First Naples is a dump. Dirty and grimy at every corner and the only reason we went there was for the Archeological museum. The pizza was great though, unfortunately the best pizza places are located in these street/alleyways that look bad in the daylight. Rough neighborhoods to walk around in definitely not after dark!
CAR RENTAL= Rented a car at the Avis counter at the airport and downgraded because I needed something small while there. One thing to remember is that they will try to screw you out of some money, everyone and everywhere you go. She tried to charge me 150 euros over my confirmed rental rate, fought with them and finally got it to my rental rate. The guy checking the car with me would not mark the scratches I found and wouldn't even lend me his pen when I wanted to mark them myself.
Driving in Naples= Mad! Bad! aggravating! not courteous! crazy! I have driven in NYC, Paris, LA and even Baghdad and this city is worse than all. Friggin scooters!!! The city was not built for public transportation so drivers there just make their own rules and do not use any turn signals. The streets are built with big uneven cobblestones that will jar your teeth loose. Glad we were here only one night.
Pompeii= we drove to Pompeii after leaving that craphole of a city Napoli and parked at the amphitheater side, with all of out luggage in the trunk and on a metered street, for a euro an hour. We had no problems. After escaping from Naples we felt overconfident to park anywhere. 11 euros to get in, take a water bottle as there is lots of walking to do (not handicapped accessible!) and spigots throughout were you can refill the bottle.
Sorrento= used this city as a base and was a good decision because the other city's along the Amalfi coast are logistically challenging. Again, the friggin scooters coming at you from all directions.
A rental was also welcomed because relying on a public bus to take you anywhere meant being trapped in a hot tuna can, people were squished in them buses!
Driving to Amalfi= yes, the roads are very narrow! I am an experienced driver an can drive these 2 meter construction lanes in Germany at a fast rate of speed (on the Autobahns they narrow the fast lane to 2 meters when they are rebuilding the roads) so my motor reflexes paid off here. You will have to squeeze through some very tight spots! Scooter drivers are nuts though and seriously wondered why I didn't see any fatalities.
Getting into Positano with a car was impossible so we just went into Amalfi then into Ravello, nice towns. Hint: make sure you wait for the only stoplight into Ravello to turn green otherwise you will have to back down the mountain when a big truck comes at you (the damn light was red for like 10 minutes, I thought it was broken!).
Amalfi was nice but I liked Cinque Terre better. The people in this region just seemed not to give a fu** about anything and treated everyone around them the same way.
Naples and Amalfi coast trip report (why I hate scooters!)
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"The people in this region just seemed not to give a fu** about anything and treated everyone around them the same way. "
I'm sorry you had a poor experience of Naples and the Locals.
Interesting that you should feel this way. I have always found the inhabitants of Campania to be very helpful and friendly. I find most of Italy to be this way, but in the South they seem even more prepared to go out of their way to help.
An example of the sort of behaviour I have found typical: On our first planned trip to Italy, with a months evening class Italian and a phrase book, I was trying to find out about various types of travel ticket - without success as I was battling to make myself understood. This turned out not to be a problem - the shop owner indicated for me to wait, ran up the street, and came back 2 minutes later with a lady from the Dry Cleaners - he knew she spoke English.
First Naples is a dump. Dirty and grimy at every corner and the only reason we went there was for the Archeological museum. The pizza was great though, unfortunately the best pizza places are located in these street/alleyways that look bad in the daylight. Rough neighborhoods to walk around in definitely not after dark!
Probably referring to the neighborhood where we stayed. I did not see it as a dump, and had no problems walking around at night.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/sets/72157627058744325/show/with/5932891268/
Unusual first post. Perhaps the OP's attitude was relected back at him.
Exactly AJP!
It's a good rule of thumb for visiting any city that you're flying into NOT to rent your car until you leave the city. This works for New York, Boston, London, Rome, Naples etc. Makes life much easier.
We visited Naples from our one week rental villa in Sorrento and I regret we only had one day there. We ran into some interesting people and one especially lovely lady who had a refreshment stand in a park near the waterfront. It was a lovely day, and after going to the archeological museum, we spend the rest of the time at a great outdoor cafe, and wandering around.
