DK Travel : Naples & the Amalfi Coast

From one perspective, this area is an anomaly, at once one of the earth’s most beautiful and yet most accursed places. It has been the choice of the great and wealthy as their playground, while also being the scene of some of the greatest natural disasters and the grittiest human misery. Perhaps these irreconcilable twists of fate are at the root of the Neapolitans’ famously optimistic cynicism. The city of Naples itself is a vibrant urban setting, almost non-European in its intensity, while the beauty of the surrounding coast has been known to make grown men weep.

B&B Villa San Gennariello

Beautiful bed and breakfast in the Vesuvian area. Very friendly family host you in their Bourbon-period villa, which used to be the hunting lodge of the Bourbon kings. Great location to visit Herculaneum or the other Vesuvian sites. http://www.villasangennariello.com/
Bacoli

One of the chief marvels here is the Piscina Mirabile , a cistern used to collect water for the ancient port of Misenum.
Baia

This little town was the most sumptuous resort of the ancient world – everyone who was anyone had a seaside retreat of daunting size and opulent luxury here. Due to the seismic activity in this area, however, much of the land and the structures are now underwater, forming a unique flooded city that can be explored by dives or by boat. There’s also a 15th-century castle here, the Castello di Baia, housing an archaeological museum, while to the north is Lago d’Averno, a crater lake that the ancients believed marked the entrance to the Underworld.
Ballet

San Carlo shares with La Scala the record for the first Italian ballet school (1812).
Bar Anna, Paestum

A family-run place for either a drink or more substantial fare. A good chance to try the local mozzarella di bufala , either in a salad or in a panino (sandwich).
Bar Calise, Ischia

One of the island’s best bars, with excellent gelato (ice cream) and dolci (desserts). It’s surrounded by dense greenery in the middle of a traffic circle in this laid-back port.
Bar degli Amorini, Ercolano

Enjoy a simple meal and the chilled red wine, made on the premises.
Bar Ercolano, Sorrento

Located in what is probably the best people-watching piazza in town, this elegant little bar has the requisite cluster of outdoor tables from which to ogle the crowds. After 8pm, most of the area is closed to traffic.
Bar Mexico

This café is reputed to have the best espresso in town, but if you don’t want it sweetened (alla napoletana ) then ask for a caffè amaro (bitter coffee). A hot-weather winner is the frappe di caffè (iced whipped coffee). You can also stock up on some wonderful coffee blends to take home.
Bar Stany & Elio, Ischia

Named after the Italian monikers for old-time slapstick comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, who have always had a fervent following in this country. It’s centrally located and features great gelato , made on the premises.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €20
- €20–30
- €30–40
- €40–50
- over €50