Napoli

Napoli (Naples), Italy, has been both feared and loved by many tourists throughout the centuries. Napoli was originally founded by the Ancient Greeks (only during that time it was called Neapolis), and this region of Italy has been extremely important to Italian culture throughout the centuries. Napoli is ancient, impressive, and full of modern day Italian life.

Those that live within Napoli are called “Neapolitans” and they speak a language that is similar to Italian, but it is also a dialect all their own. Simply wandering through the city is a rather eye opening experience for many tourists ... though most tourists stick to the port side of the city that connects Napoli to the island of Sorrento and Capri. Though most tour guides will tell you to beware of traveling through the very heart of Napoli, the city is not to be missed. Napoli is the birthplace of pizza, mozzarella, spaghetti, sfogliatelle, casatiello, tortano, struffoli, pastier, babba, and many other types of sinful desserts and cuisines.

Though the Camorra (an organized crime outfit) runs most of the city, a stroll through Napoli is safe, exciting, and rather unforgettable. If you are to stick to the harbor side of town, you will find many breathtaking museums, monuments, cafes, and shopping centers ... but the really heart of Napoli lies within its crooked and crowded city streets. Tourists will stumble upon street sellers slinging their wares; kids playing soccer in the middle of crowded squares; chocolate shops that are sinfully delicious; hand crafted umbrella shops; a large mess of (somewhat treacherous) traffic; and pizza shops as far as the eye can see. Pick up a good tour guide book that includes a walk through the city itself, and wind up at the harbor (rather than strictly sticking to the harbor area). Once you explore the sites and sounds of this vibrant city, you will be sure to return to Napoli many times. Though Rome may be at the heart of Italy, Napoli is its definite soul.