Naples & Pompeii

Kerry,

Why don't you consider going to Naples in the morning, seeing the museum, get some pizza and then train on to Pompeii. Stay in the little town that night, you may feel safer. Check out the hotel Amleto in Pompeii. We had a great experience there, and it may save you some money, hotel should be cheaper than in Rome. The town is small and sitting around the town square at a cafe was relaxing.
The ruins are a few minutes walk away, so we spent almost the whole next day there. We spent the second night in Pompeii again, and then an early train back to Rome. (by way of Naples, you have to change trains in Naples) This way seeing Pompeii was much more relaxing for us. Either way, read the book "Pompeii" by Robert Harris. It's a historical novel that makes it easier to picture how the people there lived. Have a great trip! Mimi

We took Mimi's advise from an earlier posting and stayed at Hotel Amleto. It was very nice, easy walk to the gate. Go early morning. The group tour crowds really spoil the ambience of the ruin. Consider hiring a local guide for a 2 hr private tour, then you can wonder on your own. The guides wait at the gate for your business, around 50 euro negotiable.

I would never stay in Naples and I am 6'5".

I have been there several times and we try to get out of Naples as fast as possible every time. This is a good rule of thumb - every fourth person you encounter will attempt to rip you off, either by shortchanging you, doing the short count, overcharging, pulling the 'counterfeit Euro' scam, or just stealing from you.

By all means, make the trip, because the general area is worth it, but take the Circumvisuviano immediately down to Sorrento and stay there. Pompei is on the same train route and is closer to Sorrento anyway and you will love being in Sorrento, which also has great restaurants - and pizza.

John, it's a shame you had such a negative experience. I must have repeatedly met people 1, 2 and 3! Kerry, I stayed near the station at Hotel Europa. I walked to the museum (and everywhere else). You can do a loop, with the museum, Galleria, Castel Nuovo. I'm old enough to be your mother. No qualms about Naples at all. Enjoy.

Hi Kerry,
I spent a long day by myself in Napoli in the spring. I too, am 30 something. I had no problems whatsoever. I followed Rick's Spaccanapoli walk and had a blast. The churches and sights are just amazing. I found the people to be very friendly and helpful. When I got turned around a couple of times people went out of their way to assist me. The pizza places that Rick recommends are out of this world! I loved Napoli and plan on returning. However, I would suggest that instead of spending the night there, go to Sorrento like someone else said. It is an EASY one hour train ride and Sorrento is just gorgeous! It is so easy to get around and everything is just about a 5-10 minute walk from the train station. I stayed at Casa Astarita, a RS's favorite, and I LOVED it! The rooms are amazing and the location is ideal! The shopping there is unbelievable! I would consider spending two nights in Sorrento, spending a day in Pompeii and a day in Napoli and then your evenings in Sorrento. You would have to be on the Circumvesuviana train for about an hour each way but you can't do Napoli justice in just a couple of hours. Remember not to carry too much cash and keep your valuables in a safe place. Dress down. You will be fine. Enjoy!

We had a bad experience at Naples as well. We took a train to Naples for Sorrento, and didnot even itend to see the place. When we were returning myself and my husband were both standing in line to get tickets to Rome, two guys were constantly following us and the local people told us to hold on to our bags tightly , a boy who was also standing in line started shouting something in Italian,as one of the guy was almost falling over me,it was so uncomfortable, anyway it helped they got little scared. We bought whatever ticket was available and just ran..

What we did was: we kept our hotel in rome, just packed a small bag,
took a train in the morning to Naples and to Pompeii and late afternoon we were done. We took a train to Sorrento, stayed overnight at a wonderful place www.villapane.com, and next day we saw sorrento, and came back to Rome...during our stay for 15 days , the night at Villa pane was amazing. It is above the town, secluded run by a lady with her son, it gave us a feeling as if we were visiting some relative. Waking up in such a wonderful place was amazing...

I would consider Sorrento...

Pat -

While...um....it is unlikely you are old enough to be my mother, though I bet you make a great one, I have unfortunately encountered number four every time I have gone through Naples-

First time - wife was sick, so I stayed with bags in front of Garabaldi Station while she dashed to the other end to a pharmacy. Guy yells at me, I look up, and his partner swipes my wife's bag. Too heavy for him, though, so he drops it after ten feet and we get it back. A #1 guy running a kiosk grabs me and our bags, sits me behind him in his kiosk until my wife returns.

Second time - went to the Naples Archeological Museum, After seeing it, went to a restaurant across the street. When we get the bill, I pay the tab, but the waiter insists on a tip. I explain the bill clearly shows that service is included. He laughs and takes my original money and leaves.

Third time - Taking a ferry back from Palermo to Naples. At the buffet on board, we get our food and proceed to pay the cashier. I give him a fifty Euro note and am chatting with wife. He takes this as inattention, gives me back a messed up fifty Euro note and tells me it is counterfeit and I need to give him another bill. My original bill was a bank issued ATM bill - hardly messed up in other words. We cause a scene, the manager comes over, confirms that the messed up bill is counterfeit but believes me and refunds my money.

All of this, even though over three trips, amounts to about five hours total in Naples.

I have a different opinion, which makes the world go round. Skip Naples. I found it to be dirty, unfriendly, and too urban. From Rome you can arrive at Pompeii at 11AM. Stay a few hours and return to Rome by 9 PM. It's very very easy via train.

Hi everyone -

Thank you for the responses on here and in my inbox. I am definitely going to Naples because I want to check out the archeology museum and I do need to get an original piece of pizza, but it sounds like maybe I should go straight to Pompeii and spend the night and hit Naples for a part of the day on the way back to Rome. I looked at the hotel and its very reasonable, so I think that is going to work.

I would love to go to Sorrento, but as I am going in the fall, I thought I would just save that for another trip when the weather is nice and I can go to Capri then as well.

Thank you again everyone!

Hi Kerry.
I would avoid Naples as well. I would plan on a visit to the museum early in the morning, and leave in the afternoon.

We took the train from Rome (Termini Stazione) and traveled to Naples. From the Naples train station, we took a smaller train - the Circumvestuviana - which takes you to Pompeii, and on to Sorrento.

I was able to rent (in October) a room for E100 in Sorrento - its' an awesome city. You can get back on the Circumvestuviana to Pompeii - and it's a short ride.

Also consider - we rented a car in Sorrento, drove down the Amalfi Coast, then came back up the freeway to Rome. So really, you could rent a car in Rome and drive there.

John, I am almost 62, so thank you for the compliment. And to Estee Lauder also!! I felt quite safe on my own, and would love to return to Naples to see more of what she has to offer.

On a similar questions, my husband and I are planning a trip in Sept. and wonder if you go with a tour guide and or group would you be safer then going on your own to Naples and Pompeii?