Naples
Naples can be an acquired taste. Italy's third largest city is sure to conjure up strong feelings. For some it's an admiration of the city's authentic vibe, while for others it's a dislike for the economic disparity that exists here. Sophia Loren and Enrico Caruso are native Neapolitans, and the city is stubbornly proud of its image. One thing is certain; you will not leave Naples without an opinion.
Since late 1993, the city has sought to overcome its high crime rate by opening more museums and galleries, thereby attracting a cultured group of visitors and residents. The unconventional strategy is starting to pay off, as crime is down twenty-five percent. The resulting feeling of security has increased tourism by almost fifty percent. Naples feels like any other big city in the world, with no need to fear for your safety.
If Italy is the place to go for the best pizza and pasta in the world, and Naples is the best place to enjoy them in Italy, that would make Naples the pizza and pasta capital of the world, right? So bring your appetite!
If you have the time, try and take a side trip out to Pompeii, the ancient city buried by a volcanic eruption on nearby Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The opportunity to see a city frozen in time is rare, and well worth a visit.
Palermo
Palermo is the capital city of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, and the small mass of land right next to the toe of Italy's boot. All of Sicily's official business is conducted here in its largest city, with 900,000 people calling this northern port town home.
Sicily has one of the world's most fascinating histories, mainly due to the diverse backgrounds of the people who have ruled this small island through the centuries. Sicily has been inhabited since the Phoenicians called it home. In succession, the Greeks, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, and Bourbons have all controlled Sicily. Each ruler's influence can still be felt today. It can be seen in the flaxen-haired descendants of the Normans or by noting that Palermo's Duomo was originally a mosque.
Palermo's old town is in the middle of the city, and is divided into four quarters. Much of what there is to see in Palermo can be found within the confines of the four corners, as the city center is known.
In a microcosm, Palermo represents Sicily, and Italy for that matter. Tradition is highly respected here, with family and religion at the center of most of what goes on here. The Mafia, which used to completely run this island, has lost ground due to the recent election of a high profile, anti-Mafia mayor. But crime is rampant in the city, and women traveling alone should guard their valuables extremely closely. Some of the world's best pickpockets and con artists use Palermo as their training grounds, so travelers are advised to be at their sharpest when walking the streets of Palermo.
The city's combination of backgrounds is what attracts people here the most. Unique architecture and interesting museum exhibits help the city stand out. But it is the manner of the people here that most people find most charming. The exuberance, the animation, the joie de vivre (pardon my French) of Sicilians is contagious.
Casablanca
Casablanca means white house in Spanish, and the reason for the city's name will become quite obvious as you explore the city's landscape. White houses and white office buildings are the norm here in Morocco's busiest city. The Hassan II mosque stands out above the white landscape, a green tiled edifice that catches your eye no matter where you are.
The city has a history of occupation, with many different rulers claiming the city as their own over the centuries. The Berbers traded at the Port of Anfa with Carthaginians and Phoenicians. Later on, the Portuguese came and destroyed Casa Branca, in retaliation for Berber pirate attacks. Sultan Mohammed Ibn Abdellah rebuilt the town, but it soon came under French control. It was only in 1956 that Morocco gained its independence from Spain and France. The evidence of this occupation is everywhere. French is as widely spoken as Arabic, and street names still carry the words rue and boulevard before them.
The drive along Morocco's western coast, from Rabat to Casablanca, is replete with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. This area, known as La Corniche, is truly exquisite, and is well worth the time it takes to get there. But if you are on a tight schedule, the bustling pace of Casablanca will offer you plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, and fine dining.
It's the people of Morocco who will make your time here memorable. The country stands where Europe and Africa meet, and a legacy of European imperialism has transformed Morocco into a unique combination of Eastern and Western worlds. Moroccans are proud of their country, and they will go out of their way to show you its best face.
Manaus
Manaus is a fascinating region of Brazil that is a must see for all nature enthusiasts. The city is set amongst the trees of the Brazilian Amazon, and dense jungle surrounds it on all sides. The Rio Negro lines Manaus, and this city is home to one million inhabitants. It is the Amazonas state capital, and a marvelous region to explore. You have likely never visited a city quite like Manaus. The Manao tribe named the city, which means Mother of the Gods.
The rubber boom meant Manaus's entire existence was based on rubber production and shipment for decades. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, 90% of the world's rubber came from Manaus. Unfortunately, the resulting wealth was realized by only a few rubber barons, who exploited the local workers and brought in Indian slaves from all over South America. Northeast Brazil was extremely overcrowded and severely depressed economically, so many Brazilians welcomed the opportunity to find work down in Manaus. Once they got there, however, they were forced to work for hours on end in terrible conditions for low wages. Whenever the barons were displeased with production, they took to slaughtering some of the Indians to get their point across. This went on for many years until Asian rubber manufacturers ended the monopoly in Manaus. Once the Asians began to produce large amounts of rubber, Manaus suffered an economic depression that lasted for decades.
Finally, in 1967, Manaus was made a free-trade zone, and since that time the economy has really been bolstered. In under twenty years, the population has catapulted from 200,000 to 900,000. Present-day Manaus is a picturesque town filled with interesting sights and fabulous hiking trails. The jungle may be mysterious and daunting, but the city itself is friendly and inviting.
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