‘Mount Vesuvius is a time bomb’ says our Pompeii guide, Alfredo. He explains in careful English that 700,000 people live in the shadow of the only active volcano on the European mainland. He leads us to the walls of the ancient city, devastated when Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, for a view of the volcano today. It looks very close. Alfredo explains that, before the eruption, the Romans had no idea of the impending disaster but that these days there are scientists monitoring volcanic activity and there’s an evacuation plan if needed. He concludes: ‘Vesuvius is risky’.
This makes some of the children in our tour group a little nervous, as we’re scheduled to climb the volcano after visiting ancient Pompeii, but the adults make reassuring noises about the scientists. (Images of Berlusconi flash into my mind. I know how Italy works and I’m secretly a little worried too).
You can drive part of the way up Vesuvius, but the only way to the top is on foot. Our coach drops us near the entrance and we queue to get in and past the souvenir stand. Just inside the entrance two enterprising young men offer us sticks to help with the climb ‘for a donation’. I decline their offer as I don’t think I need a stick, but later regret it. It’s a cool, sunny April day and we’ve been told that it can get quite cold at the summit but I end up peeling off my jacket as I walk. The eldest, having refused my request to bring a coat, flashes me an ‘I told you so’ look. It’s a steep, dusty climb to the top, but worth it to actually see into the volcano’s crater and for the magnificent views of the surrounding landscape and across the Bay of Naples. Looking into the brown, rocky crater with its gentle wisps of steam floating skywards it’s hard to imagine the deadly power lying beneath the surface.
Walking back down is hard work too, as it’s very steep and the track is uneven in places. 11 year-old Emma sums it up well: ‘It’s a lot more up than down.’
Family travel lowdown: We travelled as guests of The Adventure Company (0845 450 5316; www.adventurecompany.co.uk on their 8-day ‘Around the Bay of Naples’ family trip. This costs from £1,039 per adult and £987 per child including flights, hotel accommodation, transfers, some meals, excursions and the services of a local tour leader.
Thanks for sharing great article. I Would love to visit that area,
You’re welcome – it’s a fascinating place to visit.
Wow! What an amazing expereince and such a lovely place to visit. We have climbed Mount Snowdon a few times with the children and Ben Nevis but would love to go to Mount Vesuvius x
How brave of you, i’ve been to that part of Italy my friend lives there. Its very beautiful but i’ve not been to Mt Vesuvius.
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It was a lovely trip.
I lived near Naples as a child. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve climbed Vesuvius with visitors. Us children used to skid down some parts of it. Not sure I’d want to do that now! The views are fabulous and I’d love to take my children there some day. Thank you for bringing back the memory!
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How fantastic, I can’t imagine skiing down there!
What a wonderful place to visit, not sure about the climb either though (well maybe with one of the sticks), thanks for sharing your adventures with Country Kids.
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It is a great place to go!
We did that as well this year. I should tell you we are both getting on a bit but loved it. We went to quite a lot of places you went to.
There are so many lovely places in that area!
What a fabulous experience! Would love to visit that area, although I think I would be walking up there on my own!! Well done! 🙂
Thank you, it is gorgeous and I’d definitely recommend it.