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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Venice or Naples?

41 replies

FlipFlopShopInHawaii · 24/08/2022 16:15

Sorry for misuse of aibu, but I'm making use of voting!

Recently back from a holiday to Italy, which prompted this discussion. I've always heard of the saying "see Venice and die", but DH swears it's "see Naples and die". Googling suggests it could be either, so MN jury what do you say???
YABU - it's see Naples and die
YANBU - it's see Venice and die

OP posts:
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Dahlietta · 25/08/2023 22:14

The only people who are answering the actual question are unanimous that it's Naples Wink

DaphneDeloresMoreheadRidesOn · 25/08/2023 22:09

GrimDamnFanjo · 25/08/2023 14:32

@DaphneDeloresMoreheadRidesOn funnily enough ive just returned from Athens!
I'd say absolutely yes!

And im planning a trip to Venice in October 😂

CoffeeCantata · 25/08/2023 14:48

Naples, definitely. And let's hope it doesn't come literally true!

It's a dangerous place in parts.

Blondewithredlips · 25/08/2023 14:46

Been to both. Naples wins for me.

herewegoroundthebastardbush · 25/08/2023 14:42

Oh my God amazing how few people read the OP before answering 🤣

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 25/08/2023 14:39

I love Naples, it’s a proper city not a 1600s theme park.
I hated Venice, my enduring memory was it STANK.

GrimDamnFanjo · 25/08/2023 14:32

@DaphneDeloresMoreheadRidesOn funnily enough ive just returned from Athens!
I'd say absolutely yes!

DaphneDeloresMoreheadRidesOn · 23/08/2023 19:18

GrimDamnFanjo · 24/08/2022 17:10

Love both!

Venice is unique, scenic and unlike anywhere else.
Naples is gritty, fast moving and full of life.

You'll love or hate Naples. Few will dislike Venice but the hoarded of tourists and dwindling natives give it a very different vibe.

The glorious Pompei is in easy reach of naples, and the pizza...

If I loved Athens, would I love Naples ? I really fancy it

Youtubedrivel · 25/08/2022 20:44

Naples is awful. I had the misfortune of going there during a refuse collection strike. There were piles of rotten fish just dumped on the sides of the street. Pompeii is worth seeing though.

Blueuggboots · 25/08/2022 20:41

Naples in vile. It's one of the few places I've been where I felt unsafe.
I've been to Venice 7 times! Love it.

FangsForTheMemory · 25/08/2022 20:35

There's a book by Thomas Mann called Death in Venice (Tod in Venedig) but the saying in 'see Naples and die'.

RedRosie · 25/08/2022 20:30

They are both totally wonderful, albeit in different ways.

So I vote do both.

Napoli is vibrant and colourful and exciting. Maybe a little bit difficult.

Venezia is unbelievably gorgeous but under a lot of pressure. Much as I love it I probably wouldn't go again - as it made me feel sad that I was part of its problem just by being there.

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 25/08/2022 20:22

Stop in Florence and do both by train. You really only need a couple of days in Venice, its beautiful but just shops and eateries.

Florence is beautiful.

MarshaMelrose · 25/08/2022 20:18

See Naples and Die was a quote from a traveller, (don't know his name) in the 18th century because it was such a beautiful, rich city then. Time has not been kind to Naples.

Stay at Sorrento or down the coast. Sorrento is noisy! It's Italian, after all. We stayed at the top of the hill. Lovely views and much quieter

CecilyP · 25/08/2022 10:55

The saying is definitely 'see Naples and die' but I'm wondering if it is more looking out over the Bay of Naples rather than the actual city itself. Definitely worth a visit to see Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius, the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

thereisonlyoneofme · 25/08/2022 10:24

Sorrento is a good base for Pompeii, Naples, capri, Vesuvius etc. Much nicer than Naples

MarshaMelrose · 24/08/2022 18:34

I loved Venice but it's so busy.

Naples is near pompei, amalfi, capri. So lots to do. Naples itself... yeah. No. Naples is one of the poorest cities in Europe with a massive unemployment rate. When we went it was dirty. It's a 👎 no from me.

yikesanotherbooboo · 24/08/2022 18:28

DH is correct and both cities are fantastic to visit.

Mybeautifulfriend22 · 24/08/2022 17:49

Choconut · 24/08/2022 17:24

Surely you go to Naples for Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius? I couldn't get hugely excited about Naples itself but as a base it's great. Venice is just beautiful as are so many places in Italy. One of my favourite countries.

We based ourselves in Sorrento and did both Pompeii and Herculaneum. We also saw Capri and the Amalfi coast. As well as a day trip to Naples which we didn’t really enjoy.

Mybeautifulfriend22 · 24/08/2022 17:48

Spent a day in Naples and that was enough it’s not a great place. Had a lovely 3 day holiday Venice. Would go back tomorrow.

JamieFrasersBigSwingingKilt · 24/08/2022 17:46

Choconut · 24/08/2022 17:24

Surely you go to Naples for Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius? I couldn't get hugely excited about Naples itself but as a base it's great. Venice is just beautiful as are so many places in Italy. One of my favourite countries.

This.
Which means you don't actually have to go to Naples, just near it.

Unorthofox · 24/08/2022 17:42

I found Naples pretty stressful tbh. There are some really amazing parts of it, but it's very full on and loud. It's not relaxing.

Same for Rome and New York. Amazing places but fast paced, busy, loud and not great if you're sensitive to sensory overload.

You'll get far more for your money in Naples though, everything in Venice is very expensive.

beachcitygirl · 24/08/2022 17:25

I'm airline cabin crew of almost 30 years & been mostly everywhere and beyond a shadow of a doubt Venice is the most beautiful city in the world.
Naples can be exhilarating & great food & nice ease of access to visit Sorrento, positano, Capri but it's a bit of a dump to be honest

Choconut · 24/08/2022 17:24

Surely you go to Naples for Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius? I couldn't get hugely excited about Naples itself but as a base it's great. Venice is just beautiful as are so many places in Italy. One of my favourite countries.

TheBikiniExpert · 24/08/2022 17:21

Naples also has the best coffee. I don't know why but it's amazing there.