Trip to Italy, any advice?

Stay away from any areas that house the muslim immigrants as when I was over visiting family a few months ago they were causing a lot of problems in terms of harassing women, Stealing etc....

Stay to the large cities or rural countryside that only has actual Italians there as for the most part you will be a lot safer.
 
We had our honeymoon travelling around Italy. We hired a car in northern Italy, however were warned against it in southern Italy - and was glad of it. The driving standard around Rome, Naples etc is unbelievable. I've only seen worse in Egypt.

We went to the northern lakes first. They're gorgeous. Then we had a short flight to Rome and stayed there a few nights there. We were then going to stay in Naples, but when we arrived we moved on to a hotel in Pompeii. Naples was seriously dodgy. Felt like we were going to be mugged at any time.

Hotels in the cities are unlikely to have a pool, so the hotel in Pompeii with a pool was a luxury after a few weeks in city hotels.

We used public transport to go between cities, and a suitcase with wheels.
 
Italy is a treasure house of wonderful delights landscape architectural and spiritual
Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum. Read Pliny
Sienna and the Palio held on the 2 July and 16 August exhilarating in a medieval sense - love to take part!
Florence and the Medici The Cathedral was unique for its time - Brunelleschi
The Amalfi coast. Lake Gardia in the North
The large towns in Italy tend to be uncertainly expensive

Course come Sept Italy could have its beaches filled with migrants arriving as Greece has been axed as an easy gateway to Mad Merkel
 
Campagnia (southern Italy) has a lot to offer. Naples, Capri, Ischia, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Paestum are places to visit.

This video should whet your appetite.

 
Raymond Lin said:
Avoid Naples, it's a hole.
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You wouldn't say that if you had experienced it all. I guess you've only been there for a brief photo shoot?

It's colourful, vibrant, historic, dilapidated, in places a hole and that is what makes it such an amazing place. Sometimes you never know what to expect around the corner. It's full of character and life, I love the place.
 
Cosimo said:
You wouldn't say that if you had experienced it all. I guess you've only been there for a brief photo shoot?

It's colourful, vibrant, historic, dilapidated, in places a hole and that is what makes it such an amazing place. Sometimes you never know what to expect around the corner. It's full of character and life, I love the place.
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Yes it was only brief but it left a bad impression. My friend went there too for a break and he hated it too. Actually you are the only person I've heard who like Naples.

Sure, it might not be Baghdad but where there are places like Florence to go to in Italy and many more, why go to Naples when you can help it?
 
We barely saw much of Naples, got the train there before hiring a car and heading down to Amalfi. From what I did see though, I wasn't keen on staying.

Florence is my favourite place in Italy though, definitely recommend it.
 
Raymond Lin said:
Actually you are the only person I've heard who like Naples.
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Never mind my love of Naples have been plastered around the forum :rolleyes: Selective sight I guess.

Once again I highly recommend it, unless you are dressed as Rich Uncle Pennybags or/and scared of your own shadow.
 
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One thing worth noting, (which may not be an issue for you as it seems like you are heading for the cities only) is that if you go off the beaten track or to non tourist areas, make sure you can speak at least enough Italian to get by, as in general the Italians in non tourist areas either don't speak much/any English or don't want to. its quite different to France and Germany etc.
 
I am half Italian and have been many times. It is quite a different kind of country depending on where you go. Cities thrive on tourism, so busy touristy areas are fine and the locals generally helpful, though there are pickpockets and more sketchy people in the bad areas as with any place. Remember that Italy is a little less PC than England, don't be surprised if you see some casual racism or homophobia, it rarely escalates beyond a bit of name calling.

Driving is dangerous. Italians seem to drive with their heart rather than their head. Not really a way to explain it, just expect them to be selfish risk takers and you wont be caught off guard. I wouldn't drive in the south unless you speak some Italian, tends to be rougher and being a foreigner in the bad parts leaves you open to being exploited or mugged if you seem like an easy target and come across the wrong group.

I have been all over the place and am from the north near Milan.
 
As mentioned before Sorrento is a good base for exploring Campania:

We’ve stayed in the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria many times and done the following:

Pompeii and Herculaneum by train not car.
Naples by train.
Naples/Capri/Ischia by hydrofoil/jet boat.
By car up to Monte Faito from Vico Equense for the view and to escape the heat. There is a scary old hairpin descent into Castellammare di Stabia you can try.
Close by to Nerano for the beach.
The Amalifi Drive for the spectacular.
Positano for cakes and dress shopping.
Amalifi for the cathedral.
Go to Ravello for lunch and the views.
A long way to drive but the Greek temples in Paestum are spectacular.
Monte Casino and the Royal Palace of Caserta for long days out.
 
Rich1988 said:
One thing worth noting, (which may not be an issue for you as it seems like you are heading for the cities only) is that if you go off the beaten track or to non tourist areas, make sure you can speak at least enough Italian to get by, as in general the Italians in non tourist areas either don't speak much/any English or don't want to. its quite different to France and Germany etc.
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My dad went travelling around Italy for 4 weeks last year and has a little book to learn basic phrases and words as he is one who always tends to beat off track to absorb the actually culture of the countries he is in. I'm gonna grab it off him and try and pick up a little. I always find it a little ignorant if people go on holiday and don't even attempt to learn a little of the local laungage.

Cosimo said:
As mentioned before Sorrento is a good base for exploring Campania:

We’ve stayed in the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria many times and done the following:

Pompeii and Herculaneum by train not car.
Naples by train.
Naples/Capri/Ischia by hydrofoil/jet boat.
By car up to Monte Faito from Vico Equense for the view and to escape the heat. There is a scary old hairpin descent into Castellammare di Stabia you can try.
Close by to Nerano for the beach.
The Amalifi Drive for the spectacular.
Positano for cakes and dress shopping.
Amalifi for the cathedral.
Go to Ravello for lunch and the views.
A long way to drive but the Greek temples in Paestum are spectacular.
Monte Casino and the Royal Palace of Caserta for long days out.
Click to expand...

Honestly now after looking at all the links sorrento has to places im tempted to spend a week there as explore all around it.
 
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