Naples Off The Beaten Path

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I'm not sure, but I think this church is not very known, so, it's a perfect "Off the Beaten Path Tip".

It houses great masterpieces such as paintings and fantastic architecture.

*Address: Piazza Carmine, 2 (very close to Piazza Garibaldi.
- Tel.: (+39) 081 20 11 96
- Fax: (+39) 081 553 58 33

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Built in 1.329, I must admit that the main reason for my visit was the view of Naples.
For the pics of them, go to the travelogue.

- Address: Largo San Martino, 1

- How to get there:
Take Funiculare Centrale from Piazza Duca D’Aosta/Via Toledo, very close to Piazza del Plebiscito, to the station called Fuga (end of the line). Then, ask anybody, it's quite difficult to explain but not difficult to find it; or by metro, line 1, Vanvitelli station.

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I’ve made a separate page about Sorrento, so this is just a brief outline of why you might want to go there.

A sunny Saturday in early November turned out to be a perfect time to visit – even then this lovely seaside town was pretty busy and I can imagine that in the height of the season it might become unpleasantly so. As it was we had a lovely time strolling the streets, and in particularly walking down to the Marina Grande, the less touristy (and, despite its name, the smaller) of the two harbours. Here we could sit in the sun at a small, unpretentious restaurant, the Ristorante di Leva with a chilled white wine, some grilled sardines and a fresh tomato salad, watching a few local fishermen passing the time of day. We also enjoyed an ice cream in the main square, the Piazza Tasso, shopping for local delicacies such as lemon biscuits and olive oil, and photographing the many interesting little details of its buildings.

See my Transportation tips about the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, and my separate page for information about the various sights, cafés etc.

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I’ve made a separate page about Pompeii, so this is just a brief outline of why you might want to go there.

Perhaps the first thing that struck me about Pompeii was its size. We’d already been to Herculaneum, and I knew Pompeii was bigger, but hadn’t realised quite how big it is. The ruins cover an area the size of a largish modern village, and to see everything properly would demand a full day, which we didn’t have. Rather than rush around madly, therefore, it’s best to choose some buildings that appeal and see those properly.

As Pompeii was a larger and more substantial city than Herculaneum, it has more in the way of grand buildings such as temples, and these make a good place to start your explorations as they’re near the entrance and also command great views of Vesuvius beyond, making it easy to imagine your way back into history and the dreadful day in AD79 when the city was engulfed by pumice and ash. We were also fascinated, as I think every visitor must be, by the plaster casts of people trapped as they tried to flee. In addition there are grand villas and humble shops, extensive bath-house complexes, theatres and small restaurants – everything that the population would have needed for a comfortable existence in this busy town. A day spent here is a wonderful way to absorb yourself in a past lifestyle that at times seems so very like the present.

See my Transportation tips about the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii, and my separate page for lots of details about the various sights.

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I’ve made a separate page about Herculaneum, or Ercolano as it’s known in Italian, so this is just a brief outline of why you might want to go there.

When Vesuvius erupted in AD 79 Herculaneum was buried in volcanic mud rather than in the lava which engulfed it perhaps more famous neighbour, Pompeii. It lay hidden and nearly intact for more than 1600 years until it was accidentally discovered by some workers digging a well in 1709. This has resulted in a different type of preservation of its ruins, with the mud doing relatively little damage to the buildings, instead slowly filling them from the bottom up.

Herculaneum was a smaller town with a wealthier population than Pompeii at the time of its destruction. You can easily imagine that the seaside villas would have been very desirable residences, and the lifestyle of those who occupied them would have been wonderful – sipping wine on the terraces overlooking the bay, with slaves catering to your every need, beautiful mosaics and friezes adorning the walls, a pleasant climate away from the hassles of the city. I loved wandering around envisaging all this – but then also contemplating the terror that must have descended on this peaceful spot when the inhabitants suddenly realised the enormity of what was happening to the mountain that looms over it. Many had sufficient warning that they were able to escape; some however did not, and their skeletons were found by archaeologists huddled together in boat houses on what would have in those days been the beach.

See my Transportation tips about the Circumvesuviana train to Herculaneum, and my separate page for lots of details about the various sights.

This small charming place is about 30 minutes from Naples. It is in the mountain and it has very good domestic atmosphere on the streets and squares. It is local place and there aren't many tourist all around like in the Naples. There you will expire the real Italian pastas and it is very cheap.

The Villa Comunale is the most prominent and visible park in Naples and southern Italy. It was built in the 1780s by King Ferdinand IV (later known as Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies) on land reclaimed along the coast between the main body of the city and the small port of Mergellina. The park was originally a "Royal Garden", reserved for members of the royal family, but open to the public on special holidays such as the Festival of Piedigrotta

Castel Capuano is a castle in Naples, southern Italy. It takes its name from the fact that it was at that point in the city walls where the road led out to the city of Capua. The castle is at the east end of via dei Tribunali and until recently housed the Naples Hall of Justice, which has now moved to the new Civic Center, the Centro Direzionale