Earlier this week, I arrived in Napoli, a huge city that has struggled with its identity and its reputation, and to be honest, as I stepped off of the train at Stazione Centrale, I wasn’t too optimistic about the days that lay ahead of me and started making a mental list of all of the day trips I could possibly make using Napoli as my home base.

But after settling into my hotel and hitting the busy streets where traffic lights are apparently considered a mere suggestion, I have found Napoli to be rather charming, and certain neighborhoods outright gorgeous.  The streets of Chiaia bustle with shoppers ducking into one trendy boutique after another; the massive Piazza Plebiscito is awe-inspiring during both day and night; and Castel Nuovo solemnly stands guard over the port.

And then there’s Napoli’s main attraction: the pizza.  I think it’s fair to say that during the past two months, I’ve eaten my fair share of this country’s most beloved pie, topped with everything from veggies to meats and even French fries—“junk” as some pizza places here would say.  Still, there’s something special about eating pizza in the city where it was actually born.  Eating a pizza Margherita at Brandi, where Queen Margherita herself first sampled the tomato, mozzarella, and basil concoction and deemed it delicious, thereby becoming the namesake of Italy’s trademark pizza.  But after all of this baked goodness, is it possible that I’m getting pizza-d out?  Only time will tell.

Though I have come around to Napoli and all she has to offer, I have, indeed, taken some day trips.  The first was to the island of Ischia, which I hear is comparable to Capri (I’ll let you know in next week’s post after I make that day trip).  Just a 45-minute ferry ride from Napoli, Ischia is an absolute dream with six distinct regions, each with their own dialect; a small island that houses a castle, which offers a breathtaking view of the main island; endless picturesque downtown areas with unique shops and cafes; and even a thermal bay, where the ocean water is warm year-round.

Today, I went to the ruins of Pompei, which are simply astounding.  First of all, the site is huge.  Strolling along the ancient roads, it’s hard to imagine that people once lived there, and then in an instant, they lost everything: their homes, their farms, and some even their lives to a volcano that rises innocently in the distance.  By the looks of what remains, the people of Pompei weren’t all that different from us: they worked, went to the market, went to church, went to the theater (there are three within the excavation site), and at the end of the day, they made their way down the stone streets to their homes—some near the center of town, some on the outskirts, all within the city walls.  Being in this sacred place is humbling, educational, and surreal.  To imagine that the peaceful place I found today was once torn with chaos and fear brought upon by Mother Nature herself sends chills up my spine.

So, Napoli, I’m sorry.  I take back what I previously thought about you and promise to keep spreading the good word!

Tags: A Window to Italia, Capri, ciao italy, ischia, italy and travel, italy florence, italy travel, italy travel deals, italy travel guide, italy traveling, Naples, Napoli, pompei, Pompeii, rome travel, tours italy, travel for italy, travel in italy, travel italy, travel to italy

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