Naples is Italy's third-largest city and one of the most influential foodie capitals in the world. It's known for the invention of the Pizza Margherita, which bears the colors of the Italian flag. We explore the thrillingly chaotic Spanish Quarter, or Quartieri Spagnoli, in search of the best pizza.
The Naples city center is also a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site known for several famous landmarks, including the Royal Palace of Naples, Quartieri Spagnoli, Castel dell'Ovo, and Castel Nuovo to name a few. Andiamo!
Naples is known as the bustling port city with Mount Vesuvius in the background, whose eruption preserved the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. It also has three castles dating back to the Middle Ages.
Oh, and a Royal Palace with free entry to the grounds....
Exploring Naples is a multi-sensory overload. We get lost the the delightful maze that is the Quartieri Spagnoli. The generations of history and soul is palpable. The smells from the pizza oven, cigarettes from locals, and gas from motor scooters billow out onto the streets. Finding a pizzeria is not hard to do - there's one literally down each corner. We ask our guide which one is the best - he said all of them!
Eating a pizza in Naples is a major bucket list foodie experience. We grab a seat outside in a modest pizzeria the Quartieri Spagnoli. It feels like a local's only spot - everyone seems to know of one another. Our waiter looks like a stand in for Luciano Pavarotti. In mere minutes, the iconic Margherita Pizza arrives. Bright red San Marzano tomatoes cover the pie with dollops of mozzarella and a few leaves of basil. Its ingredients haven't changed since it's inception, right here in Naples.
To eat the pizza the Neapolitan way means folding it. The sauce nearly drips right off. The center is gooey and melts in your mouth. The best part is you can taste ever single ingredient, all of them combine to make the perfect masterpiece of food.
Vespas buzz through the winding streets of wall-to-wall apartments, nearly inches away from us. It's one of the most densely populated cities despite having less tourism and fewer inhabitants than other Italian cities. It truly is a gem of a city and exploring the culture was so pure, vibrant, and live-out-loud.â
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We are escaping the summer heat by spending a weekend in Big Bear! This is a four-season mountain resort, located about 100 miles east of Los Angeles. We explore the quaint charm of Big Bear Village and sample the foodie cuisine. While winter time is known for its bustling ski and snowboarding resorts, in spring and summer itâs time to enjoy lake life! We are staying in a cozy lodge, equipped with canoes, and renting fat tire bikes for a mountain biking adventure.
Big Bear Lake sits 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino National Forest. Altitudes range from 6,750 to 9,000 feet and the valley enjoys 300+ days of sunshine each year.
Big Bear Village offers a wide variety of eateries and restaurants, from Himalayan, Thai, Italian, German, and more!
We check in to the Noon Lodge, a boutique lodge with a Nordic alpine theme, offering the comforts of home. We have fire pits, canoes and bikes for rent, a pool, corn hole, and barbecue grills. It's located right on the lake and walking distance to Big Bear Village http://www.noonlodge.com/
Big Bear is a getaway that brings you back to childhood summer camp vibes and is a fun place to make new memories with your friends and family!
Wildlife flourishes in Big Bear's alpine environment and we even spot a young bald eagle. Big Bear Lake is a manmade, fresh-water lake 7 miles long and a 1/2 mile wide, making it the perfect lake for boating, kayaking, canoeing, SUP paddleboarding, and of course - fishing.
âWhat's your favorite lake activity in Big Bear? Comment below!
Welcome to Sonoma valley, a region that is synonymous with wine and located just 45 miles north of San Francisco. This is the birthplace of the California wine industry and the wineries are noted for their rustic charm and family heritage. But there is so much more to do here than wine tasting. We are showcasing the activities outside of wine, including distilleries, historic sights, cuisine pairings, abundant nature. Letâs hop on a vintage motorcycle and explore!
Wineries:
1. Landmark Vineyards: This winery's history is connected to the John Deere family and they offer their flagship Chardonnay as well as a variety of other wines. They also have a gorgeous event space with views of the Mayacama Mountains. https://www.landmarkwine.com/ 2. Mayo Winery: Cuisine and wine pairings that focus on the wine first. The tapas style dishes are paired to bring out the notes in the wine: https://www.mayofamilywinery.com/ â 3. BR Cohn: A winery known for rock n' roll, wine (of course), and olive oil! Taste the California olive oil varieties in the tasting room, pair it with a Cabernet, and learn about the winery's connection to the Doobie Brothers. https://www.brcohn.com/ @brcohnwinery
Non-Wine Activities:
1. Hanson of Sonoma | Organic Vodka made from grapes! This family owned distillery produces vodkas infused with organic fruits and vegetables, such as the creative habanero vodka. The mouth feel is different than your traditional vodka and the flavors are fun to mix as a cocktail or use as a sipping vodka. Our favorite was the chocolate and vodka paring with truffles from Kollar Chocolates, which perfectly compliment the vodka flavors. Visit here: https://hansonofsonoma.com/ |
Published Travel ArticlesWelcome to Run The Atlas!
We are two adventurous young professionals who turned our passion for travel into a blog to help others travel more.
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