We will be there (family of 4) during the first week of July. This is a new destination for me, so I need suggestions about where to stay, where to eat, where to shop for wine, etc.

Post your email and I'll send you some info. I lived there from '02-'05.

Thanks Foghorn.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: on the wine,

I was there last summer, but I'm sure Foghorn knows a lot more about the area than I do. Don't miss Pompei. I'd suggest a morning visit in July. It gets to about 100 in the afternoon. We went in the afternoon and just kept drinking.

We also loved Sorrento.

Has anyone visited Caserta? It's supposed to rival Versailles in opulence. Someone I met in a wine bar in Italy a few weeks ago said that the food in Caserta was incredibly good - anyone know of this?

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Originally posted by Board-O:
I was there last summer, but I'm sure Foghorn knows a lot more about the area than I do. Don't miss Pompei. I'd suggest a morning visit in July. It gets to about 100 in the afternoon. We went in the afternoon and just kept drinking.

We also loved Sorrento.

I found a hotel in the centre of Naples that has a pool in a courtyard/garden. Pictures of it look absolutely lovely. I'm hoping to be in it by late afternoon each day!

I've heard that Pompei is not to be missed. I also heard that a trip to Vesuvius is a good experience.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Has anyone visited Caserta? It's supposed to rival Versailles in opulence. Someone I met in a wine bar in Italy a few weeks ago said that the food in Assert was incredibly good - anyone know of this?

I visited Caserta twice. The palace is not much and not anywhere near the opulence of Versailles. The gardens of Caserta is another story, they are not to be missed. If your time is limited, I'd start with the walk in the gardens and whatever time is left for the stroll in the palace.

I know nothing about the food there, though.

Naples. Don't miss Architectural Museum. Most frescoes and sculptures from Pompeii were brought there. Some of those frescoes were not opened to the public until relatively recently due to their sexually explicit nature.

Watch yourself in Naples, the city boasts the highest crime rate in Italy.

quote:

Originally posted by Briette:
Naples. Don't miss Architectural Museum. Most frescoes and sculptures from Pompeii were brought there. Some of those frescoes were not opened to the public until relatively recently due to their sexually explicit nature.

Watch yourself in Naples, the city boasts the highest crime rate in Italy.

Oh ya, forgot about the Museum.....I'm not much of a museum kind of guy so didn't think about it until it was mentioned. I'm still working on that second email that was lost.

As for crime.....ya, the statistics show a lot of petty theft, etc. We never had a problem with any of it, but their new crime is to run into the back of your vehicle, wait for you to stop, then mug you or steal your vehicle. Another is two guys on a scooter in heavy gridlocked traffic robbing you at gunpoint, then getting away on the scooter. Violent crime there used to be non-existant (except between the Camora), but now it has started to become an issue as well. I remember several carjackings resulting in shootings right before we left there.

Just don't rent a nice car.

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I'm not much of a museum kind of guy

Neither am I. I usually find street-culture much more interesting.

Speaking of which, I find it interesting how everyone comments on crime in Naples. Interesting bit of branding going on there. Their PR agency must be the ones who said 'any publicity is better than no publicity'!

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I visited Caserta twice. The palace is not much and not anywhere near the opulence of Versailles.

I read somewhere that foreigners are not nearly as impressed with this place as Italians. It's good that they root for the local team, though.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Speaking of which, I find it interesting how everyone comments on crime in Naples. Interesting bit of branding going on there. Their PR agency must be the ones who said 'any publicity is better than no publicity'!

Actually this was a very big deal when they became part of the EU. They were told to clean up their mess, specifically in Naples. The unemployment rate when I was there was around 30%, so crime was very high, as far as petty theft goes. The local police (Polizia Municipale) are basically useless. Corruption is high. The military police (Carabienieri) are much more professional, and have been cracking down on a lot of the crime there. There is one area that you want to stay away from but I cannot find my map to tell you where. Does you a lot of good huh? I guess you'll find out if you stumble in that area.

The Isle of Capri is a must... BEAUTIFUL... & only a ferry ride away. Don't miss it!

Loved Naples. It was there I had my first experience with Limoncello. Pompei is a must, however, Board-O is spot on about the heat. Go prepared for it.

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Originally posted by Foghorn:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by on the wine:
There is one area that you want to stay away from but I cannot find my map to tell you where. Does you a lot of good huh? I guess you'll find out if you stumble in that area.

Everywhere out of the city Center. Visitors beware.

Don't you have to beware in the city centre? I heard the area around the central rail station isn't so great. And I've heard that it's impossible not to be robbed by the taxi drivers.

