Spot on, Bella!


I, too, was a bit worried about Naples after reading all of the negative reports here. Although I agree about taking the general precautions, especially around the station and in the Spanish Quarter/Spaccanapoli after dark, I do not think you have ANYTHING to fear.

From what I experienced and have read, taxis in Naples are no more "dangerous" than taxis in other major cities.. The distance from San Carlo to your hotel is a short one and it is most unlikely that you will have any problem...

Just pay the meter fare. But do prepare for the relatively high prices of taxis...I would guess you would pay a minimum of 10 euro back to your hotel..

The trip from San Carlo to Piazza Garibaldi is pretty staightforward. You take the Rette File from San Carlo straight to the Piazza. Is that correct Vincenzo? (I'm being snotty, because not everyone outside of Naples knows what the Rette File is. Just some fun).

Waldo, I respect your opinions very much, and have really enjoyed your wonderful posts about Naples. However, I do believe someone visiting the city for the first time with teenaged kids deserves some hand holding or at least a helpful approach to help get them up and running on their first night in town. I hope you agree!

To bellastar-
I'm sorry, the post I wrote was badly worded. The route from the opera house to Piazza Garibaldi by means of the "retto filo" is entirely accurate and does not hold any sinister meaning. What I meant to say is that neopolitans know the meaning of "retto filo". It is a commonly used term for the route from San Carlo to the Piazza. If one would ask a taxi driver to take that route, it would have an exact meaning to the driver. It is in no way demeaning or incendiary.

My husband and I were in Naples a few years ago. We were warned about pick pockets, camera snatchers etc. I bought a tiny camera that I carried in my pocket, I took off all my jewelry including my watch and I did not carry a purse. My husband travels in Italy with a pouch that loops over his belt and goes inside his pants - that is where the money is. SO, we felt perfectly save in Naples as we appeared to have nothing to steal. However, we were also warned against walking in the late night back to our hotel (Chaia) and against the taxis ripping us off. We therefore hired a driver to pick us up and take us back to the train station as well as a guide through the same company to take us to Pompei. The company, VIATOR, was great. Their guide was a lovely well informed young woman and their drivers were on time and polite. You might consider hiring VIATOR to take you and your family to the opera as well as Pompei. We had a wonderful 5 days in Naples and look forward to returning.