The place to go back in time: visit the excavations of Pompei and Hercolaneum under the watchful eye of Mount Vesuvius.
The villages of Ercolano and Pompei are part and parcel of the Naples metropolis. Pompei has a nice centre with impressive cathedral that attracts many pilgrims. Otherwise, it caters mainly to tourists visiting the excavations.
Ercolano lies on 'the golden mile', 122 18th-century villas built by the Bourbon aristocrats. The village doesn't seem very worthwhile otherwise; however, there is a famous vintage market here every morning.
The excavations at Ercolano are better preserved than those at Pompei. There is also the MAV, a museum showing the daily life of the Romans as well as the devastating volcanic eruption in 3D.