Fodor's Naples, Amalfi guide 5th edition
 

Thanks very much to Fodor's for my copy of the above guide after I was quoted in it. It arrived safely in an enormous box and is an excellent guide to the area.

Thanks again.

Lifeman...

I was quoted in the Naples guide too! I looked at it at the local bookstore this weekend...kind of fun to see my words in print in a book! :-)

Mr too, and that is exactly our next trip---good timing.

I echo all the previous statements. It's great to see yourself in an important print media. I must repeat wholeheartly, all you people out there must see Naples, otherwise you are missing one of the thrills of travel.

I was also quoted, lots of people are scared of Naples but as Waldo says you have to see and experience it, if you skip it you skip a great part of the Italian experience and heart.

I'm so glad to see the above comments. We will be in Naples for the first time in just a couple weeks, despite some negativity from others. Our only absolute requirements so far are to spend 1/2 day at the Museo Archaeologico AND to eat that famous Neapolitan pizza, other than that we're not really sure where to go/what to do while there. Our intentions at this point are just to stroll the streets, sample the food, sit in the piazza. (pretty much what we do everywhere in Italy!) We will have only 2 full days (not counting time we've already set aside for Pompei) - any suggestions for absolutely must see spots? The very best local food? Grazie!

I was quoted too but I have no idea what I said.

LoveItaly...

If you email the editor who sent you the notification email they will tell you what the quote was (at least they did for me).

Hey, me too, and I was thrilled. Went to B&N and found my quote. That and a letter to the editor of Vanity Fair (that poked fun at that pompous ass editor Graydon Carter) are my only two published 'works'. Hahaha Now I can put 'published author' on my resume! LOL

Maria G: This may sound ridiculous, however, when you go to the Museo Archaeologico, go to Piazza Dante, which is a very short walk from the museum, and go into the McDonald's (that's right, I said McDonalds!). Order something and go upstairs to the second floor. One wall is a gigantic window which overlooks Piazza Dante. Sit at a table right next to the window, and partake of the best bird's eye view of the goings on in mid Naples. All the activity and commotion that is Napoli will be laid out before your very eyes. You can't duplicate this panorama of Neopolitan life anyplace else for whatever the cost. I think I'm the only person that ever mentions this on the forum. When I go to Naples every year, I go for an extended time, so I get to try all the oddball things which one can't do in a short time. I found this place strictly by accident, and it's worth a fortune. For the best pizza, I would go to Piazza Garibaldi, then walk to the far end, where the statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi is, and look down Via Garibaldi towards the water, which you can easily see. Walk down Via Garibaldi, towards the water, until you come to Porta Nolana, which is a very large achway on your right. Walk towards the arch, and make a left turn on the little street directly before the arch. Walk down that little street and look up to the second stories of the buildings there. You will soon see TUTINO's PIZZA. Believe me, that is the WORLD'S GREATEST pizza! If the owner is there (you will be able to spot him because he's always hovering over the help), let him know you're American. He LOVES Americans. During WWII, he was left homeless without family, and four GI's adopted him, sneaked him into the barracks, fed and clothed him and made him one of them. He never forgot this, and he has visited those GI's when they came home from the war. They are all gone now, but he remembers them fondly. He has been to Arizona, Mississippi, New York and Ohio to visit those GI's when they were alive. He absolutely goes bonkers for Americans. I've developed a friendship with him, and every year when I go there, he yells out
"L'Americano sta ca!" (the American is here). He treats my wife and me royally. When we order some fried food, like arancina, he makes sure our food is cooked in fresh oil, not the previously used oil. He doesn't want me to pay, but I don't want to overuse his generosity. His pizza is to die for.
Another thing you want to do is to take a bus to Via Petrarc. I forget which bus it is, but you can ask at the Piazza Garibaldi. When you get to Via Petrarc, get off the bus and sit by the railing overlooking the Bay. It is the most astounding view in all the world! You will see the panorama of the Bay of Naples, with the City of Naples beneath you, and Vesuvius in the background. This is the classic picture one always sees of Naples. To see it in person is magical. There are many more things to see and do in Naples, but a couple of days is not enough to take them all in. I have stories of Naples and incidents which can only be realized with a lenghthy visit there.

Wow, Waldo, mille grazie! I am printing out your suggestions and will pack them with my Naples map. I can't wait! Maria

Waldo, thanks for that tip.

I was also quoted and couldn't figure out how/why as I have NOT yet been there (it was a kind of generic travel tip). But I got a free guide to an area I am currently in the middle of researching so that was great. Thanks Fodors.