FLAVOURS OF NAPLES

Munch your way through Naples’ streets and squares and discover the culinary traditions of the homeland of pizza – the best-known symbol of Italian gastronomy.

You may not know that the origins of pizza date back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who enjoyed baked flat breads that were topped with olive oil and local spices, delicacies that today we would call focaccia breads. The word pizza derives from ancient Greek pektos meaning solid or baked.

The origin of the modern pizza is, however, something of a mystery. Neapolitan baker Raffaele Esposito is often credited with the honour of being the very first pizza-maker. According to a popular urban legend, shortly after Italy’s unification, King Umberto I and his wife Queen Margherita, took a trip to Naples. While there, the queen grew bored of French cuisine, which was popular at that time in southern Italy, and requested that something more local be prepared. Chef Esposito did just that. He created a selection of three pizzas for her pleasure, one of which was chosen by the Queen as her favourite and supposedly named after her. This pizza was topped with three ingredients whose colours recall the Italian flag: basil (green), buffalo mozzarella (white) and tomato sauce (red). And that’s how Pizza Margherita was invented in 1889, triggering a culinary tradition that began in Naples and spread throughout the world.

But Naples is so much more than pizza! Sink your teeth into the city’s culture and traditions on a discovery journey of its flavoursome treats. Your private guide will lead you through the city centre, sprinkled with cafes, ice cream parlours, restaurants and wineries and point out Neapolitans’ best-loved haunts. You will have the opportunity to see where locals meet, eat and purchase food and find out how gastronomy permeates daily life here.

Kick off your day in true Neapolitan style delighting your senses on a ritual coffee at the renowned Scaturchio bar. Then drop in at a celebrated pastry shop to savour traditional local sweets, including scrumptious sfogliatelle, baba soaked in rum and zeppole filled with cream. Your eating adventure might also cover street food kiosks, a deli store, a confectioner’s and a gelateria. No food tour of Naples would be complete without a taste of limoncello… cheers to Bella Napoli!