Comments on: How I Fell in Love with Naples

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 13 May 2010 17:12:34 +0000

I decided to write an article about hotels in the old center of Naples while I was thinking of it, so in case you didn’t see it, Christine, here you are:

http://www.italylogue.com/accommodation/hotels-in-naples-historic-center.html

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 05 May 2010 01:37:28 +0000

Thanks for the kind words, Christine! And yes, with that much time before your trip, I should be able to have at least one article up on the site with hotels in and around the old center of Naples that will at least give you some reference for planning.

And if you’d like, you can sign up to get the articles on the site delivered directly to your email inbox – that way you don’t have to keep checking back, and you’ll never miss a thing.

http://feeds.bootsnall.com/italylogue

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 05 May 2010 01:12:03 +0000

Thank you so much for the quick response, it helped me get my bearings looking at a map. I don’t have dates yet but have decided to avoid the crowded summer season, so that leaves me plenty of time to plan. If I cannot arrange a trip for the fall (Sep-Oct), I will wait until next spring (Apr-May). I will be sure to check back to your site many times, it is the best one I have found on the web. Thanks again for all your info!!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:42:02 +0000

Hi, Christine:

Bravo to you for planning to include Naples on your first Italy trip!

When is your trip? I need to write some articles that have maps and hotel listings in areas I think are okay to stay in, so I may have a chance to do that before you go – depending on when you leave!

In the meantime, however, I’d suggest zooming in on a Google map of Naples. The train station is at the metro stop marked “Garibaldi,” so that’s easy to locate. The historic center, the area where I stayed, is to the west of the station – the streets that sort of surround the main part of the historic center are: Via Duomo to the east, Via Toledo to the west, Piazza Cavour to the north, and Corso Umberto I to the south. This isn’t entirely accurate in terms of what the true “historic center” is, but that’s the area I’d concentrate on for a place to stay.

I’d also suggest looking at a map of the city that’s designed with tourism in mind – most guidebooks have good enough maps in them, and if you’re not planning to buy a guidebook or aren’t sure which one to get, you can check a few out of the library and at least get a good look at the maps that way.

I hope that helps!
Jessica

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 04 May 2010 00:43:13 +0000

Jessica, I am planning my first trip to Italy (first trip anywhere, actually) and have found your site to be a huge help. Tentative plan is to spend 10 nights in Rome and 5 nights in Naples. I want to really experience the “feel” of the area, not just rush around tourist attractions. You say that it would be best to not stay near the train station for safety reasons and also it is not close to the historic area. I have looked at some maps and can’t figure out where either the train station or the historic area is. Can you provide some street names that would be boundaries of the areas, so I know what general area to try to stay in, and where to avoid. Thanks.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:08:24 +0000

Hi, Lia:

I’m so glad you liked my Naples articles! I just loved the city, and can’t wait to go back. Every time I think about it my mouth waters for Di Matteo pizza!

Ciao,
Jessica

By: Lia Surrentino

Lia Surrentino — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:30:02 +0000

Hi Jessica – can I just say how much I enjoyed your articles on Naples and your honesty towards the city that has obviously captured your heart. She made her way into mine when I was 30, the first time I visited in 1985 and from which I have just returned after a third visit! Even though my parents came from Naples they hadn’t quite brainwashed me into thinking they had left one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Yes, they were homesick for the city they loved and had left years earlier like so many migrants in the 50′s, but they made a reasonably good life in Australia. The first time I saw her in 1985, fear hit me like a sledgehammer but after a week of living like a local, I knew I was hooked. It is hard to describe why this city gets under your skin the way it does – but it does. Yes, it’s noisy, chaotic, dirty and in parts a little seedy, but it has a heart that is pumping so hard it will knock your socks off in every via, vicolo and vicoletto you may find yourself wandering through. I hope your readers listen to your advice and really get to know her – she’s worth it!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:42:36 +0000

I’m so sorry you had a bad experience in Naples, Mike! I wasn’t trying to do anything so specific or non-touristy as get a flat tire fixed, but I met nice people in several places – my hotel, the restaurants I ate in, the dock area… I don’t know how much time you spent in Naples, or what else you did besides try to fix your tire, but if you’re basing your opinion on a few people at the shop who ignored you or were rude, that’s probably not going to be an accurate representation of the locals.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:02:52 +0000

I should have read your review before I went to Naples. I had a very trying time a week ago seeking the repair of my bike’s flat tire. Maybe it was my non-existent Italian language skills, but the people seemed to be downright hostile to my presence and request for assistance. Two gentlemen working on bikes would not even acknowledge my presence. I might not understand the language, but the reception by the Neapolitans told me it was best that I be gone. I had intended on staying overnight in Naples but wound up getting the first boat to Sorrento. How did you find the nice people?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:22:07 +0000

That’s a great line your husband used, Kathryn.