The hotel I booked said something on their website about having a guaranteed rate if transport from the train stn is arranged through them. So I enquired, right? And the guaranteed rate is 55 Euros! I wonder what they define as robbery?

And, if they supposedly invented pizza, how come chianti comes from someplace else?

Two weeks to go and the city is getting prepared for our arrival:

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Officials in Naples, Italy, fear the city's current garbage crisis may worsen with the planned weekend closure of the only working dump in the area and piles of trash growing higher.

The bleak assessment comes a day after President Giorgio Napolitano warned that Naples risked an "ecological and health disaster" unless authorities worked out where to put tonnes of garbage that have been piling up for nearly two weeks.

Full dumps have prevented collectors from hauling away trash, and local communities have stymied government attempts to construct and operate more of the facilities.

He also lamented the "absurd" acts of vandalism that have accompanied the crisis, an apparent reference to the fires residents set last week to burn the trash.

Fire brigades have said they put out hundreds of fires in the area in recent days.

...complicating situation is involvement of local mafia, which controls many of trucks and workers used to haul away trash and profits in endless crisis over trash.

In spite of these hi-jinks, we are still looking forward to getting some restaurant suggestions. But hurry before the city disappears behind a cloud of smog from the garbage fires...

Here's a sincere suggestion for you. Skip Naples. Go to Pompei in the morning and have lunch in Sorrento.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

Go to Pompei in the morning and have lunch in Sorrento.

Wonderful advice, and a perfect day.

Don't miss Capri! One of the most beautiful places I've been. There is an excellent restaurant in Anacapri as well, right next to the famous church. It's the only one there, so no need for a name. EDIT: Le Arcate

There is a plaza in Naples with about five restaurants that open out into the streets where pretty much half of the city eats dinner around 10-11PM. I forgot the name because it was so long ago.

If you speak a little Italian, Naples is easily one of the most charming cities in Italy. The inhabitants are very enthusiastic to prove that not all Neapolitans are pickpockets and swindlers. Friendliest city I have EVER been to.

Besides that the food really is amazing there with a focus on fresh fish and seafood and traditional recipes. I spent most of my time in Rome. I know that there is a North/South rivalry and all that, but their advice was that the further South you go, the better the food is. It was good advice.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Peer Gynt,

Thanks Peer. We are planning on taking a day-trip to Capri and I'll look for that restaurant in Anacapri.

I have no thoughts of bailing out on the Naples visit. Reasons:

1. I have been fascinated with Naples ever since seeing a documentary about 20 years ago which described the city as being completely ungovernable. I think the film had a title/sub-title something like "Naples ... a city where nothing works".
2. I figure that they will find some way out of the garbage crisis by the time I get there. If not, there won't be a city there to visit.
3. In any event, such problems always affect the residents much more than visitors.
4. I like adventure holidays.

Hello,

I have lived in Napoli for the past 3 years. I'm stationed here with the US Navy. Your better staying out of down town because of the traffic and thieves. Capri is a must see, Almafi Coast is nice and close to Sorrento. Mastoberadino's Winery is close to Pompei. So you can kill two birds with one stone. Torre Gaia winery is around the corner from Caserta palace. (Over rated though. The palace that is the wine is great.)Rome is an hour train ride.
Napoli is having problems with their garbage pick up so the locals just burn it. Makes the whole city feel dirty. July and August are the worst times to come because of the heat. 100+ days everyday. Not good for sight seeing. The beaches are over crowded and dirty. I would suggest staying outside of the city and using the train to go in and out. Even better would be to stay in Rome or Sorrento and make a day trip to Napoli... There is a reason they call Napoli the arm pit of Europe. You'll see when you get here...
Hope this helps. If you need any specifics shoot me an e-mail. I'll try to help you out.

Dear American_in_Napoli,

We are sooo excited about our upcoming transfer to Naples. (Curr. staitioned on Guam, love it but there is NO wine here...)

Would love any 'moving to Napoli' insight or tips you could provide if you have a moment.

We are bearrobb@yahoo.com

Thanks!

I shot you and e-mail... You can respond to that I will be glad to help you out....

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Originally posted by Bearrobb:
We are sooo excited about our upcoming transfer to Naples.

Don't worry. It won't take long for the excitement to turn to utter frustration.

Try and make it to Positano on the Amalfi Coast. It is about a 1 hour car ride South from Naples. I will be there in a few weeks. It is one of the most beautiful spots in all of Italy. I also recommend Sorrento and Amalfi. Above Amalfi is a village called Revello. A must see for the views, food and gardens. I will also be doing a morning visit to Pompeii. I have been once before, but my girlfriend hasn't and I want her to see it. Enjoy.