First Trip to Europe, Alone in Italy
Nov 29th, 2013, 06:22 PM
#42
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It sounds like you have been having a fantastic time! I'm so glad you took the chance and went for it by yourself. I'd love to visit the Amalfi coast and Capri at some point while I am in Italy. Thanks especially for your notes about the boat company you booked your trip on. I'm not keen on huge crowds myself.
Dec 2nd, 2013, 07:26 AM
#43
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Thank you for the encouragement - I hope everyone who celebrates it had a great US Thanksgiving!
The next morning I got up early and lugged my suitcase down the hill and caught the ferry to Sorrento. It was a beautiful ride! Although I moved straight through Sorrento it looked like a wonderful city that I would love to visit.
In Sorrento I took the Circumvesuvania train to Pompeii. I was very surprised at how easy this was - since I had read horror stories about it! When I got off of the train some very official looking people were herding everyone into a luggage check and ticket booth in the station. I was happy that I had read on the Fodor's forum that there was a free luggage check at Pompeii Scavi so I ignored the people in the station and used the free check at the entrance.
I am a history geek so Pompeii was so fascinating! I was overwhelmed by the size of it and I could have stayed for days. However, I wanted to get to Rome before dark so I only stayed for about 4.5 hours.
I boarded the Circumvesuvania to Naples and then switched upstairs to Rome. I had read so many horror stories about the Naples train station and was a little nervous, but I had no problems. Once in Rome I took a taxi (so happy I had read the warnings about them!) to the Hotel Navona. I had a little trouble finding the hotel but after a coupls of laps of the Piazza I found it.
The hotel room was pretty nice, and actually a little larger than I had expected, which was a nice surprise. After a quick nap I set off to explore Rome!
I had an early morning so I decided to stay close to the hotel. I had a light dinner at a touristy restaurant in Piazza Navona. Sometimes when you are tired, it doesn't really matter!
I fell in love with the PIazza. I loved the hub of activity and enjoyed watching the performers and vendors. When I think back to Rome, this was definitely my favorite part! After my first cone at Grom (which would become my favorite!) I headed to sleep to get ready for the adventures to come!
The next morning I got up early and lugged my suitcase down the hill and caught the ferry to Sorrento. It was a beautiful ride! Although I moved straight through Sorrento it looked like a wonderful city that I would love to visit.
In Sorrento I took the Circumvesuvania train to Pompeii. I was very surprised at how easy this was - since I had read horror stories about it! When I got off of the train some very official looking people were herding everyone into a luggage check and ticket booth in the station. I was happy that I had read on the Fodor's forum that there was a free luggage check at Pompeii Scavi so I ignored the people in the station and used the free check at the entrance.
I am a history geek so Pompeii was so fascinating! I was overwhelmed by the size of it and I could have stayed for days. However, I wanted to get to Rome before dark so I only stayed for about 4.5 hours.
I boarded the Circumvesuvania to Naples and then switched upstairs to Rome. I had read so many horror stories about the Naples train station and was a little nervous, but I had no problems. Once in Rome I took a taxi (so happy I had read the warnings about them!) to the Hotel Navona. I had a little trouble finding the hotel but after a coupls of laps of the Piazza I found it.
The hotel room was pretty nice, and actually a little larger than I had expected, which was a nice surprise. After a quick nap I set off to explore Rome!
I had an early morning so I decided to stay close to the hotel. I had a light dinner at a touristy restaurant in Piazza Navona. Sometimes when you are tired, it doesn't really matter!
I fell in love with the PIazza. I loved the hub of activity and enjoyed watching the performers and vendors. When I think back to Rome, this was definitely my favorite part! After my first cone at Grom (which would become my favorite!) I headed to sleep to get ready for the adventures to come!
Dec 2nd, 2013, 10:13 AM
#45
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We also loved Pompeii. An amazing story. Before basing in Sorrento, we spent some days in Sicily where to a man (and a woman) we were warned about pick pockets at the Naples rail station so I knew what you meant. As you, we had absolutely no problems. We saw more police than anyone else.
As above, I'm looking forward to your 5 days in Roma. Great report.
As above, I'm looking forward to your 5 days in Roma. Great report.
