Naples - Italy's Hidden Gem

Naples has been in the Travel News for at least a year now as it seems to have been rediscovered by the wider public. Of course we have known for a long time (as the birth place of Anthony) that this was one of - if not - the richest cities in Italy! Once being the jewel in the crown of the Spanish King with ancient trading ports along its coastline.

Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Bronze Age Greek settlements were established in the Naples area in the second millennium BC.

Naples remained influential after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, serving as the capital city of the Kingdom of Naples between 1282 and 1816. Thereafter, in union with Sicily, it became the capital of the Two Sicilies until the unification of Italy in 1861.

Naples was the most-bombed Italian city during World War II.

The port of Naples is one of the most important in Europe, and has the world's second-highest level of passenger flow, after the port of Hong Kong.

Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe, covering 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres) and enclosing 27 centuries of history, and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Naples is the Italian city with the highest number of accredited stars from the Michelin Guide.

The BBC has made a documentary on Naples within its series on Italy's Hidden Cities.. well worth watching if you can.