Naples Holidays

They threw away the guide book when they built this Italian city – it has a character all of its own. Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and its layout hasn't altered much since the beginning. Wander along the streets beneath a maze of washing lines strung between age-old buildings, and watch as nippy Vespas and tooting Fiats weave between higgledy-piggledy streets that were carved out 4000 years ago. Alleyways lead to palaces, courtyards and bubbling street markets. And you’ll stumble across plenty of other hidden gems along the way.

The Bay of Naples is one of the most famous in Europe, and if you’ve ever seen it on a postcard, you’ll understand why. If you stand on its waterfront, you’ll be greeted by a sweeping panorama that takes in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the trio of islands that are Capri, Ischia and Procida, and the towering peak of Mount Vesuvius. This world-famous volcano is the only active one in mainland Europe and you can climb up to its crater for some spectacular views of Naples and its bay.

Italy is synonymous with delicious food, and Naples certainly doesn’t let the side down. It’s a coastal town, so the seafood is particularly good. Try pasta dishes with ingredients like net-fresh clams and mussels – you’ll see them on menus as ‘vongole’ and ‘cozze’. Sweet-toothed foodies, meanwhile, should sample sfogliatella. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a Neapolitan pasticceria that doesn’t sell these shell-shaped, flaky pastries filled with creamy ricotta cheese. And of course, while you’re in its hometown, you must sample a slice of pizza – fresh from the oven.

Naples is an ideal base for trips to Pompeii. Whether you drive or take the train, the journey is only around 30 minutes. And a visit to this city is like a ticket to the past. In the year 79 AD, the ancient Roman city of Pompeii was buried beneath a thick blanket of volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted, freezing it in time. Years of archaeological excavations mean that you can now stroll around the 2,000-year-old streets, villas and amphitheatres at the site. Take a guided tour to get a proper feel for what life was like during Roman times.