Napoli Adventures

Having acclimatised very quickly in the 1.5 days I've been here I headed out on Friday morning to join a walking tour. The guide was apparently waiting at Castel Nuovo and after dodging the traffic and road works I made it, to find no guide.

Instead I wandered around the castle before jumping on one of the tour buses. I toured around the city for almost 3.5 hours listening to the commentary and taking in the sights. Napoli is a feast for the eyes. The countryside changes from lush green areas to a real coastline, the buildings are bright and individual, some are looked after, and others have been let go.

We wandered up to areas on the coast, which still had a Greek feel, where there were small fishing communities and fantastic views over the city, coastline and Mt Vesuvius. Napoli has so much history that I didn't know about. The Greeks used to be out there, it was once a very royal place and only lost it’s capital title when the south merged with the north to create one Italy and Rome became the capital.

You can just tell that it was once very stately and regal. I wonder what has happened (I'm sure they probably did mention it :/). After the tour I walked along the coast for a little while, before having some lunch and climbing one of the free castles - Castel Dell'Ovo. I intended on having a quiet one tonight before I joined the others in the hostel for drinks and story swapping.

On Saturday I set out to explore a fruit and vegetable street market and purchased a few local items before wandering up the north to find pizzeria starita. This came highly recommended by a local and a wannabe local. It was tucked way off the main street, but there were signs from a certain point onwards directing you left and right – thankfully or I would’ve never found it. Pizzeria Starita seems to be a chain, it said it had 2 locations in the USA as well, but maybe it was founded in Napoli. Either way the Napolian margarita special was amazing! It reminded me of the magretia that Otto’s makes at home – yummy!

I also had my daily dose of gelato at a place called Gayodin, I thought it was a special gelato and chocolatier, but it was a chain haha. I also tried an Italian pastry called Sfogliatella.

On Sunday I achieved a bucket list item. A part from eating pizza, I came to Napoli to see Pompeii and climb Mt Vesuvius. I’ve always wanted to see a real volcano and as Mt Vesuvius isn’t classified as extinct, just dormant, I’m classifying this as a win! See other post for my adventure there.

Upon returning from my adventures scaling the mountain, I headed out with some of the crew from the hostel for a couple of very cheap beers on the town. A wonderful way to end my time in Napoli.Read more