Mount Vesuvius, the infamous volcano in Italy's Campania region, has a history as fiery as its eruptions! Standing tall at 1,281 meters (4,203 feet), this "humpbacked" peak boasts a dramatic cone surrounded by a caldera caused by an earlier collapse.

Known for its explosive temperament, Vesuvius famously buried the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in AD 79 under a blanket of ash and volcanic gases. Nowadays, with over 3 million people living in its shadow, Vesuvius is like a sassy diva ready to put on a show at any moment – making it not just a mountain but a real-life drama queen of the Earth!

Mount Vesuvius is located about 1 hour north of Sorrento, and several tour companies will take you here for half or full-day adventures. The hiking trail is approximately 2.5 kilometres and takes around 45 minutes to complete. You can see the volcanic crater and striking views over the Bay of Naples from the top of the trail.