Napoli: Pizza Margherita and Vespas........
Deay 11: We arrived in Naples near the Piazza del Plebiscito, retrieved our luggage and made our way to home for the next two days, Chiaja Hotel. After a quick check-in and dropping off our bags we went for an introduction to Naples at the beautiful hilltop Museo Capodimonte, home to southern Italy's best collection of Renaissance paintings, including masterpieces by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio and El Greco. After grabbing a quick bite to eat we went on a walk throughout the city to become familiar with our surroundings. Naples is a city of contrasts. A busy city where the constant buzz of Vespas echos in your ears, and the relaxing waterfront just blocks away. Everything you have heard about crazy drivers in Italy I think originated here in Naples. I discovered that a lighted intersection should be approached with extreme caution. A red light is just a suggestion. A yellow means speed up, and with a green light all bets are off stay on the sidewalk! I waited until arriving in Old Napoli, the birthplace of pizza to have my first taste of the real deal. It was well worth the wait! I had a near religous moment with my pizza margherita. For the pizza purest of Naples there are only two kinds, with cheese or without!
Day 12: Early rise and out the door to go explore the National Archeological Museum. In this massive museum are some of the greatest treasures that were excavated from Pompeii. From there we went to the serene Cappella Sansevero, with the most amazing life-like sculptures I have ever seen. The detail is beyond description so take a look at the pictures below. I took a close up of an arm on one of the statues because I was so awe-struck by the detail. After our visits to the museums we had the afternoon free to explore. Donald, our guide, escorted those of us who had the energy on a long walk and a ride on the Funicolari Centrale for a view from the turrets of the Castle Nuovo. On the way back Annette and I decided to do a little shopping in some of the trendy clothing shops. And we also took a stroll through the Galleria Umberto, a 100 year old glass domed shopping mall. I felt like I was in church.
It's our last night together as a group. We first met in the hotel for a little music, fun, and a glass of Prosecco to toast the tour. Next we gathered for a special dinner to share travel memories and trade emails and addresses. I had such a great time and often think of the new friends that I made along the way. (Hi Liz, Jan, Amy, Malcom and Annette! Miss you)
Day 13: Breakfast at the hotel before I headed out on the train from Naples and go north to Bologna where I transfered trains and journeyed to Padova (Padua). Arrivederci Southern Italy! I rented an apartment that would be home base for the next 5 days while I day tripped to Venice, Verona, Bologna, Modena, and Parma by hopping on the train.
Fortunately it's not time for me to say goodbye to Italy just yet. I would start my second adventure with Rick Steves' 9 Day Heart of italy tour originating in Florence in a few days.
Click the "Play" button below for a slideshow.
Day 12: Early rise and out the door to go explore the National Archeological Museum. In this massive museum are some of the greatest treasures that were excavated from Pompeii. From there we went to the serene Cappella Sansevero, with the most amazing life-like sculptures I have ever seen. The detail is beyond description so take a look at the pictures below. I took a close up of an arm on one of the statues because I was so awe-struck by the detail. After our visits to the museums we had the afternoon free to explore. Donald, our guide, escorted those of us who had the energy on a long walk and a ride on the Funicolari Centrale for a view from the turrets of the Castle Nuovo. On the way back Annette and I decided to do a little shopping in some of the trendy clothing shops. And we also took a stroll through the Galleria Umberto, a 100 year old glass domed shopping mall. I felt like I was in church.
It's our last night together as a group. We first met in the hotel for a little music, fun, and a glass of Prosecco to toast the tour. Next we gathered for a special dinner to share travel memories and trade emails and addresses. I had such a great time and often think of the new friends that I made along the way. (Hi Liz, Jan, Amy, Malcom and Annette! Miss you)
Day 13: Breakfast at the hotel before I headed out on the train from Naples and go north to Bologna where I transfered trains and journeyed to Padova (Padua). Arrivederci Southern Italy! I rented an apartment that would be home base for the next 5 days while I day tripped to Venice, Verona, Bologna, Modena, and Parma by hopping on the train.
Fortunately it's not time for me to say goodbye to Italy just yet. I would start my second adventure with Rick Steves' 9 Day Heart of italy tour originating in Florence in a few days.
Click the "Play" button below for a slideshow.