OCTOBER 2013

SEVEN-BEDROOM PROPERTY

10012013 Our roving New York contributor, Robyn Lea went on a sojourn to the isle of Capri to shoot a stunning villa frequented by the likes of Beyonce and Jay Z (shh… don’t tell them we told you!)… Capri the land of milk and honey | Est magazine
10022013 We’re on our way: Beyonce and Jay-Z make their way to Blue Grotto, a popular tourist destination on the island of Capri, on Friday. Beyonce and Jay-Z trade their luxury yacht for a humble rowing boat as they set off for Capri | BBB-News
10032013 The love of the sea is a family passion. Since the 1950's Cassiopea has been renting boats, offering excursions, and providing transfers from the beach of Positano to a treasure trove of the most enchanting locations along the Amalfi Coast, the Sorrentine Peninsula, and the bay of Naples. Cassiopea is located in the beautiful town of Positano, on the main beach, "Spiaggia Grande". Just look out for our distinctive orange umbrella. About Us & Positano | Cassiopea
10042013 Vietri sul Mare ("Vietri on the Sea") is a popular tourist destination because it is a convenient place to start the Amalfi Coast drive. This town it is the last or first town on the Amalfi Coast and inhabitants like to call it “The First Pearl of the Amalfi,” claiming that the Amalfi begins at Vietri, which is just west of Salerno. Pictures of the day | L'Italo-Americano Newspaper
10052013 Little did I know, however, that nearly fifteen years later, those memories of poignant Pompeii, the astonishingly stunning Amalfi Coast and the beautiful, edgy chaos of Naples would provide the backdrop for another very special story; my first self-published short story. After writing fiction for an audience of one (me) for most of my life I decided to make 2013 the year I self-publish a collection of fictional short stories inspired by travel. See the Amalfi Coast: A Short Story (free download) | Travelettes
10062013 Getting to our hotel was epic (hotels on streets called Sopramontagna (over the mountain) should be avoided by cyclists, but the centre of the town of Capri is in the middle of the island, and that means on a high saddle between the two sides. The centre of town itself had "streets" so narrow that they only allow pedestrians or special narrow electric cars along them. The police even want cyclists to walk through the centre of the town. Kate and Greg bike from Rome to Naples and South. | Orthogonal Endeavours Ltd.
10072013 We quickly fell into a vacation routine. During the day, we would hike down the cliffs to a beach club (either Da Luigi or La Fontelina), where you can rent a chair and umbrella for the day. Here's a photo of Da Luigi. How gorgeous is that?! Vacation photos: Capri | A Cup of Jo
10082013 The cliff-top pool views are hard to beat in Capri, Italy. World's Best Islands | Travel + Leisure
10092013 Toni Servillo, who was born in Naples in 1959, has forgone Rome and Hollywood to live in the gritty Neapolitan suburb of Caserta, where he runs a theater company called Teatri Uniti, which, over the years, has served as an incubator for some of the best actors on the national stage. The Chicago Sun-Times called Servillo a “sublime leading actor and director,” and the Chicago Tribune described him as an “extraordinary actor” and a “cross between Beckett, Chaplin, and Peter Sellers.” Servillo is said to be the quintessential Neapolitan. And some even believe that this geography accounts for his charm and theatrical talents. The Italian Idol | Newsweek
10102013 I adored the beautiful gallery in Naples with its 19th century architecture but it was an added bonus an elegant man decided to read the newspaper in front of a beautiful detail. Travel Means People | Carla Loves Photography
10112013 Layer upon layer of history… Napoli – Italy | Tales and Travels of the Tin Man
10122013 Teatro di San Carlo, Naples. Beauty and Grandeur of Opera Houses (12 total) | My Modern Metropolis
10132013 Climbing higher, the terrain became tougher underfoot but the views even more spectacular. Upon reaching the highest point of the trek, the secluded coves below were an inviting sight to my exhausted, heavily perspiring body! On the welcome descent we walked through rural splendour; through lush lemon groves where air was still and heavy with scents and the local loggers used mules rather than tractors. The walk culminated in Positano, a quaint seaside town with shady winding streets crammed with elegant shops. Heavens above! | Exodus Travels
10142013 As a guest here, you soon appreciate what Casa Privata stands for – cultivated privacy – elegantly alluding to the privilege of having this breathtaking piece of Amalfi coastline all to yourself. Accessed by a series of limestone steps at the bottom of the garden, the stunning cliff-face has been calved out to facilitate several sun bed platforms, enticing you to dive into the twinkling aqua water below. Ca’P’a – Casa Privata | Trendland
10152013 The phrase of this leg of our vacation was – “no seriously – people actually live here!” It blew our mind that this is normal. This is a normal, every day sight for the people that live on the Amalfi Coast. I can’t imagine growing up with this kind of natural, breathtaking beauty in my backyard. The houses and villages in this area are literally perched and built into the cliffs of the coast. Life On the Mediterranean Coast! | Iowa Girl Eats
10162013 I came back home the day before yesterday from a wonderful week spent on the Amalfi Coast. Everything was even better than I expected, I saw wonderful places to take your breath away. My country is rich in beauty and every time I think it I feel proud to be Italian. But in addition to admire the natural beauty that these places in southern Italy have to offer, what I really learned from this trip is the ability to smile and enjoy life. I saw people from all over the world gathered in the towns of the Amalfi Coast, get there with the spirit of fun, enjoy good meals, the beautiful sea and the sun. I've seen so many smiles from everyone I talked to and so many people have given me happiness and joy of living. # Campaniatour photo diary part 1 | lost in Daydreams
10172013 Tiffany and Mike were married in a very romantic ceremony on the Amalfi coast. Wedding in Amalfi | Kelly Hayes Wedding Design
10182013 Tracy is just so lively and interesting in person, I just knew she'd have some amazing summer vacation planned. I mean, look at her chillaxing on the gorgeous Amalfi Coast with some hot young thing ferrying her around. That's the life! Tracy Reese's Summer Travel Wardrobe Staples | Glamour
10192013 The cloister, among the most spacious in Europe, is about 12,000 square meters and is encircled by a tiara of 84 columns; the kitchen is where, according to legend, a giant omelette of over one thousand eggs was prepared for Charles V, on whose vast empire “the sun never set”; the cellars were full of huge barrels of the wine produced by the monks; and finally the library, accessed by climbing an expansive spiral staircase… The Padula Charterhouse | Italian Ways
10202013 It is easy to imagine that this fresco, made of charming and clashing shapes and colours would be the home of a very special place...Tenuta Seliano... the former home of Baroness Cecilia Baratta and her family. Seliano is only 5 kilometres from the archaeological site of Paestum and the sea and has been converted into one of the best agritourismos in the country. We travelled along increasingly narrow roads that snaked through olive groves and over streams in the flatlands of the Sele and Alento rivers, which are a natural habitat for water buffalo that thrive in this temperate climate. The Great Mozzarella in Carrozza Experiment While Visiting a Buffalo Mozzarella Farm in the Cilento | More Than Burnt Toast
10212013 Lunch on the terrace of Relais Blu. A lunch prepared by Chef Allocca and his staff who had two options. They could prepare a menu that would try its hardest to compete with the scenery. A wine list full of Campania, particularly rich in Fiano di Avellino that pair wonderfully with the seafood dishes that exit from the kitchen. I had a glass or two Apianum Fiano di Avellino 2011 from Salvatore Molletieri. Into the Blu - Relais Blu, Massa Lubrense (Na) | andiamotrips
10222013 Tenuta San Francesco Costa d’Amalfi Rosso “Tramonti” 2010. Magenta-tinted deep garnet color. Big and sensual nose of smoky black cherry fruit closely backed by strong notes of blood orange juice and strawberry preserves supported by aromas of woody spices, lilies and roses, toasted grain, and barnyard. Very long and dry plum butter finish. A wine that defines “elegant rusticity”. Costa D'Amalfi A wine from a mediterranean paradise | Tom Ciocco
10232013 I was ever happier when i’ve found the wines made by “Azienda San Salvatore 1988″… it’s a quite small and interesting wine producer from Giungano in Campania (south of Italy); i’ve met the owner a couple of months ago during a wine fair (a man deeply in love with his land, his wine and in charge of every single details connected to his wine, from the production to the label design). Wine Shopping of the day with Aglianico by San Salvatore | Followmu
10242013 Rural Southern Italian society is inextricably connected to the land and Riccio masterfully catches the majesty of the landscape with his lens. One of my favorites is his shot of Monte Taburno, in Campania. With a cloud casting an ominous shadow on the mountain's peak, the artist captured a moment virtually out of local lore. A Look at Anthony Riccio's 'From Italy to America' | Magna Grece
10252013 Sausages, typical cheese like mozzarella and caciocavallo silano, but also truffles and mushrooms directly raised in the nearby woods, and then sheep and pork meats, vegetables and desserts such as the “bombe” with nuts, torrone, frittelle with nuts and the migliaccio, a traditional farmers cake, all these are the perfect ingredients of the culinary offer of the village restaurant. All accompanied with the excellent wines of the area, like Greco di Tufo, Taurasi and the Fiano di Avellino. Simple and poor ingredients, but rich in taste. Albergo Diffuso #45: Castelvetere sul Calore | BoBos
10262013 A few days into our tour we arrived in Sorrento; the city of lemons. Our first visit was to a farm where we learnt how olive oil is made and saw a cheese-making demonstration by a lady, nicknamed Maria Mozzarella. It was interesting learning how to make ricotta and mozzarella (there are two forms; the dried one which lasts for a few weeks and the fresh one which lasts for a few days). Reminiscing: Limoncello in the City of Lemons (Sorrento) | Phuoc'n Delicious
10272013 This is the best Gelateria in Sorrento, without a doubt! The shop is run by a family and has been in operation since 1860! The staff at the shop were very friendly indeed, especially Mama, who is 71, and her son who is very cheeky! As you pass for the first time they offer you a free sample, and thats how it starts, after that, you're hooked! Gelateria Zini, il Gelato Artigianale-Sorrento | Davlynm Italy
10282013 We ended up going to Brandi, the oldest pizzeria in Naples, aka, the oldest pizzeria in the world! The best part? Since we got our pizza's to go, they were only 3.50 Euros each, plus, we got to stand and watch them make the pizzas right in front of us! Definitely the best deal I've gotten in Italy! I just got the margherita pizza, but it was to die for. The crust had that perfect balance of being a little crispy but still doughy and fluffy, being thin on the inside and thick on the outside, and there was just enough cheese. Naples | Eat Well, Travel Often.
10292013 Try the Pizza Al Metro restaurant in Vico Equense who claim to make the biggest pizzas in the world! An active volcano, crystal sea and the world's biggest pizza: 10 reasons to visit Naples | Daily Express
10302013 The famous scholar Jake Barnes said that the Ristorante Sigilgaida in Ravello "has the best ambiance in the world" -- piano playing (itself) quietly in the background, host with white dinner jacket, subservient wait staff, and a great view from a shaded terrace. And these are all guys who have been around! Ah, Ravello | Venturing Forth
10312013 Nearby are the gardens of the Villa Rufolo in Ravello. Richard Wagner once said he would never have composed Parsifal had he not been inspired by its beauty. Spa baths and sonatas on Italy's Amalfi coast | The Australian

SEPTEMBER 2013

MED COLORS, SCENTS, AND SOUNDS

09012013 The most beautiful part of Capri is Anacapri, which is located at the top of the island and looks like a village straight out of a fairytale. You can get to Anacapri through a number of ways. The island has been built mainly for pedestrians so you can walk for a few hours as you soak in the views. You can also take a funicular chairlift, bus or taxi. Take a boat tour to the Isle of Capri and take a walk around the charming village of Anacapri. | Part of my World
09022013 The footpath, which hugs the precipitous coastline, offers at every turn a succession of quite amazing views of the sea, the Sorrentine peninsula and another of the island’s iconic natural wonders – the Faraglioni. I met only the occasional walker as I made my way along the spectacular path, taking in views of the sea and cliffs, and absorbing the scents of pine and wild flowers and birdsong in near solitude. Walking Capri: ‘a tiny morsel of an island but exquisite’ | That's How The Light Gets In
09032013 Images of Italy taken by ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano from the International Space Station, June 2013. One of the most famous coastlines in the world and one of the most infamous volcanoes, Vesuvius | European Space Agency
09042013 Formed as a result of the collision between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, Mount Vesuvius is featured just inland from the bay overlooking the city of Naples. Further signs of volcanism can be seen at the western end of the bay where the Phlegraean Fields lie. This complex structure, most of which is below sea level, is constantly on the move due to subsidence and uplift. Earth from Space: Bay of Naples | European Space Agency
09052013 The Cervati mountain, covered by perennial snows for at least six months a year, world patrimony of humanity and reserve of Biosphere recognized by UNESCO, as well as highest peak of Campania, represents a site of biodiversity of extraordinary value in Europe; the floristic beauty, the fields of lavender and a breathtaking landscape make it an absolutely unique place, where it is possible to visit the most important Karst hollow of southern Italy, "the Affunnaturo king of Vaddivona". Sanza | Seguendo Ulisse
09062013 But I was in Pisciotta on an anchovy mission, looking for the town’s specialty, alici di menaica, caught in a special net, decapitated, cleaned and then salted. Everyone told me to look for Donatella, the only official producer. Her husband Vittorio is a fisherman and supplies her with fresh anchovies. I Love Campania, Part 2 | La Cucina Italiana
09072013 The wine has a clear connection to our trip as we have visiting southern Italy's top wine producer Mastroberardino from the village Atripalda. This rosé is made of 100% of Aglianico grape from Campania IGT and grown in chalky-clay soil which is based on average 400 meters above sea level. This means that the grapes get the best conditions, with warm days and slightly cooler nights. The scent is deliciously fruity with hints of lavender, peach, red currant and minerals. The taste is just soooooo good with delicious fresh flavors of grapefruit, strawberries, rowan-berries, delicate minerals and a slight touch of spiciness. Best rosé wine this year by a true maestro! | Wineblogg
09082013 Nusco is a town and comune in the province of Avellino east of Naples situated in the mountains between the valleys of the Calore lucano and Ofanto Rivers. Nusco | Made in south italy
09092013  The buildings you can see today include a flour mill (which dates back to the 10th century), a saw mill, and a public washhouse. The area was deeemed unsuitable for living and working in the late 1800s, after the construction of the Piazza Tasso up above cut off the main access point for people (as well as the sea) to and from the valley, and so the mills were eventually abandoned. Because of the damp conditions that soon developed when the valley no longer had an outlet to the sea, the buildings were rapidly overtaken by plant life, giving them the appearance of having been unused for centuries rather than decades. The Valley of the Mills in Sorrento | Naples and the Amalfi Coast Things to Do - Viator
09102013 Although Positano had numerous sites to check out, for the love of water, I spent most of the day on the black sand beach, Spiaggia Grande. With cold on my feet sending chills up my body, I kept inching my way into the water. The tiny black pebbles on the shoreline massaged my feet as I slowly sunk into the sand. One step at a time I tiptoed until the pebbles got bigger and turned into stones. Water now at my waist, I submerged myself, rose, and inhaled the freshest air. Student's visit to Amalfi Coast helps her realize goals | themonitor.com
09112013 100% dried oregano from Alburni Mountains, also known as the Dolomites bells, cultivated according to peasant tradition. Oregano from Alburni mountain | Nifeislife.com
09122013 Mozzarella is one of the world’s favorite cheeses, but unlike many others, its name has not been adequately protected. The first thing you need to do is look for the protected name: Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP from Italy. In order to use this name, producers need to be in the Campania region and follow strict procedures, for example, they are not allowed to have any cows on their farm to avoid potential addition of cow milk. Buying Mozzarella: Tips and Tricks | Slow Food International
09132013 San Marzano tomatoes are grown on the rich volcanic soil of the Campania region of Italy and are prized for their superb flavor and low acidity. The choice of which San Marzano tomatoes to buy can be fraught. There are San Marzano tomatoes grown in this country, there are Italian plum tomatoes in juice and in purée, there are “certified” San Marzano tomatoes and even “D.O.P.” or Denominazione d’Origine Protetta San Marzano tomatoes. My advice is to try a couple and see which one speaks to you most clearly of the essence of Italian sunshine. Grab a can of tomatoes and you’re on your way to dinner | Clare's Kitchen
09142013 Her name was Amica, and her name and footprint are embedded in a terra cotta tile belonging to an ancient Roman temple. The signed tile is a rare find because Amica was a Roman slave, and her footprint survives. For the most part, the slaves of the well-preserved city of Pompeii still remain largely "invisible" in history, according to the University of Delaware's Lauren Hackworth Petersen. Who were these slaves? Roman slaveholders got them from many places. Some were Greeks, some were Africans, some were bred in the country specifically for the role, according to Petersen. A Slave's Life in Ancient Pompeii | ScienceDaily
09152013 Scaturchio. Lovely pastry shop with table service and gelato. Naples food guide: Where to find the best local dishes | CNN Travel
09162013 Naples is a whore with a heart of gold. This glorious, flamboyant city is the real deal: the deep, dark heart of Italy. Italia verace; Italy DOC. It's the Auntie Mame of Italian capitals; a bohemian rhapsody set in the most gorgeous bay on earth, watched over by a killer volcano as inscrutable as a reclining Buddha. I died and went to Naples | Letters from Florence
09172013 From Ischia’s harbour, it was only a short bus ride to the two-hectare garden that occupies a ravine. The garden is considered one of the most enchanting in Italy. The Waltons began on the garden in 1956 and quickly looked for help from esteemed gardening designer, Russell Page. His instructions, written out in three days, were to keep the Waltons busy for the next 10 years. La Mortella: Ischia’s tropical garden paradise | The Vancouver Sun
09182013 These pictures have been taken at the “La Mortella” gardens in Forio, Ischia. It is a huge botanical oasis created by an English couple, who brought there thousands of plants and flowers from all over the world. Could I miss this opportunity and not take pictures to post here? Of course not. Talking about the outfit, I chose to wear exclusively silk, since I love its feeling on the skin during the summer days: it almost feels like sea breeze. Brushing Silk – outfit from “La Mortella” gardens, Ischia | Nymphashion
09192013 Negombo is a spa and thermal pool park with botanical gardens set on the beautiful island of Ischia. It’s set on a beautiful sandy beach with brilliant blue water. The thermal pools (heated by volcanic activity) are all of varying temperatures. Some are very cold on one side and very hot on the other. You definitely get a tingling sensation in your legs and feet when going from one to the other. The gardens are lush and fragrant. Their full service spa offers many beauty treatments and massages to choose from. I got the “Envy of the Gods Green Tea Oil Relaxing Massage” and my friend got the “Anti-Stress Massage”. Negombo | Have Tote Will Travel
09202013 The gardens at La Mortella as we see them today were a labour of love for the charismatic Susana Walton who opened their doors to the public in 1991. By now, the gardens represent more than 50 years of passion, dedication and care given to her life’s work and creation. With La Mortella split into various levels, it is on the highest part of the garden that the open-air Greek theatre resides. Throughout the summer, audiences are able to enjoy the Youth Orchestra concerts while surrounded by China roses and aromatic herbs, and the visual backdrop of the bay of Forio behind the performers. La Mortella Garden | Ischia Review
09212013 One of Italy's most historic opera companies is taking some of the country's most beloved operas – as well as some Italian culture – to the Middle East, Russia and the United States. The Teatro di San Carlo, which was founded in Naples in 1737 and is Europe's oldest, continuously active venue for public opera, begins its worldwide tour in the Sultanate of Oman, one of the first times the opera company has travelled to the Middle East. From there, San Carlo will travel to the Russian city of St. Petersburg before flying on to the West Coast of the United States for performances in San Francisco. Naples' San Carlo Theatre Co. embarks on world tour | Gazzetta del Sud Online
09222013 There is a lively discussion about household dogs in Roman society. An amazing mosaic from the entry floor of a home in Pompeii is juxtaposed in the exhibition with one of the mummified dog casts that can also be seen when visiting the archeological site that is Pompeii. The museum experts point out in grim detail how you can see the way this dog was tethered, and hence unable to escape the blanket of volcanic ash that entombed the city in just 24 hours. 'Pompeii From the British Museum' to Show One Night Only | The Hollywood Reporter
09232013 Gorgeous location filming on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Kate Bosworth is a blocked writer whose marriage to an uptight British viola player (Iddo Goldberg) is on the skids after a miscarriage. While he’s preoccupied with rehearsals and complaining about Italian food, she flees to a picturesque island where an affair with a hunky, free-spirited American teenager (Jamie Blackley) chases the blues away. Scenery highlights ‘And While We Were Here’ | New York Post
09242013 After dinner, we were invited on a tour of the wine cellar. The staircase, I'm told, is an old Etruscan passageway carved from tufo, the rock that is the foundation of the Campania region. The stairs are smooth and strong, and I instantly imagine toga-clad proto-Italians carrying anfora filled with proto-falanghina thousands of years earlier. The deeper we descend, the more valuable the wines in Don Alfonso's impressive collection. There are 25,000 bottles down here, each carefully documented and wrapped in cellophane to protect the labels. I Left My Heart at Don Alfonso | Fathom
09252013 We decided to save a few euros by buying the Campania Artecard. This card is available in many Italian cities and combines public transit with entry fees for a fixed price. It allowed us to use Naples' handy metro and funicular system for a period of three consecutive days from the day of validation and access to two sites, with discounts to the rest. You can pick up the card from any participating site; we got ours from the Royal Palace in the Piazza del Plebiscito and used it to get a discount on our bus tour. Beyond pizza and pompeii | China Daily
09262013 Did someone say holidays? Aaaah, just dreaming of the Amalfi Coast... Perfect Time For A Holiday... Amalfi Coast | The Style Schedule
09272013 Our next stop was Praiano, a 20 minute car ride from Positano. In this little village is the Church of San Luca Evangelista, with its dome decorated with the local Vietri multicolored Majolica tiles and an elaborate painted tile floor. An Esthetic Feast | love quimper
09282013 There was a small tower that resembled a lighthouse down near the water. We would later learn from a girl in Positano that these were actually military forts in the old days to protect from attackers by sea. This particular fort, or Torre a Mare, now housed an artist named Paolo Sandulli, who was a very kind gentleman we spent some time chatting with as we browsed his work. His art was very fun and had a strong local theme to it. Day Four - Praiano | Vince Hanks
09292013 Discover a stunning coastline and lounge on a private beach or sun deck against a backdrop of dramatic cliff sides and verdant green mountain peaks at Il San Pietro Di Positano. Top 5 Most Popular Things to do in the Amalfi Coast | Hauteoc Traveler
09302013 Located in Italy's Campania region, the Amalfi Coast begins some thirty miles south of Naples, on the southern side of the Sorrentine peninsula. This is a place where land, sea and sky strike such a note of such otherworldly perfection that the region is best approached by boat in order to take in the panorama. Seven Days in Italy's Seaside Paradise | The Leading Hotels of the World

