Monica's activity

I guess you would be safe even if you were African actually! You cannot generalize things... if that happened in January, it is not said it has to happen again... Last year the earthquake in Abruzzo...the love for this Region did not end just becuase things happened and I know very many people who go back to Abruzzo... So don't worry poeat...you will have a great time in Calabria!!!

Hi Scott, I have no experience with this, but know from friends who advertised their Homes for rental on the italymag website. They were quite happy with that...just try to contact them maybe!

As for outdoor Music, I can't help butjust say that you will certainly find any music when in Naples. Folkloristic music is offered almost every evening in different places - just ask for more info when there, they will surely help you find the right place! As for Caravaggio, and in general Art in Naples, I have read that an there will be an exhibit event that involves the entire city of Naples and its most important museum sites: “Return to the Baroque” offers six themed exhibits in as many sites – Capodimonte Museum, Castel Sant'Elmo, Carthusian Church and San Martino Museum, the Duca di Martina Museum, the Villa Pignatelli Museum, and the Palazzo Reale – and includes the entire city and the surrounding area with fifty-one itineraries in the Baroque places, churches, Carthusian monasteries, collegiate churches, palaces and regional museums.  The cultural and artistic event is marked by three key moments: Caravaggio's arrival in Naples in 1606, Luigi Vanvitelli and Ferdinando Fuga's presence in the city (1750), and Charles of Bourbon's departure for Spain (1759). Over five-hundred works are on display, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, interior-design pieces, textiles, jewels, ceramics and china, from Italian and international private collections and museums. The exhibits are subdivided as follows: the Capodimonte Museums hosts drawings from public and private collections covering a century and a half of sacred histories, displayed in the exhibit “Sacred and Secular Stories from Caravaggio to Francesco Solimena, 1606-1747;” at Castel Sant'Elmo are on display restored paintings and objets d'art from 1600 to 1750, as well as period photographs from Luciano Pedicini; the Carthusian Church and the Museum of San Martino hosts Baroque sculptures and historical portraits with artistic images of the city of Naples; the Pignatelli Museum hosts the themed exhibit on the Baroque still lifes and the Palazzo Reale is home to an exhibit entirely dedicated to architecture, urban design and cartography, from Domenico Fontana to Ferdinando Sanfelice. One section focuses on the Baroque decorations and interior design from the Historical Apartment. Think it goes until April 11th....hopefully you will be there by that date! Hope to have answered your question. You see ... I fell in love with Naples and hope you will do as well... Best, Monica

I've recently seen the episode where Gary Rhodes goes to Sicily! I simply loved the part where Katia Amore (hope I well understood the name) and her Cooking school was shown. Not only the great recipe with chocolate fascinated me, but also the stunning beauty of the city seen in the video. I want to go there....:-)

Colonel , Thank you very much for your kind words...I may thing about your suggestion and maybe write a bit more... Yes I have lived in several parts of Italy and love the simple traditions of every single place, paying attention to what I see and do. Travelling is not just having a look at Museums and historical buildings, but means living like you would be part of thta city! That makes travelling so fantastic I guess! Hope to tell you more soon...but please keep us updated about your trip. Tartuffa, your quotation about Neapolitan traffic lights are so right :-) :-) Best, Monica

