BAY OF NAPLES & AMALFI COAST Sightseeing
The Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast is an area that features
so many breathtaking views, stunning scenery and is abundant
in history, culture, art and beauty. The lovely little bays
and coves along the coastlines, the picturesque, charming
historic villages built into the steep mountains, make this
whole area unique. Discover with our private
excursions and tours the better-known
villages and sights of these unique coastlines.
Amalfi | Conca dei
Marini | Isle of Capri | Island
of Ischia | Naples | Paestum
| Phlegreaen Fields (Campi Flegri) |
Pompeii and Herculaneum | Positano
| Praiano | Ravello
| Sorrento | Vesuvius
 Amalfi
Tucked in between the mountains and sea is fascinating Amalfi.
Chronologically, Amalfi is Italy's first Maritime Republic.
In Amalfi's heyday it rivalled Venice, Pisa and Genoa, trading
across the Mediterranean. Amalfi was the home of Flavio Gioia,
the inventor of the compass for the western world and codified
maritime law with its Tavole Amalfitane.
It had its own coin (the Tarì), was known for impressive
shipbuilding and paper making industries where traditional
paper production can still be seen today. The main architectural
evidence of its prestigious past is the 9th century Duomo
di Sant'Andrea (cathedral), which dominates the town centre
and is regarded as the most stunning cathedral in southern
Italy.
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 Conca
dei Marini
Conca dei Marini is one of the most tranquil localities of
the Amalfi Coast. During the Maritime Republic, Conca dei
Marini became Amalfi's most important naval base. However
Conca dei Marini is best known for the nearby Emerald Grotto
(Grotta dello Smeraldo). This is a deep cave in the cliffside,
now invaded by the sea, in which the water acquires a bewitchingly
intense emerald green colour, when the sun filters through
inside. Also of great interest is the ceramic crib, 4m below
on the grotto bed. The 14th century Convent of Santa Rosa
is of historical importance and has beautiful vaulted architecture.
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 Isle
of Capri
The second largest, but by far the best known, of the islands
in the Bay of Naples, Capri rivals Positano and Sorrento as
a tourist destination. In Roman times, it was the preferred
home of the emperors Augustus and Tiberius, for whom its isolation
offered a measure of protection from would-be assassins. Tiberius'
magnificent villa can be visited today, its sheer scale and
evident luxury never ceasing to amaze the modern visitor.
Capri was discovered in the 19th century, and became the haunt
of writers and intellectuals. Today, Capri continues to charm
its visitors, as a chic and sophisticated holiday island.
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Island of Ischia
Lying to the north of the Bay of Naples, Ischia is the largest
of the islands, but is relatively unknown. Its hot volcanic
springs attracted the Greeks and Romans as visitors. The extinct
volcano Monte Epomeo (788 metres) affords extensive views
over the Bay of Naples (for the adventurous, best seen at
dawn). The spa town of Casamicciola retains its Art Nouveau
architecture, and the medieval Castello Aragonese dominates
the eastern tip of the island.
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Naples
Naples is the third largest city in Italy, and is the economic
capital of southern Italy. It takes its name from the Greek
Neapolis (new city), referring to its independent status to
the nearby Cumae. Traces of Naples' early history can be found
in the Greek city walls, and in the Via Anticaglia. The visitor
today is attracted to Naples for its many museums, especially
the National Archaeological Museum, which houses many of the
treasures excavated from Herculaneum and Pompeii and is regarded
as one of the best archaeological museums in the world. But
perhaps Naples is most famous world wide for the pizza, invented
here in the 18th century.
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Paestum
The zone of the Magna Grecia (Greater Greece) starts here.
Around the 6th century BC the Greeks settled in Poseidonia,
named in honor of the god of the Sea. After being conquered
by the Romans, it was renamed Paestum. Although some distance
from the Amalfi Coast, Paestum, to the south of Salerno, is
well worth a visit. The site of the ancient Greek city of
Poseidonia and its three Doric Greek Temples - the Basilica
of Hera, the Temple of Ceres, and, on the southern end of
the site, the Temple of Neptune - are amongst the best preserved
in the world. In the Paestum museum can be seen the famous
Tomb of the Diver frescoes.
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Phlegraean Fields (Campi Flegrei)
The Naples area is one of continuing intense volcanic activity.
Campi Flegrei is a volcanic area of intense geological instability.
Due to the bradyeyism (the slow upward and downward movement
of the earth's crust) in the whole area, many Roman ruins
are under water. It is the site of a mega volcano. A huge
ancient caldera is made up with approximately 40 ancient volcanoes,
some of which are now filled with lakes such as Lake Avernus.
Ancient people thought this volcanic lake was the entrance
to the underworld, or Hades (Lago di Averno, according to
Homer and Virgil). Of these ancient volcanoes, the Solfatara
of Pozzuoli is without doubt the most interesting with its
bubbling mud pools and steam vent fumaroles. In many places
the ground is still hot. It is this, which gives this area
its Latin name, meaning the "Burning Fields".
Since Imperial times, the ancient Romans already knew of
Solfatara. It is said that the The Phlegraean Fields' long
history of dramatic ground movements is unsurpassed anywhere
in the world. Since Roman times, the ground level of the caldera
floor has varied by more than 12 meters. The floor rose by
at least 4-5 metres, in the 48 hours before the most recent
eruption in 1538 (Monte Nuovo).
