Naples

Gritty and chaotic Naples calls to travelers who want to experience the real Italy. Pressed along the coast of Campania, hilly Naples is jammed with maze-like streets, strung with outdoor clotheslines, descending toward the sea below. A much deserved UNESCO World Heritage site, urban life is embedded among old architecture, churches, and buildings. As you navigate the city, you’ll find yourself immersed by its culture and history. You can easily occupy a full day gazing at churches like the Naples Cathedral, San Francesco di Paola, and Cappella Sansevero. Each has its own special vibe and something unique to offer. There are also castles, catacombs, and museums, a uniquely Neapolitan smorgasbord of religious and historical significance.

 

Not far from Naples — less than an hour by train — is the town of Pompeii, famously left in ruins by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly two millennia ago. Today you can explore the ruins, which form an eerie snapshot of life as it existed when the volcano erupted. Mount Vesuvius itself still lurks out in the Bay of Naples, a forboding ode to the power of nature. Shopping, in keeping with Italian tradition, is a popular pastime here. The tailors of Naples have been renowned the world over for centuries, and the city is full of stalls and markets where high-quality souvenirs can be found at friendly prices. But perhaps Naples’ greatest offering is its cuisine. Some of the best pizza in the world can be found here — just don’t ask for a Hawaiian. After you dine out in one of the city’s myriads of restaurants, Naples’ nightlife is a booming industry, with plenty of bars and clubs to relax and live it up into the early hours.

 

Naples combines the hustle and bustle of a thriving city with a long and illustrious history. There is a strong and proud identity here, and no shortage of things to do, sights to see, and lessons to learn.