AUGUST 2013

ISOLA DI PROCIDA

08012013 The most charming places? The village of Marina Grande, Terra Murata, the fishing village of Corricella (beautiful!) and the port of Marina Chiaiolella. After admiring the architecture, you can go for a swim in the crystal clear waters of the island. I recommend the beach "Pozzo Vecchio", where they were shot some scenes of "Il Postino", the Chiaolella beach, the Chiaia beach overlooking the Corricella and Terra Murata. Procida: la bella Italia! | The Travel Passion

08022013 Style – ‘Quirky Nautical’ Setting – ‘Neapolitan Cliffhanger So says the luxury boutique hotel bible ‘Mr & Mrs Smith’. We are talking about Maison la Minervetta, a little haven requiring the sacrifice of one’s  first born to afford but luxury well deserved, after all, how often do we just ‘pop over’ to Sorrento, Italy for the weekend huh? Amalfi Coast…Maison la Minervetta | Indulge Divulge

08032013 As a New Yorker, I have been under the misapprehension that I walk a lot, but it’s nothing compared to the walking the hardy Caprese do. Young, old, disabled (!), it appears they walk miles on a daily basis without a thought—uphill, up cliffs! Of course, they have cars, too, and they surely have the best driving skills in the world to maneuver the extremely narrow roads and the hairpin turns. One of the tricks, I think, must be not to look out at the view because the vertigo would surely send you over the edge. Another trick must be patience. These Caprese were made for walking… | Oink and Away!

08042013 The magic of Capri is undeniable, and I can’t imagine a more perfect place to soak up the dreamy atmosphere of this deluxe island resort than the intimate Hotel Luna. From your private terrace, the brooding beauty of the Faraglioni Rocks are front and centre inviting your eyes to linger and your mind to cease the endless worrying about the trappings of everyday life. The Hotel Luna | New Jetsetters

08052013 On a hot summer day, who doesn't crave a cocktail that is cold, fresh, and lemony? Well, it is damned hot here in Capri, and this island is covered with hearty citrus dripping with huge lemons so Limoncello it is! Limoncello On Capri | yummy supper

08062013 The little time we had in Napoli we spent eating Pizza, Baba Rum and drinking Cafe Freddo and enjoyed our stay at the NH Ambassador Hotel, which is set in the historic centre of Naples, near the Royal Palace and San Carlo Theatre. It might not have the very italian touch from its outer appearance, but we were positivly surprised from the inside of this place, because it looks much nicer than the pictures we saw and it’s super clean! Hotel Review – NH Ambassador Naples | StyleCartel

08072013 Italy Destinations offers an unbelievably exciting adventure right in the heart of Naples. How does spending an extravagant evening in the San Carlo Theater, the oldest working theatre in Europe, sound? While enjoying the ambience, you sip cocktails while listening to classical operatic masterpieces of incredible beauty. Naples, from Egg Castle to Underground Pizza | Timeless Italy

08092013 Paolo Esposito is known in Sorrento for his dedication in the gastronomic field and his keen interest in the great tenor Enrico Caruso. Owner of the restaurant since 1987, he named it “ Caruso”, with the intention of combining the name of the tenor to that of the excellence of Neapolitan and international cuisine. Thanks to the donation of numerous heirlooms on display on the premises, it is now called Ristorante  Museo Caruso. Grand Tour of Italy | Italian Talks

08102013 Pizza della Masardona has been a Naples institution in its own right, since opening in 1945. The pizzeria offers some of the best fried pizza varieties in town, stuffed with a creative mixture of peppers, suet, raisins, romano cheese and pork fat, and baked in small wheels. In addition to its signature fried pizzas, Pizza della Masardona also offers potato croquettes, pancakes and handmade rice croquettes every Saturday night. Always busy and crowded, Pizza della Masardona offers one of the most authentic (and affordable) dining experiences in Naples. Fried pizza, anyone? | Stay.com

08112013 Maida Farm is located in Campania near the Cilento National Park and the archaeological ruins at Paestum. Francesco Vastola, its owner, grows vegetables of the highest quality. With a mixture of innovation and tradition, he takes his just-picked vegetables and turns them into sott’olio using the excellent extra virgin olive oil from Cilento. Maida’s sun dried tomatoes are made from perfectly ripe sun drenched tomatoes. They are sprinkled with salt and spread out in the fields to dry. Wine vinegar, oregano, capers, and chili peppers add the extra punch of flavor. Sun Dried Tomatoes in EV Olive Oil Maida Farm – Campania | Gustiamo

08122013 Capri: the perfect summer jaunt. #Capri #summer #photography #guide #W Magazine #August 2013 | W Magazine

08132013 Vico Equense is part of the greater Bay of Naples metropolitan area and is a popular destination for tourists. Located on a high cliff, it is relatively close to the ferry to the island of Capri, Vesuvius, the Monte Faito and the ancient town of Pompeii. the amalfi coast, again | Splenderosa

08142013 Hotel Santa Lucia in Minori: if you are traveling with the kids and looking for somewhere more budget-friendly; also located close to the beach. Planning your trip to the Bel Paese: First-timers’ guide to Italy | Panoram Italia Magazine

08152013 After a long day of basking in the sun we rewarded ourselves with the best panino ever. I always say that about the food here. It’s all soooo good. I think Positano was my favorite because of all the different activities that we did. I love these beach towns and I love how clear and blue the water is. The Amalfi Coast | Saylre's Silly Stories

