There are a lot of beautiful places which really deserve to be visited and this is why Italy is one of the countries I have visited so many times so far.

This year I managed to check off the Amalfi Coast, which is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. In case you are going to visit this amazing area, I would like to share a few tips with you, which I’m sure you will really appreciate:

1.First of all, you should see the entire area by taking a car ride along the coast. The union between the high mountains and the sea creates spectacular landscapes and panoramas and it will be a delight to admire them.

On the other hand, parking may be a real problem, because there are not enough parking spaces in the area. Despite this aspect, the coast is definitely worth visiting.

2.Don’t leave the Amalfi Coast without visiting the amazing Positano! This picturesque village was the main reason I dreamed with all my heart to visit this part of Italy. The best place to go to if you want to admire the beauty of Positano is Marina Grande, its most famous beach.

This lovely village built into the hillside of the Amalfi Coast is an oasis of beauty. Make sure you will also admire the village at night because the multitude of lights which embellish the entire place is simply fabulous.

3.The Amalfi Coast is blessed with a lot of beautiful beaches and you should try to add as many as you can to your trip list. Marina di Praia, Marina di Conca and Marina Grande are the ones you should definitely not miss. These amazing beaches are real oases of peace.

4.You should visit the town of Amalfi because it shelters a lot of beautiful tourist attractions. Before I got to the town of Amalfi, I stopped at the side of the road and I took an amazing picture of this lovely settlement. I think it’s one of the most beautiful pictures I have taken on this coast. It could successfully replace a postcard because it perfectly portrays the beauty of the entire area.

5.This part of Italy is also shrouded in mystery thanks to its tumultuous history. The place which perfectly highlights this idea is the ancient city of Pompeii. Nowadays the place is an archaeological site which shelters the ruins of the famous city.

Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the ancient Roman city of Pompeii under a thick carpet of volcanic ash. You will need at least a few hours to visit this site because it covers a large area, but I assure you that it is worth the effort because you will find out a lot of historical details.

6.The experience of visiting the lively Naples is both challenging and exciting. Besides its beautiful tourist attractions, Naples is about chaos, litter, policemen, laundry which flutters in the wrought iron balconies and about the best pizza ever.

It’s real madness, but it is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. I must confess that Naples is the only European city which reminded me of the chaotic Asia.

7.Another place that you should definitely visit is the luxurious Island of Capri. Situated in the Tyrrhenian Sea, this small island is famous for its unique landscapes and its beautiful tourist attractions. I like to call Capri” the island of flowers” thanks to the multitude of flowers which are a real delight for the tourists.

You should spend at least one day on this island, in case you want to have enough time to admire its most famous places.

8.In case you want to save a considerable amount of money, you shouldn’t rent a room situated in the most famous villages and towns of the Amalfi Coast. It might sound unbelievable but a room could cost 10 times more than another one situated in a nearby city.

I personally chose to spend three nights in Naples, which is about 55 kilometers away from Positano, and four nights in Pompei, which is situated 35 kilometers away. It was a one-hour drive, but it helped me save a lot of money.

9.I developed a passion for porchetta which is a delicious fatty and moist boneless pork roast stuffed with aromatic herbs. I can’t believe that I have been to Italy so many times and that only this year I have discovered this Italian specialty. You should definitely try it because it is simply delicious. Make sure you will also try their fish specialties because the Amalfi Coast is famous for its local fish dishes.

10.Last but not least, you should take a break and go shopping. This might be a great way to relax and recharge your batteries.

The post 10 tips in case you are going to visit the Amalfi Coast appeared first on HikerTips.

Even if it might not be appealing to many tourists because of its high level of crime and poverty, Naples deserves to be visited at least once in a lifetime.

When in comes to food,  Naples is considered the birthplace of pizza, but you can also try delicious pasta and seafood there. This is the place where I have tried fried pumpkin flowers and believe me they were unexpectedly delicious.

If you are able to look beyond the trash, the graffiti and the chaos, Naples can be considered an unusual Italian masterpiece. Leaving aside the negative aspects, the city shelters a multitude of sculptures, castles, churches and other beautiful buildings.

