Naples, Pompeii and where clients are travelling
Dear Friends,
Greetings! Well I went to Naples with my mother disproving the rule, no more than three days for fish or family! We had an amazing trip on so many fronts but here I will stick with the places, the food and the wine.
Naples is the grumpy, anarchic, cross, cool, edgy and maybe hungover sibling of Rome: the graffiti is slightly harsher; the parking even “better”; the adherence to rules is low; passion for pizza and fish and deep frying things is high. The mood is one of “can do and will do”. Their spiritual guidance doesn’t seem to entirely come from the Vatican but surprisingly, Argentina. Maradona has a shrine (due to his sojourn with Napoli)! As an Englishman of a certain age this sits a little strangely!!
We took a guide for a walking tour around the city and then a day trip to Pompeii. No doubt we were on a well trodden tourist path on both accounts– but like all clichés there’s a reason for that.
Pompeii - My words will not be able to capture the place better than what has been written before or will continue to be written. Graziella our guide was a (very) Proud Pompeiian, and this poured forth through her stories and her knowledge.
We know from Pliny the Elder that time stopped still on 24th August 79AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted - mind-blowing!
FOOD AND DRINK
The birthplace of Pizza? (we’ll let others argue that) – are they any better than anywhere else in Italy/the world? – yes. I have eaten a lot and continue to, so I have a little knowledge. I don’t know how or why, but there’s no “carb coma” having eaten pizza in Naples and the simplest ones I would argue are the best. Where the pizza fritta (deep fried) is concerned, the jury’s out on that one for me, but I did try it, when in Naples….
Lots of wonderful fresh fish and pasta – a warning the helpings are very generous.
All the restaurants were very good but a particular favourite was La Scialuppa https://www.lascialuppa.net/ by the Castel Dell’Ovo – pick your own fish, Seafood, Shellfish and enjoy.
The local wine is Falanghina (white and red) grown on Campi Flegri’s volcanic soil, the white is crisp, zesty and very quaffable, remarkably good value in restaurants and in heat with a gentle sea breeze – wonderful.
CULTURE
The Flagellation of Christ by Carravagio – this is housed in the Cappodimonte (the Summer Palace of various kings of Naples) - the palace is full of a lot of china, if that’s is your thing but the Carravagio is worth the entry fee alone.
Pompeii by Robert Harris – As ever a brilliant blend of history and Fiction set before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
WHERE CLIENTS ARE GOING
I am currently organising a few trips to India one later this year one next. Clients are starting to look at skiing plans; both Europe (a ski safari in the Dolomites to satiate both skiing and food cravings) and Japan.
A last minute villa in Italy.
An autumn trip to Seville and Cordoba to take in some tapas and Flamenco and culture.
A pilates retreat in Greece.
East coast USA and the Antipodes for next year…
