Italy Family - Around the Bay of Naples Overview

With its heritage-listed historical centre and fascinating Archeological Museum, Naples's extraordinary history is obvious - plus it's home to some of the best pizza Italy has to offer.

We take a short train this morning to Ercolano and visit the ancient site of Herculaneum. Often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbour, Pompeii. It too was destroyed in a river of mud from the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The seaside resort of Sorrento has been a popular tourist destination for centuries and it's easy to see why with its fine piazzas, sidewalk cafes and glamorous shops.

Transfer to the port and catch a ferry to Capri Island. Capri’s allure is founded on its contrasts: from the bustling port of Marina Grande to the breezy summit of Monte Solaro. The dramatic rocky coastline is pierced by natural grottoes, while in the interior, narrow roads wind through fragrant citrus groves, past villages of flat-roofed white cubist-looking houses with flower-filled gardens, and manicured towns which offer swanky hotels and chic cafes.

Visit the atmospheric Roman ruins of Herculaneum and of Pompeii preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Explore Naples, the home of Pizza and relax in Sorrento, surrounded by lemon trees and Olive groves. Take a day trip to Capri and discover the Blue Grotto in a small boat.

Catch a local train round the bay to Pompeii. Until 26 August, 79 AD, Pompeii was a thriving Roman trading centre, where ordinary people went about their everyday business. Then, disaster struck: Vesuvius, that had for so long loomed peacefully over the city, erupted without warning, engulfing the citizens, their houses, temples and treasures in lava and ashes.

Today has been deliberately left free so we can decide what to do - explore the area further or, if we don’t want to stray too far afield, soak up the atmosphere of our surroundings.

Head back into lovely Sorrento and say 'ciao' to a wonderful Italian family holiday.