Vesuvius

This is one of history's most infamous volcanoes, thanks to the eruption in AD 79 that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum and shook the Roman Empire. It is a volcano best visited in its dormant state, though not all eruptions are as destructive as its most famous event. You should not only visit the volcano (you can drive and then walk to view the summit crater) but also the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Near Naples is the Campi Flegrei, a large caldera with fumaroles fields, also worth visiting. Best times to visit are spring and fall. The Naples area is very hot and crowded during the summer. Winter can bring snow to Vesuvius and turn the area cold and bleak. The most pleasant city near Vesuvius is Sorrento. Avoid staying in Naples, a crowded city with a high crime rate, though its museums are worth seeing.