The Amalfi drive was easy. Traffic was slow so there was no "bite-your-nails" moments. Just go with the flow and enjoy the scenery. We felt welcomed everywhere we went.
You lost me at 'First Naples is a dump'.
Well, some people like anchovies and some don't. That was my assessment of the joint.
Remember, just because you don't agree with someones negative review, it doesn't mean your positiveness is always better.
Amazing
Naples being referred to as a 'joint' ... interesting!
I wonder what a poll of Romans and those north of Rome would have to say about Naples?
The 4 conversations I had with Romans when I told them I was going to Naples for a few days was basically "Be careful, it's dangerous".
This was with 3 hotel desk staff (seperately) and 1 waiter in the Termini area.
Regards, Walter
I wonder what a poll of Romans and those north of Rome would have to say about Naples?
Similar to what non-New Yorkers often say about NYC. I would not consider such opinions as reliable, just a reflection of, if not prejudices, at least pre-conceptions.
A friend of mine who has lived in Italy for over twenty years has a simple test. If visitors like Rome, she sends them down to Naples. If they can't bear Rome, they're off to Tuscany and the Veneto.
Personally I love Naples, but I can understand why some people are put off by it.
"Similar to what non-New Yorkers often say about NYC. I would not consider such opinions as reliable, just a reflection of, if not prejudices, at least pre-conceptions."
. Regards, Walter
I'll stick with just Romans here;
Regardless of what they would say their opinion would likely be based either 1st hand visits or hearing about friends, family or co-workers visits.
Add the daily news media and I think they might have a better grip of the facts on a city ~2hrs away by train than you give them credit for.
BTW why does it seem that you assume my hypothetical poll would have negative results
If visitors like Rome, she sends them down to Naples.
I'm not crazy about Rome but really liked Naples.
THANK YOU Remagen_Man. You have described it exactly how it is. We were just on the same area as you were and the only difference was, we did not hire a car. Although, I am not surprised with your encounter at the rental car.
We alloted 2 days for Naples but in the end, decided to skip. We were just at the Napoli Centrale and that was enough to put me off and scared the hell out of my 2 daughters. My father-in-law was from that region and even way back in the 70s, he never liked it and had so many stories about Napoli to his family. My husband just let me be because I read many nice things about it here in Fodors. Look, even our tour guide at Pompei who is from Naples told us that we should skip Naples and just go to this area which is one station before and its by the harbor etc etc...he made sure we understood not to walk to the direction towards Napoli. He said, make sure have the pizza at Michele and go for a walk at the harbor with restaurants and after that, go back to Sorrento.
Scooters...where to begin. The driver we had for our Amalfi Coast tour told us that these people who ride the scooters are crazy and just asking to die and unfortunately, they dont! You are right about getting a car down Positano. Our driver parked as close as he could because he knew I want less walking as possible which is impossible but lesser. Ravello was nice too and that traffic light you mentioned. Our driver explained that too and it took a long time to turn green.
As far as the places you have mentioned, your report is the first report I can truly say was right on the dot. And yes, when you write something that is "real", you have attitude problem or you are strange. Sometimes I wonder what some of the people in this forum truly are...tourist guides? Or when they go to these places, are they wearing blinkers or are they walking in clouds or what? I mean, they paint a picture perfect places with little inconvenience here and there but no one would post "warnings" like gypsies, extreme pushy tactics of flower vendors and picture taking vendors at Trevi Fountain or Spanish Steps etc etc
Someone wants information on a place...replies with links are given asap and same names come up everywhere. I mean, seriously, who has time to sit and read through all these topics and be so "helpful".... I am here rigt now because I am getting over my jetlag....before our trip, I read as much as I could on people's input in this forum regarding the places we were going to. 98% were beautiful, tour guide book desciption of the places and experiences a person will have. And as soon as you get to any of this places like Firenze Santa Maria Novella Station...you are approached by gypsies asking for money. Then you see them signalling a partner to make sure not to miss someone. Or tipping. I still have to read someone saying that in Italy, you don't tip, period. Their blls have either coperto or servizio added, so additional tip like we do in America is not needed. Plus the fact that in Italy and France, being a waiter is not a minimum wage job like it is in America. Comments are always " up to you type of comment" No wonder we come out as dumb-a__ people all the time. Gypsies in Paris train stations or Eiffel Tower would actually ask if you are american and if you say yes..they hand you a sad letter about their family in broken english. You give them money then they go to the next one or atcually, will call othe gypsies to go to you.
