Bay of Naples Italy

Arrive at the international airport of Naples, a beautiful ancient city. The first settlements were founded in this place as far back as the ancient Greeks. Its favorable location in a fairly sheltered bay from the winds allowed Naples to become a very popular trading city. You can enjoy a stroll through the beautiful narrow streets that will plunge you into the atmosphere of ancient Neapolitan life. Visit what is believed to be the first pizzeria in the world - Brandi. No one will be left indifferent by the beautiful square in front of the royal palace, as well as castles located near the sea - Castel Nuovo and the castle on the peninsula - Castel del Ovo, around which are nestled cafes and restaurants.

An island where volcanic activity never ceases. That is why the ancient Romans chose this place for the construction of thermae - a lot of them were once built here. The largest thermae, the "Gardens of Poseidon" are located near the town of Forio. Here is a marina, where a parking lot is planned. The capital of the island is the town of Ischia, located on the shore of the bay, which has a regular round shape. The bay was formed by the flooding of the volcano vent by sea water. Nearby on a rock is located Aragonese castle, the first buildings here appeared in the 5th century BC. Then the castle was rebuilt several times and because of its location has always remained a very important strategic object on the island of Ischia. The high cliff and the narrow bridge connecting the castle with the main island prevented enemies from capturing it. On the southwest side of the island in the bay you can find wild thermae with hot geysers spurting directly into the sea. Be especially careful here as the coastal rocks are covered with very slippery seaweed. Near the village of San Angelo there are two sandy beaches with an anchorage for yachts. The beautiful scenery is complemented by the sheer cliffs of the coastal cliffs.

Our next stop is the island of Capri. One of the most popular vacation destinations for the world's elite. Parking in the marina starts from 200 euros per night and goes up to 1300 euros, depending on the size of the yacht. The island is famous for its villas, parks and cliffs. It is also famous for the many famous people who have lived here. For example, a memorial plaque on one of the villas recalls the visit of Soviet writer Maxim Gorky to Capri. Here, in very comfortable conditions, Vladimir Lenin was preparing for the revolution, to whom a monument was even erected in Capri. Other famous guests include Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill and many others. Expensive boutiques and chic restaurants immerse the visitor in the atmosphere of luxury, so close to the Hollywood stars and millionaires who have taken a liking to the island today. On the south shore of the island you can anchor among huge expensive yachts. Or take a small boat to one of the so-called blue grottoes on the island.

If you have never been to the Amalfi Coast, you will be speechless at the beauty of this place, which is famous for its picturesque natural landscapes, wild and untouched nature that attracts tourists at any time of the year. Moreover, the Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with several towns, not just individual buildings, being protected. According to legend, Hercules, son of Jupiter, created Amalfi as a gift to a nymph - a girl with eyes the color of the sea. And from IX to XI century Amalfi was the center of a powerful maritime republic. Since then the Cathedral of St. Andrew, built in the center of the city in the Arab-Norman style in 937, has been preserved here. The building also has Byzantine elements, such as the stripes on the facade. The Amalfi Arsenal Museum is a medieval shipyard converted into an exhibition hall. A small pedestrian tunnel just under the cliff separates the two villages of Amalfi and its neighbor Atrani. Along the coast runs the Amalfitana coastal road. After visiting the cathedral, stroll through the alleys of the town, where you can find interesting souvenir shops or try original local dishes.

The heart of the Amalfi Coast, the fishing village of Positano is perhaps one of the most photographed towns in the world because of the houses along the rocky slope, connected to each other by rock-cut staircases and terraces. And the roofs of these houses sloping down to the sea serve as gardens. Not far from Positano is the highest point of the peninsula, Monte Fite Peak. The world-famous church of Santa Maria Assunta is located in the local charming Piazza del Duomo (built around 1400). Its severe stone facade and huge bell tower make it look like a real fortress. The real decoration of this church is the handiwork of the Byzantine master - the icon of the Black Madonna and Child. And in the front of the cathedral there is an original Baroque fountain of the XVII century, built on a circular terrace surrounded by four beautiful fountains. Amidst all this tangle of houses, staircases, passageways, bridges and rocks, luxuriant vegetation is everywhere, consisting of grapes, orange, lemon and olive trees, as well as the ubiquitous opuntias, a local species of edible cactus. The lemons are particularly striking, and for good reason - the fact that Amalfi can be called the birthplace of the famous Italian drink - limoncello. For an Italian to drink a tiny glass of ice-cold limoncello after lunch or dinner is almost as much of a ritual as morning coffee is for most of us. Once upon a time, ancient Roman healers looking for a cure that would save the

While in Amalfi, you can take some time to go up to the mountain village of Ravello, which the most famous travelers call the "Spirit of the Motherland". The amazing landscapes, monuments, villas and other attractions of this place have enchanted many European artists and intellectuals from all over the world who have sought inspiration here. Ravello's commercial splendor peaked during the heyday of Amalfi, when the city was one of the four powerful maritime republics. Then Ravello was destroyed by a series of wars, but began its rise as a tourist village in the 19th century. Ravello's picturesque and fantastic views, its restaurants, service and events attract creative people who have made the city an exclusive tourist destination. The most famous places to visit here are Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, as well as all the small churches. The main thing is to make it down the mountain to the marina before 23.00 if you take the local bus (keep in mind that the return ticket is bought at the same time as the regular ticket).