08162013 I credit Positano and its 1000′s of steps, turquoise waters and gorgeous, chilled vibe for reigniting that flame o’ inspiration in me. Travelling in Positano: Tales From Our Trip Part 2 | In Spaces Between

08172013 Sadly I did not see inside the ancient churches that are Atrani’s pride. My two days there were mostly spent looking around Positano and Amalfi, yet it is Atrani that stays on my mind and will one day lure me back to that region. I have a few more photos to share of the walk into Atrani and also some of the cobbled laneways found there, but the Church pictured here [The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene] is my favourite and best viewed alone .. in Sepia. Amalfi Coast: On the Road to Atrani | Being Ruby

08182013 Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, sometimes it's hard to keep that romantic flame burning. But a trip to the Amalfi Coast is sure to help. Like most of Italy, the wine, the food and the atmosphere leave one yearning for a more permanent Italian residence - and Positano has that and more. Weave in and out of the picturesque hillside village, sipping limoncello and taking in the old fishing-village culture. The beaches are a must-see. Be sure to check out the Santa Maria Assunta church, which houses artifacts from the 13th century. For the couple seeking a romantic escape...Positano, Italy | Chicago Tribune

08192013 Now in its fourth generation of Gambardella family management, this 1904 looker still reigns in Belle Époque splendor. Rooms are spread across the main building, two villas, and a triplet of honeymoon cottages and decorated with local antiques. An elevator descends to a private beach, saltwater pool, fitness center, and thatched-roof pizzeria and fish grill. As you stroll through the secluded terraced gardens and citrus orchards, it’s obvious why Liz Taylor and Richard Burton chose to hide out here. World's Best Beach Hotels - No. 4 Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi, Italy | Travel + Leisure

08202013 Sigmund Freud once compared the human mind to the city of Rome but he could also just as easily have used Herculaneum. He was talking about its intriguing series of layers and just as the human psyche has a build-up of memories, Herculaneum has a history that goes down and down, deeper and deeper: every modern building is on top of a renaissance one, and under that there are medieval buildings, and then a footprint of ancient Rome itself. A Life in Ruins – Herculaneum, Italy | Andrew Petcher

08212013 “Mav” is an archaeological and virtual museum maid to discover the historical reality of Pompei and Ercolano before Vesuvio’s eruption in 79 C.E. The tour starts when visitors enter in the garden of Villa dei Papiri where were found the Epicuro’s text. The passage trough a burning cloud forwards the discover of buildings and monuments of the ancient Vesuvian town. Over seventy multimedia installations life and splendor returned to the main archaeological sites of Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Bay, Stabiae and Capri. Through reconstructions, visual interfaces and holograms, the visitor is conducted in the virtual world, where experience in a fun and interactive new media opportunities that technology offers to the fruition of the archaeological heritage. Mav: archaeological and virtual museum in Ercolano | Comenius

08222013 The ancient Romans made frequent stops on Ischia in search of the island’s famous healing waters. If that’s not reason enough to visit Terme Manzi, you can also count on amazing service, incredible views and a first-rate spa that knows just how to harness the regenerative power of those mineral springs. There is a 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art spa, a lush green courtyard garden, an indoor pool filled with water from the spring and an ornately tiled rooftop pool. Hand-decorated majolica tiles dot the rooms, mirroring the colors in the bedspreads and curtains. Terme Manzi Hotel & Spa | Jetsetter

08232013 More formal - and expensive - is dinner at the Terme Manzi Hotel and Spa's two-star Michelin restaurant, Il Mosaico. The courses have more special effects than a Hollywood blockbuster - even the petit fours come in miniature glass cabinets. After a good night's sleep in a room above the elegant courtyard, try the hotel's spa. It is right above the island's Gurgitiello hot springs, where Garibaldi took the waters. Dolce vita days on an incredible Italian island: An escape from it all on idyllic Ischia | Daily Mail

08242013 Vaco 'e Pressa is easily the best Pizzeria in Salerno, and it is always insanely full. Fosca on the Amalfi Coast | People Who Always Eat

08252013 White sand, surrounded by wide vegetation, set in the Cilento coast, just south of Naples: Cala Bianca di Camerota is the 2013 queen of Italian beaches. Nominated by Internet users questioned by survey ‘Più bella sei tu’ launched by Italian environmental association Legambiente. It is a small and uncontaminated beach surrounded by suggestive caves that can be reached by sea only. Place of strong contrasts: the pure white beach, the green vegetation and the intense blue colour of waters. Queen Cala Bianca | Lifestyle43White sand, surrounded by wide vegetation, set in the Cilento coast, just south of Naples: Cala Bianca di Camerota is the 2013 queen of Italian beaches. Nominated by Internet users questioned by survey ‘Più bella sei tu’ launched by Italian environmental association Legambiente. It is a small and uncontaminated beach surrounded by suggestive caves that can be reached by sea only. Place of strong contrasts: the pure white beach, the green vegetation and the intense blue colour of waters. Queen Cala Bianca | Lifestyle43

08262013 The town, Castellabate, is high above the Tyrrhenian Sea. It has stunning views up and down the coast, as did the tiny, square apartment we stayed in. From the veranda which was equal in size to the apartment, we could see for miles. The city walls of the old village were right across the street. Narrow brick staircases led up to the small town square where one went to buy espresso and gelato. All of this glorious beauty complemented by the buzzy comings and goings of the local youth. They went up the street, right under our open windows, then back down the street, right under our open windows, and then back up again. Beautiful Italian teenagers, boys and girls, riding their inexpensive modes of transportation. At the top, our street merged into the tiny, cobbled streets of the ancient village; where the road ended, and the cobbled streets began the moped-riding youth stopped to gossip, smoke, and flirt. When boredom set in, back down the hill, loudly buzzing once again right under our windows. By week’s end, I’d grown used to the sound. It had become a part of the local color, and, ultimately, a good memory of our very Italian stay. Cultural Noise — Soundscape on the Cilento Coast of Italy | 2Paragraphs

08272013 Ancient Silarus. Between legend and truth, the river that petrifies wood and leaves. It cures, heals. Spectator of the battle of Spartacus, the slave who rebelled against Rome. Keeper of three amphitheaters discovered in 1762, it becomes a leg of the Grand Tour took by the aristocrat, writers, artists during the 18th century after the rediscovery of ancient Paestum originated just after finding the three amphitheaters. Generous it runs of water through the fertile Plain that has its name. Slow down it follows the meanders of the Oasis of Persano, the large expanse along its blanks where the artificial lake, created when the dam was built on its waters, is the heart. Surrounded by flora brightened by daffodils, water-lilies and populated with rich and rare fauna, including the lamprey in its green waters. the Sele | Selepack

08282013 Oenosthesia is a ground breaking multi-sensory sound and taste installation created by sound artist and wine writer, Jo Burzynska (aka Stanier Black-Five). This soundscape using her recordings of the vineyards and wineries of Irpinia in Italy, explores the significant way that sound influences the perception of taste through the combination of the changing timbres and frequencies in the piece with a selection of different wines from the region. The work was created last year during Burzynska’s residency in Southern Italy, and is possibly the first piece of gustatory/sound art created both from and including wine. It was premiered at the Interferenze New Art Festival’s Factory of Art Rurality and Media 2012 (FARM2012) in Tufo, Italy and this programme is the first time the installation has been presented in New Zealand. Oenosthesia Sound And Wine Presentation | UnderTheRadar.co.nz

08292013 I have vivid memories of the brief trip we made to this small town perched high above the distant sea below. We had spent the morning getting to Amalfi by boat so by the time we arrived at 12:45pm the shops had closed for lunch. It was 2:30 before we boarded a small bus that took us up the rather perilous road to Ravello. I quickly found this iconic view of the tree in the beautiful gardens of Villa Rufolo which is often a venue for wedding photographs. Indeed, we actually saw a newly wed couple being photographed in the grounds. Ravello | Alan Reed's Painting Blog

08302013 Villa Verde - outside, lively, and fun. Make sure to get a sgroppino, a lethal frothy lemon sorbet–vodka after-dinner drink. Italian Holiday - Beth Buccini's Capri | Harper's Bazaar

JULY 2013

COOKING CLASSES

07012013 A kitchen full of co-ordinated cooks is also a joy and a frequent thing on the Amalfi Coast. They are crisp, perfect and special – I love them all. The Great Cooks of the Amalfi Coast! | My Amalfi Coast

07022013 Pleasure yachts from Capri and Positano drop anchor for lunch perched over the Mediterranean. Lo Scoglio da Tommaso, Amalfi Coast, Italy | Travel + Leisure

07032013 Positano is also famous for its appearance in TV and movies, like Nine, Under the Tuscan Sun (although, ironically, it’s in Campania, which is much farther south than Tuscany), and the show Entourage. Positano is pretty much representative of the classic image of southern coastal Italy, and it’s not hard to see why – it’s absolutely gorgeous! Sole e mare in Costiera Amalfitana | Buongiorno, Firenze!

