I had mentioned in my previous piece about Rome that my next article would be about Naples. Looking back, I see that Naples was a turning point in finding my balance and healing. I discovered my freedom, regained my joy, and experienced my spiritual awakening here.
The energy of Naples, its street food, coffee culture, and warm-hearted people deeply affected me. It refreshed my courage. Here, I learned to let go of all my fears, embrace life, and savor the moment.
In Naples, I learned to slow down.
I found the opportunity to slow down the pace of life and appreciate the present. Here, life was presented to me in a direct, simple, and aesthetic way—just like VAGMAG products, which are designed to simplify travel while remaining minimal, aesthetic, and functional.
With its traditional cuisine, warm people, and lively streets, Naples brought joy back into my life. This city reminded me that the most valuable moments in life are hidden in the simplest and most unexpected instances.
Festina Lente
Visiting this city offers a perfect opportunity to rediscover oneself and find inner balance. Naples gives you a sense of calm amidst chaos. It embodies the philosophy of "make haste slowly."
Naples is the best place I've visited to slow down. When you lose yourself in its streets, you become a part of not only the city but also yourself. Here, food is not just about nourishment; it's an experience. Every pizza, every glass of wine is a celebration. As you may recall from Eat, Pray, Love, I still cannot forget the taste of the pizza I had here.
This is a city where you don’t come to be recognized by others but to find yourself. Once you visit Naples, it leaves an indelible mark on your heart. If you are searching for peace and happiness, you will find them in its streets—though you should always be mindful of your surroundings.
If I'm talking about Naples, I must also mention its warm, joyful, and sincere people who celebrate life. During my time here, the kindness and hospitality of the people I met on the streets were part of the city's magic. In this city, where everyone seems to know one another, there is a strong bond between people. This warm welcome and sincerity eased my feelings of loneliness and gave me the courage to start a new chapter in my life. At a time when I questioned my sense of belonging, a topic we frequently explore at VAGMAG, Naples became the place where I redefined it.
In Naples, the smile of a stranger, the unexpected friendships I made each day—this was the essence of experiencing the city. The city is not just valuable through the eyes of tourists but through those of the locals as well.
Naples offers new friendships at every corner. It is almost impossible to feel alone here. Every person in the city, in some way, makes you feel at home.
As we always say at VAGMAG, solo travel never truly means being alone. On the contrary, it is always more crowded. There are always people to meet and new memories to create.
The Force That Shaped Naples’ Destiny: Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius, rising just east of Naples, is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world and remains an active stratovolcano. It is best known for its eruption in AD 79, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Most people reach Vesuvius via tourist buses, but I know you didn’t come to VAGMAG for that. You ’re here to discover lesser-known hiking trails, and I highly recommend the Sentiero del Gran Cono trail. It takes you all the way to the summit of the volcano.
Sentiero del Gran Cono
Short Route: Starting from Piazzale di Quota 1000, this trail leads to the summit and back, covering approximately 4 km in total. The round trip takes about 2 hours.
Long Route: Beginning at Piazzale di Quota 1000 and extending to Rifugio Imbò, this route is about 12.9 km long and takes 4 hours and 9 minutes round trip.
Short Route: It has a low difficulty level and is suitable for those who regularly hike.
Long Route: Considered moderately difficult, it is more suitable for experienced hikers.
Entrance and Ticketing
Ticket Purchase: Access to the Il Gran Cono trail requires tickets, which must be purchased online only. You can find detailed information about ticket purchasing and entry times on the official website of Vesuvius National Park.
Opening Hours: These vary by season. For example, from July to August, entrance is allowed between 09:00 - 18:00, whereas from January, February, November, and December, it is between 09:00 - 15:00.
Since Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano, it is essential to follow safety precautions and adhere to the instructions of park authorities.
At VAGMAG, where we romanticize life and travel, planning is just as valuable to us as spontaneous adventures. We see spontaneity as the realization of desires and plans that have always been in the back of our minds. If you have visited or plan to visit Naples—especially Mount Vesuvius—don’t forget to share your experiences with us in the comments!
So, what do you think about Naples's word?
