When Vesuvius popped its top in August, 79 AD, it spewed hot ashes, pumice and boiling mud in all directions, burying the city of Pompeii, resort towns of Herculaneum and Oplontis, and several others. For more than a thousand years, the buried cities were forgotten, until the 18th century, when Herculaneum was discovered, then Pompeii.

When you visit these ruins of ancient Roman buried cities with kids, don't forget that everything you see has been dug up, and most of Herculaneum is still buried under 20 meters of volcanic debris. Looking at a wall painting that survived this destruction, it is incredible.

Pompeii, Herculaneum and Oplontis are all accessible by the Circumvesuviana train from Naples. Buy a three day ticket to see all three ruins.