My wife and I are planning four days in Naples, mid march. Any suggestions for a small hotel, city center, under $100/night? We like historic,quaint etc. Also suggested day trips. I can call you to discuss. Thanks, Rob

I am in Naples right now on military duty. Have you been here before and do you know what you want to do, what part of the city you want to stay in, if you'll be renting a car or using public transportation, etc? Four days is a long time to stay here (in my opinion) unless you have something you particularly want to do here. There are not too many hotels in good areas for less than $100 so it's important to know if you have a particular area in mind?

Cleste, I am also going to Naples, but for two days in July. I was hoping to stay near the Archological Museum unless it is not a safe area. Someone recommended a place for $180/night. I was hoping to spend less. Can you recommend something less and safe? <BR>Thanks <BR>Gail

Rick steves book recommends Hotel Ginevra. It costs $48 for a double w/ bath. The location is not great. It's stazione centrale via Genova 116. The website is www.mds.it/ginevra. Can someone comment on the location? Is it that bad?

I'll double-check it on a map but if it's too close to the train station, it's not a very good area. Let me get back to you on this...

After some research and personal observations, I would recommend against the train station area. It's barely "OK" in the daytime and it's absolutely unsafe at night. <BR> <BR>As I said in an earlier post, I would recommend the following two hotels for about $100 per night: Pinto Storey, a little art-deco place at Piazza Amadeo, on the bus and metro lines, very nice neighborhood, try www.pintostorey.it <BR> <BR>Another is Hotel Parteno on the water in the same area, at Piazza Vittoria, just a few rooms, try http://parteno.hpe.it <BR> <BR>The budget hotel ($60) that caught my eye was Le Fontane al Mare, also on the waterfront in the same area, but I don't know if there's a website.

Oh, I forgot. All three of these hotels are a 10-minute walk to the Mergellina port where you can catch a $10 hydrofoil to Capri several times per day, a 45 minute ride. The hydrofoil company is SNAV. I highly recommend a day on Capri or Ischia. <BR> <BR>Pompeii is only 30 minutes away and Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast is about one hour away, both reachable by train. <BR> <BR>There are several museums in Naples, the best being the National Archaeological Museum in downtown Naples.

God, Celeste, I must have had a guardian angel when I was in Naples. I actually enjoyed it. It's my understanding that there's a bit of a problem with the military and Naples, but that's just a rumor.

I don't know about the rumor or of particular problems between Naples and the military. In fact, I LOVE Naples and am sorry I'll be leaving soon (I'm only here for three weeks of duty). <BR> <BR>I just know there are certain areas most prudent people avoid at night in Naples, and the Piazza Garibaldi/Centrale Train Station area is right at the top of the list!

Rob, I just booked 3 nights at the Pinto Storey. I'll be back on 3/8 and will let you know what I thought. We want to do a day trip to Pompei/Sorrento, see the Arch. museum another day, maybe see Capri as well if the weather is nice.

Celeste, <BR> <BR>My friends and I are also going to Naples. Can there any places we should avoid other than Piazza Garibaldi/Centrale Train Station area? <BR> <BR>Thanks

In the evenings, use normal street smarts everywhere. At any time, don't flash money (I love my money belt and wear it everywhere), walk with a purpose, etc. When I walked near the cruise ship dock, I was stopped many times by people trying to sell me video cameras (that I'm afraid were stolen from people a short time earlier). <BR> <BR>Don't express interest in something, such as ask the price, unless you're ready for haggling to begin! My friend once made the mistake of asking the price out of curiosity (actually, this was in Rome), and the seller followed us for three blocks! So don't ask unless you're truly interested, then offer a little more than half of the asking price. <BR> <BR>If your Italian is weak, just hold up the money you're willing to pay for the item and that'll work - chances are he'll take it! <BR> <BR>I have not felt unsafe in any area of Naples during the day, People are very friendly and curious, most speak at least a little English, and all are thrilled when you try to speak Italian. Violent crime is just about NON-EXISTANT in Naples and Italy. They'll pick your pockets or steal your purse, but they will probably not mug or threaten you in any way. <BR> <BR>Walk along the water from the port of Mergellina toward downtown Naples and you'll see how beautiful it is. You'll pass fishermen hauling in their catch (often octopus), all kinds of shops and restaurants, parks, an aquarium, and TWO castles. It's really something!

Celeste, <BR> <BR>You seem to be a very friendly and helpful person, but I'm sorry you don't realize how very many things there are to see and do in Naples and environs. For an art lover, the archaelogical museum alone would take at least a couple of hours, if not more; the same could be said for the Capodimonte museum, and the porcelain museum. Doing the antiques and second-hand stores in Spaccanapoli is worth at least a day, then there are the churches. Then there's Mergellina and Posillipo, and the area you take the funiculare to. Then there's Herculaneum, Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. Oh yes, Capri, Ischia and the Amalfi Coast--Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Four days will just scratch the surface.

You're right - I'm not an art lover or a shopper! I've been to all the places you mention, and I enjoy simply walking around Naples, but museums and stores are not my thing. I did really enjoy Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Ravello, though.