Med Cruise - Mt Vesuvius Hike/Pompeii Excursion

[dd0809]

Just wondering if anyone can offer me any advice about the Mt. Vesuvius Hike/ Pompeii/Wine tasting excursion. Just curious what to expect and plan for...

1. What type of clothes did you wear
2. How hard was the hike
3. What were the conditions on top of Mt Vesuvius is is colder, windy, ect..

Thanks

 

[Deb T.]

We did this excursion when Disney sailed in the Mediterranean in July '07. I would definitely do it again if given the opportunity!


The buses take you most of the way up the mountain, then you hike to the crater. I personally thought the hike up was strenuous and it was all on slippery gravel. The higher we went, the cooler the temps became. Unfortunately for us, there was a heavy cloud cover in the morning when we were at Mt. Vesuvius, so even though we were right there at the edge of the crater, we couldn't see anything.

Pompeii was very interesting, and I only wish we had more time to explore there. It was all walking in dirt and on stone, but no hills. It got very hot while we were there, so I was really glad I'd taken a bottle of water with me. I would suggest that you read up on Pompeii before going so that you get more out of your visit. I hope to go back one day!

I wore a pair of hiking pants that unzipped at the knees to turn into shorts and was really glad for the versatility! I got them at REI.

 

[Giant talking head]

We did this excursion last year and loved it !! The Hike was very steep, on a path of the volcanic ash. The grit (of the ash) is fairly deep so it's somewhat slippery. Wear suitable shoes. The 4X4 ride is really neat up the steep side of the volcano. Temperature will depend on that days' weather. I didn't find it to be cold...but perhaps cooler than below. The little winery and lunch was very enjoyable. Bought some wine to bring back to the ship and also home. Pompeii was also fun. Sooooo wish I were going again ! Enjoy !!

 

[dd0809]

Thanks...

I appreciate the advice. This is the one thing DH and I have saved just for us and I have to say I am looking forward to it, even more than Rome. We rarely get time alone, and this excursion seems totally fun with the 4x4 ride, hike ( ok that might not be "fun" ), wine/vinyard, and pompeii.

 

[Lilbunnyk]

This exursion was one of the highlights from our trip in 07. The views from the top of Mt Vesuvius were incredible. I did not think the hike was hard and wish it would have been longer but I am an avid hiker so most people will probably not agree. Pompeii was amazing and it was nice to have a guide because the place is huge. We did not have a wine tasting on our trip but did have lunch included which was served at a restaurant near Pompeii and the food was absolutely amazing. I definitely recommend this exursion!

 

[pjacobi]

Some areas of Pompeii are rated PG-13 or R, especially the brothel with frescos depicting available services. Those with small children may which to bypass these areas.

More difficult to bypass is European advertising material that is considerably more risky than American standards.


-Paul

 

[Meagan_4]

My DH and I are signed up for this excursion for the July 20 sailing. Thanks for all of these reports...very helpful!

 

[dd0809]

My DH and I are signed up for this excursion for the July 20 sailing. Thanks for all of these reports...very helpful!

Meagan- See you there. My DH and I are overjoyed to be kid free for one day of the cruise!!! He is a Marine, so if you see someone dragging their wife up the mountain that would be us!! lol

 

[hygienist999]

We just returned from the June 18-29 Med cruise. We did this excursion and loved it.

The walk up the Mt. is very steep and I would recommend tennis shoes, not sandles. My husband wore his Teva shoes that has the openings and his feet got scratched up from the tiny rocks getting inside.

I wore Under Armour running shorts and a heat gear shirt. It was HOT!!!! There was a good breeze though. You will really need a bottle of water once you get the the little building at the top.

We went over to Pompeii after lunch. The walking tour at Pompeii was 2 hours. Again, Very HOT!!!! Keep water with you. Best way to stay cool is to keep to the shady spots. There was a wonderful breeze though.

Pompeii was stunning though. Just imagining what the city looked like once upon a time in that setting. Awesome.

Hope you have a great time. We did.

 

[ariel39]

We did the Pompeii tour in July 07 and it was AWESOME!!! So full of history, but very very hot, so bring lots of water with you. A hat and shorts are necessary.......Enjoy it!

 

[KayR]

This was not from a DCL trip, but from our own trip to Italy in August last year. We stayed in Naples and caught the train to Vesuvius and Pompeii. It will give you an idea of the path up.

DD in picture above was 5yo.

I guess it took approx 20 mins to climb to the top from where the bus dropped us off.

At the top of Vesuvius it was cooler, but not cold. In fact, I think it was pleasant, especially for the little hike to the top. There are little shacks at the top of Vesuvius selling drinks, food and souvenirs, but we just took our own in a backpack.

Pompeii was hot and humid (in fact DD described it in an essay at school afterwards as "like being a pizza") - take lots of cold water! Pompeii is a small town, so it is large. I wish we had taken a guided tour, but by the time we got to Pompeii, the kids were tired after the hike up Vesuvius, and the heat didn't help either.

--Kay

 

[dd0809]

Thanks KayR!!!

I really appreciate the pics!! It is nice to kinda see exactly what the path looks like.

 

[Allesma]

This was not from a DCL trip, but from our own trip to Italy in August last year. We stayed in Naples and caught the train to Vesuvius and Pompeii. It will give you an idea of the path up.

DD in picture above was 5yo.

I guess it took approx 20 mins to climb to the top from where the bus dropped us off.

At the top of Vesuvius it was cooler, but not cold. In fact, I think it was pleasant, especially for the little hike to the top. There are little shacks at the top of Vesuvius selling drinks, food and souvenirs, but we just took our own in a backpack.

Pompeii was hot and humid (in fact DD described it in an essay at school afterwards as "like being a pizza") - take lots of cold water! Pompeii is a small town, so it is large. I wish we had taken a guided tour, but by the time we got to Pompeii, the kids were tired after the hike up Vesuvius, and the heat didn't help either.

--Kay

Thnx alot for this pecs, I was doubting wether our 9yo could do this path but if your 5 yo DD could do it Itake that our 9yo girlscout would aslso be able to walk this.

 

[KayR]

Thanks KayR!!!

I really appreciate the pics!! It is nice to kinda see exactly what the path looks like.

Thnx alot for this pecs, I was doubting wether our 9yo could do this path but if your 5 yo DD could do it Itake that our 9yo girlscout would aslso be able to walk this.

You are both most welcome.

I think anyone in reasonable health should be able to make the walk. Its not really too far. The worst thing IMHO is that the ground is that loose volcanic rock which can make the hike a bit harder than on a steady path. Also I recommend wear closed shoes so that the loose bits of rock do not get into your footwear.

The view from the top is fantastic.

Our tour included a short talk from a vulcanologist which was very interesting.

-Kay