September and October are the perfect season to visit the island of Procida, the smallest of the Flegrin Islands, closest to Naples. You can swim here until November, and the beaches are not bad. And the name of the island translates as "rising from the depths," thanks to the volcanic eruption that once took place here. All life on the island, which occupies 16 km of land, is concentrated around the three main marinas, which are in high demand among visiting millionaires. Procida can be traversed on foot through the local steep staircases, enjoying panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples. In many ways, tourists come here for a break from the hustle and bustle of Naples, while enjoying the Instagram-worthy world of Procida's colorful houses. Despite the fact that Procida is not as popular in terms of tourism as Capri or Ischia, it became the Italian Capital of Culture 2022. For 330 days, various events were held here, about 240 artists created, and in 44 cultural projects tourists could take part in. It is interesting that in the extraordinary natural scenery of the island were filmed not only such brilliant films as "The Postman" (directed by Massimo Troisi) and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" with Matt Damon, but also advertising of technological innovations from Apple, Microsoft and LG. A must-see in Procida is Terra Murata, the highest part of the city, where from the 16th century until 1988 there was a prison for especially dangerous criminals (Palazzo's d'Avalos, tours available). The road to Terra Murata is still considered eerie and frightening by the people of Procida. In the fishing village of Coricella, a local Instagram mecca with colorful houses, you can sample lemon granita at Felice Mare Cafe. And from Procida's panoramic point, the Belvedere di Callia, you can enjoy amazing views of Coricella, the Isle of Capri and Cape Terra Murata. Nature lovers will enjoy an excursion to Procida's nature reserve Vivara, which was once the hunting lodge of the Bourbon royal dynasty. Gastronomy lovers should dine at the numerous fish restaurants, such as one of the two most popular ones, Crescenzo and Da Mariano, located on the pier at Chiaiolella Marina. And, of course, try the island's typical dessert, Lingua di Procida ("Procida's tongue" in the shape of an ox tongue - light puff pastry with custard or lemon. The life of the inhabitants of Procida is measured - wooden boats swaying on the waves, linen hung in Italian style on the windows of houses, old men playing cards over coffee, somewhere you can hear the clinking of dishes gathering at a common table of islanders. Don't expect glamorous terraces and elegant restaurants, Procida is a meditation island.

Castellamare di Stabia is a picturesque town in Italy, on the south-eastern shore of the Gulf of Naples, on the site of the ancient city of Stabia, destroyed together with Herculaneum and Pompeii. This unique place has everything for a harmonious vacation: beautiful landscapes, clean sea air, invigorating hot springs and thalassotherapy, thanks to which you can restore undermined strength. Local thermal waters have a proven unrivaled therapeutic effect on many forms of rheumatism and arthritis, neuralgia, gynecological diseases, upper respiratory tract, metabolic disorders, skin diseases. However, we usually stop by this place not for thalassotherapy, but for a visit to some of the most famous and visited archaeological sites in the world - Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pompeii is known as an ancient Roman city, buried in 79 AD under a layer of lava and ash after the horrific eruption of the volcano Vesuvius. The area of local excavations is huge, but one popular itinerary recommended to tourists includes seeing the Amphitheater, the House of Faunus, the Villa of the Mysterias, the House of the Great Fountain, the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Apollo. You can also stroll through the streets of Vesuvius and Castellum Aquae, along the Street of Plenty, through the Forum and under the Arch of Caligula. Herculaneum, like Pompeii, also suffered from the eruption of Vesuvius and was buried under a layer of volcanic rocks, ash and mud flows. Archaeological excavations begun in the last century have brought back to light valuable historical artifacts, residential buildings and structures of cultural significance. Here you can visit the Villa of Papyri, which houses a valuable collection of 1700 papyri, the House of Genius, the House of Argo, Aristides, the gymnasium and the Roman Theater. If you wish, you can also climb Vesuvius, one of the most visited and famous volcanoes in the world, 1300 meters high. Since 1995, the volcano has been a national park and a sanctuary for local flora and fauna. The size of the crater of Vesuvius is about 700 meters in diameter and 200 meters deep. It includes two volcanoes, Mount Somma and Vesuvius Big Cone. It is the Big Cone route, which leads along a steep path among the wilderness to the crater itself, that is the most popular with tourists.