Climb Mount Vesuvius

There are plenty of good local tour operators who will escort you to the summit, as they tell you some of the region’s fascinating history, and will pick you up from your hotel.

However, this is one volcano climb walk that can also be done independently. Take a taxi or hop on one of the shuttle buses departing from outside Ercolano station (on the Circumvesuviana line from Naples), then walk the final 500m (approx 30mins) to the crater up a fairly steep, zigzagging path.

There are nine trails through the reserve (detailed on the website), and each offers a different experience. Signs are colour-coded and offer (in Italian) information on the geology and history. Plan on about two hours in total – to reach the summit, walk around and come back down.

It’s all dust and loose stone underfoot, so wear stout shoes. It can be pretty cool at the summit, especially during autumn and winter, so bring a sweater as well as a sunhat and cream.

There are also a number of companies that will take you on a helicopter flight over the summit, as well as over Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Climbing is possible throughout the year though trips up to the volcano can be suspended in bad weather or when the fog rolls in. Spring and autumn are the best months to visit – the weather is mild, fresh and mist-free.