When visiting Naples, take time to walk along the waterfront where Castel dell'Ovo,  a large fortress from the 12th century that is a dominant presence. The famous Piazza Municipio and Piazza Plebiscito are two important squares in Naples; the latter has two equestrian statues in the middle, one depicting Ferdinand I and the other, by Canova, Carlo the Bourbon. Walk down via Toledo, one of the Neapolitans’ favourite spots.

Piazza Plebiscito

Visit the splendid 18th century Capodimonte Royal Palace, where, as well as the royal ornaments, you can admire the fine art collections featuring works by some of the finest Italian painters such as Titian, Caravaggio, Mosaccio and Mantega. Castel Nuovo better known as Maschio Angioino, one of the most famous monuments in Naples, was the stronghold of the Angevin power first and of the Aragonese later. The external appearance of the fortress is extremely powerful with its majestic walls with towers rising on all four corners: San Giorgio Tower, Middle Tower and the Guard Tower. Between the last two is the splendid Alfonso d’Aragona Triumph Arch.

Maschio Angioino

Pompeii is an outstanding attraction and should not be missed. Frozen in time as a result of a cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, the site has been unearthed by archaeologists during the last centuries. Like Pompei, Herculaneum was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption and the over 10 metres of lava that covered it for centuries preserved the state of the buildings and of the objects that were recovered after the excavations. Herculaneum excavations have brought to light a portion of a city rather well preserved where one can still admire the architecture of the buildings.