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Pompeii and Herculaneum
On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the
Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The whole region was
affected by this eruption, everything south of Mount Vesuvius
disappeared and the coastline changed forever. Both towns
weren't rediscovered until the mid-18th century, and nowadays
nowhere in the world could give a deeper insight into Roman
life than the dramatic seaside towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Both towns provide visitors with a unique insight into the
way the Romans lived and worked which is surprisingly similar
to our way of life nearly 2,000 years later.
 Pompeii:
(Pompei in Italian)
The thriving Roman town was destroyed, and is said to have
been preserved, by being buried with a seven-meter high blanket
of ash and lapillus. In relation to the sheer scale of Pompeii
and state of preservation of a whole variety of structures,
from municipal public buildings, to magnificently decorated
villas, to humble shops and dwellings, Pompeii like no other
place on earth has the ability to transport the visitor back
in time by two millennia, to be able really to imagine what
day to day life was like in Roman times. A visit should be
considered a must by every visitor to the Amalfi Coast.
 Herculaneum:
(Ercolano in Italian)
The wealthy Roman seaside resort was destroyed and is thought
to have been preserved, by being buried under volcanic mud
from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Herculaneum is smaller
and better preserved than Pompeii. Much of the city of Herculaneum
remains hidden underground to this very day and the modern
town of Ercolano, is built above the archaeological site of
Herculaneum.
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Positano
The scenic beauty and charm of Positano was already loved
and acknowledged by the ancient Romans. It has an ancient
history and is said to be one of the oldest settlements along
the Amalfi Coast. It preserves traces of very ancient settlements,
already evident in the Palaeolithic period, as testified by
remains found in the grotto named La Porta, not far from the
town, but also impressive Roman ruins, such as those of a
large villa. It is one of the Mediterranean's most exclusive
resorts. Positano was "discovered" in the early
20th century by Germans, and particularly English and American
travellers. Described as a "vertical village", its
pastel coloured houses cling to impossibly steep cliffs. Luxury
hotels and top class restaurants sit side by side with innumerable
boutiques, many specializing in the famous Positano fashion.
Traffic is excluded from much of the town, whose flower-bedecked
narrow alleys and steps create a unique and intimate setting
and atmosphere.
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 Praiano
Located between Amalfi and Positano, Praiano is an ancient
fishing village with a great past. It is definitely one of
the most genuine corners of the Amalfi Coast, located away
from the most touristy areas. The name is derived from the
Latin Pelagianum (open sea) who changed in the Middle Ages
to Plagianum and finally to Praiano. In the Middle Ages it
was part of the Amalfi Maritime Republic and was world famous
for its silk industry. Praiano was also the summer residence
of the Doges of the Republic because of its good climate,
which naturally augmented its prestige in the course of the
centuries. Charles 1 of Anjou had the Angevin University built
here. The famous Walk of the Gods starts from here, and some
of the best views of Positano and the whole final part of
the peninsula up to the Island of Capri, can be seen from
here.
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Ravello
 Along
with Positano, it is Ravello that defines the Amalfi Coast
in most visitors' minds. The view of the twin church towers
and single pine from the terrace of the Villa Rufolo is probably
the most photographed on the Amalfi Coast. Ravello owes its
fame not only to its dramatic location, perched 350 metres
above the sea, where cooling breezes temper the summer heat,
but for years now Ravello has been the chosen residence of
artists and musicians of international fame. Its splendid
gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, site of important
classical music concerts, are held throughout the summer months.
It was here which inspired Wagner to write his opera Parsifal.
Ravello is unquestionably the most elegant of the small villages
on the Amalfi Coast and regarded as one of the most beautiful
hilltop villages in Italy. It is enchanting and surprisingly
tranquil and peaceful considering its fame. It is also the
seat of European University Centre for the Cultural Heritage.
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Sorrento
The origins of its name merge with the myth of the Sirens.
Probably founded as a Greek colony, it was successively under
different dominations until the arrival of the Romans. During
the Roman age it was known as Surrentum and eventually the
Romans were so fascinated by its beauties that during the
Imperial times, it became one of the favourite holiday spots
for Roman patricians. The famous poet Torquato Tasso was born
in Sorrento in 1544. Perched high on a cliff amongst orange,
lemon and olive groves Sorrento overlooks the Bay of Naples
with Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields all in view.
This beautiful town of sunsets and gardens has attracted poets,
philosophers, playwrights, and authors for centuries. The
historic streets, filled today with vibrant shops selling
various goods, form interesting artistic routes winding along
churches and ancient buildings, make this an ideal location
for tourists.
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 Vesuvius
Italy's Mount Vesuvius is on one of the most famous volcanoes
in the world. Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the European
mainland. The iconic Mount Vesuvius (1281 metres) dominates
the skyline of the Bay of Naples with its brooding presence.
Its frequent eruptions have shaped history, and continue to
influence the lives of those who live in its shadow. It can
be visited quite easily; the road approaches to within about
200 metres of the summit, leaving only about 30 minutes walk
on a good track to reach the crater rim. The barren landscape
at the summit contrasts with the lush vegetation on the lower
slopes, where some of the most ancient vines in Italy flourish
in the rich volcanic soil. Steam emanating from fissures in
the rocks provides the only clue to the immense energy that
lurks beneath the surface. A surreal environment that demands
to be experienced.
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