Bistecca alla Florentine was awesome! Great suggestion El Prez! I wouldn't have tried it otherwise but after you mentioned it, it has been solidly on my to-do list. Picked a great spot for our last dinner in town and it did not disappoint. That is one huge ass steak, I feel like I ate a whole cow. We climbed to the top of the Duomo today, which was also a highlight. I'm a little freaked out about heights so it was tough but totally worth it. Tomorrow we train to Naples for a few days. Specifically for Pompeii but we are doing Amalfi coast and their archeology museum also. I plan on getting some good clams in pasta, it was one of my favorite dishes last time in Rome. Also we will probably be eating Napoli style pizza daily while in town. I am hoping they still have some fried artichokes in season also, couldn't find any in Florence. Trip is almost over.
I really feel like we did everything we wanted to in Florence. Probably only needed a week but 10 days is great for taking it slow. I met a ton of people who rush it and are only here for a few days, it's a place that needs to be savored imo. It's a great city, could easily spend a month here and not run out of things to do. So many cities and towns in the area that deserve a few days and are so easily accessible by train.
We were thinking of doing our honeymoon on the Amalfi coast, but chose spain. We'll definitely do this trip. This is the spot for Napoli style pizza, which is probably my favorite. This place invented it! https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/campania/napoli/restaurant/da-michele
I’ve been. Stayed in the Bulldog right on the edge of the Red Light District. They have a great bar and a cool open rooftop where they’ll serve you. We had some great meals around town and enjoyed the “cafes”. In the early evenings, you’ll see families walking through the RLD. It gets interesting after dark. I enjoyed walking through the city in the mornings. I was there during the World Cup when The Netherlands won to move into the semifinals a few years back, so it was a CRAZY late-night party in the city.
Ok just ate there and it is really damn good pizza! Naples is a trip by the way. Crazy ass city. I read it was but you don't really know till you are here. I read about 50% of the people love it and 50% hate it. I think I really like it so far, but it is chaos at every turn. It has kind of a charm and is very interesting, but I think by Saturday we will be more than ready to leave.
Yeah, from the videos it seems a bit rough on the edges. I think there's a definite difference in attitude/life with Northern and Southern Italians.
Not just the edges, it's rough all over. Feels a little more like a central America or South East Asia experience. It's pretty interesting tho and very cheap. Kind of a culture shock from Florence, but Florence is so done over for tourists. Naples just slaps you in the face. The ally's are a maze and they have cool little bars, that are more like kiosks, everywhere.
Have you been to Milan? Its like the polar opposite of what you describe. Suits, businessmen, models, luxury brands and upscale living.
No, it's never really appealed to me for all those reasons. Sounds way to fancy for me. Seems odd that they are even in the same country actually. Naples has graffiti on top of graffiti. Trash in the streets and clothes hanging off every balcony. People still have style here but you can tell the money is not here. Weather is awesome though the strong sun and cool marine layer makes it feel like SoCal right on the beach.
Yeah, Milan is the financial hub and is a modern city, for the most part. There are some cool things to see (thought their Duomo is nicer than Florence, Sforza, the Last Supper painting, etc) and you'd probably need to go there if you are gonna check out Lake Como. Torino is also a cool little city up north as well.
Just booked disneyland tix for memorial day. Meeting my bro and his family and parents there that day. Mofo, that shit is expensive. Wanna catch the Main Street Electrical Parade
Trying to come up to Canadia this summer. Not sure if I'll have time to do so, my vacation request in July got denied lolz.
Going camping and hiking in Humboldt Redwood State Park for a couple weeks in June. Spend a couple days in the Eureka area visiting a cousin and checking out the sights.
Wrapping things and got our negative Covid tests, flight out early in the morning. Naples is growing on me and we have been really enjoying it after our initial culture shock. It's a fun city with lots to do and many hidden treasures. Also we have kind of figured it out better, which helps. If anyone ends up here the neighborhood to stay in is Santa Lucia by Castle Ovo. That area is much more tame and relaxed, more like what you would expect in an Italian tourist city. The Centro Historico is fun to walk through but it's just too damn crazy and dirty to stay near. The rest of the waterfront and near the train station are ok but really rough around the edges. If just plan on tours and walking then they will do and you can save some money but you will likely have a lot of WTF moments. Naples itself would not be my first choice of Italian cities to visit but it is absolutely worth a visit for a few days at least. It's very unique and the pizza and seafood are out of this world good. Yesterday we day tripped to Pompeii and the Amalfi coast, with a drive through Sorrento. Sorrento looks kind of boring and I am glad we didn't stay there, it's probably a good jumping off point for Amalfi and Capri tho. Amalfi was stunningly beautiful, but super snobby. Too many hills and stairs for me to stay there. It's also pretty expensive and over touristy. Pompeii was definitely the highlight, totally worth the trip in itself. It's so expansive and fascinating. One of the best tours I have ever done. On par with Angkor Watts and Chicken Itza if not better.
