What an exciting adventure for lovers of regional foods and history buffs. Spend an early evening strolling historic, picturesque Naples and exploring the food markets. There are food tastings as well as photo opportunities and shopping!
Your experience begins in Piazza Municipio where you will meet your guide who will share Neapolitan traditions and artistic influences dating back to the Greek and Roman ages. When booking, you get to choose the size of group you will join - VIP with a maximum of only 8 adults, a small group with a max of 16 or the regular group with a max of 40. This is not a private excursion though.
From the Municipal Plaza, you will walk to the Piazza Plebiscito to see the exquisite Royal Palace that was one of four residences of the Bourbon Kings during their rule. Another of the attractions here is the Galleria Umberto, a public shopping gallery. This spacious cross-shaped structure is covered by a spectacular glass dome, and the building itself is part of the Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will enjoy the view of the bay and Mt. Vesuvius as you walk to Santa Lucia. This is a historic area of Naples that dates back to the Greeks first landed in the area. There are plenty of opportunities for photo ops with postcard-worthy scenery. Walk along Via Toledo to Pignasecca, an indoor food market, and experience the flavors of typical regional foods. Examples might include baba (the most traditional dessert of Naples), Sfogliatella (a shell-shaped filled Italian pastry), coffee, limoncello, and pizza.
After your tasting experience, there will be a bit of free time to explore the market before walking to Spaccanapoli, the straight, narrow road in the historic center of Naples. This serves as the primary promenade because it offers access to many of the more important sites in the city. You will also stroll along the Via San Gregorio Armeno to explore the shop of a local craftsman and learn the tradition of the Presepe (the handmade statues of the Nativity) dating back 1,000 years!
Your last stop on your Naples adventure takes you along the central nave of the Naples Cathedral (the Duomo), known as the Cattedrale di San Gennaro in honor of Saint Januarius, a martyr and saint of the Roman Catholic. The interior of the Duomo is magnificent, with frescoes, altarpieces, a bronze railing, canvasses, and mosaics! Your guide will share with you the fascinating history of Saint Gennaro. A vial of his blood is brought out twice each year, on specified dates, when the dried blood usually liquefies.
At the end of your culinary and walking history experience in historic Naples, you will be free to return to your hotel or Naples cruise port at your leisure and at your own expense.
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