Around the Bay of Naples - Family Holiday

This morning you’ll take a short train ride to Ercolano and visit the ancient site of Herculaneum. Often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbour Pompeii, it too was destroyed in a river of mud from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Excavations first started in the 18th century, and subsequently uncovered bronze and silver artefacts, marble statues and many mosaics as well as a superbly preserved network of streets and houses. A guided tour (approx 2 hours) will bring the site to life, revealing everyday life as it was almost 2000 years ago. Return to your hotel by train and the rest of the day is free. (B)

Catch a local train round the bay to Pompeii. Until 26 August, 79 AD, Pompeii was a thriving Roman trading centre, where ordinary people went about their everyday business. Then, disaster struck: Vesuvius, that had for so long loomed peacefully over the city, erupted without warning, engulfing the citizens, their houses, temples and treasures in lava and ashes. Unbelievably, it seems that only around 2,000 out of the 20,000 inhabitants perished. Nevertheless, despite brief consideration by the city elders, Pompeii was never rebuilt with any real enthusiasm, and largely disappeared from people’s minds until the 16th century, when the ruins were re-discovered. Most of the major excavations were conducted from the late 18th century onwards and today’s tour of the site with a local guide will amaze kids and adults.

Then take a local bus to Vesuvius and set off to climb (1277m) probably the world’s most famous volcano! Earning its reputation from a series of deadly eruptions that culminated in the devastation wrought by the events of 79 AD, the volcano is now dormant and in quiescent stage a and is surrounded by an area of dense population. It is thought that the last - relatively modest - eruption of 1944 ended a cycle that started in 1631. In 1991 a national park was created to protect the area, incorporating the spectacular Valle del Gigante (Valley of the Giant), between Vesuvius and the adjacent Mount Somma. You’ll climb to the summit (approx 30 mins), then walk on a trail across the cinders for views down into the crater (approx 20 mins) and then descend (approx 20 mins).

Taking the train back to Sorrento you will meet again later for a surprise visit, you will of course find out all on the day if we told you now it wouldn't be a surprise! Later dinner is included. (BD)