Naples Awakens the Five Senses

Naples does not offer a serene and time-lapse experience like other Italian cities or towns, almost all of which are 'Citta Slow' candidates, always flowing in their own rhythm. On the contrary, almost every day and hour of the week, you get involved in the daily life that flows at a speed that reflects all the dominant and active accents of the Italian accent.

Napoli has no patience to explain itself or to please you. As it is; he is already quite tired and does not expect to be liked, especially appreciated. If you compliment it, it will be indifferent, if you don't like it, it won't matter, if you admire it, it doesn't matter. If we leave all these helplessness aside, on the other hand, it carries the sincerity of a friend that you pick up from where you left off every time you go.

It is worth going to Naples even to know that you can reach dream islands such as Capri and Ischia, which are just a stone's throw away, and the liveliness of the port of Naples, which has added movement to the city for centuries. Sorrento, which is just an hour away for a wonderful weekend, romantic Positano and the Amalfi coast, which is a candidate to blow your mind with its breathtaking views at every bend, Naples flaunts other cities from afar with these features. His desperation is partly due to this self-confidence.

Every time you look at the magnificent Mount Vesuvius and its splendor, you will never forget the frozen traces of time in Pompeii and Herculaneum, the magnificent shores embroidered like lace, the juicy and delicious mozzarella you eat, the consistency of real Italian pizzas and the atmospheric atmosphere of the streets will not make you forget. Naples is one of the cities where you will want to go again and where new experiences await you, just like Istanbul.

For me, it starts with a strong coffee at Gambrinus, located in Piazza Trieste, Naples. Gambrinus is one of the city's main iftar patisseries. It is always crowded and lively… Moreover, this is a good start to get acquainted with the city. After the espresso I drink standing up at the bar, like the Italians, I walk in the street where I come out of the side door, while I wrap a piece of delicious almond 'tarallini' in a piece of paper and find a place for this delicious taste on my palate along Via Toledo. On the right I see the magnificent ceiling of the Galleria Umberto, which easily makes me feel like I am in Milan. The strict 'companion' of the time, the Spanish Quarter (Spanish Quarter), appears and disappears with its laundry hanging from the ropes stretched between buildings, and its narrow and long streets on the left side of the street. Do not be surprised if you see the hanging baskets, not just the laundry hanging from the apartments. This habit, which has almost disappeared in us, continues in Naples.

By the way, the Spanish Quarter has a 'crazy' restaurant. 'Da Nennella' satisfies those who want to witness the state of a Neapolitan family in the kitchen. Waiters shouting and joking with customers, tourists who find this address to be the target of jokes or to be in this 'theatrical' environment, locals of the city due to the attractive price of the artisan restaurant, everyone is here... If you tip the basket hanging over the door, then the real hell breaks loose. . The most extraordinary and strange detail of the shabby environment is the fruits that come in a bowl shaped like a toilet bowl. The story of the restaurant is just as interesting. The grandchildren continue the tradition of their grandmothers, who used to cook for the soldiers in this shop during the Second World War, by making cheap and delicious meals. Your Da Nennella experience is complete if you stumble upon the chef's Italian songs overflowing from the kitchen when the customers dwindle.

By the way, the Spanish Quarter has a 'crazy' restaurant. 'Da Nennella' satisfies those who want to witness the state of a Neapolitan family in the kitchen. Waiters shouting and joking with customers, tourists who find this address to be the target of jokes or to be in this 'theatrical' environment, locals of the city due to the attractive price of the artisan restaurant, everyone is here... If you tip the basket hanging over the door, then the real hell breaks loose. . The most extraordinary and strange detail of the shabby environment is the fruits that come in a bowl shaped like a toilet bowl. The story of the restaurant is just as interesting. The grandchildren continue the tradition of their grandmothers, who used to cook for the soldiers in this shop during the Second World War, by making cheap and delicious meals. Your Da Nennella experience is complete if you stumble upon the chef's Italian songs overflowing from the kitchen when the customers dwindle.

Of course, Centro Storico inevitably has a touristic side as well, although I am walking on a street surrounded by souvenir shops, I often stop to look at the courtyards of the buildings with their magnificent doors open. By the way, these doors are not always open. If you come across it, it would be useful to take a look inside. For a more 'deep' exploration of Naples, I turn to Naples Sotterranea (underground city) on the other street. Located under the city, this city gives a new perspective to the lives previously lived in Naples. My reward on the way out of the damp and dark underground city is fried pizza at Matteo's. As an alternative to the delicious Napolitan pizzas in the 'homeland of pizza', you should try this flavor. However, after this discovery, my preference will be for the classic Napolitan pizzas. By the way, there is a wonderful association in Naples: the 'Real Pizza Association'. This association, which has a cartoon-like name that makes you smile, has more than 500 restaurants that are certified worldwide. Members of the association go to check-ins twice a year to see if restaurants around the world are making 'real' Neapolitan pizza, even if that country is Brazil, thousands of kilometers from Naples. The association, which never compromises on the original production and ingredients of the Napolitan pizza, has the right to withdraw the certificate if these restaurants fall below the required standard. You can spend three or four hours on this tour full of flavor and information to follow the pizza ovens where the 'real' Napolitan pizza was born in Naples.

As long as you stay here, you often come face to face with Vesuvius, which always overlooks the city from afar; however, as you climb the hills from the winding roads of Naples, you once again admire the majestic form of Vesuvius, and you are surprised by the 'crazy' Neapolitans living at the foot of this mountain where one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in history took place.