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Naples - Capital of the south

31st October 2007

Its name may translate as 'new city', but Naples - or Napoli, as it is known locally - is a city rich in heritage.

Naples is the capital on the Campania region, with the second largest population in Italy. Nevertheless, it is sometimes overlooked by travellers planning their Italian trips in favour of cities such as Rome or Milan. To the visitor who discovers Naples, this can make it feel like uncovering a hidden gem.

Exploring Naples is an experience quite unlike that offered by other cities in the country. While Italian is the native language, the regional dialect can often consist of a combination of Neopolitan and Italian words. Traffic is also done a little differently here; wits need to be kept when crossing the manic roads.

That said, much of the city retains a beauty that owes much to its rich history, which can be sampled with a stroll along the Bay of Naples or a visit to the old town centre.

In particular, the wonderfully preserved historic centre has been awarded the status of a cultural heritage site by Unseco. Visitors can spend their hours viewing the baroque and gothic churches, exploring the charming shopping streets or delving beneath the city into the Neapolitan cave network.

Much of the world's favourite Italian food comes from Naples, most notable Mozzarella cheese and pizza. To leave Naples without sampling these treats would certainly be an oversight.

Why not try a short break in Naples?

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