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Naples Old Town and Seaside
Naples is famous for its coastal roads, attracting not only tourists but also filmmakers and photographers from all over the world. The beautiful, colorful harbors and fishing villages reflected in the azure, breezy, and sun-drenched bays are a source of pride for the people of Naples. Strolling along the Mergellina harbor, visiting the legendary Egg Castle (Dell 'Ovo), and capturing stunning photographs of the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Vesuvius are popular activities for visitors.
In contrast to the free-spirited atmosphere of the port city lies Naples' Old Town, a labyrinth of long, dark, and steep alleyways bustling with tourists and local small-scale vendors. These thousand-year-old streets, with their cobblestone walkways, magnificent architecture, mansions, churches, and squares, bear the marks of different eras. Fresh fish shops, vegetable stalls, fruit carts, and counterfeit LV, Chanel, and Gucci goods are sold or openly displayed on the sidewalks outside luxury showrooms by immigrants. These vendors vanish with their goods at the first sight of the police and reappear even faster the moment the police are out of sight. Naples is free-spirited, loves football, adores Maradona and the iconic number 10 jersey. All of these elements create the irresistible diversity, contrast, and allure of Naples.
Home to Margherita pizza and Gelato ice cream.
Naples is the home of Margherita pizza and gelato ice cream. Don't miss the chance to sample these sweet treats in a variety of flavors and eye-catching colors. A large scoop of ice cream costs between 3 and 5 EUR. Ice cream parlors and pizza shops are abundant on the streets, but they are always packed with people queuing for their turn. The art of Neapolitan pizza making was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 7, 2017. Naples even has an association called the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, established to preserve and promote the traditional art of Margherita pizza making. Visitors can participate in a two-hour pizza-making class at this establishment. (Registration at:www.pizzanapoletana.org.
Capri Island
Capri is a small island with a very modest area - only about 10 square kilometers.2But it is a dream destination for tourists from all over the world. Capri boasts scenery often described as paradise, with many beautiful beaches and a mild climate with warm sunshine.
The island boasts a wealth of tourist attractions. During the day, visitors often enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, exploring caves, discovering ancient architectural structures, and admiring beautiful garden villas. The most popular destinations include the Blue Grotto, the Punta Carena lighthouse, taking a cable car to the summit of Solaro, visiting the Auguste Gardens to see the Faraglioni lighthouse, and Villa Jovis – the ruins of Emperor Tiberius's residence. In the evening, visitors can stroll, shop, and enjoy dinner in the charming small streets of the island's center.
The lemon is one of the symbols of Capri Island. Traditional handcrafted products made from lemons, such as perfumes, soaps, and lemoncello liqueur, are very expensive. The only way to get to Capri is by canoe or boat. From Naples, the canoe journey to Capri takes 45 minutes. The minimum time to visit and experience Capri is 2 days and 1 night.
Sorento and the Amalfi Coast
From Capri Island, it takes about 30 minutes by speedboat to reach Sorento – a city familiar to many Vietnamese people thanks to the famous opera "Return to Sorento" (Torna a Surriento).
The 2,000-year-old Sorento Old Town continues to attract tourists with its medieval architecture and art. But for me, the most memorable experience in Sorento was the journey along the Amalfi Coast, admiring and visiting the colorful villages and towns along the Mediterranean Sea. Along this nearly 50-kilometer-long, winding road clinging to the rocky mountain slopes, you'll find charming fishing villages and small towns, their houses nestled close to the cliffs and overlooking the Bay of Naples. Tourists stroll along the winding village lanes or spend hours sunbathing on the beaches, watching yachts anchored offshore or leisurely cruising in the bay.
From Sorento, visitors can rent a car or purchase a day tour of Amalfi. Tours typically last a full day, starting around 9:00 AM and ending before 5:30 PM to avoid congestion as all tourists leave before dark. If lucky, on the return journey, visitors may be able to enjoy a spectacular sunset. Amalfi has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Additional information
Trip:Turkish Airlines, the national airline of Turkey, operates daily flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Naples. The flight times are very convenient for travel. Departure time is 21:40, with a 3-hour layover in Istanbul, arriving in Naples at 9:00.
Climate:Napoli has a typical Mediterranean climate, with summer temperatures reaching a maximum of around 30 degrees Celsius.oC is very suitable for sea activities. Winters are sunny and warm, with the lowest temperatures around 7°C.oC.
Cuisine:Neapolitan cuisine is rich and appealing, with dishes that are flavorful and visually stunning. Naples is home to the most Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy.
Famous dishes:Gelato ice cream, wood-fired Margherita pizza, buffalo mozzarella cheese, various pastas, fresh seafood, grapes, oranges and lemons, lemon syrups and alcoholic beverages.
Shopping and souvenirs:Italy is famous for its handicrafts and luxury brands. Shopping is convenient and abundant at all tourist destinations. Popular souvenirs in Naples include soaps, perfumes with citrus scents, and handcrafted pottery.