07042013 Ettore suggested an early morning wander through Anacapri and then onto the swanky beach club Il Faro. Directly under the Punta Carena lighthouse, perched on the rocks above what was an unusual crashing sea, We lounged, swam in the saltwater pool, dined, cocktailed and lounged some more. We were Exceptionally well taken care of by Alessando for the entire, luxurious day. The restaurant menu was a mix of traditional local cuisine and contemporary twists. I had a plate of seafood crudo with Gambero Rosso and blackberries, ricciola with wasabi & raspberries and scampi with soy sauce. Pastas were more traditional with spaghetti alle vongole and pacheri con moscardini. Later in the afternoon there were gin and tonics delivered to our chairs while we watched the sun set over the Mediterranean. Celebrating {Capri} | gillian's lists

07052013 Mariah Carey and Miguel head to the sunny island of Capri, Italy for the new video to the Spanglish version of their hit single “‪Beautiful‬” aka “‪Hermosa‬.” Mimi dances through the streets, before she links up with the singer/songwriter and takes a speed boat ride to tour the famed ocean caves. The Pop superstar shows off her wedding ring and toned bikini body in the retro style video, which was shot to look like an old home movie. Video: Mariah Carey feat. Miguel - Hermosa | ThisIsRnB.com

07062013 The beach of Trentova, Agropoli, like most other beaches in the Cilento National Park, is awarded year after year the "Blue Flag" award for clean waters and all around natural setting. The bay is named after the big rock that closes it to the right, called scoglio di Trentova (rock of the thirty eggs) because, according to the legend, in times now forgotten the locals found 30 sea-turtle eggs in the grotto beneath the rock itself. Trentova Beach | Summer In Italy

07072013 Sorgeto hot springs allow you to bathe in rock pools with warm and hot water of different temperatures. The natural phenomenon is caused by Ischia's underground volcanic activity. Natural Springs of Ischia | Ischia Review

07082013 Imagine a light Mediterranean breeze wafting through your veil at Ischia’s Hotel Mezzatorre. In addition to stunning views, this hotel has one of the country’s most respected spas onsite - just in case you want to indulge in some extra pampering to prepare for your big day. Palaces, Castles, Resorts: The 14 Best Wedding Venues in Italy | Made in Italy

07092013 Glamorous, colourful and dramatic, Capri is an innately cinematic location. Le Mépris – made in 1963 by the Nouvelle Vague master Jean Luc Godard and starring Brigitte Bardot. Hot on Brigitte’s heels, Julie Christie did some sunbathing and met a prince on the island in Darling, an unsettling film made with Dirk Bogarde in 1965. Various movies employed Cápri as an backdrop in succeeding decades, the most recent being the heartwarming 2007 German film, Cápri, You Love?. The Cinema Isles | where-to-go-in-italy

07102013 Ettore suggested an early morning wander through Anacapri and then onto the swanky beach club Il Faro. Directly under the Punta Carena lighthouse, perched on the rocks above what was an unusual crashing sea, we lounged, swam in the saltwater pool, dined, cocktailed and lounged some more. We were Exceptionally well taken care of by Alessando for the entire, luxurious day. The restaurant menu was a mix of traditional local cuisine and contemporary twists. I had a plate of seafood crudo with gambero rosso and blackberries, ricciola with wasabi & raspberries and scampi with soy sauce. Pastas were more traditional with spaghetti alle vongole and paccheri con moscardini. Later in the afternoon there were gin and tonics delivered to our chairs while we watched the sun set over the Mediterranean. Celebrating {Capri} | gillian's lists

07112013 Mariah Carey and Miguel head to the sunny island of Capri, Italy for the new video to the Spanglish version of their hit single “#Beautiful” aka “#Hermosa.” Mimi dances through the streets, before she links up with the singer/songwriter and takes a speed boat ride to tour the famed ocean caves. The Pop superstar shows off her wedding ring and toned bikini body in the retro style video, which was shot to look like an old home movie. Video: Mariah Carey feat. Miguel - #Hermosa | ThisIsRnB.com

07122013 In contrast with the lively city of Naples, Palazzo Caracciolo, with over 800 years of history, is a heaven of privacy. The elegant decorations of this charming hotel's 139 rooms perfectly combine historical details and modern comfort. The tea room, which is a historic salon from the Angevin period, provides an intimate, relaxing setting. The "La Cucina" restaurant allows guests to discover local products, used as the basis for traditional recipes. In the "La Cantina" bar, visitors can enjoy real Neapolitan coffee, as well as a wide selection of traditional cakes and pastries. An historical heaven of privacy | MGallery

07132013 I’m in Italy this week on a fabulous family tour around the Bay of Naples with my teen. The eldest told me about a great ice cream shop she went to in Sorrento and I was amazed when she led me through a warren of streets to find it from memory. The Antica Gelateria Sorrentina is definitely worth the trip. It’s been going since 1860, they make all of their ice cream in the shop and even offer ice cream making lessons. The friendly staff claimed they remembered the eldest from last year, but I’m not sure if I believe them. Sorrento and Ravello | Mums do travel: a family travel site

07142013 Since the Roman times, Sorrento has been able to count on the defence granted to the town centre by a solid circle of walls. Yet, only in more recent times the urban walls achieved the aspect partially preserved today. Being exposed to the risk of Saracen incursions which, above all in the course of the Sixteenth century, destroyed a great part of the sea resorts in Southern Italy, the town – during the period of the Spanish Viceroyalty – was interested by an intense activity to grant a massive system of defence of the town centre. Sorrento’s ancient walls | Sorrento Info

07152013 My Dear Friends, I am so happy to announce my “Sorrento with Rossella” Culinary Tours which will be during the weeks of: Sept. 7-14 and Sept. 14-21. See for yourself why Campania was regarded as a place of culture by the Roman emperors.  As we travel  around the Amalfi Coast, you will experience the ruins left behind by the ancient Greeks and Romans. We have designed an incredible week for you to capture all the natural beauties and marvels that the Amalfi Coast has to offer. Sorrento with Rossella Culinary Tour | Cooking with Nonna

07162013 In Naples, I was confronted by an unfamiliar goodie: fried pasta. My first experience with pasta fritta was at Il Presidente. (In Italy, it’s common to start off a meal at a pizzaria with a fried appetizer, followed by each person scarfing down their very own full sized pizza). Pasta Fritta: Frittatine in Napoli | An American in Rome

07172013 The pizzeria Oliva – Concettina ai Tre Santi is an active supporter of the historical and artistic heritage of the Sanità district: consulting our blog you can keep informed about the conventions that our pizzeria has both with the cultural association Celanapoli ant and with the cooperative La Paranza, such as fixed lunches and dinners to enjoy before or after some guided tours. The pizzeria Oliva – Concettina ai Tre Santi is situated in the Sanità district, Naples, since 1951 | Pizzeria Oliva

07182013 Liberty of the Seas will be one of four Royal Caribbean ships to call on Naples this year. In 2014, Naples will be a port of call when Oasis of the Seas arrives for a short European cruise season as well. All of this is "a great opportunity for the city in terms of economic return and tourism development." Royal Caribbean using Naples as Mediterranean home port | Royal Caribbean Blog

07192013 Etica Ethical Pizzeria e Mozzarella Bar in Gilles St has become Adelaide's first Naples-accredited pizzeria and joins just six others from Australia. The accreditation from Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (the Association of True Neapolitan Pizza, AVPN) recognises Etica's dedication to creating pizza in the true tradition from Naples. City pizza bar Etica Ethical Pizzeria e Mozzarella Bar gets accreditation from Naples | The Advertiser

07202013 But in Naples, the pizza isn't just a technical achievement—it's an art form, a sacrament, a birthright. Here is where the fine, protein-rich Caputo "00" flour, the obsession of Italian pizza makers, called pizzaioli (or in the Neapolitan dialect, pizzaiuoli), is made right downtown at a nearly century-old family-owned mill. Here is where tomatoes flourish in volcanic soil beneath the warm Mediterranean sun, developing sweet, concentrated flavor. Here is where the water buffalo that provide the milk for moist, grassy mozzarella di bufala graze on marshy farmland. And here is where those iconic wood-fired ovens, whose blazing heat pulls these ingredients together to create the perfect pizza, are constructed by artisans out of brick and mortar. The Gold of Naples | Saveur

07212013 The cheeky 36-year-old Italian is back on our screens next week hosting ITV daytime cookery show Let’s Do Lunch with Gino & Mel, alongside Melanie Sykes. Gino was born in Naples and grew up on a farm. He was inspired to cook by his grandfather, who was head chef for Costa Cruises. He moved to London in 1995, aged 20, to work as a chef himself. He says: “The idea of Italian food at its best is very simple – there are few ingredients, you make sure they are in season because they’ll be cheaper and you don’t cook them for long.” Gino D’Acampo’s on a mission to reconnect us with our culinary past | Birmingham Mail

07222013 Irpinia, like most of Campania, has been an important wine producer at least since the area was colonized by the ancient Greeks (starting approximately 800 BCE), and maybe before – some historians believe it was the quality of Campania’s wine that attracted the Greeks to it. But like most of the Italian south, Campania’s economy and prestige declined in modern times – most precipitously after Italian unification. Under the leadership of the Mastroberardino family, headed by brothers Antonio (now proprietor of the Mastroberardino name and winery in Atripalda) and Walter (now proprietor of some of the family’s best vineyards and the Terredora winery in Montefusco), ancient varieties were resurrected, prestige rose, and young people with whole new attitudes started returning to the land. One young winemaker, nodding at it, said to me: “That’s the church, the Vatican. Without Mastroberardino, none of us exists.” Irpinia in the Crystal Ball | Tom's Wine Line

07232013 Imagining Italian screen goddess Sophia Loren as a teller of poignant World War II stories seems unlikely at best. Yet she can be just that and more. Six decades later, many of Loren's most compelling memories still reflect the Nazi occupation. "[W]hen I was six," recalls Loren, "war came to Pozzuoli. It seemed that overnight German soldiers were everywhere." The last-ditch German effort to secure Naples suddenly became a part of her everyday life. Now 78, Loren endures not only as a groundbreaking sex symbol and an international style icon but also as the reigning paragon of ageless, European beauty. At the red carpet launch of the exclusive Pirelli calendar in Rio de Janeiro in November, Loren — anointed as the company's calendar girl in 2007 at age 72 — stole the show from twenty-something supermodels. Two women | The American | In Italia

