Naples, Italy

“The City of Sun” Awaits

Much like the Neapolitan ice cream that originated here — Naples is a city of layers. On the surface, it’s vibrant and colorful, but dig deeper, and you’ll find an authentic Italian hub unlike any other. It’s a city that has come roaring back to life in recent years, and is now home to a thriving gastronomy scene, mesmerizing museums, and fascinating historical highlights.

You can’t talk about Naples without mentioning Mount Vesuvius, the legendary volcano that rises above the city skyline. Those looking for an unforgettable hike can climb to the top of the volcano and peer into its crater. The views of Naples and the surrounding Campania region are also worth making the climb for. If you’re more interested in the raw power of Vesuvius than the views, you’ll want to make your way to the ruins of Pompeii. As far as archeological experiences go, a visit to Pompeii is unlike any other. It’s incredibly well preserved, due in large part to its sudden burial under layers of lapilli nearly 2000 years ago. Excavation work continues to this day, but a stroll down these cobblestone streets with your audio guide makes it easy to imagine what life was once like here.

Ready for more history? Naples’ museums offer engaging insights. The world’s finest collection of Graeco-Roman artefacts calls the Museo Archeologico Nazionale home. There are works of art by everyone from Michelangelo to Warhol at the Museo di Capodimonte, and Certosa e Museo di San Martino houses Pietro Bernini’s famous Madonna col Bambino e San Giovannino sculpture.

If all this exploration has you hungry, you’ve come to the right city. After all, this is the home of Neapolitan pizza, which Unesco declared part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2017. So be sure to grab a slice. Then, sample some babà (rum-soaked sponge cake) for dessert. Hungry for more? Try an order of decadent baked pasta al forno, a quick bite of zucchine alla scapece (fried zucchini) to go, or the city’s signature seafront dish, polpi alla luciana (Lucia-style octopus stew).