Naples and Ischia

[Kevinspicey]

Eek I'm so excited, my DH and I have booked a short childfree break to Italy for in a few weeks time.

My current plan is 2.5 days in Ischia, 2 days in Naples (one visiting Pompeii and Vesuvius).

Are there any must visit sites, restaurants, attractions that you think I need to add in? 🍕🍹🍦

The Archaeological Museum in Naples has the artefacts and mosaics from Pompeii. Without kids you’ll be able to visit the X rated section.
Also if you have time and are interested in sculpture, the Veiled Christ in Capella San Severo is utterly stunning.
You could get the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii and Herculaneum. It goes on to Sorrento.

I can only comment on Naples and Pompeii, but this was pre-covid.

We caught a local train from Naples to Pompeii and also Herculaneum. The train was cheap and easy to use. Wear comfy, worn in shoes because there is alot of walking. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen is a must- plus water. Majority of the frescoes, artifacts etc are all in the museum in Naples, so make sure you go there.

I was warned before the trip to leave any expensive jewellery at home, so I replaced my wedding and engagement rings with a cheap, Claires type band. I know you can be robbed etc anywhere, but had heard of scooter riders coming along and pulling necklaces off etc. We had no issues at all, but my in-laws were robbed at the train station and lost a wallet, phone and tablet.

We looked into walking up Vesuvius, but had also heard stories of the taxi driver requesting more money to take you back to Naples. The thought of traipsing up black, sooty, soil wasn't too appealing either. I'm sure there are organised bus trips, but if you are only there 2 days- I wouldn't entertain the thought.

There was a travel show recently showing people queued up outside the oldest, or most traditional pizzeria in Naples. I don't know the name, and we missed going there, but tripadvisor might be a help in finding it. Have a brilliant time.

Was it Da Michele? They always have a big queue.
Be warned traditional pizza in Naples is not the same as it is elsewhere.

Lucky you. Two days in Naples really isn't enough but please go to the Archeological museum. Herculaneum is well worth a visit but not sure if you'll have time as well as Pompeii. Obviously a trip down the Amalfi coast by boat, maybe stopping at Capri, is a must and Procida is really pretty. You can't go far wrong eating almost anywhere in that region. I'm so jealous!

Thanks so much for the inspo and tips, I'm also very glad to hear you've all had (mostly) positive experiences! We will be super cautious in and around Naples city.

I'd love to have a little more time, but 4 nights is an absolute miracle for us. The last time we had even 1 single child free evening was in January 😂

This. Go to Herculaneum as well as Pompeii. The train stops at both, but be careful - when we were there the last train back was at 5pm and we would've been stuck if we'd missed it. Paestum is great too if you like temples. I've been there at night and it's magical. I loved Naples.

I thought of another thing. How are you getting from the airport to your hotel? If part of a package which includes transfers- just ignore.
If you booked the flights/hotel etc yourself- read on.

DH and I are well travelled, use local taxis/transport etc and no issues all over the world. Naples was the only place I wished I'd pre-booked a private taxi/transfer. This might have just been the day we were there/a one off, but all the taxi drivers were laughing whilst we tried to negotiate where our hotel was and a price. We agreed a price and on arrival- he wanted double! I speak basic Italian and know the Euro's we agreed upon, so felt utterly mugged when he wouldn't open the boot to give us our bags without paying the extra.

Again, this was several years ago, but it was an awful start to what ended up being a lovely holiday.

We went last year and five years ago (loved it so much). Buses from airport run late into the city and very easy. Also buses in ischia really easy. One goes around the island clockwise and the other counter clockwise. Also got train to pompeii with our 3 kids 12 and udwe then bus to walk to vesuvius. It was super hot but kids loved it. We missed our stop last year (child free) and walked up thr main street in Naples to get to our accommodation. It was around 11pm all shops including international shops such as h and m were open. Mad!

So we plan to get the train/bus from the airport into the city centre, grab lunch near the ferry port then ferry over to Ischia.

We will hire a car at the port in Ischia and use that whilst there. Then ferry back to Naples, and use the train to get to Pompeii/Herculaneum?

Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks, ds1 is off to Naples and capri next week.

I'd be tempted just to stay in Naples! Day trip to Herculaneum or Pompeii, the archaeological museum, do a visit to the catacombs, wander down to the seafront and the castles, there's another fort up the hill to visit with a tram to take you up. Wander round the old district. Maybe a day trip to Capri.

We got the metro to our hotel, very easy. Also we never felt threatened or unsafe, just loved it there.

We went to ischia on our honeymoon - it was glorious!

Most magical thing we did was to hire a boat and sail (well, it was a motor boat so “drive” is more accurate - really easy to do with no experience) it round the island. We stopped at one little town for ice cream, stopped off at some amazing caves, and then - best bit - stopped off at a restaurant only accessible by water. We dropped anchor and then they came to pick us up in a smaller boat. It was incredible.

There are also loads of amazing spas on ischia - well worth a visit. If your time is limited I’m not sure I’d bother with anywhere else on the amalfi coast - just relax and enjoy ischia rather than lots of travel - it is a seriously beautiful place.

PS we also did a coach trip to Pompeii and Vesuvius - I’d do that again as just takes all stress out of it. Pompeii was amazing.

Go to this spa:

https://www.ischiainsider.com/en/e/negombo-spa-ischia

I loved Ischia, lots of beautiful walks, stunning beaches and great good. We stayed quite close to the Castello Aragonese. It’s just a lovely old fashioned type of place (or at least it was). By far my favourite place on that trip

I'm going on a solo trip to Naples and Ischia in a few weeks too. I've been to both before and they are wonderful.

If you want a relaxing day on Ischia, then go to one of the big thermal parks; loads of pools at different temperatures and they are lovely places to spend the day lounging in a mostly kid free environment.
My top tip - most pools in Ischia (hotel or thermal parks) require you to wear a swimming cap.

I'm doing a trip to Pompeii too, I didn't get to go last time and it's been on my to-visit list ever since. I think I'm going to do a guided tour with a tour guide to get the most from it.

I'm in Naples right now- I love it. I'm on a cruise so here just for the day and it's my 4th visit. Today we did Via Toledo. We tried to get pizza a da Michele but the queue in the sun was not worth it to have to stand and eat it. Just off via Toledo looked to be many places to eat.

It's really hot right now and humid, take a thermal, bottle, cloth and fan out with you.

Spaccanapoli in the old town (it means Naples splitter and is a nickname) is atmospheric and touristy but just off at streets full of housing in tall ancient blocks it's so fascinating. The subterranean tunnels are also good for a cheap tour in same area (via tribunal runs parallel to spaccanapoli)

The ancient roads are tiny and narrow and it makes maps harder to understand how the space and place are set out

For Vesuvius I have done a coach tour from a cruise ship but viator will offer similar. We set of 7.30 and walks to the top it was glorious. Then we had lunch at a hotel provided with the tour (pasta and ice cream) and then went to Herculaneum with is boiling as all the stone reflects the heat.

We also went on a mission o find a specific shop in Vomero last time and it is a beautiful place- easy on the metro leafy peaceful suburb

Next time we will find the place Fred gino and Gordon went to and go there (think it looked similar to those of off via Toledo) it's also where you get the funicular up to the top. Have fun!

@overgrowntoddler thank you for the location suggestions they're actually rrally helpful! Our time in the city will be limited so I want to use it wisely.

Via Toledo seems like a good option for us to spend a couple of hours after we arrive, before heading to the port.

Spaccanapoli looks super interesting and I think we will spend some time here once we are back from Ischia 🏝

We go in around 6 weeks, so hopefully by then it won't be as humid but will still have some remenants of summer lingering 🤞🏻☀️

@onegingeronetabby congrats on doing the solo trip! It seems like a great choice. We definitely plan to visit a thermal spa whilst we're there.

I was thinking of a morning trip to explore Castello Aragonese followed by spending the afternoon at Negombo 😍

We're also leading towards an organised trip to Pompeii/ Vesuvius following advice on here, it might be a little less cost effective but I think it will alleviate any worries about missing final buses/trains.