Napoli and Beyond - Italy Travel Documentary
Napoli is one of Europe’s most diverse and fascinating cities, and an intriguing place to travel to. Often misunderstood, this Italian city has some of the country’s most beautiful architecture, ancient historic sites, delicious food, interesting traditions, and a friendly, welcoming people. Located in the Southern Campania region, Napoli (or Naples) has a very different character from most other Italian cities.
This video is sponsored by GetYourGuide. Click here for more information and a 10% discount on all tours: bit.ly/44pTlUi
Some of the tours in this video:
Naples private food tour: bit.ly/3NPEnBw
Cooking course: bit.ly/3PABlTg
Day trip Amalfi coast: bit.ly/3NQ9D3t
Pompeii entry ticket: bit.ly/3rcqrZq
Mount Vesuvius entry ticket: bit.ly/3pokGra
In this travel documentary, I’m exploring the streets of Napoli and its surroundings. From the buzzing, narrow alleys of the old city center to the grand churches and cathedrals. From historic palaces and castles to mysterious underground tunnels. And from ancient archaeological sites under the shadow of Mount Vesuvius to one of Italy’s most beautiful stretches of coastline.
The video was made in March 2023 when I had the chance to travel to Naples and surroundings for 12 days.
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Copyright of all footage: Hoffer Media
Here’s a brief overview of the content in this video:
We start our journey in the old city center of Naples, with its charismatic narrow streets and vibrant markets. This is the beating heart of Napoli, where much of daily life takes place outdoors. After introducing some of the city’s history and culture, I take a food tour around these same streets, going beyond the city’s most famous dish (Margarita pizza). I also try my hand at making pasta myself, with a cooking course that dives deeper into culinary and family life in the region.
You find espresso bars and cafes all over Napoli, but perhaps the most famous one doubles as a shrine to Diego Maradona. This famous football player has received a saint-like status, and you will see his face all around the city. The city’s stadium is also named after him.
While religion plays an important role in society, Neapolitans have a long-standing tradition of mixing Catholic faith with a combination of rituals, legends, myths, and miracles. I dive a little deeper into this, and also visit some of the city’s most interesting churches, like the Duomo Cathedral and the Chiesa del Gesu Nuovo.
The architecture in Napoli resembles the city’s rich and diverse history, and walking through the different neighborhoods almost feels like time traveling. From cloisters and monasteries to forts and palaces, you can find yourself in a different era at every corner of the street.
I also explore the city’s charming coastline, with small fishing ports, hidden beaches, tranquil boulevards, and many restaurants. It’s a pleasant contrast to the hustle and bustle of downtown. Don’t miss the metro stations, which are an attraction of their own, displaying art and design that could be part of a museum. Finally, I also visit three of the impressive underground tunnels and/or cities, the Bourbon Tunnels, San Gennaro’s Catacombs, and Napoli Sotterranea.
In the second part of the video, I explore some of the most important sights around Napoli, starting with the impressive, yet fearful, Mount Vesuvius. This volcano is one of the most active in the world. Its most violent (and well known) eruption was in 79AD, which devastated Roman cities like Pompeii and Herculaneum. Interestingly, both these places are well preserved (due to a layer of volcanic ash and pumice that ‘protected’ much of the sites).
After visiting those, we explore the coastline, with the charming villages and imposing mountains of the Amalfi coast, including the towns of Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. This is also one of Italy’s most popular holiday destinations. I finish this journey on the attractive island of Procida, which is less visited by tourists than the 2 bigger islands in the region. It’s full of historic buildings, scenic vistas, black sand beaches, and a laidback atmosphere.
Timestamps / video chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:01 Napoli
31:00 Beyond Napoli (Vesuvius)
33:56 Pompeii
37:08 Herculaneum
38:32 Amalfi coast
42:38 Procida
45:56 End
For more information and a 10% discount on all GetYourGuide tours: bit.ly/44pTlUi
Napoli is Magic!
Well said!
Suppose to be shithole??
