POMPEII ALL THE WAY

The three million tourists who traipse through the ancient ruins of Pompeii each year will soon have added reason to visit. Officials at the UNESCO World Heritage Site have announced that more sites are being opened to the public, beginning this spring. The gardens of the House of Venus in the Shell; the Little House of the Orchard, home to bright frescoes; and the house of Julia Felix, an extravagant ancient spa, will be among the new attractions. History buffs will also get to see, for the first time, a selection of human casts, and an exhibition of Egyptian art and statues. “There have never been such vast possibilities for visiting Pompeii,” a site spokesman said. New routes around the sites will also be opened in response to concerns that the thousands of annual visitors are “ruining” Pompeii, which was buried by the eruption in 79 AD of Mount Vesuvius.