07242013 She's still regarded as Italy's most famous actress after more than six decades in the industry. The 78-year-old screen siren was shooting scenes for Edoardo Ponti's La Voce Umana (The Human Voice) in Naples on Monday, looking chic in a cream suit. Her big return: Sophia Loren shoots scenes for son's new feature film in first big screen leading role for a decade | Daily Mail

07252013 Many famous customers have appreciated Canfora’s creations, among these the unforgettable Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. More than once late at night Amedeo opened the shop just for the first lady, letting her choose her favourite sandals, he made even one exclusively for her called “K”. Canfora – Capri Sandals | q8concierge

07262013 Our first stop was the Garden & Villas Resort in the hills above the town of Lacco Ameno. This rustic gem is mid-range in price — rooms will set you back at least 150 euros a night — but the tranquil gardens, jaw-dropping views and warm sea water pool are so worth it. It is a ten-minute walk into town — downhill — but the stroll is sensational, and a good tip would be to do it at sunset to make the most of those views. Then reward yourself with a glass of wine or a cold beer in the pastel-coloured central square as the sun goes down and the music strikes up at the bandstand. It’s all too del-lsch-ious | The Sun

07272013 Nerano is the most famous for the restaurants situated along all beach with the evocative view on the sea and the culinary specialty based on fresh fish and vegetables of season. Don’t miss the famous and delicious “Spaghetti of Nerano” (with the zucchini-courgettes ), made according to an ancient recipe that is handed on from generations. The Bay of Nerano | Olga's Resort

07282013 The pizzeria Oliva – Concettina ai Tre Santi is an active supporter of the historical and artistic heritage of the Sanità district: consulting our blog you can keep informed about the conventions that our pizzeria has both with the cultural association Celanapoli ant and with the cooperative La Paranza, such as fixed lunches and dinners to enjoy before or after some guided tours. The pizzeria Oliva – Concettina ai Tre Santi is situated in the Sanità district, Naples, since 1951 | Pizzeria Oliva

07292013 Anyways, since moving to Rome, I’ve become much more open to eating fried flowers stuffed with anchioves and whatnot. But in Naples, I was confronted by an unfamiliar goodie: fried pasta. My first experience with pasta fritta was at Il Presidente. (In Italy, it’s common to start off a meal at a pizzaria with a fried appetizer, followed by each person scarfing down their very own full sized pizza). Pasta Fritta: Frittatine in Napoli | An American in Rome

07302013 Between the Fontanelle cemetery and catacombs of San Gaudioso born “Cantina del Gallo” that for nearly two centuries, it keeps alive an authentic interpretation of popular Neapolitan cuisine. The current manager, Rosario Silvestri, assisted by the whole family, offers well-made pizzas for everyone, but also “pizzicotti” (small pizza dough stuffed with eggplant and provola or “friarielli” and sausage, ricotta and cicoli, ham and mozzarella), croquettes of potato, croquettes of rice and some dishes like bean soup, fried cod or “cassuola”, pasta and potatoes with “provola”, penne alla Sorrentina. Trattoria Pizzeria "Cantina del Gallo" | travelitalia

07312013 Naples is theatre of the best kind. It wears its colours with bravado and offers life of every sort on its streets. Happily in Napoli: Exploring Italy's unloved 'anthill of humanity' on a summer weekend | DailyMail