I LIVED IN ITALY FOR ONE YEAR BEFORE moving to USA. I have to say that Italia is the most beautiful country in the WORLD. THE CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURES OF ITALY ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
That's awesome! I will try and visit there someday
The vicissitudes of life will seem to be painful and draining most times, but throwing away the towel so easily is never the mindset of any successful champion
It's really a remarkable place, glad to hear that you enjoyed living there :)
That's for sure.
Thrue❤
My mother is Italian so yes Iam biased I also have alot of family in Napoli watching this makes me realise how little it has changed, I was last there over 25 years ago, love the place thanks for posting.
Thanks for watching and sharing your personal story.
Amazing city, i love how busy is with the people around the world, greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪
Hi is your country safe from Muslim immigrants?
Greetings back :)
Naples really has a lot of tourist stuff to offer, art, archaeology, nature, panorama, cuisine, music if it were managed better it would have few rivals
It's really a special place, I haven't seen many cities like this before.
"See Naples and then die"! It means that after Naples there is no city that can match it in terms of architecture, history, imagination and warmth of the people from wherever you come from in the world, you will feel at home in Naples.
Thanks for that, I like that expression :)
The food looks excellent and that Large Crusty Sour Dough Bread looks Superb...got to get me some 🥀
kzhead.info/sun/pa9ukZSppICKrKs/bejne.htmlsi=Aj9BSwrVUo0U5SAY this is more of the truth about Naples.
Absolutly true. I felt a call to see it. Eve if I never looked online. After I been there, I really really hope I been there in my past life. I,m in love with the people. Open passionet people, love to be there.
After seeing this video I know for sure to make a visit to this beautiful and "living " city!!!!
Thank you, I'm happy the video inspired you! :)
Bravo hai colto bene l'essenza della città sono un italiani del nord ma amo Napoli.bene anche la parte storica e artistica descritta con amore.
Thank you for your kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed watching.
Going in Sept, looking forward to that pizza!
Enjoy, you'll love it!
An extremely informative video illustrating a complex, underrated and often prejudiced but very fascinating city and its incredible surroundings.
Thanks a lot for your kind words, it is indeed an incredible city.
I prefer real places...those over hyped Cities are a disappointment...So Napoli...I am coming 🌴
Mr Hoffer, you make a beautiful production from the heart. Thanks!
Thanks a lot, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Another brilliant production. Your love of travel and experiencing other cultures shines during your experience of this ancient city. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks a lot for your kind words Mark, glad you enjoyed the video.
Where are you from Stef ?
Another beautiful travel documentary, love your work!
Many years, it's time to go back. Grazie
Hope you can visit again.
Mr Hoffer’s travel videos are a pleasure to watch. Most others video hosts are absurdly bubbly and annoying to listen to with more time spent on their own faces rather than their travel destination.
wow nice work and captivity Thank you, Hoffer for showing Napoli you are the best.
Thanks a lot for your kind words.
I see a first vedio which evryones face have the smile😊 and the lady that share with you the food 'anna' ❤ loved that!
Glad you liked it! She was very kind, like most people I met :)
Your work is outstanding I love how your doing it with a guide
WOW ,,, MR HOFFER I JUST DISCOVERED YOUR VIDEO OF ALL PLACES IN CHINA,,,, IT'S MAGNIFICENT!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT VIDEOS... THANK YOU FOR SHARING..🌹🌹🌹🌷🌷🌷🌷🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🌹🥀🌷
Thanks a lot for your kind words, I really appreciate it. I now uploaded a video about Siciliy, hope you'll enjoy that :)
Thank you for sharing your wonderful video. I saw it from Japan.👍
Thanks a lot for watching, best wishes :)
Another fantastic travel documentary of Stef😊!!! I watched with my girlfriend and we were both impressed!
Thanks a lot Daan, I'm happy you both liked it!
Well done, very nice video about this spectacular city.
Thanks a lot, I'm glad you enjoyed it. And it's spectacular indeed.
Beautiful documentary …
Thanks a lot!
