Mount Vesuvius crater tour with authentic lunch at a vineyard

Sometimes nature provides us with a perfect pairing – and this tour is just that. Combine a climb up to the crater of Mount Vesuvius with lunch and a tasting at a vineyard. It'll bring you closer to the awesome intensity of mainland Europe's only active volcano and feed you with life borne out of its volcanic soil. Mattia, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The vineyard sits on the slopes of Vesuvius, and produces Lacryma Cristi grapes, which means “tears of Christ”. This is down to a legend that God was crying about Lucifer stealing a corner of heaven, and where his divine tears fell, the vines of Lacryma Cristi thrived.'First, you'll travel by bus up the flanks of Vesuvius to 1,000 metres altitude. The volcano looms large over the Gulf of Naples, and it was a huge eruption here that buried Pompeii in AD79. Volcanic soils are extremely fertile, explaining why the area around the volcano has been populated for millennia. Once you leave the bus, you'll finish the journey to the crater on foot. With top-drawer views over the bay from the top, you'll want to take your camera for this one.After your trip to the crater, we'll discover all there is to know about Lacryma Cristi wine, grown on the slopes of the volcano. You'll tour the winery and learn how the unique soil and climate create ideal growing conditions, resulting in wines that reflect the terroir. We'll also enjoy a light lunch of freshly prepared dishes made with the vineyard's own produce, accompanied by their finest black label wines.