Thanks for the info on this tour. I have signed up for this tour but I am still debating. I really want to hike a volcano but I have been to Pompeii before. My backup plan if I cancel is to go the Archeology Museum in Naples.
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DCL brochure states that there was no bathrooms available so its good to know that there are some even if it costs money. I heard that there is also a charge for the walking sticks. Is that correct? Do you have enough time for the hike? I think DCL brochure says we will have 40 minutes roundtrip but other reviews have stated that it takes much longer.
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telling people that I climbed Mt Vesuvius. It something that not many people get too. Especially of that fame. Let me see, I was also told it was close to 5 miles but maybe she meant km?
Anyway, it didn't take no 40 minutes. Looks like it but it was deceiving. In the beginning the trail is switchback and wide - about a car length wide. But near the top, where the other shack is, it narrows to walking traffic only. Also, there is some climbing over rocks to do if you continue on the footpath at the top. Really, there is nothing at the top, but a view of the bay/ocean and around. Again, there is another souvenir table - but nothing big - small shot glasses, rocks, etc. They might have some water and stuff. You can walk about 1/2 around the rim too.
I do remember that DH needed to use the restroom at the very bottom. When he told them he had no euro - they let him use it anyway. They were not the best but they will suffice. Again - this is only at the bottom. And they parcelled out TP. So roll your own.
What's sold at the top is sold at the bottom so save yourself some heartache. Not sure how much time they will allow but it can be walked. Walking sticks were free at the time, maybe they started charging now? Sorry, can't help you there. But as I said, they helped with the walking up and down. I did sorta slip a bit on the walk down and so I was very happy when my walking stick helped me from falling.
Also, it was VERY hot when we got there, but freaky weather came in and it got a bit chilly at the top. We were under a cloud and while chilly, it might have saved us. I can't even begin to contemplate that hike if it was sunny and hot. If it is, make sure to take a hat and water. Some of the panoramic views are amazing. I had a conventional camera at the time so I don't have shots from up there. Sorry.
But nothing beats the thrill of telling people - I climbed Mt Vesuvius.
If you really want to do it, go for it. But I subscribe to the theory - forewarned is best. I'd rather hear the worst than be confronted with the unknown. DCL has a tendancy to downplay some stuff. They did this on a Mexican Rivera hike in one port. They did say it was walking uphill and intermediate, while not extremely dangerous, it was hard and I did finish but I wasn't happy with DCL's description. So I did post on the boards about this. Not that is wasn't doable, but that it wasn't as easy as they made it out to be. We had several mature walkers with us and someone slipped down about 5 ft on the hike down. They didn't get hurt but they could have.
Anyway, I really hope you get to hike it - it was fun and a highlight of mine. Enjoy. But definitely take good sturdy shoes or boots. Those loose rocks have a habit of getting into your tennis shoes/trainers and you have to stop to pull them out. If I recall, the first 1/2 hr to 40 min was hiking up. Down wasn't so bad except when you gathered speed. That's where the walking stick came in handy. Just ask if you have any other questions.
... I think my DD is going to kill her brother!
Hi DH! 
