Towering over the Amalfi Coast, Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano with a turbulent history. Its massive eruption in 79 AD sent shockwaves around the Roman world, burying the nearby cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash and rock. Nowadays, these cities have become world-renowned archaeological sites, offering an unparalleled glimpse into ancient Roman life. The volcanic ash and lava from Vesuvius have also created incredibly fertile soil rich in minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, thus creating ideal conditions for viticulture. Our private day tour from Pompeii explores the dramatic geology and history of Vesuvius, combining a guided tour of the spectacular Pompeii ruins with an archaeologist, followed by a winery visit including excellent local wine and food.
On your private 6-hour tour, you will:
- Delve into the history, geography and viticulture of Mount Vesuvius on a delectable day trip;
- Enjoy the convenience of hotel pick up and drop off from Pompeii town, as well as a comfortable private transport throughout the day;
- Begin with the archaeological park of Pompeii, the most famously well-preserved city of the ancient world, with tickets included;
- Embark on a 2-hour guided tour of the ruins with a local expert guide;
- Discover the impressive amphitheatre and learn about the theatrical shows and gladiatorial fights that took place there 2000 years ago;
- Admire a myriad of mosaics and frescos and find out how they were preserved thanks to the volcanic ash and lava;
- Walk along ancient cobbled streets, where carriage wheel marks are still visible;
- Step inside the opulent bathhouses and see the magnificent Forum with a spectacular view towards Vesuvius;
- See the houses, apartments, and businesses of the local Pompeiians, and learn about daily life in this important Roman port town before the devastating volcanic eruption in 79 A.D;
- Find out exactly what happened that fateful day, hearing eyewitness accounts and taking in the incredibly moving plaster casts of the people and animals who perished;
- Make your way to a local winery within Vesuvius National Park, where you’ll tour the vineyards and learn all about how the region’s distinctive wines are cultivated in the unique volcanic soil;
- Indulge in a wine tasting where you will sample four different vintages, including the famous Lacryma Christi variety;
- Savour the flavours of Vesuvius with a traditional local lunch.
Uncover the treasures of Mount Vesuvius on an exciting itinerary that weaves together the ancient history and volcanic beauty of Campania. With your professional driver at the wheel, you’ll depart directly from your hotel in Pompeii and cruise through the Italian countryside towards the slopes of the legendary volcano, where the past and present coexist in a landscape unlike any other.
Your day begins at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, the world’s most astonishing window into daily life in the Roman Empire. With pre-booked access and the undivided attention of a private archaeologist guide, you’ll embark on a well-planned route through the city that time forgot. Your guide will lead you through the Marina Gate and onto cobbled streets still marked by ancient carriage wheels, past basilicas, bathhouses, bakeries, and grand villas, whose vivid frescoes and mosaics are miraculously preserved beneath volcanic ash.
You’ll peel back the layers of this once bustling port, imagine the spectacles that took place in the amphitheatre, and piece together the final hours before Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, burying the city in silence for nearly two millennia. Moving among the ruins, from the Forum to the House of the Faun, the Lupanar, and the haunting plaster casts of Pompeii’s inhabitants, your guide brings to life the stories of the ancient city, as well as the work of the generations of archaeologists who have worked tirelessly on the excavations from the 18th Century to the present day.
After the tour, you will rejoin your driver for a short, scenic transfer into the Vesuvius National Park, where fertile volcanic soils nurture some of Italy’s most distinctive wines. At an award-winning local winery nestled on the slopes of the volcano, you’ll be welcomed for a leisurely visit. As you stroll through the vineyards that cling to the black earth, you will learn how the mineral-rich terrain shapes the character of local vintages, including the celebrated Lacryma Christi, the “Tears of Christ” wine that has been produced here since ancient times.
Your visit culminates in a guided tasting of four wines, paired with a light yet delicious lunch of regional specialities all enjoyed with panoramic views of the vine-covered crater. As the day draws to a close, your driver will be waiting to bring you back to your hotel, completing a journey that blends archaeological discoveries, stunning natural landscapes, and culinary delights. This private excursion offers an extraordinary glimpse into the soul of southern Italy, where history, geology, and gastronomy meet beneath the shadow of Vesuvius.