The best !! Ti voglio bene assaje!!! Uaglio
Bella napoli♥️♥️♥️♥️
Brilliant movie! I enjoyed every bit of it.
Very happy to read that!
Another great video! Thank you!
Thank you for watching!
Actually, when I think of rough around the edges, loud, unpolished, scary, dangerous etc; I immediately think of Glasgow, Blackpool England, Prague & a number of other cities, but definitely not this beautiful place, with all of it's warm, welcoming & smiling peoples. Peoples who love family & life & treat all visitors with absolute respect, just for being human. I've visited Napoli many years ago & it was indeed, one of my favourite places to spend time within. It's special locals will always hold a special place within my heart, so too, the lovely peoples of Sicily, Sardinia & Capri. These islands are so stunningly beautiful, that I yearn to revisit soon. All have such beautiful looking peoples with beautiful souls. I should also add, that seeing the many beautiful smiling faces here, really made my day!!
Well done. Bravo. 👏🏻
Thank you :)
Your videos are amazing. The perfect balance of education and entertainment. So well put together, the shots, the music and narration. Well done :)
Thanks a lot for your kind words, happy to hear that :)
Lovely to see this tour of Napoli, hope to visit soon thank you!
Hope you can too!
One of the best video’s I have seen on Naples Stef! Really gives you the feel & flavor of the city.
Thanks a lot, I'm happy to hear that!
Quality Bravo
👏 Wow! Great video! It's a pleasure to watch))
Thank you! I'm happy that you liked watching it.
I love your video, it's full of great info. I have one question, in what area of the city would recommend I book a hotel?
Thanks, glad you liked it! I stayed in the old city and would recommend it.
WOW!! Our human ancestors, have created such incredible beauty globally & let us never ever forget this. Let us always take in & fully appreciate such majesty. ITALY & Napoli, what can I say, but this is the stuff of dreams. Napoli is utterly & incredibly beautiful, so much so, that even for a non-Italian like me, I cry @ it's overall beauty. It's literally...everywhere!! I so love historic houses/buildings, cathedrals/churches, abbeys, cloisters, museums, universities etc; & all of the architectural splendours of these old & historic cities, so Napoli is right up my alley! From this regions amazing history, it's insanely stunning & mind blowing architecture, it's awesome peoples, it's excellent food/cuisine, it's lovely weather & it's gorgeous natural scenery & much more, I'm honestly left speechless @ all that I've seen. One must see this place in person, to fully believe & to fully appreciate such overall beauty abound. I'm guessing now, but I think I've watched this episode & the Sicily episode about 6 or more times each! Stef, as a fairly new subscriber, I must say, that your videos are top notch & of very good quality viewing. I love viewing/hearing the evocative & gentle music, the scenery, your great cinematography skills, your wonderful narratives & just the overall way, in which you capture each country/region, the local life, all foods, it's locals, the superb architecture & much more. Overall, totally enjoyable & also makes for relaxing viewing. Thank you for sharing with we curious viewers & your videos are much appreciated. Peace✌
Fantastico , grazie !!!!!
Thanks for watching!
Belisima complimenti
Grazie
Wonderful video - May I ask at what time of year did you film this? I'm heading to Naples/Amalfi Coast in October, and hope it's not too cold!
Thanks a lot Daniel. I visited in March and it was quite pleasant. I think October will still be good.
I'm neapolitan, in october it can rain sometimes, but the temperature will be around 20 C
Looking forward to this. Thx
Enjoy!
나폴리에 살고 싶다
Bellissimo. Grazie.
Good installment, I love your filming
Thanks a lot, I'm glad you liked it.
Another good job brother !!
Thank you!
Another fantastic documentary. I almost feel that I was there with you! Well done.
Thanks Andrew!
Very nice, good job Stef 🙂
Thanks a lot Petr :)
È un bellissimo documentario. Hai colto atmosfere e vibrazioni della Napoli più autentica. Grazie davvero di aver prodotto una vivido affresco della città dove sono nato e vivo da cinquant'anni. Una terra ricca di storia, con molti problemi e di straordinaria bellezza.
