Agricamper La Giuliana

Vesuvius looks like a benign presence on the horizon now, but when it erupted in 79 AD, it spewed lava and hot ashes, destroying the ancient town of Pompeii. A walk along the cobbled streets of Pompeii Archaeological Park takes you past the ruins of elegant villas, sanctuaries, baths and theatres, many of them covered in spectacular frescoes and mosaics. The seafront promenade at Castellammare di Stabia (25 minutes’ drive), at the southern end of the Gulf of Naples, is a popular spot for a stroll. From the centre of town, catch the funicular to the top of Mount Faito for incomparable views of the coastline and Vesuvius, and woodland trails. A day in Naples (35 minutes) should include the Sansevero Chapel, which houses the remarkable ‘Veiled Christ’ sculpture; the impressive Piazza del Plebiscito square, flanked on one side by the Royal Palace and on the other by the sweeping arcade of the Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco da Paola; and pizza at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele – be prepared to queue for your margherita, though.