JUNE 2013

MUST-DO EXCURSION

06012013 From the main wharf in Positano, wait until you see the small boat with the little red fish standing proud on the mast, the return both ways from Da Adolfo to Positano and back is about every 40 minutes. Positioned in between Praiano and Positano's main beach, the address still Positano on the extraordinary Amalfi Coast, Da Adolfo restaurant is detached from everything fast paced and just sits quietly on its own little beach serving up delightfully colourful plates of mouth watering seafood, bowls of home made pasta and tumblers full of light local crisp wine. Da Adolfo is a hidden slice of paradise in Positano... | Italian Allure
06022013 For a quintessential, sand-between-your-toes summer lunch, catch the shuttle boat to tiny Laurito beach, a gentle 10-minute chug from Positano, where Adolfo's shabby-chic beach cabana turns out unpretentious local specialities accompanied by jugs of ice-cold white wine. This is casual eating at is best (paper cloths, barefoot waiters, menu chalked up on a blackboard), and the food zings with the sunny flavours of the south: mozzarella grilled on lemon leaves, mussels in an intense, garlic-spiked tomato sauce. And there's even a beach bed for a post-lunch snooze. Gold Standard Restaurants 2013 | Conde Nast Traveller
06032013 In celebration of Wagner's life and his love of Ravello, the town has hosted a lavish, internationally renowned music festival every summer since 1953, the 140th anniversary of his birth (and the 70th of his death). Villa Rufolo is no longer a private home. Today, its gardens are open to the public and many of the concerts take place there on a vast stage built out over the sea. Arias and graces in Ravello | The Independent
06042013 A leading company at a national level in the strawberry sector, the Sole cooperative is located in Parete, in the Caserta province, and it produces the Sabrina variety in particular, which is also sold under the Solarelli brand as "Sabrina della Campania". High quality and fluctuating markets for Italian strawberries | Fresh Plaza
06052013 Rudi Pinkowski liked La Mortella in the island of Ischia best for its “excellent selections of interesting plants around the world with awesome architecture.” Best garden from Italy tour | The Vancouver Sun
06062013 This holiday combines a stay perched above the Amalfi Coast in the town of Ravello, home to two of the most famous gardens of the region. Here, the remarkable site of Villa Cimbrone boasts a wisteria-clad pergola almost the length of the garden, formal and informal side gardens, a rose garden and trees such as umbrella pines, plane trees and olives that intermingle with palms, cycads, phormiums and yuccas. An air of slight neglect and seemingly wild native euphorbias, scented anemones and giant fennel create a pleasing and relaxed atmosphere. Nearby the gardens of Villa Rufolo extend along three terraces that contain a variety of trees and flowers, from palms and yuccas to oleander and bougainvillaea. Holiday to gardens and villas of the Amalfi Coast and Capri | Expressions Holidays
06072013 Titian Danae (1544-1546), Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples. 50 works of art to see before you die | A Luxury Travel Blog
06082013 Gesualdo's fifth and sixth books of madrigals were published in 1611, printed in his castle in the village near Naples that carries his family name. The composer died two years later, and further editions of these 39 settings of mostly anonymous texts quickly followed; with their vivid responses to the significance of every word, the aching chromaticisms in the part writing and the bare nerve ends of the harmony, they contain some of the most extraordinary music Gesualdo ever composed. Mario Longhini and Delitiae Musicae have added both books to their continuing survey of the complete madrigals as a single, hugely impressive collection, which steers a perfectly judged, immaculate course between the extremes of earthy expressionism and sterile detachment. Gesualdo: Madrigals Books 5 and 6 | The Guardian
06092013 The landscape turned from grey to green as we headed out of the city and into the mountains. We didn’t know what to expect from Avellino or who would meet us there, but this had become a familiar scenario. Though Avellino suffered earthquakes and World War II bombardments, it remains rich in historical evidence – there are churches and castles and intriguing ruins – but it’s not for the nose-in-a-guidebook tourist. You come to Avellino to discover it by yourself. Or, if you’re lucky, you might make some friends who can show you around. Momentary Strangers | NY Girls Eats World
06102013 Serpico, which carries the Irpinia IGT designation as its appellation of origin, is Feudi di San Gregorio's flagship wine. The Serpico vineyards are planted at more than 1,000 feet of elevation and range from 40 to 70 years old. I have long thought it is one of the greatest red wines in the world. I tasted the 2008 Serpico in a flight of a dozen mostly impressive Italian reds. It was the standout by far. Ten hours later, I went back to retaste the open bottle and found it to be even better the second time around. It is quite possible that Serpico would not be to your liking. For me, however, the complex flavors, the remarkable structure, the real or imagined potential for historic longevity all add up to what I am looking for in the perfect red wine. The 100-Point Wine | Whitley on Wine
06112013 Deleo - who has worked at Le Crillon des Gourmets and the Astrance in Paris, Le Gavroche in London, and more, and earned Michelin stars at two other restaurants earlier in his career - has completely revamped the menu at Rossellini’s to highlight his twist on Campania-style cooking. Decadent stuffed pastas, like tortello packed with leeks and cheek sausage served on top of creamed peas, lobster, molten egg yolk, and mint-scented oil, accompany Deleo’s signature quail served six ways. Chef Michele Deleo Heads the Kitchen at Amalfi’s Most Majestic Resort | Robb Report
06122013 You started as a financier in Italy. When did you decidet to do tailoring business, and how did you end up in New York City? It happen circuitly. As a Neapolitan, when I grew up I loved to wear high quality suits and coats. I use to come to New York quite often and I saw clearly what the difference in style from Neapolitan and Italians in general was to that of American men. So I always thought that where ever there is a need, there is an opportunity. Bellucci Napoli - From Naples to New York | NssMagazine
06132013 The Villa Fattorusso Suite is a beautiful renovation of a old mill, designed with an authentic ambiance in mind. Famous for it geographical setting and its picturesque views on the Bay of Naples, the Villa Fattorusso is ideal for making the setting of any festive occasion or just a lunch and swim like a dream come true. With its delicate flower arrangements, its illustrious and distinguished table array and its enjoyable and selective banquets. Villa Fattorusso Suite | Campania Pages
06142013 Villa Angelina's estate is situated only 3 km from the centre of Sorrento, on the headland of "Capo di Massa" (once it was the summer residence of the famous ship-owner Achille Lauro). In the centre of the estate, our holiday farm, "La Villanella", 30 hectares of Mediterranean fauna and flora, terraces on different levels to the sea, a breathtaking view of the Penisola Sorrentina on one side and on the other the Island of Capri. Farm Holidays | La Villanella
06152013 How Seven Hostel even classifies itself as a hostel we're not sure. It has dorm rooms, but it also has the sort of sleek, modern design that would make it the envy of most hotels. Plus, its setting in Sorrento, with views to Capri, Naples and Vesuvius, is hard to top. If it's the flashpacker experience you're after, then this is your hostel. Seven's rooms are immaculately furnished. There are privates on the top floor and dorms below. The piece de resistance, however, is the rooftop terrace, with its plush couches, sun lounges and views out to the Amalfi Coast. If all hostels looked like this, the big hotel chains would be out of business. Ahead of the pack / Sydney Morning Herald
06162013 The best pasta in town is… At Donna Rosa in Montepertuso. Q&A: Positano | Qantas Travel Insider
06172013 We'd been told that GAS Bar in Amalfi does the best coffee, and it is true – the coffee is fantastic, as are the little oval pastries, filled with custard and cherry, called pasticciotti. The owners are young and passionate about their coffee, taking great care of their espresso machine. It's not an easy place to stop, as it's on a junction, but locals pull up and nip inside for a perfect espresso and then zoom off. Italian cuisine: the Amalfi Coast's great fish, pasta – and views | The Guardian
06182013 All classes were held in Carol LeWitt's ancestral home, Casa L'Orto. Four hundred years old, terraced on nine levels, it supports local arts initiatives as well as a passionate effort to restart farming in the village of 2,000. During the conference, there was a home-cooked Italian feast, a night of the poets and readings from faculty and students. Locals became our friends, our chefs, drivers and one much needed translator. Praiano Writers was beautifully organized, and intelligently flexible. A Writer's Vacation With Wally Lamb On The Amalfi Coast | The Hartford Courant
06192013 Aglianico is heavy by any means. We were all impressed by the consistently high quality of these wines. Some, as the range of vintages suggested, were more immediately approachable, while others will continue to benefit from aging. We found big differences in texture and density, but most of the wines were distinctively structured and earthy, with flavors of red fruit, licorice and menthol. Aglianico Emerges From the Bottom of Italy’s Boot | The New York Times
06202013 Taurasi Vendemmia, literally "Harvest of Taurasi," takes place in and around the black volcanic peaks which ring the Calore River. There is a village called Taurasi at the heart of the DOCG, but this is only one of 17 towns that are allowed to label as Taurasi their local sub-form of Aglianico. It is, along with Piedmont's Nebbiolo, the last-harvested grape in Italy. Italy's Shin | The Tasting Panel
06212013 Highlights of a major British Museum exhibition will be streamed into more than 1,000 cinemas around the world. Life and Death in Pompeii comes to a cinema screen near you | Northampton Chronicle and Echo
06222013 Put simply, Pompeii wasn't the only city that was buried under that eruption from Mount Vesuvius. Herculaneum, Stabia, Nuceria...and Oplontis. Oplontis was even closer to the volcano, and joins the list of Roman towns buried under that fateful eruption. Emperor Nero had a house built for his wife here named the Villa Poppaea. Unfortunately, Nero then killed her. The house was found mostly empty, as much of the statuary had been removed in the earliest stages of reconstruction and redecoration. Villa Oplontis | World Reviewer
06232013 Portus Julius was built during the Roman civil war (37 BC). The port was intended to shelter the Classis Misenensis Roman fleet. The port was connected to Lake Lucrino and Lake Avernus via a navigable canal. The port was later named in honour of Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus. Portus Julius offered a comprehensive array of administrative naval services and recreational facilities. The walls and pillars still rise from a few inches to more than a meter above the sea-bed and their stonework bears witness to the various building methods used, particularly reticulated work. Pathways, floor mosaics, ceramic wares and even the indication of frescoes can still be found in-situ. Port of Baia | IAS: International Archaeological Society of Naples
06242013 Ischia’s volcanic hot springs are at the heart of its popularity as a spa destination. They feed a number of beachside spa parks, including the famous Negombo Spa adjacent to the beach at the beachside town of Lacco Ameno, with numerous hot pools, relaxing park-like grounds, spa treatments, massages and water therapies. Ischia’s top 10 | A Luxury Travel Blog
06252013 Positano, on the Amalfi Coast, provides long summer days for basking in the sun. Ask Lonely Planet: A south Italian adventure | The New Zealand Herald
06262013 The name “Punta Civita“ draws it's origin from it's spectacular location on the Gulf which today hosts many tourists from all over the world but at one time served as a lookout to guard from the invasions of the Saraceni. The floors and tiles are handmade ceramics from Vietri, family antique furniture and artifacts adorn each room, while careful attention has been paid to every detail, it is the passion and personal warmth of the owners that transformed this house into a B& B in 2003. Description | Punta Civita Bed & Breakfast
06272013 High on the clifftops of the Bay of Naples sits Capo la Gala hotel, a stone-built spa-enhanced sanctuary made for sea-gazing and sunbathing. Admire the colour-rich and madcap art, pottery- and plant-lined pool and dine somewhere different every night. Capo La Gala | Mr & Mrs Smith
06282013 Hailed as the Delano of the Almalfi, Casa Angelina has turned the “quaint” whitewashed villa image inside out — with chic white-on-white interiors (pictured) and furnishings by Philippe Starck. Now, the Praiano retreat’s panoramic views of the Med are about to get some on-site competition: this summer, it unveils a new outdoor infinity pool, which accompanies an existing indoor pool where dips are taken beneath a canopy of fiber optic stars. A Tale of Two Whitehouses | globorati
06292013 The Amalfi Coast Drive is also known as the Strada Statale 163, and runs along the shore for about 25 miles, standing out as one of the world's most legendary drives. It begins in Salerno and passes through terraced coastal towns and tunnels carved into the cliffs, and has stunning vies of the Mediterranean Sea. Best European Drives: Go For a Road Trip Abroad This Summer! | Travelers Today
06302013 Following once again in Steinbeck’s footsteps, we dined one night at Buca di Bacco, one of the town’s oldest restaurants and now a popular hotel. Looking out as the sun set and turned the sea first a burnished gold then an inky black, we dined on linguini and fresh fish then learned from the owner, Salvatore Rispoli that his grandfather Giulio Rispoli had apprenticed with John French the fashion photographer and ran his own photography studio in the town before reluctantly taking over the family business. Going to town on Positano | The Scotsman

