The southern sun, beautiful countryside, good food and a rich cultural heritage immediately make you forget the criminal reputation of the City of Naples. As a tourist you will not be confronted with any shooting mafia members, but instead you will find a wealth of interesting sights. It is not only the city of Naples that appeals to visitors. The beautiful, sometimes busy beaches along the Bay of Naples and the Amalfitan coast attract numerous sun lovers. Towns such as Amalfi and Sorrento therefore sound very familiar. Avoid these during the summer months because of the high prices, but they are definitely recommended for the spring and autumn seasons.
The volcano Vesuvius has always ruled the lives of the inhabitants of this southern Italian region. It is the only volcano that is still active on the European mainland. The most famous eruption took place in the year 79, as a result of which Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried under lava. The remains of both towns have been excavated and are open to the public. The most recent serious eruption took place in 1944 which modified the profile of the crater. In 1980, Vesuvius was active for a while, probably because of an earthquake which occurred in the area. This volcano still emits gases and water vapour. Whether or not it will erupt again nobody knows.
The Island of Capri appeals even more. This is a small island which is accessible by boat and which teems with tourists. Its appeal lies in its uniquely beautiful countryside, so do keep some time free to go for a walk. Other alternatives are the Islands of Ischia and Procida which are less well known to the tourists.
Briefly speaking, the sunny and cultural destination of the Bay of Naples has something to offer for everyone in spring and autumn.
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