Naples is a dynamic city, full of contrasts and activity. It is the largest city in southern Italy and the capital of the Campania region, situated on the northern edge of the beautiful Bay of Naples. From the bay one can see great views of the nearby Capri and Ischia Islands. There is also the infamous Mount Vesuvius looming in the background, the only active volcano on the continent of Europe. The volcano hasn’t erupted since 1944, but its presence through the centuries has had its effect on the culture of the Neapolitans. Some say its menace is a reason behind some of the charming and quirky superstitions of the people. Naples has a flourishing cultural life and a wide array of breathtaking sights, but also a grittier, more chaotic side than cities such as Rome or Florence. Its contrasts make it a compelling place and the people of Naples give the impression of living life to the fullest, adding vibrancy to their city life.

Naples is in the south of Italy and it is usually fairly warm. The winters can get fairly cold, however, with typical temperatures between 39-55°F/4-13°C. The ideal time to visit in terms of the weather is from early spring to mid-summer. The temperature is usually between 70-80°F/21-27°C, and it tends to rain less during this season. By late summer the heat can be overwhelming and it also becomes quite humid. The fall season is often pleasantly warm, but usually has more rainfall than the spring and summer.

The main language of Naples is Italian. There is also a Neapolitan dialect spoken through much of southern Italy.

Most of the people in Italy are Roman Catholic, and Naples is a particularly Catholic city. There are some Jewish, Muslim and Protestant minorities as well.

The currency used in Italy is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5, and the coins in use are €2, €1, € 0.50, € 0.20, € 0.10, € 0.05, € 0.02 and € 0.01.

Restaurants in Naples often include a service charge, usually 15%, added to the check. The menu may also state that the service charge is included in the prices. Either way, a tip for the waiter is still expected, usually between 5-10%, depending on the service. Taxi drivers are also customarily given a tip of between 5-10%. For hotel service, a tip of 0.50 or 1 Euro per day is typical, and about double this at an expensive hotel. For other people providing services, such as parking, checkroom, and restroom attendants, a small tip of between 0.25 and 1 Euro is normally given.

Tax is included in the price of all goods in Italy. For items purchased over € 155, tourists from outside of the EU can get the tax reimbursed. This can be done by filling in a form in the shop and then presenting it to the customs officials at major airports or border crossings.

Public telephones are readily available throughout the city of Naples. Most of them will now only accept phone cards, which can be purchased from newsstands, vending machines and tobacco shops. Some public phones require tokens instead of cards, and these can be bought at the same places. The country code of Italy is 39 and the local area code for Naples is 081. To dial Naples from abroad, dial 00 39 81, followed by the local number.

Internet connections can be found at the airport and in every bigger hotel. There are also some public places with internet connection and internet cafés in Naples: BLUBLU.IT: Via Sorrento, ClicNet Internet Café: Via Toledo 393, City Hall Café: Corso V. Emanuelle 137 a (www.cityhallcafe.it), Internet bar by Tightrope: Piazza Bellini 74 (www.internetbarnapoli.it)

Carabinieri Tel.: 112 Emergency Police Help Number (also ambulance and fire) Tel.: 113 Fire Department Tel.: 115 Medical Emergencies Tel.: 118 A.C.I. (Italian Automobile Club) road assistance Tel.: 116 Telephone Directory Assistance Number: Tel.: 12

Shops and museums are generally open from 9 am -1 pm and from 3.30 pm – 7 pm, Monday through Saturday. During the early afternoon, most businesses in Naples shut down completely. The times that they reopen vary, and some are closed until 4 pm or 5 pm. Most shops are closed on Sunday, and museums are closed on Sunday and Monday. Banks have more limited opening times than other businesses, usually Monday-Friday from 8.30 am - 1.30 pm and 3 pm - 4 pm.

The following holidays in Italy are days when most businesses close and transportation may be more limited. 1st January, New Years Day 6th January, Epiphany Good Friday/Easter Sunday and Monday, late March or early April 25th April, Liberation Day 1st May, Labour Day 15th August, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1st November, All Souls Day 8th December, Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 25th December, Christmas

Naples is the third largest city in Italy and is to be said to be a “safe” place. However It is possible that there are some pick pockets and swindlers present. Watch out for all your belongings such as bags, wallets and jewellery, especially at touristy places and the main train stations. Be also attentive when taking public transport and at crowded locations like the shopping streets and markets.

Naples is divided into 21 sections, each with a unique historical significance and atmopshere. The centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly, and many of the sights are within walking distance from one another. The best way to discover this part of the city is to explore its old winding streets on foot, getting a feel for its unique blend of ancient history and brash modernity. Two particularly interesting sections of the city are the Old Spacca Quarter and the Saint Lucia sector on the seaside. The city is rich in culture and attractions, and there are quite a variety of museums and galleries. Naples is also especially known for its old castles and churches.

Spaccanapoli is one of Naples’ main streets running through the heart of its historic centre, and is also the name given to the district right around this street. The name means “split Naples” and is so called because of how it divides the city into two sections. The street of Spaccanapoli is bordered by several charming, closely-packed alleyways. Always a crowded street, Spaccanapoli is mainly for pedestrians and leads one past many interesting monuments, palazzi, churches and shops. One way of touring the area is to follow the sites of the old “Decumano inferiore,” the name given to this part of the city during Greek and Roman times. Tourist brochures are available pointing out the historical buildings, churches, squares, and tradesman’s shops that remain from this time.

