If you follow @duefiliderba on Instagram, you might have noticed we took a three weeks trip in Italy. We first went to my hometown to see friends, then had a three-day-trip to Venice with a couple of friends and headed just the two of us to south for a week, more precisely to Naples. This was my third time in Naples, even though I never actually stopped and visited the city, since we would just take the ferry from there to go to Ischia, a beautiful island next to Capri. Klaus wanted to go to Naples mainly for two reasons: pizza and Pompeii. And boy, we really enjoyed both to the full.
Where we stayed and why
Being a couple who enjoys tranquility out of the hectic city life, we wanted to be based somewhere quieter, but still near enough to the places we wanted to visit. We chose to stay in a cute b&b called La Bellavista, meaning “beautiful view”, in a coastal city called Portici.
Portici is part of the “Golden Mile”, a road that nowadays goes from San Giovanni a Tedduccio to Torre Annunziata, but that in the 18th century would be between Ercolano and Torre del Greco, exactly one mile. The adjective golden was given because this road was full of beautiful rich villas from the Borbonic era that had amazing orchards full of citruses, like oranges, lemons and mandarins. Many of those villas are still well kept in Portici, mainly in the Via Armando Diaz, where one can also admire the beautiful gardens surrounding them.
It also has a lovely little harbor and a beautiful promenade, full of pizzerias and seafood restaurants (for the latter I cannot vouch since I’m strongly allergic to shellfishes.. Sigh..).
How to reach Portici
The place was perfect for us, since it’s only 14 minutes train ride away from Naples city center. In Naples its vicinities are served with a special train called circumvesuviana, “round the Vesuvius”, that connects Naples to the nearby cities and towns. The line that goes through Portici is the same one that continues to Pompeii and the Sorrento coast, having Sorrento as the terminal, so it couldn’t have been more convenient for us.
B&B La Bellavista is at the top floor of an apartment building. The owner Maria is one of the most hospitable persons we’ve ever encountered. She really did all that was in her power to make our stay pleasant and helped us planning our days, giving maps, suggestions and practical tips. Not to mention rich breakfasts with typical Neapolitan sweets. The B&B has a beautiful terrace from which one can admire both the Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples.
Capri island from our bedroom!
There are so many things I should still mention about Naples & surroundings and that’s why I’ll do a Mini Guide in the near future about it. Next week I’ll tell you more about one of the most amazing places on earth: Pompeii. Stay tuned and subscribe to the newsletter to get upcoming posts straight to your mailbox!