The Square of Gesu Nuovo shelters three landmarks: Chiesa di Gesu Nuovo(the Church of Gesu Nuovo), the Spire of the Immaculate Virgin and Complesso Museale di Santa Chiara(The Museum Complex of Saint Chiara). This religious complex shelters the Church of Saint Chiara, an archaeological museum and a few tombs.

The Square of Gesu Nuovo & the Spire of the Immaculate Virgin

The Church of Saint Chiara

The interior of the Church of Saint Chiara

Chiesa di Gesu Nuovo

Pio Monte della Misericordia is among the top Neapolitan attractions. This beautiful church is famous for a few valuable works of art.

Naples shelters a lot of religious edifices. The most important one is the Cathedral of Naples (Il Duomo di Napoli) which is also the seat of the Archbishop of Naples. This Roman Catholic cathedral shelters the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, a really beautiful place loaded with a special type of energy.

The Cathedral of Naples

The Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro

Opposite this cathedral, there is another interesting church called Chiesa dei Girolamini.

Chiesa dei Girolamini

Chiesa di San Gregorio Armeno, Chiesa di Santa Maria di Monteoliveto, Chiesa di San Giovanni, Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore and Cappella di Sansevero are other beautiful churches and chapels that can be admired in Naples.

Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore

Besides the multitude of churches and cathedrals, Naples is also blessed with a few interesting castles. One of them is Castel Sant’Elmo, which is a medieval fortress located on a hilltop where I had the chance to admire a few amazing views over the city of Naples.

View over the city of Naples

The way to the Castel Sant’Elmo

View over the city of Naples

The beautiful Certosa di San Martino is another beautiful monastery and also museum situated a few steps away.

You can also visit Castel Dell’Ovo and Castel Nuovo, two medieval castles situated very close to Piazza del Plebiscito. This square is the largest in the city and it shelters the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), Basilica di San Francesca di Paola, the statue of Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies and the statue of Charles III of Spain.

Castel Nuovo

Piazza del Plebiscito

If you have enough time, you can also admire Palazzo San Giacomo, the imposing city hall which is situated in the same area.

In case you are a museum lover, you can visit the National Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

You can also let yourself surprised by the underground world of Naples Sotterranea, a place which offers you the chance to explore Naples’ ancient labyrinth of aqueducts, passages and cisterns. Whether you choose this guided tour or not, you should definitely not miss one of the most representative places of the underground world of Naples. I am talking about the interesting Catacombe di San Gennaro.

Catacombe di San Gennaro

Basilica Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio situated very close to Catacombe di San Gennaro

One of the best places in case you want to admire a few lovely panoramic views over the Gulf of Naples is the famous district of Posillipo. A walk on the cliff will be a great opportunity to get rid of the fuss of the city and take a few lovely pictures.

No visit to Naples is complete if you don’t add a few hot shopping spots to your list. Galleria Umberto I is a public shopping gallery embellished with modern architectural elements.

Via San Gregorio Armeno is a street which shelters a lot of workshops where different works of art are created, while Spaccanapoli is the straight and narrow main street that goes through the old historical center of the city.

Via San Gregorio Armeno

Spaccanapoli

Even if Naples is not appealing to many tourists because it is too chaotic, dirty and unsafe, I don’t regret my experience there at all. All things considered, Naples is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.

The post The most important tourist attractions in Naples appeared first on HikerTips.

2.The Amphitheater of Pompeii is the first Roman amphitheater built in stone. It is the oldest amphitheater in the world that still stands today.

3.Before being wiped off the face of the earth, Pompeii was the place where the rich Romans used to spend their holidays. According to the legend even the famous Nero owned a property in Pompeii.

4.Mount Vesuvius was a mystery for the inhabitants of Pompeii. They believed that it was a simple mountain, because it didn’t have any volcanic activity for almost 1800 years. The legend says that the word “volcano” was actually invented after this famous eruption and it comes from Vulcan who is the Roman god of fire.

