🍷 Wine Tasting Mount Vesuvius — Our Dreamy Port Day in Naples.
Let’s just say: if every port day started with wine and ended with a view of an active volcano, I may never come home.
On our first day docked in Naples, Italy, we booked what turned out to be the perfect cruise excursion: a Wine Tasting Mount Vesuvius experience through Viator, hosted by City Vision Tours. Spoiler alert — it was worth every sip (and every penny). We booked this tour online, months in advance of our visit. While last-minute tours could be available, I always recommend booking early with a reputable vendor that offers a return-to-ship guarantee.
For $125 per person, we enjoyed:
- Round-trip transportation from the cruise port 🚐
- A guided tour of vineyards and production facilities 🍇
- A plentiful wine tasting 🍷 (we’re talking 5+ pours)
- A beautiful, rustic lunch with Mount Vesuvius as our backdrop 🥖🧀🍝
- And a few good laughs when our van broke down on the way back (don’t worry — they handled it like pros)
Let’s rewind a bit…
Getting to the Vineyard: A Morning Walk to Start our Day
Reviewing our tickets, I realized that our meeting point was a hotel located in the city of Naples. It was only one metro stop away from the port, or about a 30-minute walk. It was a beautiful morning, so we decided to stretch our legs and explore more of Napoli. (Yes, no one else calls it Naples. In Italy, it’s Napoli!)
We met up with our guide Alex, and he greeted us with the kind of enthusiasm that only someone truly passionate about wine and the history of Napoli can deliver — the perfect combo.
We soon realized that others on our tour were picked up AT the cruise terminal, so be sure and check your pick-up location when you book your tour. (Spoiler alert, Alex and the driver dropped us off at the cruise terminal with others at the end of our tour, saving us the walk back.)
After a scenic ride out of the city (cue views of Naples’ winding alleys and laundry lines), we started climbing toward the vineyards nestled at the base of Mount Vesuvius. Even before we tasted a drop, the views alone were worth it.
Sidebar: In Naples, cruise ships dock at Molo Beverello alongside the cruise ferry terminal (Stazione Maritima). The cruise port of Naples is situated on the southern side of the city, adjacent to the marina and ferry port. The historic city center with its landmarks is within walking distance for those who are able. As a cruise passenger, you’ll have easy access to ferries and the local metro station. Tour guides and taxi drivers are intense in this port, so it’s best to have a plan before debarking in Naples, even if that plan is just to walk around and explore. To avoid pressure, simply say, “Thank you, we already have plans.”
Touring the Mount Vesuvius Vineyards
Now, I’m no sommelier, but I do know this: wine that grows on volcanoes tastes lovely and unique.
The volcanic soil here produces grapes you just don’t get anywhere else. We walked the rows of vines while learning about ancient varietals like Lacryma Christi (translation: “Tears of Christ,” which somehow feels appropriate when you’re sipping something this good under the gaze of a massive volcano).
Our Mount Vesuvius wine tasting and tour included a peek into the production facilities and a walk through the property — aka photo op central. If you’re into rustic Italian farm vibes with a side of geological drama, you’re going to love this. We were literally picking up volcanic rock during our stroll.
The Main Event: Wine Tasting + Lunch
Let me set the scene:
You’re sitting at a long wooden table under a vine-covered terrace, surrounded by new cruise friends, and the server is pouring your fourth glass of Vesuvius-born red… while your pasta arrives piping hot.
Can you smell it?
The wines were local and rich, pairing perfectly with the dishes served, from antipasti to Neapolitan-style pasta. You will leave full. And a little fuzzy.
They weren’t stingy with the pours either. This wasn’t a “here’s a thimbleful of wine and a cracker” type of tasting. We happily sampled everything offered (don’t judge!). Following our tour and lunch with tasting, we were given more free time to explore, take pictures, and purchase wine.
A Plot Twist: The Van That Couldn’t Reach Highway Speed
Every great travel experience needs a little hiccup to make it memorable, right? Ours came in the form of a van that decided it had enough of the Italian heat and refused to go any further.
But to the credit of City Vision Tours, they handled it so smoothly we barely noticed. Within minutes, a new van pulled up, we piled in, and made it back to the port with time to spare — and a great story to tell over dinner.
Why You Should Book a Wine Tasting At Mount Vesuvius
If your cruise itinerary includes Naples and you’re deciding between wine or ruins, know: this is one of the few tours that doesn’t include Pompeii — and that’s a plus if you’ve already been there or want something more relaxed. We visited Pompeii and had the most delicious pizza I’ve ever tasted during our 2022 visit.
Here’s why this tour was such a win:
✔️ All-inclusive price — no surprise fees (wine available for purchase, but there was no hard sell)
✔️ Delicious local food and wines
✔️ Gorgeous views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius
✔️ Relaxed pace and small-group setting
✔️ Educational without being stuffy
✔️ Unexpected adventure (hello, broken van bonding moment)
Would I Do It Again?
In a heartbeat. 🍷✨
This Wine Tasting at Mount Vesuvius experience was the kind of day that reminded me why I love cruising — new experiences around every corner (ok, port). You hop off the ship and suddenly find yourself sipping volcanic vino in the Italian countryside.
Not bad for a Tuesday!
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- When to Book Excursions through Your Cruise Line (and When Not To)
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