Do you smell the pizza from pizzeria Da Michele? Can you hear the roaring of scooter engines in the narrow alleys of the Spanish quarter? Do you taste the sea salt on your lips as the Tyrrhenian Sea sends its warm breezes through the window? And can you make out the whispers of history in all the noise, smells, and tastes? Uh, it’s Naples, baby, and it is calling on us, already tempting our senses from afar.
And that is because visiting Naples is a journey for the senses. It is a place where cultures meet and mix, where language and dialect confuse outsiders, where food and religion go hand in hand, and where nature and civilization have forged a precarious alliance. All of this, and so much more, gives us a glimpse into why people might call the Gulf of Naples the “most unique” in the world. So it is no surprise to feel overwhelmed when planning to make the most of our short time in Naples during this year’s IFERA conference.
Yet, where should one even begin to explore when it seems so overwhelming? Luckily, the organizing team in Naples has got you covered. They have curated their very own favourites, letting us in on what locals deem worthy of our precious time during our short stay at their beautiful hometown. Our top pick: Napoli Sotteranea (Naples Underground). It is a place like no other, full of ancient and not-so-ancient history, it is easy to reach, it does not take too long, it offers an escape from the heat, and it offers an experience that sticks with you. If you follow, visit the travel page on the ifera conference website, you will find more information about sights to see, places to go, and activities to do in and around Naples. The local organizing team has curated a truly amazing list that is far too long to give it the space it deserves here. So please have a look: https://ifera.org/ifera-2026/travel/
For those of us who want to do more than stimulate their senses, but rather come prepared to immerse themselves in the local culture, here are a few insights that may give you a head start. It is worth being aware of a few rules and customs that can be helpful. First and foremost, we recommend having some change and banknotes ready for when you explore Naples. Cash is often the preferred and sometimes only accepted means of payment. It is not immediately clear when you enter a place what works best, so be ready to be flexible. Tips are usually not expected. But in touristic areas locals have grown accustomed to the foreigners’ generosity and, therefore, are well-equipped to adjust.
Given that a lot of us start their day with a cup of coffee, here some context. Now in Naples, as in other parts of Italy, coffee is not served in the humongous cups that many other cultures use to hold filtered coffee. In Italy, a regular coffee comes as an espresso, which is usually served right at the bar, where locals chuck it down like a shot at a college party. Having a coffee is often more like a pitstop than a long sit-down with a friend or colleague. Be aware that once you sit down to order and drink your coffee, a lot of places may charge you their service fee (copperte). Also, if you want to avoid awkward situations, judgmental looks, or even heated discussions with the locals, or any Italian for that matter, consider the time of the day when you order coffee drinks that contain milk, e.g., Latte Macchiato, Caffe Latte, or Cappuccino, after lunch. These are usually considered drinks for in the morning, before lunch. The blasphemy of ordering such drinks begins after lunch. Of course, if you feel lucky and want to find out what happens if you dare, go ahead and order your preferred mix of milk and coffee at the wrong time of the day.
Another piece of heartfelt advice is to stay away from discussing Italian food as a non-Italian. The only legitimate role you may take is that of the humble novice who asks for insight, recommendation, and guidance in your feeble attempts to cook Italian food at home. However, if you want to create your very own event of monumental proportions, we suggest initiating an ad-hoc symposium on the socio-historical relevance and cultural origins of some of Italy’s most famous dishes. The easiest and quickest way to let a spectacle arise in any given moment is to question the claim that Carbonara, pasta in general, or even pizza are truly Italian inventions. What role does Chinese cuisine have in all of this? As an alternative, ask if and how cream or egg white should be used to make Carbonara. No Mediterranean storm compares to the wrath of Italians that you just unleashed.
Want to calm the storm and win their hearts back? Learn some of the local sayings and idioms, because Napolitans are a warm people who love it when you try to literally speak their language. Nothing like saying Me dai na voce or A quatt’e bastune to express your sincere interest and liking in their region. You can find more interesting expressions here: https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/neapolitan-expressions. When the sound of the Neapolitan dialect is all too foreign to your ears, there is quite a collection of music that puts you in the mood.
You can give their contemporary music a go: https://youtu.be/N1FDkTO7D_0?si=73dlylum1g5MktWs. Be aware, you might experience some rhythmic tapping of your feet or your head nodding in time.
So Naples is calling. It is waiting to overwhelm us with all its smells, tastes, sounds, and views. Naples is ready! Are you?