5.When Mount Vesuvius erupted, it pulverized pumice and hot ash at the rate of 1.5 million tons per second. The 700 degrees Celsius lava rolled over the neighboring cities at a speed of 110 kilometers per hour.

6.It is said that Vesuvius is 17000 years old and that it has erupted almost 50 times. The most recent eruption took place in 1944, during the Second World War. Nowadays it is the only active volcano in continental Europe and it is considered really dangerous for all the inhabitants who live in the area.

Remember that the future belongs to the curious and stay close for the next “Did you know that?”

You can also read the previous articles “Did you know that?” ⇒Here →1.→2.→3.

The post 4. Did you know these facts about Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii? appeared first on HikerTips.

A visit to this archaeological site seems to be a mysterious return in time. In order to have a great experience there, I thought the following tips could be useful:

1.The history of the ancient city of Pompeii is really interesting and tumultuous. Before you visit this site, try to read a few books or articles about this place because this way you will better understand the history behind the ruins. I also recommend the movie “Pompeii”, which presents the story of the ancient city in a very emotional way.

2.The archaeological site covers an area of 66 hectares and it shelters the ruins of a lot of buildings, houses and gardens. Taking into account the large area you have to visit, make sure you have almost a day to spend there, in order to have enough time to admire the entire site.

3.The Pompeii Excavations is an open air museum and if you visit it in summer, take into account the fact that there will be just a few places where you can shelter from the burning sun. On this note, you will need water, sunscreen and a hat or a scarf. You should also wear comfortable shoes because almost all the streets are cobbled and you’ll have to walk a long distance.

4.The ticket price is 11 euros, excepting the first Sunday of every month, when the entrance is free of charge. This will help you save a small amount of money, in case you are in the area at the beginning of the month.

5.Marina Gate, Exedra Square and Amphitheatre Square are the three entrances you can use to get to the ruins. You can find ticket offices at each entrance and this is a good tip to avoid standing in line. If it’s not very crowded, my advice is to choose Marina Gate because this way you will start your visit with the Forum and its lively square.

6.Take a map with you in case you don’t want to get lost through the ruins. If you are a technology lover, it’s good to know that you can download an application on your phone which will provide you with all the necessary information. Another option is to choose an organized tour with a professional guide. These guided tours can be requested only if you enter the site using Marina Gate or Exedra Square.

7.The ruins of the ancient Pompeii are a feast for the eyes. Make sure you will not miss the area of the Forum with its temples and basilicas, the old Amphitheater, the controversial brothel Lupanar, the richest houses and properties and the beautiful gardens. In my opinion, the most touching place is the Gardens of the Fugitives, a sad area which reveals the petrified bodies of 13 victims. An embracing family who were waiting for the end, a baker who was taking the bread out of the oven and a few painters who were painting a wall are just a few examples.

8.There are a few restrictions inside the archaeological site of Pompeii, which you should keep in mind. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the excavations, but you can use one of the few smoking areas specially arranged for the tourists. In case you are going to take luggage with you, you should know that there are not allowed handbags, backpacks, suitcases or any type of luggage which exceeds the dimensions of 30x30x15 centimeters. Another restriction is that big pets are not allowed inside the site. Animals must wear a leash in case they enter the site.

9.A few buildings might be closed during your visit. It’s important to know that some of the buildings are open during the first part of the day and others during the second part. This is why I advise you to spend an entire day there.

10.Near the Forum you can find a restaurant and a first aid service. There are also picnic areas near Amphitheater Square and Casina dell’Aquila. There will be no problem to rest and have a snack .

All things considered, there is only one thing left to do. Plan your trip to the ancient city of Pompeii and enjoy it to the fullest!

The post 10 tips if you are going to visit the ancient city of Pompeii appeared first on HikerTips.

I just wanted to admire the amazing landscapes created by the perfect union between the sea and the high cliffs and all those famous colorful houses which embellish the entire coastline.

It was a great surprise for me to discover that the lovely territory of the Cinque Terre hides several wonderful small bays and beaches. Monterosso Beach is considered the most beautiful beach in the area and it is also my favorite one.