MAY 2013

PATH OF THE GODS

05012013 The coolest hike in town is a steep 10 km trek called Path of the Gods that begins above Praiano and ends with an inspiring descent into the photogenic Italian village of Positano. You’ll love the colorful homes carved into the cliffs. And the best part is working up a fantastic appetite. There’s nothing better than a trek that ends with a fresh bowl of homemade pasta. Europe Fresh Escapes | freshabits.com
05022013 This little drink is the perfect after dinner treat. We have all this great homemade limoncello that we made and this drink makes use of that, especially if you don't like to drink the limoncello straight. It has only three ingredients - chilled espresso, limoncello and cream and it tastes a little like a milkshake. Lemon Capri Cocktail | The Italian Dish
05032013 Instead we stuck to our rental car and headed along the coast all the way to Salerno, stopping in small fishing villages and to visit churches and viewpoints along the way. We were never far from a good plate of calamari or a new variety of pasta, and since it was the low season there was never any line or need to make a reservation. the last hurrah: amalfi | Seduction Meals
05042013 On May 4th the city of Naples will be hosting the departure of Giro d’Italia. After many years, one of the biggest traditional sport events of the country will start from Naples and will end in Brescia. Giro d’ Italia – Departure in Naples | Napoli Unplugged
05052013 The blue, sea, the blue sky and the mediterranean landscape have not changed. Its still Capri, Parlami d'Amore Mariù is the evergreen soundtrack. Mario Testino directs, and David Gandy, with his infamous white swimming trunks is still there. Bianca Balti is the novelty for this third installment of the Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue Fragrance advertisement campaign. David, Bianca and Light Blue | Swide
05062013 The Uomo advertising campaign, overseen by SelectNY President & Worldwide Creative Director Olivier Van Doorne, centres around themes of strength, destiny and ascension. We wanted to tell the story of the journey of the man who ‘steps up’, and achieves his personal goals. It’s a single-minded story, and we had to tell it in a simple manner, as an allegory. There was only one possible location for what we had in mind: Casa Malaparte in Capri. It is unique.” Scaling new heights in Capri | The Moodie Report
05072013 Formerly a fishermen's tavern, Residenza d'Epoca la Corallina is now a nine-bedroom seafront hotel, just outside the medieval town of Castellabate. Rooms are bright and attractive with balconies overlooking the working harbour. The Cilento coast with its small bays, dramatic cliffs and seaside villages offers plenty of opportunities to escape the tourist hordes, even in peak season, but if it's splendid isolation you're after, head inland to the extraordinary valleys and gorges of the Cilento national park. It's great walking country and you're never too far from a mountain inn serving some of the country's best mozzarella and wine. 10 trips during the school holidays – without kids | The Guardian
05082013 Il Buco Ristorante, Sorrento. This small, classy restaurant dates back centuries. Built in the wine cellar of an ancient monastery, this intimate establishment offers four tasting menus, all made with the freshest ingredients and complemented by an excellent wine list. What are the five best places to eat on the Amalfi Coast? | Startle
05092013 After several hours on the highway (including, of course, a stop along the way at another beach) we reached Agriturismo San Fantino, a rustic Italian villa located in Torraca with an attached ranch. Since the 1980s, a huge tourism movement in Italy has been to convert old farms into hotels where families can come stay, meet the animals, and then enjoy a [usually organic] meal made almost entirely from food grown or raised on the property. Agriturismo San Fantino | Becca Garber
05102013 Instead of returning to Vietri and taking the bus with the festival participants back down the Amalfi Coast to Maiori for the evening's events, we ferry back to Amalfi, then find a little boat to take us to Maiori. We have about an hour til the boat leaves, so we walk into town to say hi to Mafalda at Dolceria Antico Portico. Perfection - Positano and our favorite Quartet | music and markets
05112013 Gabriele De Falco presents his wines from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius Decanter's Volcanic Wines of Italy tasting 2013 | Decanter
05122013 The Terme Manzi Hotel and Spa in nearby Casamicciola convinced me that there is definitely something in the Ischian water. A coating of warm volcanic clay pumped directly from the mountain left me feeling like a new woman and ready to tackle the hotel's Mosaic Restaurant where two-star Michelin chef Nino Di Costanzo wields his extraordinary skill. A native Ischian, Nino deserves star billing alongside Heston Blumenthal and El Bulli. His culinary creations aren't so much cinema as pure theatre on a plate. Feeling like a Hollywood A-lister on Italy's spectacular 'movie- set' islands | DailyMail
05132013 The fun began the moment I arrived on the Italian island of Ischia and was greeted by my driver, Giovanni, a charismatic man who sang old Neapolitan love songs with all the passion he could muster while simultaneously manoeuvering his way through winding dirt roads, past vibrant bougainvillea and endless views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. As I entered the gateway I was transported to another time and place. My thoughts filled with childhood memories of my grandmother’s home in southern Italy, until they were broken by the enthusiastic barking of Vito, the property’s friendly mascot. What lies beyond the gates of Villa Lina can only be described as a utopia of organic living with its lush vegetation, olive groves and earthen paths lined with rosemary bushes perched above the Mediterranean. Stretching Body and Mind | Whatever Vaughan
05142013 The Tower of Silence or White Tower, which could be one of the most beautiful Saracen towers of the Amalfi Coast is its most amazing attraction. It was built in the sixth century and it used to be a cemetery, today the White Tower has a breathtaking view especially if you admire it from the sea. Conca dei Marini | Travel Amalfi
05152013 Today, the town of Sorrento makes the perfect base for forays into Pompeii and Herculaneum and, for those who dare, up Vesuvius. We stay at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano, which commands an enviable clifftop location with views across the bay to a hazy Vesuvius. Easy to see why the coast was so popular | Portsmouth News
05162013 Salerno is located at the geographical centre of a triangle creatively nicknamed ‘Tourist Triangle of the 3P’ (namely a triangle with the corners in Pompei, Paestum and Positano). What this means however is that Salerno has plenty of sights and sounds for you to see and hear!  Naples and Amalfi Coast 7 Day Route | BareboatSailingHolidays.com
05172013 With regards to the rural tradition of San Gregorio Magno, worth visiting are the grotte cantine partially dug into the rock, with a brick-work façade. They are small works of art of rural engineering, in that they make it possible to conserve wine at a constant temperature. What makes them even more characteristic is that they are gathered in one stretch of road, which was given the name "via Bacco". Town of San Gregorio Magno | turismoinsalerno.it
05182013 Our strange and exotic relationship with the proprietor of Café Calce in Ravello easily vaults into the top-three of the Amalfi-half of our trip.  We essentially had a torrid affair with him and his pastries for the 4 days we were there - sometimes twice a day ;) – and he always delivered. La Dolce Vita | Scotch + Soba
05192013 The Sannio is renowned for its excellent honey. Graced with fertile land and temperate climate, the meadows and heirloom orchards of the Beneventano provide an ideal environment for busy honey bees. It comes as no surprise therefore that the Sannio is one of Italy’s largest producers of honey. So take the day to appreciate the product of these noble creatures while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine in the company of the Razzano family at their beautiful organic farm in Sant'Agata de' Goti. Ancient Traditions: To Bee or Not to Bee - Sweet Liquid Gold of the Sannio | Savour the Sannio
05202013 Trattoria Il Solitario, Via G. Orlandi 96, Anacapri: My first restaurant garden to be described - A hidden garden treasure, still so close to the main street leading into the centro storico of Anacapri. I came across an interesting review of this restaurant when going through the lonely planet guide on Naples, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. It actually says there ..." this is the nearest you will get to be invited into someone's home...tables are set in a small backyard with lemon trees ... the whole ambience is one of unhurried holiday time" Sounds very promising, and this is why I wanted to view this garden by all means. And this is what it looks like. A narrow passageway leads back to the house and a veranda and on to the restaurant. So first I thought this was misleading and leading to a private home ... An Anacapri home's garden in spring: Il Solitario | A Garden in Capri
05212013 The Acetos make a niche product - world-famous lemons, prized for their low acidity and delicate flavor - and like many small Italian businesses, they are reluctant to grow, preferring quality over quantity, tradition over expansion. Mr. Aceto wants the lemon groves and the business to stay in the family. Mr. Aceto’s son Marco runs the production side of the company, La Valle dei Mulini, making limoncello liquor, lemon honey and other products from the lemons, which are so sweet you can eat them whole. Marco’s wife works in the family shop selling the products in the town’s touristy main square. Mr. Aceto’s other son, Salvatore, recently left a job as an accountant to come back to work for the family business. This Business Is a Lemon, and a Family Wants to Keep It That Way | The New York Times
05222013 Anacapri, like Capri town, has a variety of shops selling souvenirs and luxury items. Perfume is a specialty. I ended up purchasing a small bottle of “the flowers of Capri” for twenty euro, but if I had more money to spend, i definitely would’ve mixed several different flavors to create my own scent. Capri, Italy- Island Life | Jillian's Bella Vita
05232013 There is little wonder than the Amalfi coast and Bay of Naples is world famous - it features in Greek mythology, was prized by the Romans and is now a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site. However, nothing prepares you for the dramatic beauty of the improbably steep mountains tumbling down into the turquoise seas; dotted with scenic villages that are surrounded by intensely farmed ancient terraces. Sounds improbable I know but it really is like that! Impressions of Italy | Explore
05242013 La Sponda  is the restaurant in La Sirenuse that serves delicious Neapolitan cuisine prepared with local ingredients. At dinner, four hundred candles create an unforgettable atmosphere which I would later on experience with Collin. Positano, Italy – Le Sirenuse Sunday Brunch | Honest Cooking
05252013 X: eXcellent view and from where? A view of the Mediterranean from my hotel room in Positano. I even watched a couple of weddings take place at the cathedral just below my window. The ABCs Of Travel | cherylhoward.com
05262013 And from this place, located just above the hotel Le Agavi, a 5-star-hotel boasting a funicular train that brings guests down to the hotel's beach (spiaggia Remmese), you can spot the beaches. There are actually several terraced levels connected with each other and protected by thick stone walls, so you can lean out and enjoy the panorama for as long as you like. Where to view as many beaches in Positano as possible | Enchanted Positano
05272013 I was in the south, near Sorrento, and as a designer, I couldn’t miss visiting the Hotel Parco dei Principi and immerse myself in the creativity and talent of Gio Ponti. Here, blue is everywhere – from the sky to the sea, from the tiles to the furniture, from the plates to the soft furnishings – always perfectly balanced with white. The different materials used for furniture provide a vibrant demonstration of how colour can be used in spaces, blending stylistic details with all the qualities of traditional craftsmanship”. Gio Ponti and the depths of the blue | Alessandro Benetton
05282013 Stuffed with precious artefacts amassed by the counts of Terranova (brothers Alfredo Pompeo Correale) the Museo Correale di Terranova is a must-see. Until December 2013, visitors get a rare glimpse of 400 paintings and drawings by landscape artist Teodoro Duclère, of the acclaimed Posillipo School. 36 hours in...Sorrento | The Telegraph
05292013 As significant milestone of the celebration of “2013 Year of the Italian Culture in the US” in San Francisco, the festivities to bring the San Carlo Theater of Naples to the Bay Area will start early this month, reaching their peak in June. Kinship dates back in time. The Teatro San Carlo, Italy’s largest opera house as well as the oldest opera house in Europe, was built in Naples in 1737, originally commissioned by the Bourbon King Charles VII. Almost 200 hundred years after, Neapolitan Gaetano Merola, while touring the U.S., decided to stay in the Bay Area to launch a permanent opera company, San Francisco Opera. When Naples' Teatro di San Carlo comes to San Francisco | L’Italo-Americano
05302013 Caffé Gambrinus is a literary cafe with magnificent belle époque-interior. Gabriele d’Annunzio wrote the text of de Neapolitan song A vucchella here. At the end of the 19th century it was the intellectual and political center of the city. Benedetto Croce, one of the main Italian Hegelian philosophers and most active antifascists intellectuals met here with other intellectuals, journalists and politicians who were active on the cultural scene of those years and chose Gambrinus as their meeting place. Top 15 Historic Caffés of Italy | Slow Italy
05312013 May in Naples is synonymous with the Maggio dei Monumenti celebration, when admission is free to many historical sites throughout the city, as well as guided tours, exhibits and special concerts. Cheap flights to Naples | easyJet