A question about currency and another about Naples

Get your Euros at a bank ATM at your arrival airport.
Naples- Walk the Lungomare, along the Bay of Naples. Views of Vesuvius. Eat pizza! It will be the best you’ve ever had and cheap too.
If you want a group walking tour of Naples check www. sharedtours.com, Mondo guides work with Rick Steve’s affiliation.

1. I personally like to have 50 euros or so on landing just in case. From there I just use ATMs to get more as I go. Other people arrive with no euros and are fine. That’s cheapest, but I don’t like landing with zero local currency. I travel to Europe enough that I just bring home some each trip for the next time, but you can get euros at your bank or AAA. Again, it does cost more and you’d be fine without doing so, I just see it as insurance. This is a big debate, you will be fine either way. What you DONT want is to buy a lot of euros at home to bring. The fees add up plus there’s a risk of loss.

2. I just know the main touristy places in Naples. General advice is to google “Naples Italy off the beaten path” or “Naples Italy Travel blog” to find all sorts of ideas of varying quality. It’s a fun rabbit hole.

Bonus q -
- don’t over schedule - a lot of the best experiences are found when you just wander around enjoying the atmosphere.
-Read Europe Through the Back Door
-service at restaurants is slow by American standards. Learn to enjoy a long meal, and how to ask for the check when you are ready. They won’t bring the check without you asking, that’s considered rude! I don’t speak Italian but say “il conto per favore” which works fine. You get used to it to the point where I get annoyed by “rushed” American service and the bill being brought too early.
-pack light

Should we get our Euros ahead of time or just bring a bit for the first day? There is a topic on this subject in this forum but it’s 3 years old.

Actully one of the more FAQ.

RS Money FAQ Tip: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/cash-tips

Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some
tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in
their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price
in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw
money. I've yet to see a European airport that didn't have plenty of
ATMs.

Two schools of thought on the first question. Many say to get enough of the local currency, before leaving home, to get you through the first day, and accept that you won't get a great currency exchange rate at your bank.

Just as many say that since bank ATMs give the best exchange rates on local currency, wait until you arrive and get cash at an ATM at the airport.

I'm in the first group. Although now I just make sure I've got €100 or so left over to bring back home with me at the end of a trip.

General advice: notify your bank and your credit card companies of your travel plans so they don't freeze your account when they see an out of country charge. Have more than 1 ATM card, preferably from different accounts in case of a problem. Whenever possible, get cash from an ATM inside a bank during business hours.

Yep! Get some euros at the airport when you arrive. Then use a credit card and ATM that has no international fees. Be sure and let your bank(s) know that you are traveling and where.

You will love Rome for all the history. I suggest you do the top ten list there. Then the Amalfi Coast is gorgeous and you can do some relaxing there. Or...do the Blue Lagoon from Capri and if you hike do the "Path of the Gods". We'll be in both places in July!

Don't know much about Naples. We are taking a train from Rome to Naples but got a car and driver to take us to Pompeii and wait and then take us to Positano, Amalfi Coast.

Enjoy your trip! Ciao!

BONUS question! Any general advice as this is our first trip to Europe?

Its of great benefit to read a good guidebook before you go, not so much on the what to see, but on customs (no ice in drinks, coffee is espresso, no tipping), basic polite phrases, and transportation quirks (like validating tickets, taxi stands, etc.). Many first-timers dont realize just how we are used to doing and having things our way.

Il Gobetto Ristorante, VIA SERGENTE MAGGIORE, 8 is a great “off the beaten track” restaurant right near the Galleria Umberto. Great food and atmosphere on a narrow side lane. Reservations are necessary. Here’s the phone # 390812512435.

Try the pizza place under the Porta Alba. Claims to be the oldest pizza place in Napoli, pzzas are good.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply. It means a great deal to us. We are super excited to go!