Naples, Italy

Friday, April 25

"...scusa me but you see back in old Napoli that's amore, amore ..... O sole mio ..." - just trying to create the atmosphere!

What a fantastic place Naples is! We had previously only spent a few hours in Naples back in 2008 when, with Geoff & Jill, we met up from various points on the globe to catch a train to Sorrento and the Amalfi coast. Back then we had been warned that it was a pretty seedy place with beggars and pick-pocketing children and similar warnings were given in our ship's shore guide notes so this morning we left the ship with some trepidation. As in any city, you do have to keep your wits about you and take care but we didn't have any bad experiences or feel unsafe at any stage of the day.

Heading out of Stazione Marittima to explore Naples

Our ship docked at the Stazione Marittima right in the heart of Naples. We crossed the road and were at the Castel Nuovo - begun in1279. Buildings really have age here! The building is very impressive and is surrounded by a huge moat, now devoid of any water. We then headed to Galleria Umberto for Noelle to have her shopping fix and Alan to get wifi. It is a magnificent shopping area in a building reminiscent of the Galleria in Milan. After having the strongest espresso coffee known to man and spending about an hour watching tourists and locals pass (while Al checked on emails, etc) we left the Galleria and went to Teatro San Carlo - the oldest continuously operating opera house in the world. Unfortunately only guided tours could be taken and the times did not suit us, so we left and went around the corner to the main square - Piazza del Plebiscito. This gave us the chance to really watch the Napolese in action as today is Liberation Day and a public holiday so the place was really buzzing. Families, couples and the elderly were all out in the glorious sunshine and as our ship and another Holland America ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam, were both in town, there was a good proportion of tourists too. The square is very impressive being bounded by the Opera House, the royal palace - "Palazzo Reale" and a glorious looking church - the "San Francesco di Paolo".

Castel Nuovo, Galleria Umberto & Piazza del Plebiscito Street Seller

Like most cities in Italy, you need to look up at the buildings, down to watch the uneven cobblestones and ahead to watch for scooters, small cars, Italians madly gesticulating whilst hurrying along jabbering on their mobiles and, in our case today, soccer balls being kicked by many of the children. Street sellers abound selling everything from knock-off handbags, pizza fridge magnets, limoncello in bottles shaped like Italy to the most delicious cakes, pizzas and gelatos. Sirens are sounding continuously, the traffic is mayhem and if you take a moment to tune in to the sounds around you, it is really quite deafening! Surprisingly though, you can find quiet pockets in small garden areas dotted through the back streets of this amazing city.

We spent most of the afternoon walking up and down streets just getting the feel of the place. One great find was a pasticceria that made the best pizza with home-made tomato paste and some of the yummiest looking cakes so of course, we had to partake! Even though so many people were out and about, many of the shops closed for siesta from 1-4 pm. Along Via Chiala - one of the most popular shopping streets with many designer stores, the shops were open and Al took full advantage of this buying new slacks, shirts, sweater and shoes. Men's clothing is wonderful in Italy and there seem to be more menswear shops than anywhere else in the world - no wonder there are so many gorgeous looking Italian men around!

What a find! The best pizza imaginable

Around 4.30pm we started to head back to the ship as we were sailing at 6.00pm. It is always reassuring when you spot your "home away from home" and today was no exception. It was lovely meandering through the streets of Naples with the port in view and taking in as much of Naples as we could. After re-boarding we decided to have an early dinner then go to the early Show. We were entertained by British singer, Toni Warne, who has a fabulous voice very like Barbara Streisand. She was a winner of Britain's "The Voice" and it was not hard to see why she had been a winner. She has appeared in the West End so we will definitely keep an eye out for her in the future. The Show was a great way to end a wonderful day.

Sighting our "home away from home" (with Vesuvius as a backdrop)

 

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