Top tips please for short break with teens in Naples and Rome

[Blogwoman]

Going next month with husband and two daughters (the trip will include DD1's 18th birthday) and would really appreciate tips for things to see and do, what to book in advance etc. Looking forward to the food but hope having a vegan in the party isn't going to be too challenging... Vatican, Colosseum, Cat sanctuary and Pompeii are on the list. Staying in an apartment in Rome and B&B in Naples. Thank you

My tips are to book the under ground tour for the colosseum, you get to see other parts that aren't open to the general public and you avoid the crowds.

When in Naples make sure you visit the city itself and not just Pompei. It is a great place, so much more vibrant than Rome. There are some great churches and artwork to visit, The veiled Christ in particular is stunning. And obviously eat pizza!

Some people say Naples is dangerous, but we didn't find it threatening at all.

Thanks frenchfancy - sounds good :)

Oooh we're going to Rome/Naples next summer so please update this thread when you get back!

Having done that trip, my main tip would be not to spend more than a day or two Naples (I found it unpleasant, unfriendly, unsafe and ugly* - but pizza and coffee to die for). If you are stuck there for longer, take a day trip to Sorrento. National Archaeological Museum of Naples is good but most of the artefacts were from Rome, not Naples.

Are you taking the train between the two? I'd recommend doing that, cheap, comfortable and efficient.

Rome is amazing though, especially on foot. Obviously do the Colosseum and Vatican and the other obvious tourist spots, but take it slowly and explore outside of the main areas for some amazing restaurants, parks, architecture and cafes.

*(Honestly, at the time I visited Naples I was living in a rough part of SE London so pretty used to street crime, but was utterly freaked out by how hostile Naples felt. One day we got lost in a residential area and ended up being followed for ages by a guy on a scooter, who we had to shake off by going up some random stairs. Walking along seafront in the evening, it was poorly lit and pretty much empty and we kept getting approached for drugs or sex. I hated Naples).

Oh dear Mackerel - I hope we'll have a much better time in Naples than you did! Thanks for the tips. Yes we plan to take the train. Did you book tickets for the Vatican etc online? I'm finding it quite confusing - so many options. I think it's lovely just to wander (and eat!) and not try to pack The Sights into every hour, so that's a tip that sits well with me.
AmazingDisgrace - I'll try to remember to come back to this and let you know how it went!

Sorry, I didn't mean to be so negative about Naples! I think if you go prepared for what to expect, it'll be fine. I did start to enjoy it after the initial shock but it's a world away from Rome. One thing I would say actually is get a decent map/guidebook before you set off as they are difficult to come by once you're in Naples.

We didn't book anything online at all as we wanted to be flexible. The queues for the Vatican are insane whether you book or not!

Sorry, have to agree with Mackarel - really didn't like Naples. There are interesting museums and the seafront is interesting but it is dirty and after a couple of men tried to drag me into a car (I was on my own and they thought it was a joke - how I laughed!) I got out of there quick! That was some time ago and I would visit it in daytime with my family but I wouldn't wander the backstreets or make a special trip to go there. There are much much nicer places in Italy! Sorrento is ok but there are nicer towns along the Amalfi coast.

Naples is rough, wild, beautiful, ugly, dirty, all in one- somewhere to be passionate about! It does have a lot of problems but I love it, I went as a single woman with two kids.Go on the Sotterranea tour! Underground of Naples, your kids and you will love it!! Go to one of the small pizza places where there are queues outside! Only two types of pizza but amazing!

Napoli is a beautiful city. It's just a pity there are the neopolitans.

Let me know what dates you're over and I'll see if there are any free concerts or exhibitions. When in Nalles, be very careful of wallets and cameras, do not wear any jewellery and in the b&b locks any valuables in your suitcase (preferably a hard case with a small yate padlock) and not in the safe. And avoid areas like sanita, forcella, quartieri spagnoli at all times.

I lived in napoli for many years and was called quite often to translate tourists who'd been victims of assault, robbery and theft so please be very very careful.

I would advise a trip to San Gregorio to buy some traditional figurines for the Christmas crib, don't be fooled by the shops on the spaccanapoli as they sell sub quality foodstuffs at harrows type prices. While in napoli do try to go to da Michele for pizza (avoid from 1 pm to 3 pm and 7pm to 10pm) there are only 2 types of pizza available, the 2 traditional types. While in Pompei, if interested in churches visit the Shrine of the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei as it is out of this world.

Before going to pompeii buy bread, hams and water at any supermarket in napoli and don't be spending 3 times the a out in Pompei.

Oooh just read about the vegan in your party, the two pizzas are Margherita and Marinara which has no cheese . The pizza place we went to is da Michele! You will have to queue, is very cheap, expect to see not many tourists.

If you want something a little different in Rome (doesn't take long and I remember it being quite cheap) try
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Maria_della_Concezione_dei_Cappuccini

Not for the squeamish