Castellammare di Stabia Holidays

A city fit for emperors

Known as Stabiae in the Roman era, Castellammare di Stabia has drawn some old-school celebrities over the years. The infamous Julius Caesar and emperors Augustus and Tiberius all owned homes here before Mount Vesuvius' famous eruption. No less than 28 mineral-rich springs make it a long-standing therapeutic retreat in southern Italy's Campania region.

Roman relics

While famous sights like Pompeii and Herculaneum are within easy reach, they shouldn't stop you from visiting the Roman ruins excavated right in Stabiae. Villa Arianna's one of the oldest, while Villa San Marco apparently spanned 11,000 square metres before volcanic ash buried it into obscurity.

Views to melt for

Hugging the curves of the bay is Stabiae's expansive promenade, giving its lucky pedestrians breathtaking views of Mount Vesuvius. Sprinkled with mouthwatering eateries and gelato shops, there's ample opportunity to tuck in before making tracks for one of the beaches – most of them are only a short drive away.