To the top of Mt. Vesuvius, Gulf of Naples, Italy

Mt. Vesuvius is the one of the most dangerous and most closely monitored active volcanoes in the world – according to our awesomely amazing guide – ANNA.  It stands 1293 meters and was last active in 1944 during WWII – at which point the area was evacuated.  I mention the war, because I remember something about an airbase there at this time losing lots of planes to the heat and the ash.  Again – tour guide, ANNA.

Our group took a special journey to the top of the volcano.  We walked through gravel to the top until we peered over the edge into the crater.  The trail goes around the top of the opening, but did not go the distance due to our schedule.  The stairs in the featured photo led to the other side of the crater.

As we traveled from Rome to the Naples Region and Mt. Vesuvius we saw the Italian country side from the bus window.

From the window of the bus on the way to the drop off point.  I love the tree on the right, giving the photo depth.  Anyway – this is the port of Naples.

As we drove up part of Mt. Vesuvius, the roads were very winding and narrow.  Sometimes I did not quite know how the bus driver did it.  Pure luck, because the rode was not wide enough for one tour bus, let alone, a second bus coming down the hill.  The photos above, again, were from the bus window. The buildings and life surrounding this potential firestorm are amazing.

We arrive to the point where we could get out and walk the rest of the way.  Lots of souvenirs made from the lava rocks from the volcano.  The girls above are in their this is my life pose.  And so…the climb begins….

They do offer tour guides at the site.  We were held up a bit, actually, because they would not let our tour guide lead the group – we had to hire theirs.  Honestly, we did not even want a guide, but we were required to have one.  She was kind of awful.  So boring. Too quiet, she seemed like maybe she, herself, had looked at this crater one too many times.  Eventually, we trailed off and kind of left her.  I am sure we missed out on history of the hill this way, but I could not help it.  There is nothing worse than a boring tour guide when in the presence of such amazing history and beauty.

And so, we make it to the top.

Looking to the left….(above)

And looking to the right….Naples, Italy…then zoomed in.  Literally felt like we were on top of the world.  Breathtaking views, beautiful wind, and the excitement of knowing the thing could erupt at any moment (not really, but I’m just sayin’)

Also at the top of Mt. Vesuvius…

Remnants of a once functioning cable car ride to the top of the volcano.  The guide did not seem to know anything about the history of that or why they removed it.  I would imagine, perhaps, it is a gruesome, tragic tale better forgotten.  I rode on one of these in Chattanooga, TN once.  ONCE.

Another little visitor on the top of the volcano…I caught him mid color change.

Beautiful flowers in the harshest of conditions…in gravel and stone…with such a backdrop!

Views of the inside of the crater wall.  The steam coming out of the holes in the ground tell us that this is, indeed, an active volcano.

 

This is the view from our lunch spot,  half way back down the mountain.  The Island of Capri is in the distance…going there tomorrow.

After our climb and a little lunch, a guided tour of Pompeii awaits us.  The mountain in the distance is Mt. Vesuvius.  If only all of those pesky people were not in the photo!

Both locations – worth every penny.  If you are in the area and have the strength, I totally recommend the climb to the top.  I will always remember that view with the wind in my hair and the sun in my face.  Also in fields of poppies – check out the post about Pompeii.

Thanks for reading my post and traveling with me! Be sure to follow me on fields of poppies to see where we go next!!