After spending our full day in Rome, we decided to take a quick day trip to Naples. I booked us on a train via Italo Train (it was around 76 euros roundtrip for both of us). The train left out of Roma Termini and took us just a little over an hour from Roma Termini to Stazzione di Napoli Centrale.
We had a couple of highlights in Naples. We spent most of our time just walking through all the streets, the tiny little streets. One thing I realized about Naples, the cars and motorcycles drive like there’s no tomorrow. Pedestrians need to be aware and make way for them.
Sfogliatella
I was advised that I can’t leave Naples without having Sfogliatella. So glad I had it at Cuori di Sfogliatella, not far from the station. Picture a really crunch puff pastry….it had such a crunch, and I chose the one with pistacchio. I had it with espresso and it was a great way to start our Naples adventure.
While we had a map, we just went with our instincts and turned from one street to the next. It amazed me how old these structures were, how well built they were. It was one church after another, one building after another. It was a feast for the eyes.
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
As we made our way towards the Duomo, we saw a crowd waiting outside L’Antica Pizzeria de Michele. Then it hit me. I saw this restaurant featured by Rick Steves in his show. There it was. Just right in front of me and I didn’t have to look for it. It was fate. Looking at the crowd, there was no way in my mind that I thought we’d make it inside. I overheard the guy calling out numbers in Italian. I came to find out that there were two ways to eat pizza here. First option, is to get a number and pray that you’re number is called. When we got there, he just passed out #81 to the guy in front of me, yet he just yelled out #13. Hmmmm, this was not going well.
The second option, line up and just order something to go or take out. That’s what we decided to do. We joined a crowded line with no such order, but I found ourselves being the 7th in line. Other Americans were with me, one was from Kansas, another was currently living in Kazakstan. We kept each other entertained.
Our turn came. I was asked to enter, just me, not Madison. There were only 2 choices of pizza. Margherita or Marinara Pizza only. That’s it. It was 5 Euros per pizza. I was going to just get 1 pizza. But heck, I flew halfway around the world for this chance so I got 2 Margherita Pizzas for me and Madison. I paid in cash – 10 Euros. I must have waited for another 10 minutes to get my order, meanwhile, I took a bunch of pictures while in line. Turned out, Julia Roberts, Pretty Woman herself, ate here. I wonder if she stood in line. Hmmmm.
Pizza need not be complicated
The only complication with this experience was having to wait outside. But the pizza itself could not be any simpler. It was purely just the pizza dough, marinara sauce, cheese, and basil – baked in a wood-fired oven. Done! The pizza was not crunch or anything. It was something that you could actually fold. It was delicious. So simple!
Strolled our hearts out
We just kept strolling and moved from one corner to another and took a bunch of little pictures here and there until it was time to go. I wish we could spend more time in Naples, but for now, I’m thankful for the opportunity. After leaving Naples, we headed back to Rome for yet another evening filled with adventure – next entry, Trastevere.