words by Gabi Logan
Neopolitan University "Suor Orsola Benincasa" launched Citymate, a series of free, student-led tours, last week, coinciding with the surge of visitors in town for the America’s Cup World Series in Naples.
Citymate allows visitors to discover Naples as its residents see it. Students guide travellers to the city’s historic sights and contemporary cultural attractions, such as characteristic restaurants and stores. Personalization is a key factor of the program, and guides take traveller preferences and requests into account when planning a tour. Visitors can pursue a full itinerary with Citymates or simply get help finding the best shopping area for their interests or the ideal spot for a panorama view of the city.
The Cultural Heritage Tourism Degree Program at the university wanted to create a way for visitors to Naples to see the real city, not just the sights listed in guidebooks. Paola Villani, president of the university program, emphasized to Il Mattino that the tours “help tourists not waste their time visiting the wrong places, spending money in expensive stores, and eating poorly.”
Travellers can choose from one of three themed tracks. The historic tour winds through the city centre, visiting major sites such as the Castel dell’Ovo and the Piazza Plebiscito. On the gastronomic track, visitors tour Neapolitan pizzerias and taste signature desserts like sfogliatelle and babàs at historic bakeries. The phlegraean tour revolves around the volcanic field of the same name next to Naples, mixing historic sites such as the archaeological ruins at Cuma with cultural attractions like thermal spa baths.
