Naples for Easter 2013 - A Short Trip Report and Photos
 

Well, Bikerscott and I had heard so many stories of Naples - from it is a dump to it is a fabulous city - that we had to discover it for ourselves!

So we booked in for Easter 2013. We stayed at a great little B&B in the centre of the historic city. B&B Medea has some good reviews on Fodors and Trip Advisor, and for 200 euros for 3 nights, it was the right price.

We arrived around noon on Friday and quickly took a taxi to our B&B. Wow. We immediately agreed that there was NO WAY Scott would ever drive in Naples. Ever. EVER. We have driven in many places in Italy...but this was a bridge too far and we were grateful to be let out a block fro our B&B.

The B&B was in a building that, to be honest, looked a bit like a bomb had hit it!! But once we got passed the workers who were retro fitting the new lift, we were shown into a lovely B&B. Our room was simple, but opened up onto a lovely terrace where you could have your breakfast if you were luckier than we were with the weather.

Immediately we were on our way out to the nearby Sorbillo for our first pizza in Naples. It did not disappoint. After a 30 mins wait, we were shown to our table and ordered a couple of pizzas. Service was very fast and the pizza excellent!

We spent the rest of the day seeing the historic centre and trying to capture the craziness on camera. Let's just say that Naples is not for the faint of heart. It reminded me of Lisbon, gritty, with graffiti everywhere, buildings crumbling. But the people we met were some of the most friendly around. There were no roving gangs of pickpockets, and we felt safer there than we do on the train home in London some nights!

On Saturday we met Giorgio with http://www.walkandphoto.com/ and spent the next 4 hours learning about Naples and challenging our photography skills. It was a wonderful morning out and we would highly recommend it if anyone is interested in improving their skills as a photographer and learning more about Naples. The cost for two of us was 160 euros.

We had two great meals at http://www.cantinadelsole.it/en/ and spent several hours relaxing at wine bars in Piazza San Domenico Maggiore - our favourite cafe being
http://www.sedilicafe.it/sito/2013-0...e-play-with-me

Sunday we were going to go t Procida, but the weather forced us to wander Naples tiny alleyways and drink more wine. Pity! Now we will have to go back and explore the islands!

Monday we spent the morning relaxing in the sunshine over coffee, then headed for the Archeology Museum. This place is just amazing and a great place to spend a few hours. My favourite by far was the mosiacs...even the secret room with the naughty stuff hahaha!

We then had more pizza and wine and headed back to the airport to fly home to a very cold London.

We really loved Naples. The people were super friendly, the city very interesting. I probably wouldn't send first time travelers there, but anyone with a bit of adventure and the ability to look past the deterioration and graffiti will find a lovely city that is well worth a few days!

You can see my pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...7633185001263/

Hopefully Bikerscott will add his thoughts and links to his pictures.

Happy travels everyone!

I agree with your estimation. Naples is alive and well!

Thanks for this report on Naples. Like you I have heard mixed reviews, but I suspect I would enjoy a visit.

Fun to read your quick report and glad you made it to Naples which we loved too. After your trip to Puglia you're seeing a lot of Italy this year.
I still think about the pizza in Naples and I'm not really a pizza lover!

Jamikins, thanks for your report and great pics. Wow, that pizza that Scott is eating looks delicious!

Did you see much of the Easter celebration in Naples? I noticed that you had a few pics of a religious procession through the streets.

We did see quite a few religious processions! It was really a great weekend!

Lovely photos, jamikins. Naples is not for the faint of heart. Looking forward to biker's musings on Naples.

Thanks so much Treesa...hopefully Scott will get his pics uploaded to Flickr tonight!

Thanks for posting this report. Although I've flown into the Naples airport, I have never stayed in the city and it is fairly high on my Italy priority list for a proper visit. Now time to check out your pictures! :-)

Nice report, and I completely agree with your opinion. I enjoy the "grittiness" of Naples coupled with the hospitality of Neapolitans.

Low country...if it interests you I would highly recommend a visit!

Willit - grittiness is the best way I can describe it too!