Bay of Naples suggested itineraries

Masterpieces of the late Baroque period appear one after another along the ancient Via Regia which leads from Naples to Portici. The road, known as the "Miglio d'Oro" or golden mile, accompanies us on a journey through scenery of quite incomparable beauty: in the enchanting setting of the Gulf of Naples, where the great Mount Vesuvius reigns supreme. A total of some one hundred and twenty two villas form the Association of Vesuvian Villas, stunning examples of Bourbon architecture, each of which once had its own magnificent gardens or park complete with fountains, pools, pavilions, ornamental glass houses and aviaries. A number of the villas can be visited by appointment, by contacting the association.

At Herculaneum, visitors can partake in a guided tour of Villa Campolieto or the park of Villa Favorita. Construction of these properties coincided with the start of excavation work on the nearby archaeological sites, in 1738. Herculaneum, gateway of the National Park of Vesuvius, is home to an incredible quantity of treasures brought to light during the digging, including the Villa dei Papiri, owned by Lucio Calpurnio Pisone, Giulio Cesare's father in law. The name of the imposing 250 meter long edifice, was given to the building after some 1000 papyri were found here, documents now housed in the Officina dei Papyri Ercolanesi in Naples' National Library. Among the most fascinating buildings, we find the Casa del Rilievo di Telefo, featuring a large columned peristyle and the beautifully conserved Terme Femminili (women's baths), this latter complete with mosaic pavement depicting marine animals.

At Portici, visitors can admire buildings dating back to the most ostentatiously prosperous years of the Bourbon reign: examples of which are the Palazzo Reale or Villa d'Elboeuf, better known as the Bagni della Regina (Queen's Baths). The Botanical Gardens, adjacent to the royal residence, certainly merit a visit. The gardens, created in 1872, feature an impressive number of plant species, and a glass house filled with succulents from the American and African deserts.

Just 5kms from Portici, lies Torre del Greco, town famous for the crafting of red coral and the trading of pearls: aficionados of the art should not miss the Basilio Liverino Coral Museum, created within a lava cavity on the slopes of the volcano. This is also where to find the Villa delle Ginestre, where Giacomo Leopardi stayed between 1836 and 1837 and composed his celebrated Ginestra.

Pompei, like Herculaneum, was covered in deep layer of volcanic ash during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79B.C.. The walk through this old Roman town, perfectly conserved over the centuries by a 6 meter layer of ash and lava, is of certain impact. These streets and piazzas were once the theatre of busy daily life in what was a densely populated and flourishing town. The main entrance to the town is Porta Marina. Just outside the perimeter walls, we find the Terme Surburbane and, a little further on, the Forum and monumental Basilica. From the Porta Ercolano gateway, heading towards Via del Vesuvio, we come across the Casa degli Amorini Dorati, house thus called due to the presence of gilded cupids which embellish one of the rooms. Many of the artefacts found in Pompei and Herculaneum are now conserved in the Naples Archaeological Museum. The town attracts a steady flow of tourists arriving from every part of the globe and pilgrims who come here so as to visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Pompei. In the center of Pompei there is also the Museum of the Sanctuary which houses a great number of important religious artworks.

A few kilometers from Pompei we find Castellammare di Stabia, an important tourist port known for both its naval shipyard and prestigious thermal center. The ancient Roman city of Stabaie was located in what is today's panoramic Varano district. Varano boasts a number of interesting sites including the Villa Arianna and Villa San Marco. Castellammare di Stabia itself is home to such fascinating houses of worship as the Cathedral dell'Assunta, the Church del Gesù and the Church dello Spirito Santo. The medieval Castle, situated on the road heading towards Sorrento, is well worthy of visit, as are the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Libera and Palazzo Farnese. Castellamare di Stabia is often referred to as the Città delle Acque or city of waters in virtue of its 28 springs of natural mineral water. The popular spa complex is divided in to the Antiche Terme, Nuove Terme, and Parco Idroponico.