Gromit hit in on the nail: you haven't seen anything about Italy if you haven't seen Naples! However, here some things worth seeing: When near Piazza Plebiscito and Galleria Umberto, walk through Via Toledo, which is one of the main business and shopping streets. Here you can also find the funicolare, the funicular railway, that takes you to Vomero. Don't forget to do the funny joke when in Piazza Plebiscito: you will find two statues (charles III borbone and Ferdinand I) - try to position yourself in front of them but exactly between them and patch your eyes. Try to walk straight forward...you won't manage to do it! The trick is that the light inclination of the surface of the piazza makes you change direction without knowing it. But have a try...maybe you will be lucky! What I also recommendo is to go and see San Gregorio Armeno, the street entirely dedicated to Creches or nativity scenes, workshops and stores that are open during all year. You won't find just traditional figures, but also up-to date ones..last time I have been there, they had George Clooney with his italian girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis, wounded Berlusconi, football players...great to see and to take pictures of. Don't forget to buy at least one "corno" - a red chilli pepper - which is the most important lucky charm in Naples! But do not buy it for yourself! To really work and bring luck, somebody else has to give it to you...(let your wife buy it :-) Near San Gregorio you can find Spaccanapoli  - litterally split Naples, as this street really divides New and old Naples and is the heart ofthe historic centre. Mainly a pedestrian zonewith very narrow streets and beautiful old buildings and cafès! Go and see the Cathedral of San Gennaro, Naple's patron! and do not miss the Bay as well, visiting Castel nuovo, Castel Dell'ovo and Mergellina! The most important thing: do not forget to bring comfortable shoes! :-) Hope I could help a bit more! Please let us know about your trip then... Monica

Hi colonel! What a good choice to go and see Naples...I personally love Naples and ahve lived there for some years. so please do not hesitate to ask for whatever you would like to know, even if I guess I would not be impartial :-)  I will try and give you a smattering of things to do and see. Naples in one of the oldest cities in the world and you will certainly see this from the urban structure, buildings and streets. For example the streets have been left that way on purpose, so don't think Naples did not have the chance to make new ones - it would just not be the same without "dancing" on the streets when driving/riding on. the first thing you have to know is that you cannot go to Naples and eat Pizza. I really would recommend Da Michele (near Piazza Nicola Amore on the Rettifilo, which is one of the main streets of Naples that leads from the train station directly to Piazza Plebiscito) which is one of the oldest pizzerias in Naples, where pizza is a real delicacy - or Pizzeria Brandi, near Piazza Plebiscito, the central and main open city square in Naples with Palazzo Reale on the one side and and Church of San Francsesco da Paola on the other side. Nearby is the Teatro San Carlo, the oldest and largest italian opera house. Directly across is Galleria Umberto. Unfortunately you won't see too much of it, as it is being rebuilt these days - hopefully they have finished when you'll be there. When in the Galleria, try the "promesse" in the tiny cake shop...you won't regret it :-) There are so many things to do and see I cannot write down at one go! Naples is just exciting and you are right when saying they have their own way of life...that makes them so special! Just ask if you want t oknow more!... Best, Monica  

Sorry Maria, I do not have any experience. However, why just don't have a try. Don't believe what others say... you may experience it on your own. Nobody forces you to stay and work there if you don't like the job in the end...May be a good experience!Good luck and let us know what you decided eventually!Monica

Lucia! That's great...I love Calcio, so this is the right post for me! Does anyone hava a favourite Italian player or team? Well, people surround would say: No way, Forza Napoli! :-) 

Hi Karyl, and  Welcome! Well, what to say, Gala is right: your question is a difficult one. However, let me tell you my own personal experience. I am a bit younger (28) and moved to Italy more or less 10 years ago. I have always been fascinated by Italy, especially the South, as my parents and Grandparents (immigrants who moved to Germany) never stopped talking about the beautiful BEL PAESE. So, once taken my A-Levels, I decided to move to Naples as an Erasmus student going to an italian University. A whole year passed and I fell in love so much with Italy that I did not want to move back to Germany. Now, almost 10 years have passed and I am still here, enjoying everything italian (good things as well as bad things of course), sometimes complaining about it...but I never thought it was a wrong decision to stay in Italy. Now this is my real home, I learned Italian very quickly (thanks also to University and a lot of friendly people over here) and cannot think but become old over here. I have to say that I sometimes miss home and old friends, but when I think about the beautiful weather, the historical and cultural background which made me come to Italy and the fact that my friends love to visit me, and of course by italian boyfriend :-) ...I truly believe that moving to Italy was one of the best decisions I ever made!You just have to really want it. Maybe it would be helpful to visit Italy, or specifically Tucany, more than once and experience your feelings whilst there...then you can decide. Tuscany won't escape...it will wait for you...Just let us know what you will be doing...Regards, Monica