Pompeii and Wine Tasting on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius from Naples

Traces of the existence of this ancient roman city date back to the 6th century BC. At the time of the dramatic eruption, in 79 AD, Pompeii counted about 11.000 inhabitants and was considered of great importance for the Roman Empire. Several emperors and aristocrats had their holiday’s villas in that area, while merchants were running businesses with locals. This bustling place got buried under several meters of ashes in a matter of few hours. Centuries later, in 1748, Pompeii came back to light when the Bourbons were governing Naples. The discovery was greeted with enthusiasm as it added great wealth to the kingdom and inspired the neoclassicism movement in Europe. Nowadays, the ruins of Pompeii are amongst the most visited archaeological sites in the world.

Included in this tour there is a stop to a Cameos and Corals workshop, to learn more about this ancient art-craft, for which the Neapolitan school is still considered of great importance. Cameos in particular are carved sea shells representing scenes of mythological deities.

Campania Ars Vinearia. The custom of drinking wine is very ancient in our region: frescoes, pottery and ancient texts found in archaeological sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum confirm this practice. Greeks started farming the vineyards on the rich volcanic soil and some of these early varieties still survive to this day, such as the Aglianico.

Even though the wine making process, thus its taste, has changed a lot during this long time span, it is clear the unchanged interest for this drink. This tour will take you around the vineyards, learning more about the composition of its soil and how the coexistence with other trees, plants and herbs as well as a mix of modern and traditional techniques affects the quality of wine. After a stroll in the fields, to complete the experience, there will be a plentiful tasting menu with local food and wines to be enjoyed in its original environment.

Extra info: both the archeological site of Pompeii and the stroll along the vineyards are completely open air. It is advised to wear comfortable shoes and clothes according to the weather conditions. Entrance tickets in Pompeii are not included as the fee may vary under certain circumstances, such as age, nationality and profession or in occasion of special events and discount cards. To this date, single entrance ticket costs 15 €. Check the official Pompeii ruins website for detailed information. 

The visit at Pompeii’s ruins is led by a tour guide with a minimum of 6 people; under this number audio-guides are provided.