Gems of South East Italy

About Naples

Naples is the capital of the Campania region and the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan. Naples was founded in the 9th century BC by Greek sailors who gave it the name "Neopolis" meaning “New City.” Throughout the centuries, the city grew and became a magnificent cultural center, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. However, local mafia, the Camorra, caused corruption of the municipal government and the city deteriorated, becoming poor and dirty.In spite of everything, Naples is fascinating, perhaps precisely because of the blend of poverty and neglect with the splendor of past royalty and the many rulers who left their mark on the city's.

Naples is the capital of the Campania region and the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan. Naples was founded in the 9th century BC by Greek sailors who gave it the name "Neopolis" meaning “New City.” Throughout the centuries, the city grew and became a magnificent cultural center, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. However, local mafia, the Camorra, caused corruption of the municipal government and the city deteriorated, becoming poor and dirty.In spite of everything, Naples is fascinating, perhaps precisely because of the blend of poverty and neglect with the splendor of past royalty and the many rulers who left their mark on the city's.

There are still 3 impressive fortresses left standing: Castel Del Uno and Castel Nuovo, which stand at the openings to the sea like formidable bodyguards, and Castel Sant'Elmo, which watches over the city from above. There is a gallery named for King Umberto I which was built as a shopping center in the glorious architectural style typical of the 19th century. Today it is quite neglected and is home to several local shops and cafes. On the other side of the street, in front of the gallery, is the San Carlo theater building, the Neapolitan opera house that was a serious challenger of the La Scala opera in Milan. It even won the competition both for its beauty and its era. Following a long period of closure and extensive renovations, the San Carlo theatre has reopened to the general public, and it is definitely worthwhile to visit. The Duomo (Cathedral) of Naples is named after the city's patron saint, Gennaro Patrona. Residents of the city gather there three times a year to witness the miracle of how the coagulated blood of the saint, which is found in a special glass vessel, turns into liquid. This is the sign to the residents of the city that the saint is still with them, watching over them. The Royal Palace of Naples takes up an entire street and ends at Piazza Flavicito, a huge square that was neglected for many years and had even been used as an overnight parking lot for public buses. The square has been renovated, and today you can once again stroll there, enjoying its size and grandeur. At the end of the square is the famous historic café, "Gambrinus," which was host to writers and intellectuals such as Emile Zola, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemingway and still offers its outstanding coffee... You’ll exit the café on Via Toledo, the bustling pedestrian street filled with shops and international brands. One of the alleys branching off Via Toledo is the gateway to the Spanish Quarter. Originally a closed military residence, the area became home to prostitution and crime over the years. Recent renovations in the quarter succeeded in both cleaning it up and maintaining its authenticity, and it has become a pleasant area for both residents and tourists. It is worthwhile visiting the Spanish Quarter if only to see the "temple" that the residents built there in memory of Diego Maradona, the star of the local soccer team who became an idol after the team's successes during this period. Spaccanapoli, the most visited street in the city, traverses the city in two, hence its name which means, literally, “Naples splitter.” Branching off from the Spaccanapoli are alleys that lead to several other sites, such as the National Museum of Archaeology, which is considered one of the most beautiful museums in Italy. It’s recommended to visit Naples in the transition seasons - from March to May and September/October - when the weather is mild and dry and it is off-peak time for tourists. In the summer, you’ll find large crowds as well as hot and humid weather, and the winter months can be rainy.

About Bari

Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari on the Adriatic Sea. It is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas. The city itself has a population of about 320,475, as of 2011. Main sights in Bari include the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, Bari Cathedral, Petruzzelli Theatre, Swabian Castle and many more. Bari's cuisine, one of Italy's most traditional and noteworthy, is based on three typical agricultural products found within the surrounding region of Apulia, namely wheat, olive oil and wine. The local cuisine is also enriched by the wide variety of fruit and vegetables produced locally.

Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari on the Adriatic Sea. It is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas. The city itself has a population of about 320,475, as of 2011. Main sights in Bari include the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, Bari Cathedral, Petruzzelli Theatre, Swabian Castle and many more. Bari's cuisine, one of Italy's most traditional and noteworthy, is based on three typical agricultural products found within the surrounding region of Apulia, namely wheat, olive oil and wine. The local cuisine is also enriched by the wide variety of fruit and vegetables produced locally.

About Lecce

Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, it is over 2,000 years old. Because of the rich Baroque architectural monuments found in the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South". The city also has a long traditional affinity with Greek culture going back to its foundation.

Lecce is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, it is over 2,000 years old. Because of the rich Baroque architectural monuments found in the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South". The city also has a long traditional affinity with Greek culture going back to its foundation.

