Naples over Xmas, Rome for New Year's Eve
 

Although I was in Rome around the same time two years ago, have not been to Naples in decades (yikes!). Given, we will be in Naples December 24-28th, any suggestions on what to do on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve?

Also, my friend has never seen the Amalfi Coast---is that something we would want to do from Naples? Would we want to take bus or train or see about the costs for a driver (I don't want to pay a ton). Never done Pompeii (but have done Herculaneum a number of years ago)

And then, restaurants---any suggestions and should we make reservations ahead for Xmas Eve and day or will plenty of pizza places be open and be a fine choice? We are staying at Hotel Piazza Bellini and would love to be able to walk to places.

Thanks for any help........

I would not hope for plenty of pizza places open on Xmas Eve and Xmas Day. I would probably do some planning and secure reservations.

Pompeii is very easy to visit from Naples. The Circumvesuviana Rail line leaves from the lower level of Naples central station and takes you right to Pompeii Scavi.

I'm sorry to say that Hotel Piazza Bellini directed us to nearby and abysmal bar/cafe when we asked for a dinner recommendation. If I went back, I would do my research and planning ahead of time. And check hours and the need for reservations.

To see the Amalfi Coast at this time might take some planning; boats may or may not be running due to weather, and I find the bus service to always be iffy. Since a lot of this is off season for the AC, I might suggest looking for a bus tour leaving from Salerno or Sorrento, both easily reachable by direct train for Naples.

If I wanted to see the Amalfi Coast from Naples at that time of year, I would take an early train from Naples to Salerno and work my way back by bus. You would get a Sita bus from Salerno to Amalfi where you would change to the Amalfi/Positano/Sorrento bus (after visiting Amalfi). You could stop for a bit in Positano before continuing on to Sorrento where you would catch the local Circumvesuviana train back to Naples.

Am actually wondering if we should just bite the bullet and do the driver that ekscrunchy recommended a few years back---not cheap but may be easiest, most relaxed that time of year.

And yes, my gut feeling was to make reservations for those days. I'm also second guessing Piazza Bellini as hotel and wondering if Palazzo Alabardieri is a better choice in terms of area/nearby restaurants, etc. Rome I know and am not usually this indecisive! Thanks for any thoughts!

kath, I'm probably not a great person to ask because I didn't love the location of the Piazza Bellini. It was fine as a sort of very low service place to stay, clean and pleasant. But there was only one person available to talk to and they didn't really have anything to say about the area. I needed at least a little bit of information from the desk. I had passed through Naples a few times but had never stayed there.

Now, I'll tell you that I didn't love love Naples like some people do, but I wonder if our location detracted from my impressions. My friends and parents have stayed near the waterfront, and I've put clients in a more upscale shopping type area. All enjoyed themselves more than I.

If I were ever to go back, I would take the nicest area I could afford, I think. We chose the Piazza Bellini because it was cheap, cheerful, clean and newish. And it was all those things. But I had to walk past a lot of cheap underwear stores to get to where I was going, or so it seemed. Strolling and browsing sort of sucked.

I think that kybourbon's idea to take the train from Naples to Salerno and then use buses is a good one. I have had bad experiences with Sita buses so that's why I scratched my head to come up with something like an organized bus tour.

But if you could get a driver from Salerno to Sorrento I think that would be good. My first choice on that route would be boats but they are too weather dependent.

If you do decide to visit the coast that week, I suggest you also make a stop to see the "living nativity" they do in Massa Lubrense. I think they do it a few days so you'll have to research when it will be happening. Also probably best done with a driver rather than trying to find it on your own or with the local bub.

http://www.positanonews.it/articoli/...e_a_torca.html

Tuscanlifeedit---interesting what you said in that I was second guessing as mentioned and went ahead and changed my hotel reservation and am now at Palazzo Alaabardieri in Chiaia. Kept feeling that the area would be better for walking around, especially with things closed on Xmas.

Hamlet--will look into your suggestion. I think we are leaning towards a private driver since the quote we got was for 200euro and the ease of it makes sense....

Still trying to figure out what might be open for either Xmas Eve dinner or Xmas Day---I think Umberto is but have not emailed them yet...

It's too bad you cant stay in Naples for New Year's Eve. I was there for NYE on December 31, 2012 and I have to say it's easily the best NYE I've ever had (and I'm from Sydney, Australia - the home of NYE fireworks). All along the bay front it was explosions of colour - the fireworks went from Sorrento to Pozzuoli and the atmosphere was incredible.
I've stayed in a few areas on my trips to Naples but prefer the Santa Lucia district which is down by the water. It's quiet but has easy access to all the sights, including the port.
I think you'll like Chiaia - take a walk up to Mergellina and visit Chalet Ciro. They do the most amazing cakes!

It's too bad you cant stay in Naples for New Year's Eve. I was there for NYE on December 31, 2012 and I have to say it's easily the best NYE I've ever had (and I'm from Sydney, Australia - the home of NYE fireworks). All along the bay front it was explosions of colour - the fireworks went from Sorrento to Pozzuoli and the atmosphere was incredible.
I've stayed in a few areas on my trips to Naples but prefer the Santa Lucia district which is down by the water. It's quiet but has easy access to all the sights, including the port.
I think you'll like Chiaia - take a walk up to Mergellina and visit Chalet Ciro. They do the most amazing cakes!