From its origins in Homer's Odyssey and its founding nearly 3,000 years ago, Naples has long attracted travellers, artists and foreign rulers--from the visitors of the Grand Tour to Goethe, Nelson, Dickens and Neruda. The stunning beauty of its natural setting coupled with the charms of its colorful past and lively present--from the ruins of Pompeii to the glittering performances of the San Carlo opera house--continue to seduce all those who explore Naples today. In the Shadow of Vesuvius is a sparkling portrait of the city--the definitive companion for anyone seeking to delve beneath its surface.
