Pam

My husband and I will be taking a meditteranean cruise this summer. One of the stops is a day in Naples. I have heard that Naples is not the safest place to be. What is there that I want to see or should I skip this stop?

Nan

Pam, it is not that bad, just be aware of your surroundings and relax and enjoy your day. It is a beautiful city, and I am a chicken, believe me.

P.M.

You will be stripped clean by the vultures and left in a little pile of bones.<BR><BR>Not, really, I just like the mental picture. It is fine to go, just don't flaunt your wealth, and be low-key, and you won't attract the wrong attention. But it is as safe as any big city.

Grasshopper

Lots of things to do from there! Pompeii is a short train ride from Naples (and I bet the cruise will even have excursions from there) and an absolute must see, for me. Also, you can take a hydrofoil to Capri and spend time exploring that island. Naples itself has the archeological museum that houses most of the artifacts that have been removed from Pompeii.

GAC

I spent a week in Naples and the only problem I encountered was that I needed at least another week (or two) there! Follow your common sense, don't flaunt your wealth or wear expensive jewelry, or act like the gullible tourist, or walk the streets at night without good reason, and you'll be fine. Watch your purse and wallet, particularly in crowded areas or on the bus/metro, and look out for gypsies.

kam

Naples is getting better and better. Wonderful pizza! The archeological museum is fascinating (and I'm not a great museum person). I think the greatest danger in Naples is getting run over by one of the resident drivers! Watch for traffic and remember you're in a big city, just as you would be in Rome etc.

Joe

Pam: My Wife and I wandered all over Naples without incident. It was like any big city. We especially enjoyed the "Spice of Neapolitan Life" walk defined by Rick Steves in his Italy Guide Book. Got into the neighborhoods and (very circumspectfully) observed how Neapolitanis (is this a word?) live. Great fun with lots of street activity. Walk into some of the bakeries to see the most elaborate wedding cakes you have ever seen. The deli's are, well, appetite inspiring. The Museo Archeologico is first rate; lots of artifacts from Pompeii and a lot of Etruscan too. Be sure to have a Pizza Margherita, the original pizza, preferably at Antica Pizzeria da Michele, old, basic, lots of locals. Naples is fun.

Wendy

Dina had some pictures, thoughts and information regarding Naples on her travel log.

Dina

I hate to disparage a city---and wasn't going to chime in at all until Wendy did---so if my Naples page seems negative, take it as one person's honest impressions. We were staying in a grungy part of town in a cheap hotel near Plaza Garabaldi, walked everywhere in the horrendous traffic, and could speak little Italian. The first day it was colorful and sort of fun, in a crazy way---by the fourth day a lot less so. We NEVER felt unsafe, though; the locals seemed merely indifferent and brusque, not threatening in any way. We figured they may not care much for tourists.<BR>The ONE pleasant person I recall was handing out brochures for a children's charity in Galleria Umberto. I was SO grateful for her smile and valient attempt to give us her spiel in English that I made my husband dig out some cash to donate.<BR>Someone else might've had a different experience.<BR>www.costumegoddess.com/travelog.htm

GAC

Another testimonial about staying clear of the hotels in the Piazza Garibaldi area (excepting the updated Hotel Terminus, 30 yards from the Central Train Station)!