From Place To Space: Naples & Pompeii

A new week, a new adventure. This time it’s even a bit more, it’s a ‚birthday adventure’. Some of you might know that I celebrated my birthday yesterday and I thought it’s a good idea to take you on a birthday trip. Last year a childhood dream of mine came true and I went to visit the excavations of the ancient city of Pompeii and climb the volcano Mount Vesuvius. I was staying in Naples and experienced that south Italian port town as well. But let me guide you through.

Let’s start with the host city, Naples. Napoli is located in southern Italy and is the regional capital of the Campania province. It is situated underneath the volcano Mount Vesuvius on a wide Mediterranean bay. Enough romanticism. The city is a mess. Let’s put it clear. When I arrived in Rome and rented a car, the person at the counter asked where I wanted to go with it. After saying Napoli he raised his eyebrow and I think he sold us a triple insurance. A fact I came to appreciate after experiencing the Neapolitan traffic. The only rule that applies: honk the hell out of it and don’t give in!

Beside the fact that Naples seem to be in a contant chaos and is plagued with several binmen strikes a year, I happened to discover some charming corners, particularly in the old town. The narrow streets and little shops are full of Italian authenticity – way more than the polished stradas of Rome or Milano. And the food, the food. No words. You must try it. I haven’t had one single mediocre dish while being there. Everything was incredibly yummy and fresh. And if you happen to visit Naples one day, don’t miss the best pizza in town in ‚Da Michele’ – a tiny little tavern with just a few pizzas on the menu and incredibly low prices. Plus, this little place hosted some world famous stars that are depicted on the restaurant’s walls. And another little culinary tip: In some pizzerias you will find a teasing dessert pizza - a pizza with Nutella. Nothing more to add!

The main reason for my trip was the ancient town of Pompeii. During my childhood, I always wanted to become some sort of Indiana Jones and Pompeii was the most fascinating spot on earth for me. Thus, I spent a whole day wandering the cobbled streets of the ancient town that gives you an excelllent idea of how people used to live 2000 years ago. The almost perfectly preserved examples of architecture and interior design – yes I paid attention to that too – is simply stunning. The richness of interior frescoes, the abundance of colours and the refined structures of ancient homes was worth every chaotic minute in Naples. To round-up my last year’s birthday I climbed the volcano Mount Vesuvius up to his main crater and enjoyed a magnificent view of the coast and Naples.

You might ask now ‚what about this year’s birthday trip“? Well, this on is yet to come and will be featured here soon. Happy new week!

Photography by Igor Josifovic

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