Naples for the weekend

Naples coastline and castel

After a wonderful visit with dani it was time to say goodbye and in Saturday we headed to Florence for her to catch her flight back to la. With only two weekends left in Italy we decided on one last excursion to Napoli!  We had heard a mixed bag of reviews--some saying if you haven't been to Naples, you haven't been to Italy...others saying stay away from this dirty chaotic town. We figured we would make our own judgement and...off we went!  As the birthplace of margarita pizza how bad could it be!!!  We took an easy 3 hour train out of Florence and arrived at Napoli centrale before dark.  We were pleasantly surprised to see such a beautiful coastline and bustling town. Our hotel was perfectly situated with a view of the harbor and one of the many castles.  We decided to save the pizza experience for day two and rather indulged our yearning for sushi since we read that one of the top

The famous margherita pizza!

sushi  ars in all of Italy was located in Naples!  We were not disappointed. Had an amazing sushi dinner and then back to the hotel for our early start on Sunday. We woke up and decided to walk through castel dell' oso. It was one of the castles in Naples used to protect the city from oncoming battle. Pretty remarkable to see the castle and imagine how effective it was hundreds of years ago.  Next we decided to take a boat tour of the coastline and see my Vesuvius from the water. We were also just a 40 min boat ride from Capri which we were also able to see but unfortunately time didn't allow us to go to the island. For lunch we went to one of the oldest and most famous pizza restaurants in Naples--Brandi opened in 1889! . It is where margherita pizza was first made and named in honor of the queen!  It was very different (and in our opinion...better) than the pizza in Tuscany.  This pizza was a bit more doughy with thin crust but a little bit thicker around the edges.  Very little cheese and amazing!!! After lunch we walked and walked.  Some stores were open but many were closed since it was Sunday. For dinner we went to an outdoor restaurant along the boardwalk. Great food and amazing people watching. We ate at 9:30 which we thought was late but people were rolling in for dinner at 11:30 when we left! Lets of fun and lots of energy in Naples.  On Monday we headed to the famous archeological museum where's my of the ruins from Pompeii are on display.  I never knew that the ancient Italians were known for erotica!  There is a special area of the museum which displays the

Erotica shop or museum?? Hmm 

many x rated works of art!!! They had a real obsession with anything phallic!!!  After the museum it was our final lunch in Naples and then the train back to Florence in time for Seder! Since we were a little early for the Seder we ducked into a "bar" across the street and had our version of cocktails and appies

Pre Passover libations!

(Italian style!).  The Florence synagogue was positively beautiful.  As in most synagogues here the women and men sit separately ...of course Emma and I didn't mind too much since the women were far less serious and far more chatty! than the men.  Howard wasn't as thrilled!! After the service we were ushered to the basement for a very lackluster Seder. We did meet some interesting people many of whom were here on vacation looking for a Seder so it was fun to hear their travel stories.  Unfortunately

The beautiful Florence synagogue 

we "surrendered " at around 10:30 and still no meal had been served!! We were able to grab some matzah and had our share of wine so it wasn't a total loss but no replacement for our fabulous Seders at Wendy's house!!! After a long weekend and Seder we drove an hour back to the villa and arrived around midnight safe and sound.  On Tuesday while Emma and I were more than ready for some
down time, Howard had the energy left for one last excursion.  Off he went for a quick two day trip to Prague!  Fortunately, Michael has two of his close friends studying in Prague so Howard was able toile dinner plans with them and spend the days seeing all of the sites in Prague. Since I had already been there (visiting dani some years ago), this was the perfect excursion for Howard to do solo! While Howard was away, Emma and I went to montecatani terme a little town between Tuscany and Florence know for their spa/beauty treatments.

Howard's "selfies" around Prague 

Can't say it was the best massage we ever had but we definitely loved our girl time.  We all get reunited tomorrow when Howard returns and then we head out to Paris on Monday and back to LA Thursday night!!!! Can't believe this adventure that we have been on is winding down.  Can't wait to see everyone. Xox