In Puerto Rico, I spoke with waiters there and they say the most tight people in tipping or do not tip at all are Spaniards, French and Italians...because they dont tip.
anyway, again, remagen...great report!!!
Or when they go to these places, are they wearing blinkers or are they walking in clouds or what?
What blinkers?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/5932920210/in/set-72157627058744325
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/5932934498/in/set-72157627058744325
"I'm not crazy about Rome but really liked Naples."
I'll tell my friend to refine her criteria.
hpqlvs,
You haven't read many trip reports, have you?
You might check my last one, although it's kind of old now. I believe I mentioned both my good and bad impressions. I know have read many trip reports here that mention the flower sellers, etc.
But I don't know why I'm arguing with you.
Dayle,
Actually, I have not. I just picked a few interesting ones and I do my research before we go on a trip which is twice a year. Unfortunately, I do not have the time in the world to read nor create all these detailed trip report. I have a family to take care of and life.
On the other hand, if I do have all the time in the world to go through all topics and read all trip reports and make Fodors my life......no, I dont think so.
Yeah, I dont want to argue with you either because you will win. I dont have the time invested on Fodors like you do.
I ride a scooter!
Have hpqlvs and Remagen_man ever been seen together in the same room?
Just curious. Both made their first post on the same day, hpqlvs's post seems only to exist to confirm the preconceptions of Remagen_man. Both have the same "if you don't agree with me, you are wrong" attitude.
I Loved this. "Someone wants information on a place...replies with links are given asap and same names come up everywhere. I mean, seriously, who has time to sit and read through all these topics and be so "helpful"
WTF!!
It is quite simple - I first came onto Fodor's years ago to get help on planning a trip. Fodorites were extremely informative and helpful. It seems to me that the only way to repay that kindness is to help others.
I love Italy - I try and get to the country as often as possible. I am particularly fond of Campania and Tuscany
so if I see a question on either, I try and answer it.
Similarly, I will try and answer questions on my home area of Southern England.
Sometimes the questions are repeated (Travel from Rome to Pompeii is a favourite) - it is quicker and easier to post a link to a thread with all the relevant information than to retype everything.
Someone above based their impression of Naples just on the area around the central train station. By that limited criterion, Rome would not score highly either. But almost any place can be intimidating if you are feeling nervous and apprehensive.
BTW why does it seem that you assume my hypothetical poll would have negative results
Because your next sentence mentions only 4 Romans, all of whom have a negative opinion of Naples.
I have yet to make my first trip to Italy (six weeks away!) but it seems like the original poster was disappointed that Naples wasn't some lily-white scene clipped out of a travel guide.
Let's face it, for thousands of years cities are generally crowded places where you need to keep your head on a swivel. The idea that you are going to arrive in foreign city and float along on gilded wings is a fantasy. At that point, stay in your hotel and order room service.
To me, part of the adventure is to experience every part of the culture, whether it be the homeless in NYC, the gypsies in Europe or the beggars in Mexico. It gives perspective, far more than pretending Italy is filled with only villas and vineyards.
Certainly, no one wants to be held up at knifepoint, but if you just want all the "peasants" to vanish wherever you arrive, your list of possible destinations is going to very limited.
Willit,
Report posted on Aug 6 at 10.45 am. My comment posted on Aug 7 at 4.53 pm. How is that we are in the same day? If you must know, due to the day I went online, Ramegen's report was posted on screen of the first 25 items when I went to the Forum and obviously, the title caught my eye.
Just because I agree with Ramegen on his experiences due to the fact that it was similar but NOT EXACT experiences we had also, and that makes us " If you dont agree with me, you are wrong" attitude? WHY? No one is trying to convince anybody to NOT go to Naples. The negativity towards Naples seemed to offend some people. WHy? Are they from Naples? If you read my comment, even our tour guide who is from Naples told us to stay away, its an ugly city. He did not get offended with his own assessment of his own city. I just shared my opinion and experiences. People travel for all sorts of reasons.
