Five days prior to the fire-shed ambush of Oct 7th war , our family boarded a flight to Rome. We got stranded physically in Italy, and were overpowered by the emotional cob-web limbo, triggered by the bloody slaughter, and prolonged fighting.
It took me over 3 months, (in December) before I could literally sit down, and pour the memories of that trip, which started on Oct 3 and only ended on Nov 24th.2023.
But lets start at the beginning...
At a last minute impulse, this Oct. trip to the Southern Italy was conceived, while flight tickets were purchased only three days before the departure.
This trip was just one out of many taken to the South of Italy , However having along
our daughter Inbal her husband Amit and the 2 grandchildren, made the experience much more special.
The eight days of Sukkot Holiday, during which we departed, where allegedly, a humble hospitable "Sukkah of peace" . The respite from protests, a national consolatory brotherhood sense, combined with closed school and kindergartens, only highlighted in hindsight, the fickle nature of peace.
After a short night in an unremarkable accommodation in Rome, and a great meal in our favorite Assunta Madre Sea food restaurant, the following morning drive from Rome to Napoli took only 2.5 hours.
The kids had limited time and could spare to spend only 5 days with us, before returning back to work and schools schedules, We had plans to extend our stay.
Thus the shortage of available shared time and the tender age of the grand kids dictated the limited content and span of our sightseeing.
Napoli/Naples
This captivating 3rd-largest city in Italy (after Rome and Milan) at the ancient Mediterranean region, is full of life, colors, civilization and culture.
A spectacle bay surrounded by the majesty of Vesuvius that reigns over it, protecting and guarding it, and a hilly alleviation that stretches from the seashore, freckled with colorful painted buildings, offers the visitors a wonderful scenery.
The culturally and historically significant sites, including the Palace of Caserta and the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum are near by
Founded by Greeks in the first BC, Napoli is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world. It was an important part of Magna Graecia, and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society,
Changing several conquerors hands, Napoli is also considered a capital of the Baroque, beginning with the artist Caravaggio's career in the 17th c and the artistic revolution he inspired. It has also been an important center of humanism and Enlightenment. and has long been a global point of reference for classical music and opera through the Neapolitan School.
An advanced transportation network, which includes the Alta Velocità  high-speed rail links to Rome and Salerno and an expanded subway network all contributed to the city's significant economic growth and making it the 3rd-largest urban economy in Italy
The Guest House we stated in
La lepre - Bovio  - on 7 Corso Umberto. Â
The small Guest House centrally located, we stayed in for 2 nights is situated right next to the old city nad ner to the Port of Napoli.
The jakuzi in one of the rooms we stayed
in turned into a "pool" for the grand kids, and once flooded the entire floor, just to be rescued in time...
The staff was gracious about the incident..
Is an an important busy road connecting the city. It borders
by Piazza Giovanni Bovio formerly Piazza della Borsa , the building seen across from the guesthouse
Giovanni Bovio, ( 1837 - 1903) was a philosopher and politician of the Italian Republican Party
Corso Umberto also runs through the busy central Piazza Garibaldi, in front of the Garibaldi central train station, while in the center it meets Piazza Nicola Amore, near
the Cathedral of Naples. Known mostly as "e quatto palazze"
As the guesthouse was located very near to Napoli's historic center, exploring the delights it offers, was the main activity of the first day stayed in the city.
Napoli Historic Center
The historic city center is the largest in Europe -designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
ornamented by the Guglia dell’Immacolata (spire) dating back to the 18th c and is dominated by the impressive silhouettes of two outstanding monuments: the Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo and the Monastero of Santa Chiara.
Walking through and by its 20 centuries ancient streets, squares, monuments and castles, provides plenty of the Neapolitan atmosphere, as well as culinary heaven.
Many Pizza establishments (Neapolitan cuisine is noted for its association with pizza, which originated in the city) and Gelato parlors , are a must
Restaurants in the Naples' area have earned the most stars from the Michelin Guide of any Italian province
Best Ice-Cream One of the oldest (1870) and best pizzerias in Naples
Mozzelato Gelato L'antica Pizzeria da Mighele - Michele
Few were erected to celebrate the end of, or deliverance from, the plague. and are also connected with calamities such as earthquakes or eruptions, or simply manifest faith, atonement, or expiation.
This spire in the photo is known as
Oblisco di San Domenico, and started after the plague of 1656; Its designer was Fanzago. It is located in the square of San Domenico Maggiore.
At the Market
There are several great markets in Napoli of which we strolled through one
located in via Pignasecca
This oldest Market in Naples is
is open from Monday to Saturday, from 9.00 to 19.00
The picturesque market's stalls sell fresh fish, fruits, vegetables and other food items as well as clothing and shoes.
Founded by the Greeks, expanded by the Romans, the port was brought to the maximum expansion by Angevins and Bourbons. The port has always been a gateway to the city. and it was also a military one, but over the centuries it opened more to the maritime traffic
Situated in the center of the city near Piazza Garibaldi, this busy tourist hub is the 11th largest seaport in Italy, servicing tons of cargo and estimated 10 million people annually transiting via cruise lines, ferries and hydrofoils to the islands of the Gulf of Napoli: Capri, Ischia and Procida and other shore excursionsÂ
Castle Nuovo
Next to the port. the imposing Medieval Renaissance fortress
Castle Nuovo - also called Maschio Angioino (Angevin Keep) is looming.
It was was built between 1279 and 1282,
and is open for visits.
In our previous and much longer trips to Napoli, I also enjoyed a visit (not to be missed) to the National Archaeological Museum of Napoli - an important Italian archaeological museum, particularly for ancient Roman remains.
Its collection includes works from Greek, Roman and Renaissance times, and especially Roman artifacts from the nearby Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneum sites.
The museum's building was built as a cavalry barracks in 1585. and from 1616 to 1777 it was the seat of the University of Naples..
Another fascinating recommended tour is of the City's Underground geothermal zone Sotterranea and several tunnels dug throughout the ages
Additional things to do- Things to do in Napoli
Dinner at
La Lazzara - Trattoria Pizzeria
Piazza Francesa 9/10 Napoli.
(+39) 081 551 78 54
Very Good typical Neapolitan food
To be Continued...