Naples and towns that surround Vesuvius are inhabited by 3 million people. The houses built are so close to the summit with such poor urban planning that the roads would make escape from the lava flow almost impossible.
The arc of Tyrrhenian volcanoes that stretches from Pozzuoli north of Naples to Sicily is one of the most active in the world. Though it hasn't erupted since 1538, it has shown worrying signs on and off since the 1970s.
Mount Etna is Europe's largest non-submerged volcano. At more than 3000 meters high it is also a stunning sight from the sea - dominating the Eastern Sicilian coast.
Eruptions have destroyed much of the island, leaving an underground of lava tubes and secret underwater lakes. The wines cultivated here in a unique agricultural practice show just how resilient both man and nature are.