As for the the WTF reaction, well, what can I say? You must have the time and money to be in Fodors helping out ALL THE TIME for years which is great. But I dont. I have a family to take care of and like I said, life. Its not being ungrateful just being realistic.
Now, why am here then? Like I mentioned, I have jetlag from our Asia trip. Once I am over this, it will be pretty hard and stretching it for me to be in Fodors and helping out. Am I selfish? MAybe. But my children comes first and not fodors.
Remagen_Man,
Just curious: What is the street address of where you stayed in Naples and how many nights did you stay there? What neighborhoods did you explore?
hpqlvs,
" Unfortunately, I do not have the time in the world to read nor create all these detailed trip report. I have a family to take care of and life."
I agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, your statement seems to indicate that you don't simply disagree with some of the posters on this forum but rather that you are either scornful or envious or both. Just because one contributes to this forum in a meaningful way for an extended period does not mean that one doesn't have "a life." I like to read and respond to the posts because I enjoy traveling, appreciate helpful insight and like passing on good information if I have any. I also have a very busy life. The 2 are not mutually exclusive.
What I find disappointing about this report is not that the OP did not particularly enjoy where he went, that certainly does happen, but that he chose to write about it in a disparaging and negative way.
hpqlvs - I got the dates wrong, and made an accusation that obviously wasn't correct - for that I apologise.
The WTF reaction - still stands. A person comes here to read advice, then condemns the fact that people post it! - Seems bizarre to be no matter how valid your arguments.
Regarding Naples - I can absolutely understand why people may not like it - Naples is certainly not Florence or Venice.
As a city, it has many faults, but using words such as "dump" and "Craphole" as in the original post is hardly helpful.
>>>>As for the the WTF reaction, well, what can I say? You must have the time and money to be in Fodors helping out ALL THE TIME for years which is great. But I dont. I have a family to take care of and like I said, life. Its not being ungrateful just being realistic. <<<
>>>The WTF reaction - still stands. A person comes here to read advice, then condemns the fact that people post it! - Seems bizarre to be no matter how valid your arguments.<<<
Yes. Here's a similar post by hpqlvs from the lounge today.
>>>hpqlvs on Aug 9, 12 at 2:13pm
Kybourbon,
I seemed to come across your name in so many topics in Fodors. It is great that you are able to help on giving advices and sharing your thoughts on all sort of topics whether it be travel related or not. How in the world do you do it? You seemed to be online everyday.<<<<
And on another Italy thread admonishing another poster.
>>>hpqlvs on Aug 7, 12 at 11:04pm
charnees...what expert advice? A person who had travel so many times in so many places can not give a travel expert advice. It just means he/she travels a lot. One can share their experiences but that does not mean it will persuade or dissuade a person. As for ckg1999's question in this forum, people have shared their thoughts on it and so its up ckg1999 to assessed all infromation given and consider their situation.
No need to insult and learn to respect the persons decision.<<<<
I guess hpqlvs has named herself board monitor in the few short days since joining Fodor's. I don't know how in the world she has time to monitor everyone's posts with her busy life.
Kybourbon...and you have named yourself MY board monitor!I am sure it will not be too hard since I only commented on 4 topics. I dont think that can be labeled as " plenty and can be a board monitor"...wow, if so, I will make a very poor board monitor. I guess you took offense with my questioning you on how you can be online all the time. I dont know why because you obviously consciously chose to be in this forum all the time.
Your comments have always been helpful, relevant and makes sense. I asked you because it seems like you have a vast knowledge of things whether it be travel related or not...with the amount of travel advices you give, it seems like you travel so much. No insults intended but just trying to understand, which you dont really have to answer.
Maybe I should have clarified that it is not hard to know how much time a person stays online here becausse it will list in their profile and yours is an extremely long list!
When I saw one of your comments, I was surprised to see your name because its a name that I remembered from few years back when I was just researching for some travel information and a friend suggested for me to go to the forum.
yes, I do have a busy life but due to the fact that I still have jetlag which I stated above, and my hours are off, everything seemed to be in slow motion. You are actually lucky because you can do this all day everyday.
Thats good...keep it up!
Only three 3 days and already smelling like fish gone bad...