Kids in Naples
 

Message: Our family is looking to spend about 10 days in Naples next spring (first part of April). We have freinds who live in Naples and want to visit them. <BR> <BR>Other than a few days on Capri, my wife is worried about the crime and congestion in the city itself. <BR> <BR>Questions: Is naples a suitable place to bring kids for a vacation? Is Sorrento close enough to visit freinds in Naples and see the sights? Is there a big cost difference between the two? <BR> <BR>

Sean, <BR>do your friends have children? <BR>Have your friends had any problems? <BR>Those who go to Naples seem to really enjoy it. <BR>We only went to the outskirts to pick up a friend at the airport. <BR>but, from Naples, you can do daytrips to <BR>Pompeii or Herculaneum, <BR>Caserta to see the Palazzo Reale and the beautiful park, <BR>(Scenes from Star Wars, Episode One filmed there) <BR>The Abbezzia at Montecassino, and trips up to Formia, sperlonga, Gaeta Terracina, where there are some ancient roman period temples, caves, etc. <BR> <BR>Will you be able to stay with your friends? <BR>If not, they will certainly know the less safe sides of the city. <BR> <BR>Have fun, enjoy, relax, <BR>Italy has won me and my family over!

Neopolitans adore children so that's certainly not a problem. However, Naples IS a large, busy, full-of-traffic city and it may be better for a day trip. Sorrento (one hour away) is much more tourist-oriented and quiet.

ttt for Sean

You didn't say how old your kids are. However, I'd say Naples is certainly a place to take kids on vacation. It's fascinating and vibrant. And the Neapolitans love children to death. Whether to stay in Sorrento or not depends on what else you want to do. If you want to see Naples and your friends, stay in Naples. Yes, it is very congested, and that brings up the one thing I wanted to say. Even if you stay in Sorrento, you'll be going into Naples, if for nothing else than to see your friends. Make sure that, if your kids are under say 10, you hold on to their hand while walking around the city. They may complain, but make them do it. The traffic is, at best, unpredictable, and it would be very, very easy for them to step in front of a car going the wrong way down the street, which is common. If they are over 10, make sure they understand the dangers and lecture them on the importance on being very diligent about looking BOTH ways before they step out into the street.

Hi <BR> <BR>We just returned from a trip where we spent 3 days in Sorrento. WE highly reccomend staying in Sorrento to avoid the congestion and hubbub of Naples. In Sorrento, there are many fine treats especially La Vela Bianca in Marina Piccolo where you will feast (though not terribly inexpensively)on the freshest seafood and shellfish we have ever tasted, simply prepared. Drink some Ischia to wash it down. Also a must is Davide for Gelato in the old city. Across from Davide is a nameless juice stand with fresh Granite of orange, lemon and melon to cool you off. <BR> <BR>While there are many attractions in Naples that you will want to see (the Archeological Museum, the Capodimonte and just some walking around the horbor or Spaccanapoli, there is so much to do outside of Naples that is incerdibel and easily accessable from Sorrento. Pompei, Herculano, Villa Poppea at Oplontis, Castelmare Stabine are all ruins from the erruption of Vesuvius that you can reach from the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento in less than an hour. Napoli itself is about an hour's trip. The train is dirt cheap (2500 lira one way from Sorrento to Napoli). In addition, Sorrento is gateway to the Costerie Amalfi (Amalfi Drive). We reccomend getting bus passes and letting the bus drivers do the hard work of navigating the windy road to Amalfi. There are tons of places to hop off and explore. <BR> <BR>Finally, from Sorrento, you will need a car to explore Paestum but we highly suggest it. About 2 hours south of Sorrento either by the A3 from Naples or via the Amalfi Drive via Salerno, it is a must. This is a former Greek city that was conquered by first the Samnites and then the Romans. It is home to three of the most well preserved Greek temples in the world. They survived because the Romans and Greeks had the same gods just with different names. So the Romans used the temples until they were abandoned. Make sure you engage a guide to visit the sight, we had a spectacularly enjoyable visit with Angelo for $50.00 for almost 2 hours. The Gelato at the museum store is also very fine. <BR> <BR>The road to Paestum also passes throught the heart of the Mozzarella di Buffala production zone. Stop for the freshest mozzarella you will ever taste, or have them make you a quick panino. Make sure to look for the "ABC" symbol which assures you that you are stopping at a traditional producer. <BR> <BR>This coming spring my wife and I are planning a return visit to Sorrento.