We're making a port stop in Napoli this November. It's on a Sunday, unfortunately. What should I expect as far as what will be open, or not? Visiting either Capri or Ischia was an idea. I expect Capri might be a better option on a Sunday, as opposed to the less touristy Ischia. Recommendations welcomed.
Cheers,
Simon.
Ischia is not exactly undiscovered. You should be prepared, however, for some proportion of "resort" businesses to close for the season by November. I have not been to either place in November, but I have been to Sardinia and Corsica in shoulder season. What are the hours in port?
While doing research, make sure that you are looking at a ferry timetable for the precise week that you would be traveling. This part of Italy not only has ... neglected infrastructure ... , but kind of casual corporate practices. It's not easy to download a schedule, and there are multiple companies to consider.
I would also take account of whether Naples is a tender or pier port, the weather, and the size of the ship. You have to be sure to be back before the ship leaves without you. Being an hour away over water is not a trivial matter. You don't say if you have already been to Pompeii, but that is a less risky excursion than an island. And it's a mighty important place to see. Of course, expensive ship excursions guarantee that they will not leave without you. However, someone recently mentioned a ship excursion that returned from Pompeii at 1:30 PM. To me, that is too little time at a massive site (despite how hot it can be there in the afternoon), and it sounds like catering to guests who refuse to skip the lunch that "they already paid for".
I've visited this part of Italy before, so I'm aware of the assortment of mindset issues, etc. I've been to Pompeii before, as well as a couple of Amalfi tours. I wanted to avoid repeats of either, but I thought Capri might be an option. Setting the islands aside, then it looks like the city proper is a better option.
miuccia, I grew up in NYC, so I was in fact the first person in my immediate family to own a car. Neither of my parents ever did. In ten trips to Italy, I have never only had a rental car once, for Tuscany.
This is not a problem in November, but the failure of busses from Amalfi to Sorrento to stop in Positano because they are full is a rather serious problem for ticket-buying tourists. Numerous examples of failure to appear Circumvesuviana runs have been posted on this newsboard. Every morning we walked through Sorrento (last week in May), there were more people waiting in line for the bus to Positano/Amalfi than would fit on the next (half-hourly!) bus.
I did not say that Naples or any place else was a hell-hole, because I don't believe that. I have never advised anyone not to visit the Amalfi Coast, or any other part of Campania. I frequently remind people not to miss the Farnese Marbles, and that the train and busses may stop running earlier than they would in Rome. My own area suffers from insufficient taxes to maintain demanded services, as well!
It is a fact that the posted ferry schedules are not user-friendly and are frequently out of date. I mean, the Naples Flat Rate Taxi Sheet is about 15 or more years old. No wonder the drivers try to collect phantom luggage charges!
Will be there Nov 3-7 and again Nov 26-Dec 4 so have done a lot of research on the ferries. Go to directferries.com to get a sense of what line is going to what port and how it might fit in with your time in port. Posters are right for you to wait until day of for weather.
Castel Nuovo and Palazzo Mannajuolo are closed on Sunday. Everything else is open. Stroll, hunt down the best pizza, sfogliatella pastry is a Naples favorite, search and take a hop on hopoff, see what's available from the cruise line and if you can do yourself. Plan A-sunny weather, Plan B-rain/mist/drizzle.
As mentioned wait and see the weather. We've experienced cancellations due to choppy waters to Capri. We've taken the buses along the coast (much less crowded in October and November) than in May. The tourists with their HUGE suitcases can be a problem but this hasn't been a problem for me in October/November. Naples... some bars are closed on Sundays but there are plenty open! I love Naples.
