Mt. Vesuvius Needs Your Help

Naples, June 12 - Vesuvius, the volcano overlooking Naples, needs help in its bid to become one of the world's New Seven Wonders of Nature, backers say.

The peak best known for burying Pompeii in 79 AD has beaten Mt Blanc and the Matterhorn to become top Italian mountain in a current Web vote.

But is still lagging Everest and the Rockies in the mountains category on the www.new7wonders.com/nature site, the town council of Ercolano warned Friday.

''Vesuvius has come out on top as Italian bidder! But the campaign goes on to get it through the semi-finals. Vote for it,'' the Neapolitan town urged. ''Your support could be crucial, Vesuvius needs all our help,'' a message on the website said.

''A possible final spot in the seven could spell a turnaround for our beautiful land, which really needs a wave of 'restoration','' it said.

For more video of Naples, Mt. Vesuvius, and the region of Campania visit the Motorino Man on WebVisionItaly.com.

Italy Travel: The Bay of Naples, a gift from God

I spent a life-altering week traveling among the islands of Capri and Ischia, Naples, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. I never knew the world could be as beautiful as around the Bay of Naples. The views, the commanding presence of Mt Vesuvius overlooking the peaceful town of Pompei close to 2,000 years after the eruption, the sunny, sunny days, the food, and best of all the people.

Pompeii made the greatest impact on me. The frozen casts of those citizens on that fateful day in 79 A.D. let the imagination construe a picture of fun and laughter, only to be shadowed by nature's supreme power. That was years ago and now approaching my senior year in college, I have since learned Italian, returned to Italy on two occassions, soon three. Italia, il bel paese.

Visit the Campania Channel on http://www.webvisionitaly.com/

Nathaniel