Dear friends of Eurojumelages,

The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe gave us the Italian proverb:
„Vedi Napoli e poi muori ! „during his ‘Italian Journey’ in 1786.
According to this saying, you should have seen Naples at least once in your life. Our friend and board member Franco Mazzarella from the Milan section of Eurojumelages made this possible!
Together with „Viaggi e Miraggi“, he offered us a very interesting and varied programme and brought us closer to Naples and Campania, the region where he grew up.
Experiencing such a trip with friends is more than just a holiday in Italy, it strengthens the friendship and cohesion in the Eurojumelages.
Thankfully, our Jumeleurs Rita Caumettes and Gerhard Hartmeier from the Stuttgart section (Germany) have summarised their impressions of the trip in the attached report, so that those who stayed at home can also share in this wonderful cultural trip.

Naples and its amazing surroundings

 25 Jumeleurs (23 from Germany, 1 Spaniard and 1 Jumeleur from England) met in Naples In May 2025 to explore the city, its surroundings and beautiful Campania.
The planning and organisation was carried out by our friend Franco Mazzarella from Milan, who, with the support of ‘Viaggi e Miraggi’, showed us the city of Naples with all its different facets and offered us an interesting and varied stay.

A highlight immediately after our arrival on 10.05.25 after checking in at the hotel: exploring the historic old town (centro storico) and a visit to the Basilica Di San Giorgio Maggiore. In the evening we had a Pizza Napoli with olio d’olive e peperoncini and singing performances by Luigi and Franco in a typical Italian trattoria: There we were: in the middle of Bella Napoli!

1.
The next day we were given a great tour of the city by Rosaria from Naples, including a visit to the Palazzo Reale.

After lunch, we went underground to the Galleria Borbonica. The former cistern was used as a hiding place during World War II and later as a waste depot. Afterwards, we went to the seafront promenade with a marvellous view of Capri and the Gulf of Naples.

2.
The following day began with the train ride to Pompeii and a visit to the archaeological park (again led by Rosaria). On the way back, we took a different route: directly by the sea with wonderful views.

 3.
AOn Tuesday there was a guided tour of the Certosa di San Martino (baroque monastery complex with church) with museum. The way back was either by cog railway or on foot down the very steep hill. In the afternoon we went to the monastery complex of Santa Chiara, where we visited the cloister with flower-painted majolica (ceramic tiles) and the church.

4.
The next day we continued by bus to Pozzuoli to the holiday complex with pool and sports facilities. After the ride along the sea, we had a relaxing picnic break in the park. This was followed by a walk through the historic center of the tranquil town and a very funny and lively café visit.

On the way back to the hotel, the bus was infected by our good humour and passion and started to smoke: However, the cable fire was extinguished immediately and we travelled safely back to the hotel on the replacement bus that had been called.

5.
Next highlight the following day: By ferry to the island of Procida. A walk through the picturesque village of Corricella, which was also the setting for the film ‘The Postman’ about the writer Pablo Neruda. The idyllic bay, which we explored in a small boat, rounded off the day.

 

6.
The next day at breakfast we were surprised by the presence of Peter Backes, who had arrived during the night, and we immediately travelled together by boat to Ischia, where we had a fun tour of the island with a local guide.

A small tasty meal followed (Bruschetta, Melanzane, served with a delicious white wine...) at the Azienda Agricola Ruffano. We returned to the hotel via Lacco Ameno (tufa!) and Terme Casamicciola.

7.

The last ‘active’ day followed: we travelled to Cuma, where we had a guided tour of the Acropolis and the Sybil Grotto. After a short break we returned to the hotel via the volcanic area of Campi Flegrei (Phlegraean Fields).

8.1

For the ‘soirée amicale’, a dinner with sparkling wine by the pool and a ‘Eurojumelages cake’ awaited us, which was proudly cut by Franco to the accompaniment of guitar music.

8.2
After a heartfelt thank you and the presentation of gifts from Peter Backes and Michaela Alber with Simone Flach to Franco and his team, there was atmospheric Neapolitan music with transverse flute, guitar and singing and dancing by the Jumeleurs! Mille Grazie Franco!!
An equally big thank you to our friend Lillo, who helped us as a translator on the first day and whenever necessary.

Gerhard Hartmaier, Rita Caumettes
association of Stuttgart
Germany