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Naples Resort Information
The southern shores of Italy which divide the Gulf of Salerno from the Bay of Naples are beautiful and tranquil. Miniature towns shelter in precipitous coastal ravines and tranquil seas calmly lap the shores of quiet pebbled beaches. The Amalfi Coast and Naples resorts are great relaxation spots from which to enjoy coastal Italian culture and with Holidays Direct's cheap deals on Italy and Naples travel, you can explore the sophisticated Italian resort at discount prices.
Visitors staying in a Naples resort, can take a stroll towards Amalfi to Marina di Praia, a 400-year-old fishing village nestled in the embrace of a tiny ravine. Another notable stop between Praiano and Amalfi is the Grotto dello Smeraldo. The busy seaside town of Amalfi basks in the glory of its longevity as the first Sea Republic of Italy and as the hometown of Flavio Gioja, the inventor of the compass. It is referred to as the 'pearl of the coast' and has a bit of everything for the weary traveller. A pebble's throw away from here is the quiet village of Atrani. Its tranquil beach rests languidly on the water's edge against a superb backdrop of mountains. Further down the coast is Minori, notable for its lemon exports and a gentle place with villas and beaches to explore. The quiet town of Ravello retains the charm prized by Bocaccio who dedicated part of his famous work, the Decameron, to it.
Naples is the third largest city in Italy and is a hive of lively activity, with thriving businesses and busy piazzas. This is the place where pizza was invented and its restaurants continue to serve some of Italy's finest cuisine.
Mount Vesuvius is the enthralling backdrop to the city and nestled in the Bay of Naples the city is home to spectacular natural beauty. The city is somewhat schizophrenic in its juxtaposition of superb museums, Renaissance and Baroque churches alongside crumbling tenement blocks and squalor. Noisy markets sell a collection of items from high-quality food produce to fake designer goods. Roads are characteristically hectic with gung-ho moped drivers weaving wildly through the streets and frustrating traffic jams clogging the city's arteries. Despite its less refined elements, Naples is a fascinating destination and a great base from which to explore the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Situated around the massive Piazza Garibaldi, the centre for city transport is located on the eastern side of Naples. The area's growing African population has imbued the streets with the flavours and favours of its immigrants. Southwest from here is the Piazza Bovio and branching to the left of it, the Piazza Municipio and nearby Piazza del Plebiscito. On the watery edges are the Molo Beverollo and the Stazione Marittima, the point of departure for ferries. From the reaches of Spaccanapoli one can explore the historic part of Naples with its numerous palaces and churches.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale
Ancient treasures from Herculaneum and Pompeii are housed in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, including artefacts from Lazio and Campania and the Farnese collection. Notable among these collections are the Farnese Hercules and the Farnese Bull, the largest known ancient sculpture. On the mezzanine level is The Alexander Mosaic and at the furthest end of the mezzanine floor is the Secret Room (Gabinetto Segreto). The fascinating collection contained here reveals the erotic material found in the brothels, baths, houses and taverns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The top section of the museum houses the Campanian wall paintings, well preserved creations attesting to a mysterious past world. These are supported by the artefacts in the form of glass, silver, ceramics, rope and even foodstuffs surviving from the Campanian cities.
Address: Piazza Museo; Telephone: (081) 440 166; Transport: Metropolitan line to Museum or Cavour Square; Opening time: Daily except Tuesdays 9am to 7pm; Admission: €6.50, concessions €3.25
Duomo San Gennaro
The patron saint of Naples was San Gennaro and the thirteenth century Gothic cathedral of Duomo San Gennaro is dedicated to him. Tradition tells the story of how two phials of San Gennaro's blood liquefied in the bishop's hand after his martyred body was transported to the church. Legend has it that disaster will strike if the blood fails to liquefy on specific festival days - the first Saturday in May, on September 19 and December 16. The liquefaction ceremony takes place during a special Mass in full view of the congregation. The first chapel on the right on entry into the cathedral is dedicated to San Gennaro and holds the famous phials of blood and a sliver reliquary containing his skull. Beneath the Duomo are the excavations of well-preserved Greek and Roman roads that stretch beneath the modern city. Special tours of the excavations can be arranged.
Opening time: Monday to Friday between 9am and 12pm and 4.30pm to 7pm; Admission: €2.58
Museo e Gallerie di Capodimonte
The Museo e Gallerie di Capodimonte is housed within an eighteenth century palace on the hills of Naples, with some spectacular artworks displayed in collections. The Farnese and Bourbon rulers amassed impressive collections of Renaissance paintings and Flemish masterpieces that can be viewed along with other great works. Notable amongst these are Masaccio's Crucifixion, Filipino Lippi's Annunciation and Saints, Raphael's Leo X, Bellini's Transfiguration, Michelangelo's Three Soldiers and Breughel's The Allegory of the Blind.
Address: Capodimonte Park; Telephone: (081) 744 1307; Opening time: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 9am to 2pm; Admission: €8
Pompeii
The Roman city of Pompeii was buried by the fiery volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius. The most evocative testimony to its victims is the 'frozen people', plaster casts of the victims' whose anguished contortions and facial expressions reveal the horror of their untimely deaths. Excavation of Pompeii is an ongoing process and every decade has brought to light new finds that provide insight into daily Roman life. A comprehensive tour of Pompeii's attractions will take approximately five hours. Guided tours are available but are pricier alternatives to doing it alone. There is an informative 'How to Visit Pompeii' guidebook for sale outside all the site entrances.
Capri
The natural beauty of Capri first attracted the Roman Emperor Augustus in 29 BC to its enchanting banks and continues to draw people to it today. Ferries and hydrofoils transport travellers from Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Naples to its embarkation point at Marina Grande. From here a funicular runs to the town's Piazza Umberto. The island's main attraction is the Blue Grotto. A fantastic neon blue created through the interplay of light and water illuminates the cave. The ruins of Villa Tiberio can be explored through a 45-minute trek up the hill. Legend has it that Tiberius tossed those unfortunate enough to anger him off the precipice; walking down is luckily an option nowadays. On the descent along the path one can take a short detour to the Arco Naturale. The weathered stone arch on the island's eastern cliffs provides the perfect perspective from which to contemplate the vista that stretches to Paestum. Another interesting villa to explore is the Villa San Michele (in Anacapri), the magnum opus of Swedish author and physician Axel Munthe. Henry James described it as 'the most fantastic beauty, poetry, and inutility that I have ever seen clustered together.' It is open in summer between 9am and 6pm, and winter 10am to 3pm. Still in Anacapri, take the 12-minute chairlift to the summit of Monte Solaro to experience the breathtaking views stretching to the distant Apennines and Calabria mountains.
