Pompeii and the Blue Grotto
by vikendall
Naples is enchanted. The view from the various balconies in the port is magical. The water is lovely, and the old port is rustic, and beautiful. As the sun moves, the colors along the shore, the rooftops, the hues of stucco, change. It is difficult to find bad food in such settings. I had perhaps the best pizza I've ever eaten while sitting on a balcony, overlooking the harbor. You could have fed me alpo and I would have thought it wonderful. After a overland bus trip to Pompeii, through beautiful countryside, about 45 minutes, we arrived at the city of Pompeii. It was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to see the historical ruins. As much as I have read, and as many documentaries as I have seen, I still was bowled over. An absolutely must see. Pleanty of shops and hawkers, selling very fine pieces to take home for just a few euros. Did I tell you I had the absolutely best pizza of my life there? This while sitting on a piazza, as dusk fell, magical twinkle lights came on, and music filled the streets. No wonder everyone there smiles.
Weather Varies so check it before you pack.
by beesaj
waterproof and with wheels. Summer-shorts, skirts, and tanktops. Bring some sleeved shirts also. Catherdrals always require you to have knees and shoulders covered.
Winter bring warmer clothing. jeans, warm shirts and a jacket. noone here really wears sweaters. Bring your own toiltries as the ones supplied in most hotels are for one use and won't be replaced. Camera, and video as there is a lot to see and sometimes you will want to video tape sites you see...expecially in places that don't allow cameras with flash.
The best way to get to the...
by anaiis
The best way to get to the Naples in August (!) is air-conditioned vehicle. If you travel with your own car, place a towel under your seat and back. It will probably be soaked with your sweat in minutes, despite all your opened windows (be careful about the thiefs!). Trains are cheap, but very slow (at least the lokal ones).
Usually it is impossibly to find a free parking space in Napels. Even if you DO find something, that looks like a parking space, think twice! I have paid two penalties (but my car was registered on my friend from Napels, I hope they are more easy with the tourist cars with signs of other country). Try to use public transport, your feet or be there in August (thats when there are the best chance of finding free parking space since city is abandoned - but I havent promissed anything.)
Look at the picture: there is only ONE PART of the car on the right corner (irregularly parked, though). Amazing! The street is empty for a while.
I really recommend renting a scooter, if you want to get somewhere fast. Dont forget to wear a helmet, since you will be taking risk of crashing with a car! But a scooter is the fastest thing on the south of the Italy. Try not to ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere (beware of the possibility of broken empty gas indicator). Parking a scooter is very easy. You have special parking places (usually full, but you can squeeze in your vespa with a few gallant moves)and you can also improvise elsewhere... However, I have gained a very ugly scar on my knee (well, there goes my modeling career) - the last day, when I fall of the vespa at moderate speed.
Spaccanapoli
by MM212
The historic centre of Naples, referred to locally as Spaccanapoli, lies in the relatively flat section of the city east of the hill of Sant'Elmo and north of the bay of Naples. The name translates to "Split Naples", which directly refers to the straight street, Via dei Tribunali, that splits the district in two. This street was once the decumanus maximus (Decumano Maggiore), the east-west thoroughfare of Graeco-Roman Neapolis, which roughly covers the same area as today's Spaccanapoli. Nearly all of the streets in the district trace the same grid pattern first laid out by the Greeks when they built their "New City" in the 6th century BC. In this historic district (Centro Storico) one could see some of the city's oldest churches and monuments, traditional shops and mediaeval archways, but beneath it all are several layers belonging to different ancient iterations of the city. Many of these Greek, Roman and Byzantine ruins that lie below existing buildings have been excavated and made open to the public, including at the Duomo and the church of San Lorenzo Maggiore. Attached are a few photos of Spaccanapoli's straight streets, and further below are many tips that discuss each monument.
National Archaeological Museum
by guell
Many frescos were also removed from the walls of many of the buildings in Pompeii. Fortunately for us, most are now on display at museums and a huge amount of them can be seen at the National Archaeological Museum.
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Vesus from the fontana dell'Immacolatella
With Santa Chiara in the background - May 09
Lookout tower on the Amalfi Drive
Royal Palace (Naples, Italy)
