Flights from Podgorica to Naples: Life to the Rhythm of the Tarantella

LIFE TO THE RHYTHM OF THE TARANTELLA

PODGORICA – NAPLES FLIGHTS

„Vedi Napoli e poi muori“! Don’t take the dramatic saying „See Naples and die“ too literally, but think about the metaphor for a moment and you may wonder what makes this city so unique, intoxicating and full of energy that once you’ve experienced Naples, little else can impress you… This one-of-a-kind city is just a few hours from Podgorica. Book a Podgorica – Naples flight and discover its charms for yourself!

TRAVELING TO NAPLES

Head to Naples, once the ancient city of Parthenope, founded according to legend by the Greek siren of the same name almost three millennia ago. Many claimed it, from the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans to the Arabs, Normans and Spaniards, until in 1860 it became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy. Just how important this city in the heart of Campania was is shown by the fact that in the 17th century it had as many as 300,000 inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in all of Europe! Today, with around a million residents, it is only the third-largest city in Italy.

Today Naples is also known for the mafia, and the crime rate is fairly high (keep an eye on your wallets, jewelry and passports), but the good news is that most incidents are thefts and petty crime. Still, definitely be careful with your bags so nothing spoils the impressions a trip to Naples leaves on visitors!

WHAT TO SEE

Naples has so much to offer. What makes it magical are its narrow streets, beautiful buildings, a distinctive dialect that even „northerners“ struggle to understand, and the sea that washes over and refreshes it… The energy of its people, always ready for fun or an argument, and to dance to the beat of the famous Neapolitan tarantella, completes the picture of Naples… To show just how passionate Neapolitans are, there’s the story that when SSC Napoli won the league title in 1987 (with Maradona as the star of the season), a banner appeared at the cemetery reading „You dead don’t know what you missed!“

There is truly a lot to see and explore here, and something you shouldn’t miss is the oldest of the city’s ancient catacombs, the „Catacombe di San Gennaro“, dating from the 2nd century, decorated with frescoes and full of tombs, halls and corridors. Going to Naples without seeing the Sansevero Chapel is like not seeing the city at all. There you’ll marvel at the statue of the Veiled Christ, whose stone veil looks so sheer and lifelike that you’ll feel you could lift it, a gift to the world from the sculptor Giuseppe Sanmartino.

Some say the market is the heart of a city, and the Neapolitan market Mercato di Porta Nolana is truly vibrant.

When you take a walk along the seafront, I recommend sitting down at one of the restaurants and enjoying the view of Castel dell’Ovo.

AROUND NAPLES

But the one thing you absolutely must not miss is Pompeii. Plan a full-day trip to this fascinating site. The easiest way to get there is by train from Naples. About ten kilometers from Naples looms the fearsome, ominous Mount Vesuvius, the only „living“ volcano on mainland Europe. A volcano that gives rich, fertile soil and draws people to build their towns nearby, but that, when it „gets angry,“ brings death! That is Vesuvius, and Pompeii was a thriving Roman city at its foot… A prosperous city by the sea, a trading port and an important center of the Roman Empire. Its citizens enjoyed the gifts of fertile land and a generous sea, as well as the fruits of trade, until in AD 79 Vesuvius erupted, spewing huge amounts of pyroclastic material and extremely toxic gases! Within a few hours, everyone who was in Pompeii died of poisoning, and the city was buried under volcanic ash. Only those who were in the harbor survived, finding refuge at sea. When archaeologists uncovered the remains of Pompeii, they were shocked and amazed by the well-preserved houses, shops and even human remains… They were also intrigued by the famous „Lupanar“ district, where prostitutes had their „workshops,“ complete with wall drawings showing the skills each was known for. The district got its name because these ladies would howl to attract sailors and visitors to Pompeii, and from that wolf-like howling (the Latin word for wolf is lupus) the quarter got its name… But Pompeii is not just the Lupanar; it also has the remains of fascinating patrician villas, former wineries with preserved clay jars, fish shops, an amphitheater, and streets with distinctive stepping-stone crosswalks and special spots for tying up horses…

BACK IN NAPLES

Once you’re back in Naples, be sure to visit the National Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale), where, among other exhibits, you’ll find treasures preserved from Pompeii.

You can round off your days in Naples at the oldest pizzeria in the world, Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba, opened in 1830. Be sure to try the world’s oldest pizza there, the Margherita, created in honor of a visit by Princess Margherita of Savoy to present her with a local dish: a resourceful cook topped specially kneaded and stretched dough with basil (green), tomato (red) and mozzarella (white), echoing the colors of the Italian flag… And so a world-famous dish was born… We also warmly recommend trying the local wine made from the famous Lacryma Christi grapes

WHEN TO VISIT NAPLES

You can head to the warm south pretty much anytime, but if you’d like to attend the Maggio dei Monumenti festival (May of Monuments), spring is the ideal time to travel to Naples. If you decide to go in September or October, you can enjoy the Pizzafest.

GETTING THERE

PODGORICA – NAPLES FLIGHTS

Podgorica – Naples flights can be booked from around 200 euros. Direct Podgorica – Naples flights are not yet available, but Naples is very well connected with Rome, so your Podgorica – Naples ticket will include a connection in Rome. When booking, make sure to choose flights with at least three hours between landing in Rome and departing for Naples, as Fiumicino is a very chaotic and large airport.

Podgorica – Naples tickets are a „product“ offered by Alitalia, and if you’re searching for deals on your own, look for Naples, or simply type in the airport code NAP.

Naples Capodichino Airport is 6 km from the city center. Alibus runs the airport shuttle, which stops in the city at the railway station and at Piazza del Municipio.

Well, what can I say, other than that I’m a little jealous you’re traveling to Italy’s colorful south… Because you’ll surely enjoy the sounds and rhythm of the tarantella, soak up the city, and taste the Margherita and Lacryma Christi.