Your day exploring ancient history and a famous volcano begins at Herculaneum. Once a residential coastal town, Herculaneum was covered in volcanic mud when Vesuvius erupted in 79 C.E. You'll have the chance to view the superbly preserved town from above, before descending with your guide for a tour of the ancient streets and buildings. Walk down the streets of Herculaneum almost exactly as the Romans would have done over 2,000 years ago. See original timbers in the buildings and clay pots stored as they would have been at the time of the volcanic eruption. Your tour through this volcanic village will take you to the grand House of the Argus and its courtyard, and to the public baths with their well-preserved frescoes and sparkling mosaics. You'll even see a house with carbonized furniture and a marital bed still intact! After exploring the shops and gymnasium in this amazing Roman residential town with your knowledgeable guide, board the coach to head to Mt. Vesuvius. The coach takes you to 1,000 m (3,300 ft), where you can choose to walk the rest of the trail to the volcano's crater, renting a walking stick for the journey if you'd like. Upon reaching the crater, you can pay a small fee, allowing you to walk around the crater with a guide, learning about the science of the tumultuous mountain and its past eruptions. Enjoy free time to explore the top of Mt. Vesuvius and marvel at the incredible views, before heading back to Sorrento on the coach.