Naples

Naples - meaning "New City" is the largest city in southern Italy and capital of the Campania Region and the Province of Naples. With a population of about 1 million, the city is located halfway between Mt Vesuvius and a separate volcanic area, Phlegraean Fields - part of the Campanian volcanic arc.

Superbly located on the bay, Naples hosts a wealth of historical museums. The Naples National Archaeological Museum is home to many of the antiquities from Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the National Museum of Capodimonte features works by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, El Greco and others.

At first glance the city may not be the most beautiful to look at, there's a lot of garbage littering the streets, but look beyond the surface and you'll find lively street markets, colourful characters, beautiful cultural sites and impressive Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Not far from Naples are two important reasons to come to the city: Pompeii and Herculaneum. Buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, both cities were remarkably well preserved and offer a glimpse into Ancient Roman life. Vesuvius is the only active volcano in Europe.