Created by Vanvitelli in 1780 as a royal park, La Villa Comunale stretches along the sea in the west end of Naples. The park offers magnificent views of the city and the seaside and is a popular place to take walks, which many of the locals do with their families on Sunday mornings. The park has recently been refurbished with the planting of many new trees and plants. La Villa Comunale is also home to a famous aquarium in its centre which is perhaps the oldest in Europe, called La Stazione Zoologica. A number of exhibitions are displayed here throughout the year. Opening times: Tue-Sat 9 am – 5 pm and Sun 9 am – 2 pm (6 pm in summer). It is closed on Mondays. Entrance prices: € 1.50

This enormous castle, also known as the Maschio Angioino, was completed in 1282 for Charles I d’Anjou. The castle’s facade is from the 15th century, and between the towers at the entrance is the Alfonso I Triumphal Arch, considered to be the most important Renaissance work in Naples. The arch was erected to honor the arrival of Alfonso I to the city in 1443. Inside the castle are many sculptures and frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle also houses the Civic Museum which contains many paintings of important scenes in Neapolitan history. Other points of interest within the castle include the Palatine Chapel, the Sala dei Baroni, and the Salla dell’Armeria, the armory. In this last room, part of the floor has been replaced with glass, revealing the remains of a Roman villa and medieval necropolis beneath. Opening times: Mon - Sat 9 am – 7 pm, Sunday courtyard only open 9 am – 1 pm Entrance price: 5€

Castel dell’Ovo is the oldest castle in Naples, located in a very scenic spot on a harbour overlooking the Gulf of Naples. Its name means “castle of the egg” and comes from a legend that says that Virgil built the castle on an enchanted egg buried beneath the ocean. According to the legend, if the egg breaks, Naples will collapse. The castle is one of the most important historic sites of the city. It is thought to be the the location of the original Greek settlement of Parthenope. In later years it became the home of the Roman general and philosopher Lucullus, and the columns of his villa are still visible in the castle’s dungeons. The only time the interior of the fortress is open to the public is during the several exhibitions and concerts that take place there. Opening times: Mon – Sat 9 am – 5 pm, Sun 9 am – 2 pm Entrance prices: Admission free

This church is called Gesù Nuovo or “new Jesus” because it was the second of two Jesuit churches built in Naples. The construction of the church began in 1584 under the architect Giuseppe Valeriano and was completed in 1601. It has a very extravagant and beautiful interior. The floors are made of multicoloured marble and the altars are quite striking, inlaid with semi-precious stones such as agate, amethysts and lapis lazuli. There are eleven chapels contained within the church.

The Duomo is a 13th century cathedral located at one end of the narrow Via dei Tribunali, the main road of Naples during the time of the Greeks. It has been remodeled and restored several times over the centuries, to repair damage inflicted by earthquakes as well as to increase its architectural and artistic beauty. The cathedral is dedicated to Naples’ patron saint, San Gennaro. Three times a year (in May, September and December) people pack into the Duomo to watch a famous ritual in which they wait for the saint’s solidified blood to liquify. If it remains solid, some believe that a disaster will come to the city. The cathedral includes a 4th century basilica which is the oldest church in Naples. Opening time: Daily 8 am -12.30 am and 4.30 pm – 7 pm

This is a Gothic church completed in the early 14th century with Baroque additions made in the 18th century. After it was bombed during World War II, the church was restored and much of it returned to its original Gothic style. Chapels line the interior and each of them contains some items left over from the original medieval church, such as sculptures and frescoes. Santa Chiara also contains the tombs of several Angevin Kings including Robert the Wise and has some famous tomb monuments. Opening times: Daily 7 am – 12.30 am and 4.30 pm – 8 pm

This palace was designed by the architect Domenico Fontana at the beginning of the 17th century. It is a grand and ornate building, located on one of Naples’ most architecturally interesting squares. The palace has been renovated and remodelled several times under different rulers, combining characterists from different periods. The royal appartments within are lavishly furnished in the Baroque style and full of a wide array of paintings, tapestries, porcelain, antiques, frescoes and other art. Charles de Bourbon, the son of Philip IV, was a great patron of the arts and had a library built for the palace. It contains more than 1,250,000 volumes and is one of the most important libraries in the south of Italy. Opening times: Thur – Tues 9 am – 9 pm, Sun 9 am – 8 pm, closed Wed Entrance prices: 4€

This palace was commissioned by the king of Naples Carlo di Borbone and begun in 1738. It is a magnificent structure surrounded by grand courtyards and dominates its part of the city from Capodimonte hill, offering a beautiful view of the Bay of Naples. It was used as a combination of museum and royal residence from the very beginning and now houses the Museo e Gallerie Nazionali di Capodimonte. This includes the royal Farnese collection, paintings and other art from the 15th-18th centuries. Opening times: Mon – Sat 10 am – 7 pm, Sun 9am – 2 pm

…are so beautiful and amazing. The appereance of different kinds of of special plants and the atmospheres in all these parks and gardens are a unique and very grandiose Italian experience. There are also a lot of well designed and attractive balconies and terraces which impress with their natural diversity.

The “Botanical Garden” is due to its expansion and beautiful botanical treasures the most popular garden in Italy. The purpose of its opening in 1807 under the name Royal Garden of Plants was to teach scientific, educational and technical things. After WW II the wealth of special plants was destroyed. Today, after 20 years of new construction, the garden has an area of 12 hectare and features over 25.000 different kinds of special plants. Opening times: Daily 9 am - 2 pm Guidances are possible.