Naples

In the period before the Italian unification of 1860, Naples rivaled Paris as a brilliant and refined cultural capital, the ultimate destination for northern European travelers on their Grand Tour. Today, Naples is a difficult place to take a quick liking to: noise and air pollution levels are uncomfortably high, graffiti on urban trains and monuments are unsightly, unemployment protests and industrial disputes frequently disrupt public transportation and may even result in the temporary closure of major tourist attractions. Armed with the right attitude—"be prepared for the worst but hope for the best"—you will find that Napoli does not disappoint. Among other things, it's one of Italy's top cittá d'arte, with world-class museums and a staggering number of fine churches.