SHADRACH

I have a day off in Rome and I was wondering whether to spend it in Napoli or in Assisi.

I'm planning to do such daytrip by train. Both cities are 2 hours away from Rome. On one hand, I know that Assisi is a gorgeous city; on the other hand, I'm curious about Napoli which, according to my bookguide, is "the capital" of southern Italy.

After Rome, I'm going to stay 3 nights on Capri anyway. I was also wondering whether to take that night off Rome and add it to Capri and, therefore, daytrip to Napoli from there, but I have read that daytripping from Capri depends on the weather because ferries usually get cancelled because of bad weather.

If I were to daytrip to Napoli, I'd rather do it from Rome because the hotel I am staying at in Rome is way cheaper than the one on Capri. However, if it is more doable from Capri, I could spend the extra money on the Capri hotel.

I know that both cities are different, but I can't decide where to go.

What do you think? Thanks for your opinions!

ira

Hi S,

Do you prefer apples or oranges?

My Lady Wife didn't care for Naples. I liked it.

I don't think I would visit as a daytrip from Rome, though.

Tries2PakLite

We have only driven through Naples on the way to the ferry, but based on the bits that we did see, I would say Assisi.

They are apples and oranges -- bustling city vs. hilltop town, so it depends on what appeals to you.

If you are daytripping from Rome, you might enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle.

willit

I suppose the other comparison could be real city vs tourist trap, although this would be unfair, as Assisi is still a very real place of Pilgimage for many people.

It would depend what you wished to do in Naples. The trip from Rome is as little as 90 minutes by train. The Pompeii option has been discussed numerous times (Search "Pompeii from Rome&quot

bill_boy

Assisi.

SeaUrchin

How can you say even casually that Assisi is a tourist trap? It is a wonderful real city whether people go there for pilgimages or not.

LoveItaly

Hello SHADRACH, I agree with SeaUrchins comments and yet I love Naples too. I don't think you would be unhappy visiting either city, it all depends on what you are in the mood for. I don't feel visiting Naples from Capri is "easier" than visiting Naples from Rome. A hard question to answer. I would probably choose Assisi, but I am not you. Best wishes.

SeaUrchin

Hi, LI !! Let's go to Assisi....or Naples....hmmmm....what a dilemma! I feel for you Shadrach, they are both wonderful but different, very different, very very different!

LoveItaly

Works for me SeaUrchin!!! BTW, I just found out a good friends apartment in Trieste burned up, the TV started the fire when they were not home, some electrical problem. Yikes!!

faredolce

I have been to both places, and my suggestion is that from Rome, I would not do either as a day trip. I would go to Orvieto.

Orvieto is a wonderful Umbrian town, a quicker train ride than either Napoli or Assisi, it has a beautiful Duomo with stunning frescos by Luca Signorelli, some very nice shopping, AND, one of my favorite restaurants in Italy, L'Antica Trattoria dell'Orso, as well as a great passiagata.

To me, a successful day trip means leaving with a sense of having connected with the place you just visited, and I think Naples is a bustling, large city; it takes a bit of time to adjust your senses to it, more than a day trip will allow. That's not to say it is impossible, that is just my personal impression.

I enjoy Assisi, and it would be my second choice, butI really think you would enjoy Orvieto more.

csabia

Very different. I would go to Assisi or Pompeii. Spend a few hours touring Naples on the way to Capri.

Pausanias

I'd leave Rome a night early, spend it in Naples, and proceed to Capri.

Waldo

It's absolutely impossible to do any justice to Naples on less than a one day trip. Like fine wine, one has to sit back and digest Napoli.

SHADRACH

Well, I've decided to leave Naples for another trip based on your opinions. I'd rather visit a town as a daytrip than a city.

I've read about Orvieto and how wonderful its cathedral is, but what the rest of the town like?

I was in Assisi for a couple of hours in 2002 as part of a tour. I remember that it was so beautiful that I was very dissapointed for being to spend just a couple of hours. If I daytrip by myself on the train, I can get there around 11am and leave around 6pm.

However, I just want to visit a town in Umbria. I know that Orvieto is just an hour ride on the train from Rome, but I'm wondering if the rest of the town is worth visiting it, too.

Thanks everybody for taking the time to give me your opinion!

ira

Hi S,

>'ve read about Orvieto and how wonderful its cathedral is, but what the rest of the town like?<

See http://tinyurl.com/e68rr

LN

>I know that Orvieto is just an hour ride on the train from Rome, but I'm wondering if the rest of the town is worth visiting it, too.<

YES

tcreath

We really enjoyed Orvieto. The duomo obviously is gorgeous, but the rest of the town is interesting to stroll through as well.

I will be honest though; we spent a week in Umbria in March and I liked many of the towns more than Orvieto. Not that I disliked it; far from it. But I loved Assisi. I thought that it was a joy to get lost in. And sure there are some touristy spots, but its easy to walk down a narrow alley and find yourself in a small piazza away from the tourist crowds.

Tracy

bellastarr

Shadrach-
I am so late with my response that I don't know if you'll ever see it, but on my Italy trip last fall I flew into Rome, and then drove up to Assisi for a couple of days before heading down to Napoli. It's a fine place to spend a day-lots of interesting history and I met a couple of good people and enjoyed some utterly delicious meals (don't miss the truffles). There are areas that may have many tourists, but there are also many winding back streets to wander around in.
I think you should head to Assisi or Orvieto for your day trip before going to Capri, because I believe you'll be able to get to Napoli easily enough from Capri while you're there. Contrary to what you may or may not have heard, the ferries do not "usually" get cancelled because of bad weather- many people commute between Capri and Napoli,
so not to worry- it won't be hard to do.

Have a great trip

SHADRACH

Well, I've decided to go to Assisi and leave Orvieto for my next time in Rome.

Thanks Tcreath and Bellastarr. I am also lookinf forward to trying the truffle.

I'll arrive in Assisi at around 11am and leave at around 5pm.

Thanks again everybody for sharing your experience, as usual, you've been of great help!

tcreath

SHADRACH, I think you made a good choice. I hope you have a wonderful visit!

Tracy