Page 66 S1 Escape: Budget break Daily Mail, Saturday, March 2, 2019 Naples for less than £100 a night

With Mount Vesuvius looming in the distance, Mediterranean waves slapping on the harbour walls, ancient castles, trips of Pompeii and labyrinthine lanes, Naples is perfect for an intriguing weekend away. The capital of the Campania region in southern Italy is famous for its manic edginess — as well as the invention of pizza — and can be an affordable choice for a short dei Tr break ... if you know where to look. Via ibu nali aribaldi Where to stay omero G ÷ Attico Partenopeo V tation In the heart of the old town, this S bijou eight-room hotel/B&B is ­hidden at the top of an apartment Vibrant: Clockwise block; you take a lift to the fifth floor reception. Rooms have comfortable from top left, Neapolitan beds, modern art and balconies (in pizza, a traditional street some) facing Vesuvius. Organic icular scene and minimalist breakfast is served in a bright dining Fun Hotel Palazzo Caracciolo room or on a suntrap terrace. B&B doubles from £61; add £17.50 for Vesuvius views (atticopartenopeo.it) ÷ Hotel Cimarosa On a hill in the peaceful residential district of Vomero, but right by a funicular ride into the centre,

Getting there y ­Cimarosa is an arty hotel with 16 modern rooms. This is a great British Airways has ett ­hideaway for those seeking to return flights from / G

escape the old town’s bustle. London Gatwick to Naples alli B&B doubles from £69 from £48 (ba.com). G ra

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(hotelcimarosa.it) Airport buses drop you at n either Garibaldi Station o le

÷ Ramada Naples E or the city centre; tickets OK, so this is a business hotel, but Illustration: it’s right next to Garibaldi Station, are £4.30 each way and PHIL ARGENT the journey takes about perfect for trains to Pompeii and Pictures: Sorrento, and a ten-minute walk to 20 minutes. the centre. Rooms are in a smart beetroot, roast chicken and lasagne. ­burgundy colour scheme and have It’s about £11 for a large helping. ­bathrooms with tubs. Breakfasts come with a huge variety of cakes. B&B doubles from £81 What to see and do (wyndhamhotels.com) ÷ Take a train ÷ Hotel Palazzo Caracciolo Guided bus tours to Pompeii, the Roman city entombed when Just north of Spaccanapoli, the ­Vesuvius erupted in AD79, from the main east-west street splitting city are £56. It’s more fun to do it Naples, this is a 15th-century palace yourself. Take a Circumvesuviana converted into a vibrant hotel with train from Garibaldi Station for minimalist yet comfy rooms. A £4.80. The Naples metro/funicular courtyard with olive trees and a bar system is also a good way to get makes a great spot to unwind. around: rides are £1. B&B doubles from £100 (palazzocaracciolo.com) ÷ Free entry to Pompeii The usual adult entry price is £13, but the first Sunday of the month is Where to eat free. Arrive early to avoid the crowds ÷ Pizzeria Di Matteo and, afterwards, don’t go to the expensive cafes by the exit. The You must try a pizza in the world’s ­station cafe, used by locals, has pizza capital. This tiny restaurant espressos for 90p and lovely fresh on Via dei ­ribunali, loved by locals, orange juice for £1.70. serves little takeaway slices, folded in paper, for £1.30: simply delicious ÷ See the hilltop castle (as Bill Clinton once found). It takes half an hour to ascend the Pizzeriadimatteo.com winding steps to Castel Sant’Elmo, a glorious 16th-century fortification. ÷ Pizzeria Dal Presidente Entry is only £4.30. There’s also a Clinton seems to have been a superb gallery of Campania art, to pizza fan … he also tried Pizzeria ­ which your ticket allows entry. The Dal Presidente, farther down Via foot of the hill has bakeries and delis Tribunali. Sit in the hidden-away for hilltop picnics. backroom and share a diavola pizza with a carafe of wine for £9 for two. ÷ Watch the sunset Outside, check out the Banksy Castel dell’Ovo (Castle of the depicting ‘Madonna with a pistol’. Egg) is on the little island of Dalpresidentepizzeria.it ­Megaride, connected to the main- land by a causeway — perfect for a ÷ Gran Caffe Imperius target of a waterfront walk along the Sfogliatella is a sugary pastry promenade south of Piazza with a sweet almond filling invented ­Plebiscito, Naples’ main square. It’s in Campania. Gran Caffe Imperius free to go to the top of the castle, on Spaccanapoli does them splen- one of the best places for sunsets. didly (85p). Enjoy one at the bar accompanied by a 70p espresso or a ÷ Visit ‘Christmas Street’ £1.30 glass of Ramazzotti liqueur. Real name Via San Gregorio Grancaffeimperius.it Armeno, this is where the city’s nativity scene shops are found. ÷ Etto Watch craftsmen at work and enjoy On Via Santa Maria di Costanti- their creations including Putin and nopoli, this brilliant restaurant is Trump figurines along the alley. favoured by locals. Take a plate and visitnaples.eu choose from a buffet including ­pastas with tuna, wild mushrooms, Tom Chesshyre