About Taranto

Taranto is a coastal city in Puglia, Southern Italy. it has a number of sites of historic value - Situated at the angle of the canal, Big Sea and Piazza Castello, the Aragon Castle was built between 1486 and 1492 by orders of King Ferdinand II of Aragon for the purpose of protecting the city. There are several Greek temple ruins - some from the 6th century BC - such as the remains of a temple dedicated to Poseidon with its two surviving Doric columns. The Promenade (lungomare), named after former Italian king Victor Emmanuel III, overlooks the Mar Grande, the natural harbor and commercial port.

Taranto is a coastal city in Puglia, Southern Italy. it has a number of sites of historic value - Situated at the angle of the canal, Big Sea and Piazza Castello, the Aragon Castle was built between 1486 and 1492 by orders of King Ferdinand II of Aragon for the purpose of protecting the city. There are several Greek temple ruins - some from the 6th century BC - such as the remains of a temple dedicated to Poseidon with its two surviving Doric columns. The Promenade (lungomare), named after former Italian king Victor Emmanuel III, overlooks the Mar Grande, the natural harbor and commercial port.

About Matera

Matera is a city and a province in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy. The town lies athwart a small canyon, which has been eroded in the course of years by a small stream, the Gravina. Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City), Matera is well known for its historical center called "Sassi", considered World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993, along with the Park of the Rupestrian Churches. Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera" (meaning "stones of Matera"). The Sassi originated in a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, and these dwellings are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in what is now Italy.

Matera is a city and a province in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy. The town lies athwart a small canyon, which has been eroded in the course of years by a small stream, the Gravina. Known as "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City), Matera is well known for its historical center called "Sassi", considered World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993, along with the Park of the Rupestrian Churches. Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera" (meaning "stones of Matera"). The Sassi originated in a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, and these dwellings are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in what is now Italy.

About Naples

Naples is the capital of the Campania region and the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan. Naples was founded in the 9th century BC by Greek sailors who gave it the name "Neopolis" meaning “New City.” Throughout the centuries, the city grew and became a magnificent cultural center, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. However, local mafia, the Camorra, caused corruption of the municipal government and the city deteriorated, becoming poor and dirty.In spite of everything, Naples is fascinating, perhaps precisely because of the blend of poverty and neglect with the splendor of past royalty and the many rulers who left their mark on the city's.

Naples is the capital of the Campania region and the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan. Naples was founded in the 9th century BC by Greek sailors who gave it the name "Neopolis" meaning “New City.” Throughout the centuries, the city grew and became a magnificent cultural center, considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. However, local mafia, the Camorra, caused corruption of the municipal government and the city deteriorated, becoming poor and dirty.In spite of everything, Naples is fascinating, perhaps precisely because of the blend of poverty and neglect with the splendor of past royalty and the many rulers who left their mark on the city's.

There are still 3 impressive fortresses left standing: Castel Del Uno and Castel Nuovo, which stand at the openings to the sea like formidable bodyguards, and Castel Sant'Elmo, which watches over the city from above. There is a gallery named for King Umberto I which was built as a shopping center in the glorious architectural style typical of the 19th century. Today it is quite neglected and is home to several local shops and cafes. On the other side of the street, in front of the gallery, is the San Carlo theater building, the Neapolitan opera house that was a serious challenger of the La Scala opera in Milan. It even won the competition both for its beauty and its era. Following a long period of closure and extensive renovations, the San Carlo theatre has reopened to the general public, and it is definitely worthwhile to visit. The Duomo (Cathedral) of Naples is named after the city's patron saint, Gennaro Patrona. Residents of the city gather there three times a year to witness the miracle of how the coagulated blood of the saint, which is found in a special glass vessel, turns into liquid. This is the sign to the residents of the city that the saint is still with them, watching over them. The Royal Palace of Naples takes up an entire street and ends at Piazza Flavicito, a huge square that was neglected for many years and had even been used as an overnight parking lot for public buses. The square has been renovated, and today you can once again stroll there, enjoying its size and grandeur. At the end of the square is the famous historic café, "Gambrinus," which was host to writers and intellectuals such as Emile Zola, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemingway and still offers its outstanding coffee... You’ll exit the café on Via Toledo, the bustling pedestrian street filled with shops and international brands. One of the alleys branching off Via Toledo is the gateway to the Spanish Quarter. Originally a closed military residence, the area became home to prostitution and crime over the years. Recent renovations in the quarter succeeded in both cleaning it up and maintaining its authenticity, and it has become a pleasant area for both residents and tourists. It is worthwhile visiting the Spanish Quarter if only to see the "temple" that the residents built there in memory of Diego Maradona, the star of the local soccer team who became an idol after the team's successes during this period. Spaccanapoli, the most visited street in the city, traverses the city in two, hence its name which means, literally, “Naples splitter.” Branching off from the Spaccanapoli are alleys that lead to several other sites, such as the National Museum of Archaeology, which is considered one of the most beautiful museums in Italy. It’s recommended to visit Naples in the transition seasons - from March to May and September/October - when the weather is mild and dry and it is off-peak time for tourists. In the summer, you’ll find large crowds as well as hot and humid weather, and the winter months can be rainy.