South Italy and Amalfi coast

About Naples

Naples is the capital of the Campania region and the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan. Naples was founded in the 9th century BC by Greek sailors who gave it the name "Neopolis" meaning “New City.” Throughout the centuries, the city grew and became a magnificent cultural center, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. However, local mafia, the Camorra, caused corruption of the municipal government and the city deteriorated, becoming poor and dirty.In spite of everything, Naples is fascinating, perhaps precisely because of the blend of poverty and neglect with the splendor of past royalty and the many rulers who left their mark on the city's.

Naples is the capital of the Campania region and the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan. Naples was founded in the 9th century BC by Greek sailors who gave it the name "Neopolis" meaning “New City.” Throughout the centuries, the city grew and became a magnificent cultural center, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. However, local mafia, the Camorra, caused corruption of the municipal government and the city deteriorated, becoming poor and dirty.In spite of everything, Naples is fascinating, perhaps precisely because of the blend of poverty and neglect with the splendor of past royalty and the many rulers who left their mark on the city's.

There are still 3 impressive fortresses left standing: Castel Del Uno and Castel Nuovo, which stand at the openings to the sea like formidable bodyguards, and Castel Sant'Elmo, which watches over the city from above. There is a gallery named for King Umberto I which was built as a shopping center in the glorious architectural style typical of the 19th century. Today it is quite neglected and is home to several local shops and cafes. On the other side of the street, in front of the gallery, is the San Carlo theater building, the Neapolitan opera house that was a serious challenger of the La Scala opera in Milan. It even won the competition both for its beauty and its era. Following a long period of closure and extensive renovations, the San Carlo theatre has reopened to the general public, and it is definitely worthwhile to visit. The Duomo (Cathedral) of Naples is named after the city's patron saint, Gennaro Patrona. Residents of the city gather there three times a year to witness the miracle of how the coagulated blood of the saint, which is found in a special glass vessel, turns into liquid. This is the sign to the residents of the city that the saint is still with them, watching over them. The Royal Palace of Naples takes up an entire street and ends at Piazza Flavicito, a huge square that was neglected for many years and had even been used as an overnight parking lot for public buses. The square has been renovated, and today you can once again stroll there, enjoying its size and grandeur. At the end of the square is the famous historic café, "Gambrinus," which was host to writers and intellectuals such as Emile Zola, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemingway and still offers its outstanding coffee... You’ll exit the café on Via Toledo, the bustling pedestrian street filled with shops and international brands. One of the alleys branching off Via Toledo is the gateway to the Spanish Quarter. Originally a closed military residence, the area became home to prostitution and crime over the years. Recent renovations in the quarter succeeded in both cleaning it up and maintaining its authenticity, and it has become a pleasant area for both residents and tourists. It is worthwhile visiting the Spanish Quarter if only to see the "temple" that the residents built there in memory of Diego Maradona, the star of the local soccer team who became an idol after the team's successes during this period. Spaccanapoli, the most visited street in the city, traverses the city in two, hence its name which means, literally, “Naples splitter.” Branching off from the Spaccanapoli are alleys that lead to several other sites, such as the National Museum of Archaeology, which is considered one of the most beautiful museums in Italy. It’s recommended to visit Naples in the transition seasons - from March to May and September/October - when the weather is mild and dry and it is off-peak time for tourists. In the summer, you’ll find large crowds as well as hot and humid weather, and the winter months can be rainy.

About Matera

Matera is a city and a province in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy. The town lies athwart a small canyon, which has been eroded in the course of years by a small stream, the Gravina. Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City), Matera is well known for its historical center called "Sassi", considered World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993, along with the Park of the Rupestrian Churches. Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera" (meaning "stones of Matera"). The Sassi originated in a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, and these dwellings are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in what is now Italy.

Matera is a city and a province in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy. The town lies athwart a small canyon, which has been eroded in the course of years by a small stream, the Gravina. Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City), Matera is well known for its historical center called "Sassi", considered World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993, along with the Park of the Rupestrian Churches. Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera" (meaning "stones of Matera"). The Sassi originated in a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, and these dwellings are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in what is now Italy.

About Salerno

Salerno is a city and commune in Campania (south-western Italy) and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Today Salerno is an important cultural centre in Campania and Italy and has had a long and eventful history. The city has a rich and varied culture, and the city is divided into three distinct zones: the medieval sector, the 19th century sector and the more densely populated post-war area, with its several apartment blocks.

