The birthplace of pizza and a city that lies in the shadow of the great Mount Vesuvius, Naples has been named as one of the best places in Europe to visit for a weekend trip this year by renowned travel guidebook company Lonely Planet.

This may come as a surprise to many, as Naples has earned the reputation of one of the least welcoming cities in Italy. It is known for suffering from high levels of pollution and crime, cramped streets, and severely lacks green and open spaces.