Visiting Herculaneum/ Mt Versuvius- guided tour recommendation?

We just did it on our own back in '08 - walked to Herc from the train stn, and when we went back, took a van 'tour' from the train stn, which just dropped you off in the parking lot and gave you a few hours.

I didn't find the climb steep, but the dirt/rocks were very loose, which was taxing. I would recommend shoes/boots as opposed to sandals. The most annoying thing for me was my socks kept falling down in my boots. Not sure that a walking stick would be needed, but you know your situation best - if you have issues with balance, it might help. Having never used one, I'm not sure how helpful they would be in loose dirt...

Nicole, we chose to skip Vesuvius. Did you get a lot out of the excursion? Was it very hot work?

I went in July, although on coolish day. I really thought it was interesting and views were wonderful. It was a bit dusty but there were walking sticks available for borrow at the beginning of the climb. I could have easily done it without it but took one as I did not know that yet.

I would wear closed toed shoes not sandals.

Tim - we did it the 3rd week of Sept. It was one of those not bad days - sunny, but some heavy clouds as well (I'm surprised - looking back at the photos - that it didn't rain on us!). In a few of the photos, I'm in my tshirt and holding my jacket, but in another hubby and I both have our jackets on with dark clouds overhead as we were heading back down.

We are glad we did it, I guess. There were some beautiful views over Naples and - you know - we got to walk up and look into the crater of Vesuvius. Like Stonehenge, not something I'd do again, but glad we saw it.