Salerno is a city and commune in Campania (south-western Italy) and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Today Salerno is an important cultural centre in Campania and Italy and has had a long and eventful history. The city has a rich and varied culture, and the city is divided into three distinct zones: the medieval sector, the 19th century sector and the more densely populated post-war area, with its several apartment blocks.

About Sorrento

Sorrento, a lively coastal town in the Campania region of southern Italy, sits at the entry to the Amalfi coastal road, one of the most stunning routes in the world. Because of its beauty and its convenient location, Sorrento buzzes with tourists from all over the world throughout the year – and it is an excellent base for excursions in the region.

Sorrento, a lively coastal town in the Campania region of southern Italy, sits at the entry to the Amalfi coastal road, one of the most stunning routes in the world. Because of its beauty and its convenient location, Sorrento buzzes with tourists from all over the world throughout the year – and it is an excellent base for excursions in the region.

Located on a cliff at a height of 50 meters (164 feet) above sea level, Sorrento overlooks the Gulf of Naples, the island of Capri, the city of Naples, and the Vesuvius volcano. The ancient Greeks believed that sea nymphs, mythological figures who were wonderful singers, lived in Sorrento. Their singing drew mesmerized sailors to the shore, causing them to crash their ships on the rocky shore. According to Homer's account, Odysseus blocked his soldiers’ ears to prevent them from listening to the songs of the sea nymphs, and thus they passed through the area uneventfully. Sorrento is the birthplace of the famous 16th century poet, Torquato Tasso, whose statue stands in the main square that is named after him. The main street, Corso Italia, extends from both sides of the square and is lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants as are the small streets that branch off from it. A flight of 200 steps leads from the square to the small marina that serves as a docking place for the speedboats that take tourists and vacationers by sea to the islands, Naples, and to the towns along the Amalfi road. Public buses and trains are available for those who prefer to stay on land, and there are public and private parking lots for those who arrive by car and start their journey on the magical Amalfi road from here.

About Positano

The cliffside village, a stunning beach town, is the most picturesque and romantic of all the towns on the Amalfi coast - no wonder that it's become a vacation magnet for masses of wealth, young Americans who are looking for a relaxing, chilled vacation. In Positano, you will find expensive hotels, luxury boutiques, and restaurant.

The cliffside village, a stunning beach town, is the most picturesque and romantic of all the towns on the Amalfi coast - no wonder that it's become a vacation magnet for masses of wealth, young Americans who are looking for a relaxing, chilled vacation. In Positano, you will find expensive hotels, luxury boutiques, and restaurant.

The Piazza dei Mulini is a lively hub of shopping and sightseeing in Positano. You’ll find trendy fashion as well as local artists displaying their distinctive crafts. Handmade leather sandals are one of the unique things to buy in Positano, for an authentic experience, get yourself fitted for a custom pair in one of the many shops. For a spectacular view of the town, Spiaggia Grande is the place to be. This large and bustling beach offers kayak rentals and boat trips and, with its vibrant nightlife and abundance of charming restaurants, is Positano’s social center. If you’re looking for more activity, visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta – one of Positano’s architectural gems – or explore the Sentiero Degli Dei nature trail with its stunning views which links Positano to the other Amalfi coastal villages. There are no cars allowed in the town’s steep, narrow streets so leave your car in a central parking lot and roll down the town’s slopes by foot to the popular pebble beaches.

About Rome

About 2,000 years ago, during the peak of the Roman Empire, the Romans paved an extensive network of roads spanning approximately 50,000 miles. These roads, originating from Rome, the heart of the Empire, became the origin of the famous saying, "All roads lead to Rome."

About 2,000 years ago, during the peak of the Roman Empire, the Romans paved an extensive network of roads spanning approximately 50,000 miles. These roads, originating from Rome, the heart of the Empire, became the origin of the famous saying, "All roads lead to Rome."

