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Got a smashed window and hit and run theft from our car. Witnesses were completely passive. Please be aware of the very high criminality in this area. But we were pleasantly surprised by a local chocolate festival and there are many roman remains to look at in the area.

Pozzuoli was a major Roman port and it still has a similar buzz to it. There are LOADS of places to eat and relax in for all sorts of budget. The town has many aspects to it and some stunning views of the coastline and islands. Its located 40 minutes by train north west of Naples and is more of a very large town than a city. There is a massive Roman amphitheatre in town which you can visit - 8 euros gets you a 2-day pass to that and 3 other archaeological sites round Pozzuoli. The town's location means it's easier to get across to the islands of Ischia and Procida than it is from Naples. Conversely if you want to visit Pompeii or Sorrento it takes longer. You can buy a 32 euro "ArteCard" from the airport at Naples or from train stations, that will give you three days of free public transport plus free entry to two historical sites (eg the Pompeii complex, or the Naples museum of archaeology, or the Pozzuoli sites), PLUS then half price tickets on any further sites during the three days of the travelcard's use. Excellent and pays for itself very quickly. Pozzuoli-Solfatara is the main railway station. 2.20 euros to get to Naples - bargain. It's worth stopping off at some of the stops along the way just to have a mosey around - for example at Cavaleggeri Aosta 10 minutes away, there is a fairly good zoo. Quick note for the sensitive-nosed or the fusspots - the Solfatara that gives the railway station its name is a volcanic plateau just out of town, that you can't currently visit, that released sulphurous fumes that carry down into the town, so it can get quite aromatic in the town. Didn't bother me because it added to the character of the place but there we have it!

A little bit out season and I was working but I did have a look around the town which is great lots of restaurants and bars, all the attractions are all in a small metro ride which is cheap. There’s a small port with the island ferries operating so it really is a great location for everything.

The town is rather dirty, loud and crowded. If the wind comes from the Campi Flegrei you have to cope with the unpleasant smell of sulfur. There are some archeological excavations to visit. Napoli can easily be reached by train.

Pozzuoli, a great seaside town in the Campi Flegrei with a very authentic, local feel, was once classical Rome's principal port. We were initially drawn here by the church attached to the convento where Pergolesi spent his last weeks completing his Stabat Mater, called Chiesa dei Santi Francesco e Antonio, which is apparently open briefly from 8.30am before mass each Tuesday. Other superb sites are the cathedral (built around the structure of a classical temple), Rione Terra (an extensive Roman street excavation directly under the cathedral, accessible at the elevated end of Via Duomo, with tours on Sat & Sun), and the Anfiteatro Flavio. The rail links to Naples are very convenient (Pozzuoli station for the Cumana line to Montesanto and Pozzuoli Solfatara station for Metropolitana Linea 2 to Stazione Centrale), though they don't run late into the evening. There's also a great fish market off Via Nicola Fasano with the bonus of fruit, vegetables and very good local wine. If you're looking for affordable places to eat, head for the streets around Piazza della Repubblica to join the locals on their evenings out.

Pozzuoli is a small city, but with many different attractions. Roman and greek ruins, underwater heritage parks, beaches, lagoons, lakes and volcanos. The italian cousine, gelati and napolitan pizzas are huge part of the experience! On the down-side is the traffic and not pedestrian-friendly streets. The public transportation is not the best as well.