Volcano

A great day out today. We usually prefer to plan our own excursions but Vesuvius is quite tricky to arrange independently as numbers are restricted, and getting there and back would involve multiple buses and trains. So we went with the offering that was arranged through our holiday company, which proved to be an excellent choice.
We were picked up right outside the hotel and driven to Mount Vesuvius, with a bonus stop off just before we got there to try some Limoncello and other liqueurs that were made by a friend of our guide. After that, we went the remaining few kilometres to the drop off point and started the climb up to the crater. Though not overly steep or long, it was still a good half hours steady plod to get to the rim of the crater. Where we could see absolutely nothing!
Today was unfortunately one of the days when cloud sits on top of the mountain and the crater was totally obscured. Eventually, the breeze did shift the cloud momentarily and I was able to grab the photo above before the mist rolled back in. We had to be back at our bus by a set time so had to reluctantly head back down without getting more than a glimpse of what is undoubtedly a stunning view if the guide book pictures are anything to go by.
The tour concluded with a visit to a vineyard located on the lower slopes of the mountain, where we enjoyed a very nice lunch and sampled several of the wines that are produced there. Then it was back on the coach for the return journey to Sorrento, arriving in plenty of time to have a much needed rest before dinner tonight.
Our guide was very personable and kept us informed and entertained throughout the day. And hats off to our driver, who expertly took our coach up the narrow switchback roads that we had to negotiate to reach our destination. Not sure I’d have liked to try it myself, even in a small car, as some parts made Hardknott Pass look like a dual carriageway!
It is many, many years since we last went on an “organised” excursion but I was very pleasantly surprised by how smoothly the day went and what a great experience we had for the money. Perhaps, sometimes, it is easier to pay that little bit extra to let somebody else take care of all the tiresome logistics…