Rome, often referred to as the "Eternal City," has maintained its allure as a global tourist destination. Its attractions include a wealth of iconic historical remnants, awe-inspiring architecture, churches and temples of grandeur, internationally acclaimed art and museums, charming squares and winding streets, bustling shopping districts, diverse culinary hubs, and an enchanting atmosphere. Nestled within the city lies the Vatican State, often regarded as its spiritual nucleus. The official appellation of the city, S.P.Q.R, stands for Senātus Populus Que Rōmānus, symbolizing the Roman Senate and People. A visit to the ancient section of Rome, encompassing the Roman Forum and the Coliseum, offers a captivating glimpse into the remnants of the Empire's glorious past. The Colosseum, once known as the "amphitheater of the plebeians," stands proudly on one side. Its oval structure had the remarkable capacity to accommodate up to 80,000 spectators and served as the venue for thrilling gladiator battles and captivating hunting and entertainment shows. Beneath the Colosseum lies the Underground Hypogeum, an intricate system of rooms that provided living quarters for the gladiators and served as confinement for dangerous beasts, such as lions. Contestants entered the arena via elevators, and the arena itself could be transformed into a water-filled stage for spectacular marine exhibitions, courtesy of the Aqueduct Claudia water carrier. The emperors entered the arena discreetly through a concealed underground passage from their residence on the Palatine Hill. Today, defacing the walls and stones in Rome is a serious criminal offense, but the etched graffiti from Rome’s heyday 2000 years ago has become a valuable resource for researchers, shedding light on the lives of the participants, prisoners, and gladiators who once dwelled within its historic walls. The "Forum Romanum," which was the political, commercial, and social center of the city for hundreds of years, extends from the Colosseum for about 820 feet. The forum is home to several historical buildings, including the Constantine Gate, the Titus Gate, the Severus Septimius Gate, the Settimo Severo temples, basilicas, the market, and the Curia Lulia that was the seat of the Roman Saint. A few steps to the north, in the outer part of the forum, there is a smaller forum - Trajan’s Forum- that contains Trajan’s Column. The triumphal column, standing tall at close to 100 feet, has a long spiral relief that commemorates the victories of Roman Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century Dacian Wars. Napoleon Bonaparte copied Trajan's column to describe his own victories, and it stands in Place Vendome in the heart of Paris. Piazza Venezia earned its name from the Venetian embassy that operated there until the early 20th century. The embassy building, adorned with the emblem of Venice—a winged lion - has been transformed into a museum. Dominating the square's center is the grand Vittoriano, a significant symbol in Italy's unification history, featuring the mounted statue of Vittorio Emanuele II. Within this memorial complex lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. An elevator ride up to the balcony treats visitors to a splendid view of the city and the bustling Via del Corso, which stretches from Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo. To the west of Via del Corso lie the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, while to the east lies the enchanting "wishing fountain," the Fontana di Trevi. Visitors toss coins over their shoulders into the fountain with the hope of returning to Rome one day. Just a short stroll away are the iconic Spanish Steps, adorned with Bernini's boat statue, and the upscale shopping street – the Via Dei Condotti. Starting from Piazza del Popolo, a majestic staircase leads up to a vantage point offering a spectacular view of the remarkable square. From there, you can also access the Borghese Gardens, home to the renowned Galleria Borghese (make sure to book tickets in advance). Inside the museum lies an extraordinary collection of masterpieces from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, a true treasure trove for art enthusiasts. The Vatican City, along with its awe-inspiring Basilica and Vatican Museums, is a magnet for millions of tourists and believers each year. Saint Peter's Basilica, the world's largest Catholic church, stands as a popular pilgrimage site. The basilica's magnificent architecture, highlighted by Michelangelo's iconic dome and breathtaking works of art like Bernini's Baldacchino, are awe-inspiring. The Vatican Museum houses an extensive collection of plastic and decorative arts spanning various historical eras. The most renowned is undoubtedly Michelangelo's masterpiece "Creation of Man," adorning the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Alongside it, there are other outstanding artworks like Raphael's "The School of Athens" and the mythological sculpture "Laocoön and His Sons." A visit to the Vatican is truly a journey through the peak of artistic and religious heritage. Wandering along the city’s charming cobbled streets, enchanting squares, and romantic alleys you will be immersed in Rome’ unique atmosphere. As evening falls, both tourists and locals flock to the Trastevere area, drawn by its many restaurants and delightful culinary experiences. While you’re there, don’t miss a visit to the beautiful Santa Maria church, which adds to the charm of the neighborhood. Make your way to the Belvedere Del Giancolo observation deck for an unforgettable sunset experience, where you'll be treated to a breathtaking view of the cityscape. This article provides just a glimpse of the countless wonderful sites that Rome has to offer. Between sites, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in the delights of Italian cuisine, making Rome a paradise for food lovers. From authentic pastas to mouthwatering pizzas, superb coffee, and delightful Italian gelato, be sure to savor the outstanding Roman cuisine. Rome's charm extends beyond its historical sites to encompass the delectable culinary delights and enchanting ambiance that graces every nook and cranny of the city.