Brian Bobroff

There are many good reasons to take to the road, or the skies, to visit a far away land. Two of my top sources of inspiration are ancient history and great food. A visit to Italy is an excellent source of both! Though there are many regions to visit, if you want a quick fix of the past and a satisfied palate and want to venture away from Rome or Tuscany then you may find the area around the Bay of Naples to be a perfect destination.

Napoli is easily reached via train or car from Rome. Though this city has a maligned reputation for shady underworld characters, it also has a very important role in the pantheon of world food as the birthplace to the pizza. It is incredibly easy to eat this perfect dish daily as there is arguably no place on the planet that does it better. My local favourite was the tasty Caprese pizza with pomodoro, fresh basil, olive oil and buffalo mozzarella. Though you can find similar pizzas in Canada, none will have the same freshness of ingredients that makes you remember each flavour years later on a cold winter day. In Italy, there is no shortage of memorable food at any price range.

Once you are well fed, it will be time to walk it off by visiting the ancient ruins of Pompeii. The Roman city was preserved when the nearby active volcano, Vesuvius, exploded in 79 CE and buried the city in lava and ash. Pompeii had been settled in 8th century BCE and taken over as a Greek colony before becoming a part of the Roman Empire. A bustling port city (though it is now somewhat inland as the sea is receding away) there is evidence of wealthy homes, restaurants, markets and even a brothel. Each year, new sections of the city are excavated and new discoveries are made. You can marvel in the amazing tile mosaics across Pompeii, some containing over a million individually placed pieces. Visiting Pompeii is an extraordinary glimpse into history. Guided tours are done via headsets so you are able to go at your own pace. This is a very popular tourist destination so try to avoid the crowds (and summer heat) by going in spring or fall.

You can easily access the area via day trip from Rome, Napoli or nearby Sorrento. Sorrento, Italy is a quieter, more picturesque town that leads you to the Amalfi Coast. The easiest way to get from place to place can be via an organized tour or taking advantage of the regular and affordable ferry service. You can also easily visit islands like Capri, the resort of the Roman Empire elite, or Ischia with it’s healing pools that have been in use for over two thousand years. Enjoy the past, the present and the pizza!

.

Looking for more information on traveling to Italy and enjoying Caprese pizza in Naples? Contact Brian Bobroff, an International Travel Consultant at brian.bobroff@flightcentreassociates.com