About this experience
Naples lies at the foot of the dormant giant, Vesuvius. This is Italy's calling card, one of the most dangerous volcanoes that brought sad fame to the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, and the Stabiae villas, as well as a place of attraction for millions of tourists. Standing at the crater, you will not only enjoy the magnificent landscape but also get an adrenaline rush, while I will tell you many interesting facts.
What to Expect
Great and Unyielding
Along a narrow serpentine road, we will approach the entrance to the national park. I will tell you about archaeological finds, legends, and the significance of the volcano in culture. You will learn about the destroyed cities and the last eruption, the peculiarities of the local flora and fauna, as well as folk beliefs related to Vesuvius. You will also see the traces of lava where vegetation has not yet recovered.
Vesuvius Yawns
To peer into the crater, you will need to hike a part of the route on foot, but the efforts are worth it - during the ascent, we will be surrounded by picturesque views of Naples, the bay, Sorrento, and the island of Capri. Upon reaching the top, at a height of 1277 meters, you will take in the entire region with a single glance. Standing at the crater of an active volcano, inhaling the smoky air, everything inside you trembles from the sense of the natural element's grandeur, while the breathtaking panorama spins your head.
Organizational Details
Tickets for Vesuvius must be purchased online in advance on the official website, as they are often sold out on the day of the excursion. The cost is 12€ per person. I will assist you in purchasing tickets on the website or through an agency. Please clarify the details in our correspondence before payment.
How the Excursion Goes
- The excursion is a combination of car and walking tour. We will reach the national park by public transport. The cost from Naples is 12€ per person, from Pompeii - 6.20€ per person.
- Comfortable footwear is needed for climbing the volcano.
- We spend an average of 1.5 hours at the crater. When we reach the height of 1000 meters, we need to walk along the slope for 900 meters, which takes about 30 minutes on average. We will then walk around the crater for half an hour, with another 30 minutes for the descent.
- To depart for Vesuvius, we meet in Pompeii, near the Circumvesuviana train station. If you are coming from Naples or Sorrento, I will provide instructions on how to get to the city of Pompeii.
- The excursion pairs well with a visit to the archaeological excavations of the destroyed cities: Pompeii or Herculaneum. Nearby is the little-known villa of Oplontis, which belonged to Poppaea, Nero's second wife. Here you can see gardens, atriums, peristyles, lounges, guest rooms, tricliniums (banquet halls), viridariums, baths, kitchens, a pool, a toilet, and exquisite ancient frescoes. Additionally, this tour can be combined with a stroll in Naples.
