Naples holiday for 40th, help much appreciated!

[Keitharingsbitch]

I want to book a holiday for my partners 40th in late September to go to Naples. We're really into heritage and culture so I think it will be great for us. However he loves to plan so I always leave the research on flights and accommodation to him. With an overview from me before we book!

So although I do lots of planning in my job I feel a bit apprehensive about getting it right for a birthday treat.

I wondered if anyone has been and could advise on what it's like doing day trips to pompeii, Herculaneum and visouvus? How much time would you advise to allow? I also wonder if spending a week there is too long? I'm thinking ome boat trips maybe too plus a day for each of the above so I think we'd fill our time ok.

I'm also wondering about hotels, they seem more traditional and somewhat dates than what I'd normally go for. Even the expensive ones. Is this just what hotels are like there? I can imagine there's a big market for people wanting a bit of traditional style. So any hotel recommendations would be appreciated.

There's quite a long thread in Holidays from someone who is just back, hang on , I'll find it.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/4819886-naples-the-marmite-city-i-promised-an-update?reply=126635269

@Keitharingsbitch

Naples is a great city but not somewhere I've wanted to stay in for too long. Last time we were there yet another rubbish collection strike was on and the place was just full of rubbish. Also, tourists need to be very aware of where the walk etc. even during the day.

Personally, I found Sorrento a better base. Lovely town, 20 mins by easy train to Pompeii and Herculaneum. Can do a day trip across to Capri. Visit Amalfi.

Thanks so much I'll look at this!

Oooh thanks I'll look into this. I'd also thought about doing a few days in napes or close by to do the things I'd mentioned then going elsewhere.

What do you mean about tourists needing to be careful where they walk? Thanks

When MIL was in Naples she was advised by a shopkeeper to take off her gold jewellery and put it away somewhere safe before she went back on to the street. I presume that’s what PP means.

Naples is interesting but not somewhere I would want a weeks holiday! It’s a bit grim in parts and not the safest town to walk around to be honest.
We tend to pass through it to get to Sorrento or the boat across to Ischia which is lovely.
As previously suggested stay in Sorrento (not cheap though!) and do all the bits you want and then possibly a few days in Ischia to sunbathe and visit the other islands. Lovely!
I don’t know if it’s just me but I’ve always found Italian hotel rooms a bit on the small side compared to other places.

I really enjoyed Naples but wouldn't do a full week.
Sorrento is nice but expensive and very touristy. I'd personally do 3 nights in Naples and 4 in Ischia. Or reverse it if there are lots of day trips you want to do from Naples.

We loved this hotel in Naples

https://www.booking.com/Share-Ub9Z23

I'm the one who is just back. I would find Naples for a whole week a bit much I think, much as I loved it. 3 nights was enough. We stayed here. https://www.relaiscastelnuovo.com/ As said by PP, maybe look at a dual centre with Sorrento (which is bloody expensive now) or one of the islands. Pompeii is closer to Sorrento. Herculaneum is about 30 mins from Naples. You can also do a bus tour to both. Boats go everywhere.

I've been to that area twice, once in my 20s staying in a nice hotel (about 30 years ago), and once in my 40s (about 10 years ago) staying in an apartment with young kids. We stayed in Sorrento both times, it is busy but lovely and a great base for visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius and the Amalfi coast. We had a week the first time and 10 nights the second and there was loads to do. If you like good food, I still remember our meal at Inn Buffalito on the second trip, best Tiramisu I ever tasted and an amazing meal all round.
www.leggimenu.it/menu/innbufalito/120380

Actually I would recommend visiting Sorrento as I had the best sandwich of my life there at a cafe called Storico8.

Watch the episode on Naples on BBC Iplayer in the Clive Myrie Does Italy series (not exact name).

The Amalfi coast is gorgeous but Naples is a shithole. Much better stay somewhere else on the coast as a base.

Last time we were there we stayed a week and would do the same again.

Pompeii one day, Herculaneum another. Another day down to the nearby Pozzuoli for the amphitheatre. The museum takes up another day, and the churches and galleries another (don't miss the veiled Christ). Trips to Vesuvius and the islands take up another couple of days.

We stayed in an Airbnb near the castle but next time will be looking for a hotel in the Chiaia district.

We did three nights in sorrento, two in capri, one just outside Pompeii and two in Naples for my 30th.

Hotels all booked on Booking.com, BA flight, then traveled on the train from Naples to sorrento and back - can't remember the train line name but it's easy peasy.

My favourite holiday ever, I loved every minute. Spent a small fortune on food, coffee and limoncello because we're greedy, but the hotels/flights/travel were all really reasonable. Planning to go back with the children next may 😊

Yes Naples isn’t that pretty a city, would also recommend Sorrento and then day trips to various places, someone I know last year swam in the sea at a beach in Naples and got a hypodermic needles in his foot! it’s not got the amazing scenery of the beautiful Amalfi coast which is just a short journey away.

There are some hotels literally opposite Naples central train station/airport bus stop. I think one is an Ibis or one of the other well known chain hotels. The stations are guarded all the time by armed police so even if it is a bit grim, you will be bloody safe if you choose that hotel and have easy transport options to get to the other places.

I agree with other PPs, Sorrento would be a better base. From there you can get the train to Naples, Pompeii, Vesuvius, & Herculaneum; the bus down the Amalfi Coast to Amalfi, Positano, Atrani, Ravello, Minori & Maori; you can also get the ferry across to Capri, Ischia & all the way down the coast to Paestum.
Last time we went, we stayed in a self-catering apartment in Sorrento here: www.rotasuites.com/

We've been to Sorrento a couple of times, which is lovely and feels safe. Visited Naples from there, it is not so nice and it feels fairly threatening in places. Definitely not a place for a touristy stroll. We were warned by several people in Sorrento that it isn't really safe for tourists.

We combined Naples with Sorrento for a week last year, and it was wonderful - I liked Naples FWIW but agree a full week might be a bit much if you don't know yet if it's for you or not.

Our itinerary was:
Day 1: Arrive in Naples (evening flight)
Day 2: Explore Naples; pizza-making class in the evening
Day 3: Herculaneum and Vesuvius by train from Naples
Day 4: Train to Sorrento
Day 5: Full day boat trip around Amalfi/Positano
Day 6: Day in Sorrento
Day 7: Pompeii via train
Day 8: Train back to Naples; leave bags at a left luggage facility and spend afternoon Naples before evening flight home

It was busy and lots of walking, but great fun. Wouldn't recommend staying in a hotel near Naples train station, it's quite a seedy around there. We stayed in Quartieri Spagnoli area, which was fine.

We didn't spend any time near the train station but Spanish Quarter/old town/Chiaia/port area were all fine. And we were there on BH when the whole city was out. I have never seen so many people, but there was nothing threatening or seedy about it. Crossing the road is the scary thing.

Hi thanks for the really helpful replies. I wonder if it's worth combining naples and sorrento or do you feel if I'm going to move on we might as well go to an island/ somewhere further?

@Mortima you did that is that right How's the the journey? Does it end up taking up a whole day switching location?

In terms of dodgy Ness I lived in south London for a long time and I live in a city now. I don't really like very rural places here in the UK. So I think I'll be good with a bit of gritty naples. But I am wondering if maybe not for a week...

Ischia is 50 mins on the hydrofoil and the dock is 30 mins from airport, slightly less in a taxi. On our way out we landed at 12, had lunch at the port then got 2.30 crossing. In Ischia accommodation by 3.30. On the way back, we left accommodation at 1pm, got 1.15 crossing and we're in our Naples accommodation by 2.30 - it was very close to the port.