I didn’t realize it was so easy to see the Amalfi Coast if you stayed in the city of Salerno. This was a great suggestion given by a local friend. Salerno is an excellent choice if you want to visit the Amalfi Coast without splurging on an expensive choice of accommodation. It is beautiful, cost effective, relaxing and has a more local vibe. How to visit the Amalfi Coast from Salerno Salerno is also lesser known compared to other towns in the area. The fact that Amalfi Coast is so simple to visit from Salerno makes it a practical base. Ferries from Salerno go to the Amalfi Coast almost every h ..read more

This is not a book review but just my personal thoughts of Riccardino -the last novel of the Inspector Montalbano series. The crime stories, written by Andrea Camilleri, are set in Sicily and famous across the world. I read Riccardino during the pandemic in 2020 and I can honestly say I don’t recall much of it. While the horrors of the pandemic will never cease to affect us, I want to let go of the sub standard experience of my reading at least. So let me safely assume that I truly read Riccardino in 2024! Arrivederci Montalbano- thoughts on Riccardino Riccardino is not my favorite Montalbano ..read more

When I read about photographer Valerio Minato winning the Astronomy Picture of the Day by NASA, I was taken back to my Turin trips. Valerio Minato’s mindblowing picture of the Basilica di Superga makes it una meraviglia– a literal marvel! Che meraviglia! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Valerio Minato (@valeriominato) The photographer captured Basilica di Superga in Turin with the perfect setting of the moon and the Monviso mountains – it was like a perfect date as pointed by Minato. The photograph, a work of art, already has got millions of views and thousands of comments ever sin ..read more

Naples is a bustling city and its historic centre especially, is crowded with tourists and locals alike. Sometimes it gets mandatory to step away from the crowd (so to say) and go to another city or even a new neighborhood. While there are many options of day trips around Naples, I chose to take the 19th century funicular and visit the Vomero hill.  The view from Vomero Hill, Naples Where is Vomero?? Vomero is a chic neighborhood of Naples that has amazing palazzi, Bars and restaurants. This is located on a hilltop and is the area of the rich and prestigious. It smells more of luxury and ..read more

The Circumvesuniana is a great option to see the area around Gulf of Naples and explore hidden gems of Campania. There is a lot of Internet hullabaloo and negativity when it comes to taking this regional train. Stories of pickpockets lurking in the train and station area, generally make the travelers wary. While I was aware of these and quite hesitant to take the train on my last trip, I also knew it was the best and quickest way to get to my destination. And as it turns out, my experience was not as bad as I thought. Circumvesuviana train- easy way to explore Gulf Of Naples I simply stood clo ..read more

The city of Naples has been notoriously known and advertised to be unsafe. While there are “unsafe” streets and corners in every city of the world, I think calling it unfit for travel is for the traveler to decide. I honestly wanted to judge the city of Naples myself and visit at least once to see it for what it was. Naples enthralled me and it reminded me so much of India. Overall, I did not find the city unsafe except for certain parts of Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi. Experience of Staying in Piazza Garibaldi, Naples I was in two minds when I booked a B&B in Piazza Garibaldi, which was prac ..read more

Named after the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, Piazza Dante is a bustling square in the historic centre of Naples. An imposing statue of Dante, sculptured by the Neapolitan artist Tito Angelini, takes centre stage at the piazza. The 19th century statue dominates the square which was the chief work of Luigi Vanvitelli. Travel Pitfalls It was a very hot day and I was itching and irritable from the sweat and heat. On reaching the station at Via Toledo, I asked a Signora how far Piazza Dante was if I walked. She gave me an incredulous look that scared me. The walk from Via Toledo to Piazza Dante wa ..read more

My Italian friend was pleasantly surprised when I told her I’m staying in Castellammare di Stabia. Her curiosity got the better of me but I also became a little more vigilant because I didn’t know what to expect! There was nothing to worry though. If you’re looking for a place to stay between Naples and Sorrento, Castellammare di Stabia is a great choice! Although unheard of, Castellammare made the cut for me because the rentals are cheap, the views are fabulous and the place is full of locals. Castellammare di Stabia- between Naples and Sorrento If you are looking for a quiet time in a small ..read more

Naples has very unique desserts and pastries. While walking around Piazza Garibaldi, I happened to find myself in front of dessert heaven called “Attanasio”. This place was also a part of my Naples bucket list but I had no idea it was just behind the B&B where I stayed. I was overjoyed to see it! Sfogliatelle calde Attanasio But there was a queue to get in! Yes you read that right. A damn queue. Attanasio was allowing 2 people to walk in at the same time, one placing the order, the other carefully choosing what they wanted and then standing behind in line.  There were about 8-10 peopl ..read more

Remember the benevolent Maestra Oliviero from My Brilliant Friend?? She graciously suggested Elena to stay for a few weeks in her cousin’s apartment in Ischia. That is all I could think of when I booked a ferry from Naples to Ischia. Widely known among locals, Ischia is a stunningly pretty island off the coast of Naples. A bulk of the story of the first and second novels from Ferrante’s Neapolitan Series are set on this island. Additionally, even the TV series by HBO & Rai based on “The Story of a New Name” makes it come alive! Ischia and The Story of a New Name Ischia is not as packe ..read more