Situated in the village with the same name, this beach is simply charming thanks to the blend between the fine sand and the clear blue water.

Also known as Fegina Beach, this beach is the only sand-covered beach in the area of the Cinque Terre. The long stretch of sand, embellished with a few stones of various shapes and sizes, together with the picturesque mountain landscape, creates a spectacular scenery.

You should know that Monterosso Beach is pretty crowded especially in summer, because it is the most beautiful and accessible beach in the area.

So, in case you are looking for a quiet beach away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, Monterosso Beach is not a good option. The advantage is that it’s really easy to get to this beach because it is located just in front of the train station.

Monterosso Beach is equipped with deck chairs and umbrellas, which can be rented by the tourists. Whether you choose to try one of the common beach activities or simply rest under the sun rays, both options are perfect in case you want to relax in the middle of a beautiful scenery.

You don’t have to take my words for granted, but you can take a look at the following pictures in order to convince yourself of what I’m talking about.

The post Monterosso Beach in pictures appeared first on HikerTips.

This National Park is considered one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy and for good reason.

The chain of mountains seems to merge with the sea and create an amazing scenery. In the middle of this scenery there are five authentic Italian villages built on five different hills.  Situated very close to each other, these villages shelter beautiful churches, old buildings and impressive fortresses which the tourists can admire while they are going for a walk in their lovely narrow streets.

The first of them is Riomaggiore, a small old village which hides an amazing landscape, created by the blend between the colorful buildings and the turbulent sea. Walking down the narrow cobblestone streets, you will discover the Parish Church of Saint Giovanni Battista, the Oratory of Saint Maria Assunta, the Oratory of Saint Rocco and the Fortress.

No matter how you decide to spend your time there, you shouldn’t leave Riomaggiore without admiring the most beautiful panorama of the entire village which can be seen from the other side of the cliff. I was so impressed that I could have spent hours admiring this fabulous view.

With this image in my mind, I started off for the second village, which I expected to be as beautiful as the first one. It was a great surprise for me to realize that Manarola is simply breathtaking and even more beautiful than Riomaggiore.

Words are not enough to describe the perfect union between the sea and the high cliffs. The colorful houses of the village of Manarola seem to literally fall from the steep cliff which shelters them. I must confess that Manarola is my favorite village and that I could have spent entire days admiring its beauty.

In case you want to venture in the small streets of this village, you will have the opportunity to visit the Parish Church of Saint Lorenzo, the Bell Tower, the Fortress and the Bulwark.

Corniglia, which is another small and picturesque Italian village, is situated very close to Manarola. I must say that I didn’t have the chance to visit this village, but this is a strong reason to return to this place in the future. When I do, I will have the opportunity to also visit Corniglia and its Fortifications, the Oratory of Saint Caterina and the Parish Church of Saint Pietro.

Vernazza is bigger than the other villages, but it is as lovely. The most beautiful view of Vernazza can be admired from the beach. There is an artificial path made of stones where the tourists can go for a walk and admire the image of the village.

In case you want to taste the beauty of this village even more, you should know that Vernazza shelters the Parish Church of Saint Margherita di Antiochia, the Fortress, the Belforte and the Towers.

Last but not least, Monterosso al Mare is another lovely village blessed with an incredibly beautiful beach with fine sand and crystal blue water. This is the perfect place to go for a swim and relax after admiring all these beautiful villages.

The village is built in the same architectural style and a walk in its narrow streets will give you the chance to visit its main tourist attractions.

The Parish Church of Saint Giovanni Battista, the Capuchins Monastery and the Saint Francesco Church, the Fortress, the Aurora Tower, the Giant and the Montale’s Villa are the most important ones.

To conclude, the Cinque Terre is the perfect place to visit in case you want to live an unforgettable experience on the shores of Italy. This coastline is a real treasure which should be visited by all of us at least once in a lifetime.

The post The Cinque Terre, a priceless treasure in Italy appeared first on HikerTips.