South Italy and Sicily

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 Lecce

Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, it is over 2,000 years old. Because of the rich Baroque architectural monuments found in the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South". The city also has a long traditional affinity with Greek culture going back to its foundation.

Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, it is over 2,000 years old. Because of the rich Baroque architectural monuments found in the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South". The city also has a long traditional affinity with Greek culture going back to its foundation.

About Reggio Calabria

Reggio di Calabria is the biggest city and the most populated commune of Calabria, Southern Italy. It is home to one of the most important archaeological museums, the prestigious National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia. Reggio di Calabria is located in the last point of the "boot" of the Italian peninsula, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea and the beaches of the city have become a popular tourist destination. Tourism is distributed between the Ionian coast (Costa Jonica), the Tyrrhenian coast (the Costa Viola) and the Aspromonte mountain behind the city, containing the natural reserve of the Aspromonte National Park.

Reggio di Calabria is the biggest city and the most populated commune of Calabria, Southern Italy. It is home to one of the most important archaeological museums, the prestigious National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia. Reggio di Calabria is located in the last point of the "boot" of the Italian peninsula, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea and the beaches of the city have become a popular tourist destination. Tourism is distributed between the Ionian coast (Costa Jonica), the Tyrrhenian coast (the Costa Viola) and the Aspromonte mountain behind the city, containing the natural reserve of the Aspromonte National Park.

About Catania

Catania has had a long and eventful history, having been founded in the 8th century BC. The city has rich culture and history, hosting many museums, restaurants, churches, parks and theaters. Catania is well known for its street food. Different ancient remains can be seen and visited in the city center, as part of an archaeological park.

Catania has had a long and eventful history, having been founded in the 8th century BC. The city has rich culture and history, hosting many museums, restaurants, churches, parks and theaters. Catania is well known for its street food. Different ancient remains can be seen and visited in the city center, as part of an archaeological park.

About Palermo

Palermo is a city in Insular Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old and located in the northwest of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea. 2

Palermo is a city in Insular Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old and located in the northwest of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea. 2

About Tropea

Tropea is a municipality located within the province of Vibo Valentia, in Calabria (southern Italy). The town is a famous bathing place, situated on a reef, in the gulf of St. Euphemia connected with the mainland by a narrow strip in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Main sights include : A Franciscan monastery; A Monastery of Santa Maria dell'Isola; A 12th century Norman cathedral, and many more.

Tropea is a municipality located within the province of Vibo Valentia, in Calabria (southern Italy). The town is a famous bathing place, situated on a reef, in the gulf of St. Euphemia connected with the mainland by a narrow strip in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Main sights include : A Franciscan monastery; A Monastery of Santa Maria dell'Isola; A 12th century Norman cathedral, and many more.

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.