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Holiday information on the Neopolitan Riviera, Italy

"Perhaps one of the most enchanting corners of the Mediterranean, the stylish Neapolitan Riviera offers breathtaking scenery, superlative sightseeing, mouth-watering food and superb wines."

The Neapolitan Riviera forms a heady mix of sun-blushed beauty, intoxicating romance and fascinating history. Once a major stop-off point on the Grand Tour of the 18th and 19th-centuries, the famous Bay of Naples is home to some of Italy's most prized jewels...the ancient Roman city of Pompeii sits in the brooding shadow of Mount Vesuvius. Further along the coast, the cliff-hugging towns of Sorrento and Amalfi beguile visitors with their stunning views out over the azure waters of the Mediterranean while the idyllic islands of Ischia and Capri bask alluringly beneath glorious sunshine.

On the coast, sheer cliffs plunge dramatically into the aquamarine sea and steep steps take you down to tiny pebble beaches or bathing platforms. The best beach on the mainland, made of dark, pebbly, volcanic sand, can be found in Maiori on the Amalfi Coast. If however you're looking for soft, golden, sandy beaches, head to the paradise isle of Ischia. Its lush, green surroundings and turquoise waters make the perfect setting for long, lazy days in the sun.

Italians are known for their effortless style and the Neapolitan Riviera certainly reflects this. Watch immaculately dressed locals drawing up on their scooters outside designer stores and smart boutiques, eager to purchase the latest catwalk styles from Rome and Milan. Head to picturesque Positano where you'll find plenty of clothes and antique shops. Positano is particularly well known for its bright, vibrant fashions made from soft, delicate fabrics. Sorrento, meanwhile, boasts a main shopping street called the Corso Italia which is peppered with designer shops selling chic clothes, shoes and accessories. The old town is home to a plethora of souvenir shops where you can pick up Neapolitan inlaid wooden boxes, lace and the famous 'limoncello' liqueur, the local tipple. However, for the ultimate shopping experience, take a trip out to Capri. Renowned as a playground for the rich and famous, it simply overflows with big name international designer boutiques, fashion houses and fine jewellers. So, whether it's haute couture or glittering diamonds that you're looking for, Capri is certain to make an impression, not least on your bank balance!

Nightlife in the Neapolitan Riviera is rather low-key and in keeping with the sophisticated look and feel of the resort. Most evenings centre around a quiet meal in a restaurant or sipping a liqueur in a pavement cafe and watching the world go by as the sun sets over the Bay of Naples. Sorrento is home to a handful of discos and piano bars and is certainly the liveliest of the Neapolitan's holiday towns. Many of the resorts play host to outdoor classical or chamber music concerts in the summer months. Stylish Capri boasts a number of exclusive basement clubs and music bars and a myriad of stylish cafes to choose from.

The quaint towns that pepper the Neapolitan Riviera's sublime coastline have a special atmosphere, little changed by tourism. Sorrento is a pretty resort with traditional Italian piazzas, excellent shops and first class restaurants. It is especially charming in the evenings, when you can stroll around the tree-lined streets and do as the Italians do - linger over a meal and a glass of wine as the sun sets over the horizon. Meanwhile, the Amalfi Coast, which forms part of the Neapolitan Riviera, is home to a number of small towns and villages such as fashionable Positano. Lining the streets of this sleepy fishing harbour are a jumble of whitewashed houses with brightly coloured flowers trailing from wrought iron balconies. The undisputed island charms of chic Capri and lush Ischia perfectly complement this most blessed of coastlines.

Neapolitan cuisine is, quite simply, delicious. Dishes revolve around fish plucked straight from the sea, virgin olive oil, crisp dry white wines and, together with fresh vegetables and ripe, juicy tomatoes, account for one of the most enviable and healthy diets in Europe. Lovers of seafood will be in their element - every day colourful fishing boats come ashore laden with fresh seafood, most of which finds its way onto restaurant menus. A popular choice is 'pesce spada', swordfish steak, which is often grilled or lightly pan-fried and seasoned with lemon and oregano. If you prefer pasta and pizzas, you won't be disappointed. Spaghetti Napoletana, pasta served in a rich tomato and garlic sauce, is a simple yet tasty local speciality. The thin and crispy 'margherita' originated in Naples and the pizzas made on the Neapolitan Riviera are renowned for being the best in the world!