Ciao Naples: A Journey Through Culture and Cuisine

1. The city’s origins stretch back to 600 BCE with Greek origins, and this can be seen at the Napoli Sotteranea.

2. While exploring the subterranean Naples, you can also explore the San Gennaro Catacombs – a network of tunnels with over 3,000 graves and crypts. You can also visit Fontanelle Cemetery, an old quarry that became a 17th century burial site when the plague wiped out 250,000 residents.

3. Home to several castles, the two most popular are the Castel Nuovo and Castel dell’Ovo. The Castel Nuovo was built in 1279 by the Aragonese and Spanish rulers. The Castle dell’Ovo is named for legend that the poet Virgil buried a magical egg beneath the castle.

4. The Archaeological Museum of Naples is home to some of the most important and richest collections of Roman artifacts found anywhere in the world.

5. Via Tribunali in the Forcella district is one of the most historic streets in the city, having been used since Roman and Greek times as the main east-west thoroughfare through the city. At one end you’ll also find Pio Monte della Misericordia, a chapel that’s home to one of the last Caravaggio paintings in its original place.

6. Via San Gregorio Armeno is a famous alleyway lined with kitschy souvenirs. It’s well worth a trip in the morning to stumble into the hidden cloisters of the San Gregorio Armeno church (its grand 17th-century enclosed citrus tree garden opens only for two hours).

7. The Royal Palace was originally designed by Spanish rulers in the 16th century, but it is now home to an eclectic collection of tapestries, sculptures and other artwork.

8. Still home to San Carlo Theatre ballet, opera and musical performances, this is the oldest opera theatre in Europe.
   

Day trips

1. Nearby Islands - Capri is famous but overcrowded. Head to Ischia for thermal spas, or Procida for its vibrantly colored buildings and under-the-radar vibes

2. Amalfi Coast - Made up of 13 towns and villages, the Amalfi Coast is a staple of the region. From famed Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, to lesser visited gems like Atrani, Furore, and Praiano, there are a lot of places to explore!

3. Pompeii and Herculaneum - These famed Roman towns were both buried in volcanic ash and pumice stone when Vesuvius erupted in 79AD, but each was affected differently. A visit to one isn’t complete without visiting the other to see the similar but different fates they each endured.

4. The Royal Palace of Caserta - Larger than Versailles, this royal palace was constructed by the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies as their main residence as kings of Naples in the 18th century.
   

1. Caffè Mexico - Best espresso in the city

2. Mimi alla Ferrovia - Steeped in illustrious clientele but hallmarked by its unfussy atmosphere, and food that is rooted in Neapolitan traditions

3. Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba - Opened in 1738, it’s widely believed to be the world’s first ever pizzeria

4. Gino Sorbillo - Home to one of the city’s most divisive pizzas: pizza bianca with carmelized pineapple

5. La Lazzara - Locally sourced food and wine with a terrace perfect for people watching in good weather

6. Mannella Il Gelato - Family-run since 1969, their chocolate and seasonal fruit flavors are always a hit

7. Quattro Passi - The city’s only three Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant