Naples - To Do 18April2017 Naples Base ( Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore,San Gregorio Aremeno,La Neapolis Sotterrata,Da Carmela,Sorrento Day Trip, Mount Vesuvious and Pompeii tour, Capri Tour)

Naples - To Do
Naples - To Eat 

Naples - To Do

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Italy Multiple Hop Holiday Starting from Rome
18April2017
5Day4Night Itenary Rome (part1/3)
Train to Florence
4Day3Night Itenary Florence (part2/of3)
Train to Naples
4Day3Night Itenary Naples (part3/3)
Flight From Naples To Milan and back to Singapore.

18thApirl2017 Tue Day8 Travel Day to Naples
0938am departure Arrival 12:35 109.80€ for 2
Check in B&B Sirena Partenope and explore in and around Naples
B&B Sirena Partenope

 

Click here for ABBA location of B&B Sirena Partenope

Located near the port terminal, the area is a pseudo business area and pretty safe. But like all cities, take precautions when returning at night. From the outlook, it looks pretty questionable, but the rooms themselves are beautiful and fully equipped with free high speed wifi and clean bathrooms. Comes with morning breakfast as well!

Naples was used as a base for ease of getting to Sorrento, Capri and Pomepii as well as ease of getting to Naples airport to depart via Milan. Transport Arrangment can be made with the B&B, with a booked Taxi and a flat 20euro rate to the airport. Others have used Sorrento as a base to visit these commonly visited attractions as well.  

 Flat rate charges found in the cabs.

Click here for ABBA location of B&B Sirena Partenope

Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore

One of their large churches that got listed as a to-visit while in Naples. Its just located a few streets down from Gregorio Aremno.
Via San Gregorio Aremeno (10am-8pm)
(Artist work shops and stores producing and selling nativity scenes and individual accessories)

Pretty interesting street to walk down, and it's quite the treat to watch the workmen making the dioramas. The things may get a little repetitive after awhile, and for individuals who do not find interest in dioramas or nativity scenes, one may get board quick.

The walk way is still great for exploring the various shops and photo opportunity, with perfect lines stretching all the way down.

La Neapolis Sotterrata
(10am-6pm)
Underground
€9 for adult to enter.

A waste of time really. We probably went to the wrong underground labyrinth as there are several others when googling on-line. Its a little creepy as the lights are only motion activated and with a thin crowd, you maybe facing pitch dark rooms.

There are some accent points, but don't justify the entry price.

Dinner at Da Carmela

Ordered On:
18April2017
Sautéed Clams €10
*Simple, nice and repeatable back home. The clams were super plump and sweet.*
Scialatielli: Flat. It thick pasta popular on Amalfi Coast.
Allo Scoglio - Scialatielli with seafood €12
Con Gameroni - Scialatielli with king prawns, garlic, oil,
P.D.O. fesuvian pinennolo tomatoes €12
*Simple fair and generous serving of seafood. The huge prawns were sweet and delicious. The pasta however didn't really do it for me. A little to starchy and thick to my liking and it's like Chinese birthday noodles but up-sized. Upside to it, at least we know what affluent home makers in the Amalfi Coast enjoy.*
Total Fed 2 at 37Euros

The only reason we were here was because most of the eateries were open from 7 or 730pm on-wards. Hence another place that we just popped into where available to grab a meal to suit our schedule. 

Click here for half day walking trail

19thApril2017 Wed Day9
Day Trip out to Sorrento
Getting To Sorrento from Naples

Google maps and ferry website weren't updated and some were showing different information on cost to get to Sorrento from Naples. Cost ranged from €19 to £50 for a single way trip. The general travel time was about 1hr20mins. Furthermore, googlemaps didn't indicate Circumvsuvina as an option for travel to Sorrento.

The landlady at B&B Sirena Partenope shared that the ferries run only during summer and one could instead take the cheaper train option on the Circumvesuvina line from Centrale Station.

Costing €3.60 per person to get to Sorrento via train it's a damn cheap alternative and good way to explore the coast. The route has a stop at Pompeii as well. Train rides from Naples to Sorrento takes about 1hr20mins. 50mins for the express services.

I Giardini di Cataldo (Everything lemon tour)

Nothing at all. To list this as a to-do on websites in Sorrento is a joke. It's merely a shop front from selling all lemon sweet, liquor and more. However, it does grant you to get up close and personal with lemon trees though. That's about it.
Click here for ABBA location of I Giardini di Cataldo

Old Taverna Sorrentina

The old section of Sorrento is a wonderful place to get lost in its narrow street and alleyways. Loads of colorful shops and shopping.

We really enjoyed the walking street and what's fantastic is that they have things for sale to suit all budgets. The main walkways carry the bigger brands, whilst the parallel lanes have loads of mini boutiques and tourist targeted products. A fantastic day out to walk in and out of the various shops and the essence of Sorrento. 
Click here for ABBA location of  Old Taverna Sorrentina, Via Fuoro, 19/21, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy

Vallne die Mulini (Over grow flour mill)

An over grown flour mill that's been left alone since the 16th century. It's absolutely stunning with its own microclimate making a thriving environment for ferns to grow.
Click here for ABBA location of Vallone dei Mulini, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy

 Ristorante Tavern allegra
Opens from 1000-2339

Click here for ABBA location of Ristorante Tavernallegra
Certificate of excellence from Tripadvisor, Tavern allegra opened in 2010 which was once a stable area in the 15th century. Tucked just off the main shopping thoroughfare hides this restaurant.

Ordered On:
19thApril2016
Fried Calamari €8

*Pretty normal fry and could use a little more seasoning. Nothing special.*
Spaghetti Alle Vongole €12

*Superb. Pasta was nicely done, and not too salty. A large serving with sweet clams in a lovely olive oil/tomato sauce. Loving this simple dish*
Risotto scented with Lemons and Shrimps €12

*It sounded good on paper but it really lacked ingredients. Too much cream and I suppose cheese makes this a heavy a dish to finish. The fresh lemon zest was a nice idea though and could be used in other dishes.*
Fed2 €36

Nice food in a unique environment that's located midway through the walking street. A good pit stop. They have live music performances but am not too sure of their timings. 
Click here for ABBA location of Ristorante Tavernallegra

Panoramic Look out Point

Click here for ABBA location of Lookout point Piazza della Vittoria, 5, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy

Sorrento Train Tour
Adults €6 duration of 30-35min

Pretty okay as it saves you a lot of walking up/down slope. A quick overview of this small township.

You should go for this first so you get an idea of what to visit later, and where the best panoramic shots of Sorrento Coast are. Relativity informative and a fun ride around town. Only down side is one can't get off halfway.


There is a bus from Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast but the journey takes about an hr an a half. Online write-ups have suggested to take a bus up and boat for the return for different views. If driving, the driver won't have time to admire the view as navigating the winding cliff face is apparently quite a challenge. (We did not go to the Amalfi coast)
Click here for ABBA location of Sorrento Train Tour

Sorrento is a beautiful coastal township, that's predominantly a tourist town. The views within the town and along the coasts are breath taking and worth the trip down or as a base to visit Pompeii and the Island of Capri. Everything is within a 5-10min walking distance so driving really isn't required.

Return to Naples via Train.

20th Day10
Viator Pompeii and Herculaneum Day Trip form Naples
Tour SGD208 for 2 pax.  
Entry tickets are non-inclusive. For both attraction, the charges are at 22Euros total.
Click here for Tour Taken
 Highlights

- Full-day Pompeii and Herculaneum excursion from Naples
- Tour the UNESCO-listed ruins of Pompeii with a guide Learn about Mount Vesuvius’ AD 79 eruption that buried many of Campania’s towns for centuries
- Visit a coral and cameo factory, and then enjoy lunch in Ristorante Vesuvio 

- Travel to Ercolano and explore the ruins of Herculaneum at leisure, seeing monuments, fossils and mosaics

Pomepii

Our tour guide really brought the history to life. A self guided audio guide is possible but Pompeii is so huge that sieving through the can see and must see is quite the challenge. In fact some tourist had to ask for directions to where they wanted to go.

Pompeii is relatively accessible via the same train to Serrano, but the Herculaneum might be a little ways off and require some time wasting to wait for the public transport. 

Herculaneum

Same things as Poempeii, having the tour guide directs you to the pertinent point of interests and really helps retain the attention and leaves you with a better sense of what life was like back then and the horrors when Mount Vesuvius erupted. 

Pompeii or Herculaneum?
was the tour worth it?

