine room fire destroyed electrical cables that supplied the entire ship, leaving the vessel with no power, refrigeration, lighting, air-conditioning or – worst of all – flushing toilets. Archive news footage and witness testimonies from passengers and crew expose the gruelling reality of a situation in which the cruise director, Jan, resorted to instructing passengers over the PA system to defecate in plastic bags. Passengers on board the ship told of carpets soaked in urine and having to sleep in tents on the deck. Reports emerged of passengers having to queue for hours for cold onion and cucumber sandwiches and fights breaking out over dwindling supplies. Speaking to CNN at the time of the incident, passenger Ann Barlow said: 'It's disgusting. It's the worst thing ever', while her husband Toby told the news channel there is 'sewage running down the walls and floors'. Passengers cheered and the ship's horn sounded as the 272 metre-long cruise ship finally docked at the Alabama cruise terminal in Mobile after five days at sea, a process that took six hours. The president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Line, Gerry Cahilll, apologised profusely to the passengers for the ordeal. All passengers received a full refund, transportation expenses, reimbursement for some of the in-cruise purchases and an additional $500 compensation.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
People blast European beauty spot made famous by Netflix for charging tourists 'outrageous' price to take a picture there, saying 'No way this is real'
Switzerland is famously beautiful and famously pricey, so it's little wonder that in some places there's a price on those stellar views. One particular spot that has been a tourist cash cow in recent years is a gorgeous lakeside location that once featured in a hugely popular Netflix series - and sparked an influx of fans of the show to its shores. South Korean series Crash Landing on You first aired six years ago but has amassed millions of fans across the world, with Asian fans particularly keen to stop by the scenic locations during visits to Europe. The Kdrama tells the tale of a piano prodigy who, while studying in Switzerland, is forced to enlist in the North Korean military. During his time at home he falls for a South Korean heiress who is accidentally dropped into the communist territory during a paragliding accident. When it aired, it became the second highest-rated series in Korean cable television history. Many of Switzerland's lakes and mountains are showcased in the show but one spot, the tiny village of Iseltwald on Lake Brienz, has proved a big draw for fans. A turnstile placed at the end of the jetty means visitors must pay 5 Swiss Francs each (around £4.55) if they want a selfie in the place that appeared in the Kdrama And in recent years, the village has decided to charge them for their moment of posing for the Gram. There's now a turnstile - like the one you might get at a football ground - installed in front of the jetty that was used in a famous scene in the show. Should you want to push through it and take a snap or too, it'll cost each person 5 Swiss Francs (£4.55). Those who've seen images of the turnstile shared on social media said it was 'wild' that people were being asked to pay for a natural view. One person wrote: 'Charging me for something nature created is wild.' Another added: 'Be charging for air to breathe soon'. But it works both ways, locals in the town have also protested about the amount of visitors the village has had thanks to the show in recent years, branding it 'rubbish tourism'. On an Instagram post about the tourist spot, someone who lives nearby explained the logic behind the toll. They penned: 'I live near this small town up and until the last two years there were nothing like this. 'But the place became famous thanks to Crash Landing on You series and there were too many tourists! That's why they took this step.' It's thought the charging mechanism came into force a couple of years ago, after thousands of visitors descended following the series, right, becoming the second most watched cable TV series in history One person, who worked in a supermarket told publication in 2022: 'Iseltwald is a quiet village with a population of 420. The local residents are not happy with this wave of tourists.' Other destinations that have proved popular with fans of the show include Jungfraujoch, Kleine Scheidegg and the Sigriswil Panoramic Bridge. Bans on Instagrammers trying to get selfies of popular tourist spots - often featured in films - have become increasingly popular in recent years. Last summer, a road in Vermont that had become overrun with Instagram-crazed tourists was closed to visitors during fall foliage season. Known for its appearances in commercials and the film Forrest Gump, Jenne Road in Reading has become a popular spot for those looking to snap pics of autumn's changing colors. For the second year in a row in 2024, the town's board has voted to close the road to leaf peepers, MyNBC5 reported. Jeanne Road resident Bill Bakker urged the board to close the road, describing the 'huge line of cars' parked nearby. 'We've had people park on our private property. It's just really just a very, very, very bad scene,' he said. The site also includes Jenne Farm, a focal point of the scene whose beauty Bakker acknowledged. 'It's the way the hills sort of roll, and from this one viewpoint, you're sort of looking down through the field and onto the farm. So I'm not going to say it's not beautiful,' he said.
