This tour will give you a glimpse of this multicultural city in three different areas, including: a drive along the seaside for a view of the whole bay from Posillipo and Mergellina; a stroll through the opulent monumental district enclosing Plebiscito square, Royal Palace and San Carlo Theater; a walk along Spaccanapoli, the oldest urban settlement of Greek origins. Ancient Greek philosopher Homer, in his epic poem Odyssey tells the story of Ulysses and his travels to the Italian coasts. When approaching these waters he encountered the mermaids who tried to attract the sailors into the sea with their enchanting singing, for later killing them. Ulysses, warned already by sorceress Circe, put wax earplugs to his fellow seamen and tied himself up to the ship’s mast, in order to resist the attractive creatures: one of these, the mermaid Parthenope landed on the little island of Megaride, where it stands the Castle dell’Ovo. From here the other name for Napoli, Partenope.
From the departure point we'll drive along the ancient Castel dell’Ovo, the oldest standing stronghold in town (12th century) embedded in an old fishermen village (Borgo Marinari) to reach the monumental area. This neighborhood counts a number of outstanding buildings placed side by side, such as: Maschio Angioino castle (1279); Real San Carlo theatre (1737); Royal Palace (1644); Plebiscito Square, the largest in town; Galleria Umberto, a shopping mall from 1887; the neoclassic church of San Francesco di Paola from 1820 inspired by the Pantheon in Rome and much more. Visit from outside no entrance is planned.
The second part will be the historical center “Naples splitter” (Spaccanapoli), the ancient Greek urban structure and heart of the city: a pedestrian area filled with small shops and workshops, cafes and restaurants, buskers and street vendors that attract locals and foreigners every day. A short walk of countless old buildings, churches, art crafts shops and gateway to the underground city with its archaeological remains.
The third part of the visit is a drive on the bus along the seaside and up to Posillipo hill from which you can take a snapshot of the most popular view of the city embracing the whole bay, Capri island and Mt. Vesuvius.
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Reservations, assistance and emergencies are handled from the headoffice in Napoli. Office hours (9:00 am - 6.30 pm) ph: +39 081 001 46 24 Assistance and emergencies 24/7 ph: +39 380 363 90 71