Month: September 2024

This was our first trip to Naples and it is probably the busiest and grittiest city in Italy. Everywhere you look there is action and people talking in loud voices. Our driver Gino took us directly to the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia from our hotel in Ravello. The hotel is across the street from the Castello dell’Ovo. The location allowed us to take long walks along the sea. Our first walk took us to Sorbillo, one of the iconic Pizza restaurants in Naples and now the world. We started with fritti and then had a great Margherita pizza.

Our next day we had a city tour with our guide Dario, who was entertaining and informative. We started at the National Archeological Museum, which featured many artifacts from Pompeii. We proceeded to the Sansevero to view the amazing sculpture of the Veiled Christ. We ate lunch at another iconic pizza restaurant – Pizzeria Di Matteo. Dario insisted we try the fried pizza which was amazing. It is hard to believe how they can fry the pizza dough and yet get a delicate soft crust. Our second pizza was a pizza gialla, which is probably the best pizza we have ever eaten.

The next day we walked to the Piazza Del Plebiscito and then toured the Royal Palace. Lunch was at the Osteria Della Mattonella. A very small iconic local restaurant specializing in pasta ragu. That evening we did a food tour with Paolo from With Locals. He was a good guide and really gave us a very good prospective of Naples and all of its delicious food. He was even kind enough to give us a lift back to the hotel.

Our last day we revisited the area of the food tour which was slightly past the Spanish Quarter. We went to the Chiesa Del Gesu which was an over the top eaxample of Baroque. Then we past some pleasant quiet time in Chiostro di Santa Chiara.

Naples Restaurants:

Ristorante Dora – driver Gino’s recommendation

Veritas – Katie Parla – excellent

Osteria Della Mattonella – small, local, perfect Napoletano!

Tamdem Ragu – Linda Owen recomendation

Da Ettore – very close to the hotel.

In 2022 we returned to London for the first time since 2008. We stayed at The Stafford Hotel which was right outside of Green Park and a short walk to Buckingham Palace.

Our first full day was October 30 and we did a walking tour with Chris from With Locals, who was a transplanted Canadian and a real history buff. We started at Pimlico Station and ended in Trafalgar Square. He pointed out all the significant landmarks and some of the history associated with each It was very informative He recommended lunch at the Crypt of St Martin and it was a comfortable fun place in the crypt of the church.

The next day October 31 we went to the British Museum in the morning. I was overwhelmed by the line to get into the museum, and once inside it was wall to wall people. I was really looking forward to this visit, but there were just too many people to enjoy it. They even moved the Rosetta Stone to a special exhibit we did not have tickers for. We salvaged our day by having delicious fish and chips at the Ships Tavern

On November 1 we spent the morning at the Natural History Museum, which was less crowded than the BM and surprising interesting and informative. The giant blue what is visible from every level and the exhibits we well done and informative. Lunch was Italian food at Sale & Pepe. This was another Chris suggestion. So far he suggested all 3 of our lunch spots. We had dinner at La Momma Mia which was features on the Stanley Tucci Italy series. The experience was not very good. There was a nice grandmother there but the food was no where as good as our lunch at Sale & Pepe.

On November 2 we did a self-guided tour of Westminster Abbey. Amazing history and a real treat to just walk through such a monumental landmark. After the Abbey visit we went to the Tate Modern. I was unimpressed with the exhibits. The best part was having lunch in the cafe with a beautiful of the river and St. Paul’s. Really spectacular place for a panoramic view. We walked across the pedestrian bridge after lunch to St. Paul’s, but it was closed due to a fire alarm that was set off.

November 3 was our 43rd anniversary, and we started the day visiting the Tate Briton. It was much more to our taste. There was a big exhibit of costumed figures in the main hall that was very interesting. We had lunch at the museum. Then we took the Uber boat and went up the Thames to the County Hall building to see Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution. The seating was set up to get a court room experience and the actors performed this classic play very well. Leaving the theater we were treated to a dramatic sunset overlooking Big Ben and Parliament. Anniversary dinner was at Ottolenghi’s restaurant NOPI (North of Piccadilly) in SOHO. It was delicious and perfect capper to our time in London.

London Restaurants:

Otto’s French Restauarant – it was a nice break from all the Italinan food, but probably not worth a return visit.

Coya -118 Piccadilly. Delicious Peruvian food. Restaurant music was loud which was a big negative. We did have the incredible guacamole, gambas anticuchos, wagyu bun and seabass. I would go again.

Sartoria -Savillie Rd – Another Stanley Tucci Italian restaurant.

Sale & Peppe – 9-15 Pavilion Rd. Wonderful Italian food.

Bibi -42 North Audley St. Set menue of 4 dishes and some surprises. Best Indian food ever!

NOPI – 21-22 Warwick St. Ottolenghi restaurant that was just fantastic. Roasted carrots, Sweet potato mung beans, twice cooked chicken, and lamb cutlet. Delicious.