Naples - whats it like ?
Discussion
MitchT said:
Not sure about Naples. I did Pompeii, Vesuvius, Herculaneum and Capri from a base in Sorrento. Fabulous holiday.
As above, use Sorrento or somewhere else.Stayed a couple of nights a few years ago as a base for Pompeii, found Naples to be a bit of a dump, has a good museum iirc but the cities inhabitants were a bit rough around the edges and it felt a bit of a ghetto.
Do NOT stay in Naples, its a s**t hole. Sorrento as a base is far better location wise without the crime etc. Went to Sorrento last year you can get to Vesuvius,Pompeii and Herculaneum quite easily on the Vesuviana rail line. Capri, by ferry Amalfi and Positano by ferry if in season (think from April onwards) or bus.Would not bother with a car,I did and it stayed parked at the hotel until I drove back to the airport (should have got a cab or train to Sorrento from airport)
Enjoy your trip.
Enjoy your trip.
danzltiu said:
Went to Sorrento last year you can get to Vesuvius,Pompeii and Herculaneum quite easily on the Vesuviana rail line. Capri, by ferry Amalfi and Positano by ferry if in season (think from April onwards) or bus.
Or was we did ... Half board with Thomson so airport transfers included (makes life easier) and bookable excursions to Herculanium, Pompeii, Vesuvius and Capri, along with many more available, all with good early starts so you got your money's worth.I've heard the same things about Naples as others have mentioned here. Best avoided!
k off. We paid 5 large to get to these pathetic ruins!
I wasn't much interested in them neither, you really have to be interested in it's history. Most people probably go as they remembers studying it at school.To add, Naples can justifiably be described as 'gritty', but there are some really nice parts, as well as some rough ones. It's not typical 'holiday Italy' so it depends what you're after from your visit. A lot/most people find Pompeii rather over-hyped. That said, I loved it, but I wasn't paying. But do avoid the cruise ship crowds - they will detract from your visit.
why no one wants to go to Naples
The city of Naples has long been considered a destination that's not worth a trip.
The city of Naples has long been considered a destination that's not worth a trip.
We go to Italy every year so been to many different places. Naples is probably our least favourite although it has loads of character. It is all of the bad things said above. The last time we stayed in Naples which was two years ago, on the evening we arrived (10:00 pm) we learned our hotel was overbooked so we were walked 1KM to a supposedly comparative hotel through a red light area full of druggies to trip over. The hotel was dreadful for so many reasons, and we left as early as we reasonably could, skipping breakfast, and were glad to be heading out of town.
As regards Pompeii, use Sorrento as your holiday base and get the train from there direct to Pompeii, easy. Once there it is best to use a guide. Remember too that Pompeii is huge.
We thought Herculaneum was much better ..smaller, easier to manage just as interesting. Also it's in central Naples so you get a good feel for the city by strolling around the area.
Sorrento's problem is cruise ships, up to three a day, which swamp the town and elevate the prices locally, especially in restaurants at lunchtime.
If you do use Sorrento, can recommend the Tramontino Hotel. Good location near the centre of Sorrento. Do take a top floor room with a sea view with a wonderful view over the Bay of Naples. They have a pontoon area on the sea too which is a real plus.
Good (organised) day trip from Sorrento is to go to Ischia. Do the island route, have lunch, go to the Walton Gardens etc. Well worth doing we thought.
You can also get transportation to the Amalfi Coast, either by bus or by ferry.
Actually, the better trip in my view will be a few days in Sorrento then transfer to the Amalfi Coast, say at Amalfi, Minori or Ravello, and stay there for a few days and explore that area by the many ferry routes from Amalfi.
If you are into ruins, go to Paestum on an organised trip booked from the UK. You get driven there, have a guide, get lunch and go to the museum too. Very good. Note it is Greek not Roman, so different from Pompeii/Herculaneum.
R.
As regards Pompeii, use Sorrento as your holiday base and get the train from there direct to Pompeii, easy. Once there it is best to use a guide. Remember too that Pompeii is huge.
We thought Herculaneum was much better ..smaller, easier to manage just as interesting. Also it's in central Naples so you get a good feel for the city by strolling around the area.
Sorrento's problem is cruise ships, up to three a day, which swamp the town and elevate the prices locally, especially in restaurants at lunchtime.
If you do use Sorrento, can recommend the Tramontino Hotel. Good location near the centre of Sorrento. Do take a top floor room with a sea view with a wonderful view over the Bay of Naples. They have a pontoon area on the sea too which is a real plus.
Good (organised) day trip from Sorrento is to go to Ischia. Do the island route, have lunch, go to the Walton Gardens etc. Well worth doing we thought.
You can also get transportation to the Amalfi Coast, either by bus or by ferry.
Actually, the better trip in my view will be a few days in Sorrento then transfer to the Amalfi Coast, say at Amalfi, Minori or Ravello, and stay there for a few days and explore that area by the many ferry routes from Amalfi.
If you are into ruins, go to Paestum on an organised trip booked from the UK. You get driven there, have a guide, get lunch and go to the museum too. Very good. Note it is Greek not Roman, so different from Pompeii/Herculaneum.
R.
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