Mount Vesuvius is a volcano in the Gulf of Naples, just a few kilometers from the shore. It's best known for its eruption in Roman times, when the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were destroyed.
Nowadays it's a dormant volcano, the only one on the European mainland to have erupted within the last hundred years (there has been no eruption since 1944).
Nowadays crater rim is quite accessible with or without a tour guide. Once you get to the top you will admire a great panorama with a stunning view on the Bay of Naples, Capri, Ischia and the Sorrentine Peninsula. If you want to climb Mt. Vesuvius remember to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Enjoy the beauty of this unique wonder of nature.

Pompeii was founded in the sixth or early fifth century B.C. by Greek colonists.
As a Roman colony since 80 B.C., it became a flourishing port and resort with many villas, baths, temples and theaters.
In August of A.D. 79, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius rained down more than twenty feet of hot volcanic ashes, debris and mud on this big and thriving city
This natural disaster has left behind evidence of daily life of that period.
Nowadays, Pompeii is one of the largest and most suggestive, fascinating and must seeing archaeological sites in the world.
Almost two thousand years later, you have the opportunity to walk through the ruins of an ancient roman city and see houses, streets and public buildings miraculously preserved by the volcanic ash (a large collection of Roman artifacts from Pompeii are preserved in the Naples National Archaeological Museum).
Once in Pompeii, I could arrange a tour of the ruins with a local authorized guide.
If you ever plan to travel to Italy, you must see Pompeii!