Thank you for your kind words, I'm happy that you feel this way. I'm sure you must have seen the city change over the years.
Nice video ❤🇧🇩
Thank you!
Thenks beautiful amazing videos
Thanks a lot for your kind words
Phenomenal film brother! You always make the best in depth travel videos. I really liked the section on the Amalfi coast 🏖️
Thanks a lot Ryan, means a lot coming from you! Do you have anything planned? Love how your channels are developing :)
Amazing documentary, bravissimo
Thank you :)
I couldn’t agree with you more.
Wonderful job
Thank you
Well done!
Your video is helpful. I’m planning to visit Naples next year on March I’m excited.
Good luck in that pit hole!
Happy to hear that, enjoy your time there!
Wonderful ❤
Video bellissimo, curato ed accurato, ma la cosa fondamentale è che hai colto l'essenza del popolo napoletano! 😊😊😊
Thank you very much for your kind words, I'm happy that you enjoyed it!
Your documentary is so unique. It really brings me in where I would sense the smoke out from people's kitchen and smell what is cooking there :) I am planning to visit Naples area in April. Now makes me wonder how many days min are needed to go through so many wonderful things :)
Glad you can travel there, it's a phenomenal city. Difficult to say how many days you'd need. I spent around 12 days exploring both the cities and the surrounding areas you saw in the video.
Amazing!
Thanks!
I've been to Italy but not beyond Rome, however seen Tourist Rome completely and visited Vatican city.
nice one!
Thanks!
I totally agree with you. I am English but I would much prefer to spend time visiting Napoli rather than London. I love the character of the older buildings in Italian cities. Graffiti is in every city in the world (some of the graffiti that is actually artistic is interesting, it’s not always a negative thing). I also love Palermo and Catania which are very beautiful cities
Thanks for your perspective, really appreciated!
COOL I LOVE IT
Glad to hear that!
Very impressive video 😊
Glad you liked it.
Maravilha fantástico esse lugar
It truly is.
hello, i would like to ask about going to Vesu and pompei, did u take vesuvio express roundtrip from Ercolano then u take train to pompei in the same day?
Hello, I used the Vesuvio express from Ercalano, but combined it with Herculaneum. Pompeii I did separately.
Hello from eastern Europe , Türkiye 🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷
splendid splendid
Glad you liked it.
Ciao Napoli, Sicilia.
Ciao :)
Neaples use to call there, when lourdes bitualla allen live there many years ago... VPO.. TY!
She told me before her jewelry is stolen... VPO.. TY!
She is now passed away, she died last year... VPO.. TY!
Thank you for a great video, I have my whole family in canpanghia, region. I have one question in the video when showing pompey. There's a plack saying something about bakery and the name (Prisco ) Can you let me know what means, because my family name is Prisco. Again thank you John Prisco.
Thanks a lot for your kind words John, nice to read you family lives in the region. I also don't understand Italian unfortunately! But maybe you can look it up somewhere.
@stefhoffer OK, thanks
I like your video. Love from Bangladesh
Thank you, I'm happy to hear that.
Bella napoli️️️️. The best !! Ti voglio bene assaje!!! Uaglio.
Truly a beautiful place.
napoli is otherworldly
I agree.
@@stefhoffer Next time you pass let me know, I can suggest you lots of secret places to check out
@@Sir_J4ck Would be great, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!
Hi Steph when did you film this video it looks cold there in the middle of July 23???
Hi, I was in Napoli in March 2023. Indeed a bit chilly now and then :)
thank you
@@MAJOR-D Welcome :)
Napoli is friendly city !
❤❤❤
I am thoroughly enjoying your video presentation of Naples Italy. This is my mother‘s Homeland. She was born in Napoli in 1920. Could you please tell me the name of the song and the artist playing that beautiful guitar music in the background starting right around 6.30 of your video? It is such a beautiful song and the perfect background music for your video. I would love to play that music in my home as it reminds me of my sweet mother. Thank you so much, Salvatore Cafiero, Phoenix, Arizona.
