Welcome to Hotels and Getaways

Some people love to visit safe touristy areas while others like to find the authentic story in a country. If you are into the real daily life of the country of Italy, then head south. We are going to go to the notorious costal city of Napoli.

You will find that most Napoli guidebooks tell you to veer towards the port side of the city where most tourists sit sipping cappuccino. While the docks are certainly convenient for catching boats to nearby Amalfi, absolutely do not miss out on the grit and charm of this town.

Some of the best food in the world can be found within Naples. Known as the birthplace of pizza, this town also boasts many fantastic chocolate shops, lots of great pastry shops, and some truly fantastic gelaterias. Aside from food, the souvenirs that can be found within the heart of the town are stunning.

Cameos are a famous form of Italian jewelry. If you are interested in them, you are going to love Napoli. This is where they are made. Slap on your top shopping shoes and just head out and start shopping. Jewelry stores are plentiful and every one of them carries the cameos.

Napoli has always been the black sheep of the family of Italian cities. Hardcore travelers thought this was great because it was actually a tremendous destination. Well, the word is out and Naples is in the middle of a big boom.

One just has to take a look around to realize the true beauty of the city. This is not the sham touristy images on a brochure. These are real people. They hang out drinking cappuccino like they have for hundreds of years. You should just drink it all in as well.

Once you are settled, get out and just walk the downtown area of Naples. You will find all kinds of authentic, fascinating people. You can watch talented artists turn a piece of wood into the most amazing toy. The experiences will leave you fulfilled.

Napoli is an odd piece of the breathtaking Italian puzzle, though it is a piece that is vital to the survival of the Italian people. If you tire of museums and tourist shops, visit the city that will never put on any airs for those that venture through it. Napoli is part of the Italian life worth experiencing.

To really get a taste of a place, you need to go local. Checking out the tourist traps does not give you much of an authentic experience. In Paris, this means checking out the various little enclaves throughout the city.

Montmartre is an easy enclave to locate. Just look for the white Sacre Coeur Basilica on the top of the hill overseeing the area. Montmartre is considered one of the best areas to spend time in because is has a little of everything Parisian.

I fully realize that if it is your first time in Paris you are going to spend a bunch of time seeing the big attractions. Still, the daily life of Paris is much more interesting. In Montmartre, you will feel like you are stepping back in time.

A quick word of caution. Montmartre has been tamed a bit for the tourists, but it is still a place with plenty of character. Watch the street artists and your wallet at the same time. Both are likely to get plenty of attention.

With great artists such as Dali, Picasso, van Gogh and Monet having called the area home, there is a serious business these days of trying to sell every tourist junk trinkets to memorialize the times of those people. Try to look past it.

To get a better feel for the authentic Montmartre, I suggest you stay high up on the hill near the Basilica. Wondering the side streets will give you a taste of times past when the area was rough and ready with nary a tourist in sight.

Monet. Picasso. van Gogh. When you walk the streets of Montmartre, you are walking through hallowed ground. Do not let the riff raff distract you from that fact. Get off the main paths and consider what is really around you.

This is an area that is so powerful, you cannot help but feel the neighborhood soak into your clothes. The smell definitely might! Do not mistakenly attend the Moulin Rouge and think that is all there is. The entire area is the attraction.

Life is unfortunately often about routines and the same old thing day in and day out. Montmartre is anything but this. The place is dirty, over the top and so full of culture and characters, you will just be smiling and shaking your head. Welcome to Paris!