I'm 28 and am going with a younger friend (18) to italy mid sept- oct. we were going to work our way down thru torino, ct, lucca, florence, rome and Naples and then finish our trip by heading north to spend some days in Bolongna, verona, padua & lake como. But in talking to a friend who used to live in Torino for years, she makes naples sound like the crime capital of the WORLD and we shouldn't even get off the TRAIN unless we have someone we know picking us up. I SO had my heart set on naples- maybe I'm romantisizing it and it really isn't worth fretting about but...sigh... is it really as bad as all that? I also don't want to be reckless being two young girls alone. (i've lived alone in South America and have traveled ireland&paris so sometimes I tend to be too overconfident about otherwise dangerous situations)
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
Well, I think it depends on what your plans are for Naples.
And are you really overconfident, or do you just automatically go into 'high alert' in high-risk places and it feels second-nature to you? Big difference.
Posted by
OP
Albuquerque, NM, USA
3 posts
well, I didn't really have any specific plans. eating pizza and people watching are really the only things on the list. Going to sorrento and amalfi are on the "definitely, maybe" agenda. I may just go on high alert I suppose. I just don't want to be foolish and put myself and my friend in a questionable situation when we may be just as happy an extra day in Rome or Florence.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
712 posts
Jennifer - I had the same experience.
We were visting friends in Modena before going to Naples and they practically begged us not to go because people get robbed in broad day light and mafia is everywhere and the police are corrupt and as soon as they see we are American, we're done for, etc... There are 4 of us girls (ages 21-28) and we sat down and talked about perhaps changing plans. We finally decided that since the ultimate destination was Sorrento anyway (and NOTHING was keeping me from the Amalfi Coast), we would go through Naples, maybe grab a slice of pizza, catch a boat and head to Sorrento. We had absolutely no problems whatsoever, except for the same man selling us luggage one minute, a taxi ride the next, maps the next, and something illegal the next. Other than that it was smooth sailing. On the way back we road the Circumvesuviana so we didn't even see Naples as the train connection is upstairs.
That's our experience and I'm sure both my friends and yours are telling us these things based on sound evidence. However, playing it smart is half the battle. I'm not saying "go" or "don't go" but there are numerous people who have been in, out, through and around Naples with no ill consequences. Over-confidence is definately not good, but neither is paranoia. So take all the advice into consideration and do what's best for you.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
Jennifer,
Unfortunately, we all have to make those tough decisions...Unless you wanted to do something specific to Naples, I'd suggest spending that day in Rome, Florence, Sorrento, or wherever. I've done the 'quick' stopover before; they're never 'quick'. Getting off of the train, getting to where you're going, getting back to the station, waiting for the train to come,...may or may not take more time than you really want to spend.
Monique is proof that you will most likely survive Naples ;-), and you'll just have to 'cuss and discuss' with your travel partner about your priorities. I certainly wouldn't travel to Naples for one day from Rome, then return to Rome - go only if you're going on to the Amalfi Coast, etc.
For pizza and a little people-watching, anywhere in Italy, esp. in the south, will definitely fill the bill LOL!
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
Naples has so much to see! there may be areas a little scary, crossing street is different than in the US, etc, but it's not that bad. if you want to just check out 1 or 2 sites can taxi it's not expensive. train from sorrento to naples is not that bad, and boat can be an alternative too. the area in front of the train station is not great, but if you act with confident and be alert you'll be fine.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
You list a LOT of cities. How many days are you going to be there in total? That will make a huge difference as to how many locations you can go to and still enjoy. With Italy, you'll always be missing out on some place that someone else really, really loves. In my opinion, there are lots of places in Italy that are easier to enjoy than Naples.