9

Valentina

Solano

Relaxing, eating and drinking in

Naples with a local photographer.

Valentina Solano is a Naples photographerknown for

documenting city life. Before becoming an artist, she

trained as an architect, and this background translates

into her work, which captures the impact Naples’

built environment has on its spirited denizens.

NAPLES LIKE A LOCAL

2

Naples

1

3

4

5

“It’s difficult to find peace in Naples. That said, there are a few oases of calm, like the

Parco Virgiliano, with views that stretch across the Bay of Naples, the city and Mount

Vesuvius on one side, and the Phlegraean Fields on the other. It’s breathtaking.”

THE LIFE AQUATIC

“When I have guests visit me

in Naples, I take them to the

Parco Sommerso di Gaiolaat

the far western end of the Bay

of Naples, just past Posillipo.

The ‘sunken park’ is a protected

marine area where you can go

for a swim and paddle around

ancient villa ruins that are now

underwater. The site is free

and it’s beautiful.”

A TAVOLA

“I love to eat atPrigiobbo,an

old-school pizzeria resistant to

change, especially the trend

towards more gourmet pizza

that is so popular in the city

today. In all the time my family

has been going there, they

haven’t changed a thing about

the décor, so it feels really

worn in the best way.”

ART THERAPY

“I get inspiration from

creative people and projects,

so I often visit theMuseo d’Arte

Contemporanea Donnaregina

(Museo Madre) in central

Naples, which hosts super-

interesting exhibits and events.

But actually even just walking

the streets ofthe centro storico

is stimulating. It’s full of life, and

it’s a place where people from

all over the world collide.”

COASTAL ESCAPE

“When I need to get away,

I don’t have to venture very far.

The Amalfi Coastis only about

a one-hour drive or fast ferry

from Naples. I prefer the

smaller villages such asMassa

LubrenseandSant’Agata sui

Due Golfito the better-known

(and therefore more crowded)

Sorrento and Positano. Heading

to the coast lets me unplug a bit

and immerse myself in nature.

For me, the Amalfi Coast is at

it’s best during winter when it’s

a little quieter.”●

150 GOURMET TRAVELLER

WORDS KATIE PARLA. PHOTOGRAPHY GETTY IMA

GES (CENTRO STORICO, MASSA LUBRENSE), @ALELAMB, @EWAANIELA, @SISSYFER

1 Parco

Sommerso di

Gaiola. 2 Pizza at

Prigiobbo.

3 Jan Fabre’s

L’uomo che

musara le

nuvoleat Museo

Madre. 4 The

centro storico.

5 Massa

Lubrense.

@_valentinasolano

Southern Italy