Naples
Beautifully spread like a peacock's tail on the bay of Naples and overlooked by Mount Vesuvius, Naples is a vibrant city that has much to offer its visitors. The compact centre of this city, filled with palaces, churches, convents and monasteries, revolves around just a few streets.
Bustling alleyways, pizzerias singing waiters, colourful shops and creative artisans, the city has an incomparable setting and an enviable position to explore the bay’s islands, Pompeii and the other interesting sights around its region. Capital of the Campania region, and indeed of the whole Italian south, Naples, acquired its name in 750 BC when a new Greek colony settled in the region.
Naples owes most of its classical landmarks to the French and Spanish. From Piazza del Plebiscito, through Via Toledo which penetrate the historic and noisy heart of the city, many gems of art and architecture can be found. Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments are amongst the countless magnificent sights.
Naples holiday highlights
- Spend a day visiting Pompeii, the Roman town destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius. Pompeii is probably the largest archeological site in the world and shows the best of details of Roman life.
- The Museo Archeologico Nazionale housing one of the world’s most important collections representing these eras.
- Whilst in Naples, reach Via Toledo and enter the sumptuous Baroque church St Gregorio Armeno and its serene cloister
- Spend a night at the opera at the spectacular San Carlo theatre in Naples.
- Located in the Capodimonte Park, the National Museum houses a marvellous collection of paintings and sculptures, including the famous 18th Century porcelain figurines.
- Italy’s largest palace can be visited in Caserta.
- Take a day trip to Capri or Ischia, regular boat and hydrofoil excursions leave daily from the port of Naples.
- Further south, along the coast, visit the three glorious Greek Temples of Paestum.
- Look down active volcanic craters and visit hot springs at the Campi Flegrei, in the Vesuvius area.
