Naples, Italy- Framed by Mount Vesuvius along a dramatic skyline, the 2,800 year-old port city of Naples is chock full of historical sites, churches, and museums that make it a fascinating place for you to explore. For all of Rome’s notoriety and reputation, Naples, with its historic city center deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has just as many important archeological sites and landmarks. Visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale for a world-class collection of Egyptian and Graeco-Roman artifacts. And, if you’d like to venture a little deeper on your Naples cruise, then exploring Naples from below the ground is a must. Start with a trip into the basement of the San Lorenzo Maggiore church where you’ll find a partially excavated Roman market and a little deeper, just below the Roman ruins, you’ll find remnants from the Greeks to discover. And in the region where pizza was first invented, you know the food is going to be incredible. Whether you’re looking for a thin, wood-fired Margherita pie, spaghetti alle vongole or a zeppole dusted with confectioner’s sugar, Naples and her bountiful edible treasures is sure to please. Only 35 miles down the coast, Salerno offers you a rich history, but also boasts a marvelous collection of parks, natural wonders, and unique vantage points to take in the beauty of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Two cities. One incredible stretch of Italian coastline.
Travel Tips
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Hilly Naples is a big city and has plenty of transportation options, although you’ll find most of the big sights within walking distance of the cruise terminal. There are plenty of taxis, but beware: Neapolitan traffic is legendary. A fun way to head up into the hills is to ride the four funiculars, which have operated for more than 100 years. If you’re traveling underground, you’ll be mesmerized by the city’s metro stations turned into art galleries. Toledo and Chiaia stations are absolute must-sees. Finally, ferries buzz back and forth to islands like Capri, and there are regular trains to Pompeii.2
Naples has some excellent shopping close to the cruise terminal, which is a 10-minute stroll from the center. Visit Galleria Umberto I for the sheer spectacle; this magnificent 19th-century neo-Renaissance arcade gives a whole new meaning to the notion of a shopping mall. For fashion brands, Via Toledo is the place to go, while Via Chiaia has more upscale labels. Spaccanapoli is lined with restaurants and smaller artisan boutiques.3
The currency in Naples is the Euro. ATMs dispensing Euros are located around the city. Credit cards are also accepted in most places, but check beforehand if you’re buying something from a street vendor. Tipping is appreciated in Italy, though not expected. If your restaurant bill says “servizio incluso”, then a tip is included. If it says “coperto”, that’s different; it’s a cover charge for the bread and olive oil at the table. In this instance, you could leave a tip of 10 percent for good service.