To Naples or not?
May 22nd, 2019, 09:58 PM
#1
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To Naples or not?
We'll be travelling in southern Italy next January and wonder whether we should include a few days in Naples on our way to Calabria and then Sicily. Our itinerary currently looks like this:
- Fly into Rome and stay 5 days
- Lamezia Terme for 3 days. This is to visit family in the area
- Taormina for 3 days
- Ragusa for 4 days
- Siracusa for 7 days
- Palermo for 6 days
- Return to Rome to fly home.
My question is: should we reduce our time in Siracusa and/or Palermo to leave room for a few days in Naples? This would be after we leave Rome and before we get to Lamezia Terme.
- Fly into Rome and stay 5 days
- Lamezia Terme for 3 days. This is to visit family in the area
- Taormina for 3 days
- Ragusa for 4 days
- Siracusa for 7 days
- Palermo for 6 days
- Return to Rome to fly home.
My question is: should we reduce our time in Siracusa and/or Palermo to leave room for a few days in Naples? This would be after we leave Rome and before we get to Lamezia Terme.
May 23rd, 2019, 05:05 AM
#4
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I found Naples to be very interesting. There’s lots to see and eat. Here’s more:
Bruce and Marija go to Naples, Alba, Neive, Turin, Florence and Paris
Bruce and Marija go to Naples, Alba, Neive, Turin, Florence and Paris
May 23rd, 2019, 11:18 AM
#7
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No from me. Palermo is what Naples wishes it was. Cleaner, friendlier, brighter with every bit as much to see and do.
I didn't like Naples and I love Palermo. I'm guessing at least some of the people telling you to cut days in Sicily haven't yet been to Sicily.
I didn't like Naples and I love Palermo. I'm guessing at least some of the people telling you to cut days in Sicily haven't yet been to Sicily.
May 23rd, 2019, 11:40 AM
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We spent a very enjoyable week in Naples and I expected Palermo to be a similar chaotic, crowded mess of a city. It wasn't. After Naples the streets of Palermo seemed deserted, the traffic and garbage were no match. (Although we didn't eat any pizza in Sicily, I expect that Palermo would come up short there as well. ) Despite its shortcomings in the chaos and filth departments, Palermo has great food and interesting sights.
I wouldn’t cut time from Palermo.
Bruce and Marija: Carless in Sicily in November
I wouldn’t cut time from Palermo.
Bruce and Marija: Carless in Sicily in November
May 23rd, 2019, 06:00 PM
#12
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Guess I'm not fussy either! I haven't been to Sicily so can't compare, but I spent five nights in Naples last September and loved it. There is a lot to see there. If you aren't counting on a bunch of day trips from your Sicily stops, seems like you could take a couple of days for Naples and at least get a taste of what is there, not to mention a taste of the pizza.😁 I'd also mention that as a woman traveling alone, I never felt unsafe there.
May 23rd, 2019, 06:58 PM
#13
This is a long vacation with a lot of moves. If you think you have the stamina, you could cut two days from Siracusa and a day from Palermo and visit Naples.
I have been to all of these places and really enjoyed them. They are all interesting.
I have been to all of these places and really enjoyed them. They are all interesting.
May 24th, 2019, 01:00 AM
#14
I've been to both Naples and Sicily several times. Personally much prefer Naples to Palermo. There is no right or wrong answer - it is about personal preferences.
Pompeii, Herculaneum, The National Archaeological museum, Spaccanapoli - I think you'd struggle to find comparable anywhere else.
If you really want to see "dirty and uninspiring.", try Taranto (although it does have a stunning museum)
Pompeii, Herculaneum, The National Archaeological museum, Spaccanapoli - I think you'd struggle to find comparable anywhere else.
If you really want to see "dirty and uninspiring.", try Taranto (although it does have a stunning museum)
May 24th, 2019, 03:11 AM
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Though it might be unorganized and bit clumsy Naples is a must visit city in Italy, it has its own character which is unique among other cities in Italy. It's a paradise for foodies with many star rated restaurants.
May 24th, 2019, 02:08 PM
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Hi RosBlack,
We are also travelling to Calabria and Sicily this summer, and we are spending a few nights in Naples as our first destination. We were there a few years back and absolutely loved it. I would add a few nights to Naples and reduce time in Palermo and Syracusa.
For comparison, our trip is as follows:
Naples: 3 nights
Tropea: 5 nights
Syracusa (Ortigia): 3 nights
Noto (countryside): 3 nights
Favignana: 3 nights
Erice: 1 night
Palermo: 3 nights
We are also travelling to Calabria and Sicily this summer, and we are spending a few nights in Naples as our first destination. We were there a few years back and absolutely loved it. I would add a few nights to Naples and reduce time in Palermo and Syracusa.
For comparison, our trip is as follows:
Naples: 3 nights
Tropea: 5 nights
Syracusa (Ortigia): 3 nights
Noto (countryside): 3 nights
Favignana: 3 nights
Erice: 1 night
Palermo: 3 nights
May 26th, 2019, 05:07 PM
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Thanks, I am 76 and traveling alone. I was planning on a few days in Naples. I'm not fussy. I loved Sicily and would go back in a minute, but am trying to do south eastern Italy without a car, and it's a chore. I am hoping when I get to Bari, the buses are as good as Sicily, for the out of the way towns.
May 26th, 2019, 11:13 PM
#19
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My grateful thanks to everyone who has shared their views and advice with us! The vote does seem to lean in favour of a Naples visit, so we'll add that to our trip. It's been great to have your other suggestions as well: the generosity of Fodor forum contributors never ceases to amaze me.
