Those with literary ambitions seeking Italy property may be interested to know that Naples has been recommended as a source of inspiration by a leading author.

Naples is a favourite city of author Gerald Seymour, who is such a fan he not only wrote his new book, The Collaborator, in the city, but also set it there.

Mr Seymour tells the Telegraph that some of his favourite things about the city are ‘the whiff of anarchy in the air – and the ice cream, cakes and excellent coffee’.

For those visiting the city, including those on the Italy property trail, he recommends ‘the summit of Vesuvius, a tough trek, but a memorable view over the city’.

Other features noted by Mr Seymour, which may be of interest to Italy property seekers, are the city’s fine architecture and art galleries.

Naples is also the closest city to the famous ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were buried during an eruption from active volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79AD.