I'd say to go for both. Although Pompeii is the more famous of the two, because of the difference in volcanic ash/mud, each have their very clear differences and uniqueness. 
Pompeii 80% uncovered, but much of it was badly destroyed by the volcanic eruption. However the casting of encased victims really drives home the horrors of what the victims faced during that time. 

Herculaneum, 20% uncovered, was however hit by Volcanic Mud. Because of that, much more could be preserved, retaining much of the original structures, tilings and mosaics. Both have their different charm, but together paint a complete picture of what life was back then.

Entry tickets are non-inclusive. For both attraction, the charges are at 22Euros total.

The premium I worked out roughly if one were to travel on one's own and get the audio guide, the price difference is about 15Euros or more. Driving might be cheaper.

Although lunch was rubbish, the tour guide for both Pompeii and Herculaneum was incredibly helpful and narrows down the must see things. Not the best value, and could be cheaper if you drove yourself, but for the tour guide its especially important for the Pompeii portion! Whats great in any case, a lot of the ORIGINAL structures, mosaics are accessible to the public and its amazing how it is able to stand the test of time.

Click here for rough driving route taken 

 21st April 2017 Day 11 Capri Tour Via Viaor
Capri and Blue Grotto Day Tour SGD230.37 per pax
Click here for Capri and Blue Grotto Day Tour

- Round Trip Jetfoil transfers from Naples or Sorrento.
- Travel around the island by minibus and taking in the views
along the famous Mamma Mia Road.

- Sunset Dinner at Ristorante Lo Zodiaco specializing in seafood.
Pasta dishes such as patcher with sea truffles to the seafood scialatielli (long square types of spaghetti originally from the Amalfi Coast.)

- Marvel at natural wonders like the Faraglioni rocks and the Blue Grotto 
- Small-group tour ensures a personalized experience

Moving about on Capri Island

From online research and the guide, getting around on Capri island is very challenging. The boat ride from Naples to Capri costs about €22 per way (depending on service provider). Internal bus transfers often have long queues to get from point to point. These main cross roads are the Harbor, Capri and Anacapri. 

There are public and private bus operators which run the limited transport services on Capri Island.

Getting up to Capri via the tram without Pre bought tickets can take an even longer time with more queueing involved.

As time on the island is precious and with limited boats transfers to/from the island, lots of forward planning/Pre purchasing is needed. One maybe able to rent a scooter on the island at about €40 but circumnavigating the narrow roads and local traffic is challenging onto itself. Travel with care!

The main attractions are the blue grotto (weather dependent)/round island boat ride, Capri and Anacapri.

 Capri

 

Capri

Capri is the pricier side of town, with big brands available, while Anacapri is the cheaper side of the island with many products for sale. Both have their different charms, panoramic views and are pleasant to visit.

 Anacapri

  Anacapri

Anacapri

The blue grotto tour is really weather dependent for the day. The seas have to be calm and a low tide, offering a small window of opportunity for the lucky few to take a small boat through the entrance. However, a plan B (which we did) is to take the round island boat tour at €18 is just as rewarding, giving you great views of the island.

Capri To Eat Le Arcate Pizzeria Ristorante
(came recommended by Tour Guide Michael
for good eats and a place he'd bring his friends and family)

 Ordered on:
21April2017
Seafood pasta and Anchovy, tomato pasta.

*For the first time, warm bread rolls. The pastas were great here and one of the better ones had as compared to the many other places in Italy. Nice cook, good flavor and service.
Would recommend this as a stop for a good meal.*

Was the tour worth it?

Very. With minimal waiting time and avoiding the logistical nightmare involved with moving around the island to hit the major spots is very challenging. Without local knowledge, or changing mode of getting to a destination, a lot of time maybe wasted in queues rather than enjoying the island. As our group was small, loads of in depth factoids could be shared and added to the relaxed tour. Unlike advertised on the website, lunch was on our own expense, but rest of transportation charges covered. Probably the only cheaper option would be scooter rental, but as mentioned the challenging roads aren't easy to navigate. 
 

Departure Home
22 April2017 Easy Jet2890 €273.46 for x2 with 20kg luggage 0900-1025

 SQ367

22April Departure 13:00 Arrival +1 0700
Entire Trip
5Day4Night Itenary Rome (part1/3)
Train to Florence
4Day3Night Itenary Florence (part2/of3)
Train to Naples
4Day3Night Itenary Naples (part3/3)
Flight From Naples To Milan and back to Singapore.