Thanks a lot for your kind words, I'm glad that you enjoyed watching. And you have a very special connection to the city. The song is called Waltz Sentimental, by Amos Ever Hadani. I licensed it through Artlist. Best wishes.
@@stefhoffer Grazie Molto!
❤❤❤❤
A huge Pit!
From Bangladesh 🇧🇩
Campania a travel in the past
I would consider moving to Italy. However, Italy has many earthquakes 😢, Does this area NOT have so many? Thanks
I believe it doesn't, but there's the volcano risk.
Click here for more information and a 10% discount on all GetYourGuide tours: bit.ly/44pTlUi Some of my favorite tours in this video: Naples private food tour: bit.ly/3NPEnBw Cooking course: bit.ly/3PABlTg Day trip Amalfi coast: bit.ly/3NQ9D3t Pompeii entry ticket: bit.ly/3rcqrZq Mount Vesuvius entry ticket: bit.ly/3pokGra
Never have the words "vibrant" and "dynamic" been uttered so many times in such a dead and soulless intonation
Thanks for the input...
Who complains that the city is dirt, Yes I agree with you and more should be done to keep the streets clean and with no rubbish, but I have seen other cities in europe and I currently live in London and I see a lot of rubbish and dirt everywhere even in the top end areas here and full of rats. I don’t want even mention the level of cleaning in which many of the restaurants , pubs and food stores are kept here, these are ridiculous compared to the neapolitan standards. I am just considering there are prejudices and I think people tends to see dirt where they see an old building or a graffiti, Or because they have just seen the main station, in italy these are the areas to avoid in general. Similar considerations for the crime level emphasizes too often.
Definitely agree with you that dirt is everywhere in the world. I found Napoli a fascinating city on many different levels, and would return there any time.
Che vuoi farci, gli invidiosi si devono attaccare a qualcosa 🤷🏻👋🏻
I agree 100%
👏👏👏
Questo video è molto completo e interessante 👍 ma per capire la lunga storia di Napoli e della Campania è meglio leggere Wikipedia in italiano 🇮🇹 (Google Chrome la traduce automaticamente)
Thank you for your kind words. The video only shows a small part of Napoli, and as you say there's plenty more to learn.
Naples is a huge ghetto!
❤️👍
Napoli♥️ museo di Capodimonte?
Would love to visit there next time, thank you :)
I like real raw places that have not be ruined by Money moving in and taking away its essence and character...Napoli looks like it will keep the Invaders Out 🌴
The video is amazing, but PLEASE CHECK THE PRONUNCIATION OF THE PROPER NAMES😢, especially the stress
Sorry about that, Italian is a difficult language!
♥♥♥
Cibi tradizionali è più buono😮❤❤❤❤
that getting em to pose for a photo whilst recording em and posting it for all is some mean assed shit bro 😂
Haha I asked them if I could take a quick video. People were happy to do so :)
Viva Italia THE most beautiful country in the world
hardly, too much filth and graffiti
👍🏻 Napoli ❤🇮🇹 ☕️🍰 🇺🇸
The dome and the cathedral of Positano is not arabic or norman. It's in byzantine style. Arabs never conquered mainland southern Italy.
That section is about the town of Amalfi, which I believe does have Arabic and Norman elements (as well as Byzantine). Please correct me if I was wrong.
@@stefhoffer It's impossible since arabs never set foot in Campania and other parts of mainland southern Italy. It is Byzantine architecture. Arabs controlled only Sicily once, they were mainly in western and central part of Sicily, but even in Palermo there is almost nothing left of arab architecture (but this is another story). It's not like in Andalusia in Spain where you can actually see morish architecture.
@@SoulF15 Thanks for that, I really appreciate it. I just read in a few articles that the style was based on Byzantine, Arab, and Norman. So that's why I put it into the video.
You are both true. Continental Southern Italy was never conquered by arabs, but, expecially in the Amalfi coast, there are examples of arab-inspired architecture