Italy: Naples & Pompeii
From Tuscany, we took a train down to Naples and stayed a couple nights. It was kind of our basecamp to explore the ancient city of Pompeii. Naples is the type of city you could totally love... or do without. It's gritty, there's lots of crime, most people will try to cheat you, the people are talkative and charming, it's vibrant, and it has good pizza. I think you need a lot of energy to really enjoy Naples. I'll confess, we didn't quite have that amount of energy for Naples (especially because I came down with a kidney stone while in Tuscany... ouch).
Here's the train from Naples to Pompeii:
If you decide you want to go to Naples, here's a tip on the taxi drivers. First, don't opt for their "flat fee" or any variants thereof - ask for the metered rate. Watch the meter; there should always be a "1" next to the fare. Often the drivers will change the 1 to another number, which hikes up the fee. You have to be aggressive if you in any way suspect that you're being cheated. If they hassle you, tell them you want to go to the police. Then the cheaters back down immediately. It helps to have an idea of what the fare should be (ask the hotel staff before you leave), so you know how much you should be paying.
Naples does have the best pizza, IMHO. The crust is delightfully chewy. Our hotel was the Palazzo Turchini, which I'd recommend. Good value, nice place, good location.
Pompeii is fascinating. I've been twice, once with a guide, and this time we just wandered on our own. I'd recommend joining a tour, because there is so much to learn from a guide. Here are some of the victims frozen in ash, when Vesuvius erupted:
Naples does have the best pizza, IMHO. The crust is delightfully chewy. Our hotel was the Palazzo Turchini, which I'd recommend. Good value, nice place, good location.
Pompeii is fascinating. I've been twice, once with a guide, and this time we just wandered on our own. I'd recommend joining a tour, because there is so much to learn from a guide. Here are some of the victims frozen in ash, when Vesuvius erupted:
Poor dog:
Here's the view from our hotel balcony. I think it captures Naples pretty well:
Here's the view from our hotel balcony. I think it captures Naples pretty well:
Next up - the southern coast (Amalfi coast and the Cilento coast).
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