Naples Like a Local

Have you ever said to yourself, “Man, wouldn’t it would be great to go to Italy and study ancient history and archaeology on location for a few days?” Is it your dream to experience Naples like a local with all that art, history, and culture just outside your door?

Last year I was thinking this very thought as I considered this year’s homeschool studies and field trips (aka, learn-on-location excursions) for the kids. I let the dream simmer and secretly kept checking airfare. Then, rather spontaneously (at least to everyone else), we headed to Rome and Naples with kids. We saw that we had a perfect window, so we grabbed our passports and headed to Italy for some archaeology, ancient history, and learning on location!

Image of family walking down old Italian street in Viterbo, Italy

Andiamo, Tutti!

That’s Italian, for “Let’s go, everybody.”

To catch you up, we headed to Italy for an epic trip studying Roman history with a whole lot of food, life lesson learning train rides, crazy van excursions and an enormous amount of learning on location around Rome with kids, and throughout Naples and the Amalfi Coast region.

Visiting Naples like a local is a fantastic, cultural and historical learning experience for the entire family. “Andiamo, Tutti!”

Image of Grottaferratta Monastery with text overlay: Italy Must See Rome - Grottaferratta at www.captivatingcompass.com

LOL= Learn On Location

There are loads to see in Naples but since we have a budding archaeologist in the family, our main focus was on visiting the Naples Archaeology Museum this time.

In order to take advantage of the lighter crowds at the museum during lunchtime, we grabbed a quick panini from a local coffee bar with a panini cart on the corner, across the street from the museum.

Image of pizza, wine, and sunglass at a table in Italy. with text overlay Naples Italy like a local.

Buon Appetito!

You can sit at a table outside, (btw, it’s a bit noisy here…it is Naples), but you’ll pay quite a bit more for your food and drinks. We opted for the same view by asking for ‘panini a presto’ (sandwiches to go) from the case that had hot focaccia and panini ready to serve. They even had sausage rolls!

We paid for our ‘panini a presto’, and drinks from the case inside. I think it cost the 3 of us about 12 Euro. Then, we walked about 100 feet or so away from the bar and sat on the steps.

I’ll be the first to admit, this idea might not be for everyone. We needed to watch our backpacks very carefully (just slip your leg thru while it sits next to you). And, thankfully my kids are old enough to sit still on the steps and enjoy their food without being in jeopardy of running off or deciding to take their chances crossing the street while mom’s helping someone else.

There are times when paying to sit at a table in Italy is the right choice for your family. This might be one of them. Just go with your instincts and your comfort level.

Image of feet in zebra crosswalk with text overlay: Napoli, Italy like a local

Crossing The Street In Naples Like A Local!

After we finished our yummy panini, we crossed the street like a true Neapolitan. Give it a try. Here’s what you do:

Hold up your hand (whilst in the zebra crosswalk, of course),
Looked at each car/scooter (but didn’t make eye contact with the driver because that gives them permission to keep going),
And, gingerly, but quickly, cross the cobbled street like a local with your hand up signaling drivers to stop.

Garden with Star Wars memorabilia and Roman artifacts at the Naples Archaeology museum

Sculptures, Frescoes & Star Wars? – Mama Mia!

Once we got inside the Naples Archaeology Museum, we quickly by-passed the group of guided tour salespeople (you’ll get the best prices by pre-booking your tour) and headed straight to the museum ticket counter. Tickets were quite affordable – only about 12 Euro for an adult and the kids are free (under 18).

We were so surprised and excited to find out there was a Star Wars exhibit at the Archaeology Museum. Admittedly, I was quite curious to see how the museum curators planned to pull these two themes, which are seemingly light years apart, into an engaging archaeological exhibit. You can read all about it on the Mann Hero website and in my next post.

Stay A Few Days In Naples

Here are a few more things to do in Naples with kids. Keep having fun and learning on location in Naples like a local.

Pro Tip: If you have older kids, Ercolano and Naples can probably be done in one long day if you keep your focus on the history and artifacts at the ruin site in Ercolano and the Archaeology Museum. If your home base is Sorrento or another town easily accessible by train or car, this might be a long day, but still very enjoyable.