Is Naples really worth visiting?? Is it safe?? On Italophilia I have vowed to share positive experiences of my travels in Italy and I will continue to do so. But truth be told, when it came to Naples (Napoli) I had a very mixed mindset before my trip in May 2022. I think it had to do with the reputation of the city we read from online forums and blogs. While I knew many people in my community who adored Naples to bits, I was still hesitant till I visited the city myself. Being concerned for my safety as a woman and even as an avid traveler to Italy, I didn’t want to dislike the city either! So when the day came to take the Frecciarossa train from Rome to Naples, all of this was on the back of my mind. But I was SOOO WRONG! Naples is Magic!
La Magia- Naples is Magic
YES!
Call it a strange synchronicity of events or just the energy of the city, the moment I arrived in the city, I knew it was for me. I simply knew.
When I entered B&B Binario 39, something changed in me. It was a shift, an energy, a vibe that is inexplicable. I met the lovely host Francesco along with his brother and their friendliness and hospitality pulled me in.
In a span of 5 hours (I’m not kidding), I cancelled my plans for Lazio (another region where I was going) to spend all my time in Naples and the surrounding area.
That is the kind of strange synchronicity of events that hooked me in Naples. It was instant and energetic!
Original Plan
My original plan was Rome (Lazio)- Naples- Castellammare di Stabia- Lago di Bracciano (Lazio)
I remember calling my husband and telling him about cancelling the place I had booked in Lazio. This was so not me! I am a Virgo and being organized and planned is in my blood.
My husband sensed my confusion and knew I wanted some certainty from his side. He told to cancel Lazio and suggested me to speak to my dear friend Cassandra from Travel Italian Style. Cassandra is an expert of all things Italian and especially the region of Campania, her home. She owns a travel company (for crying out loud!) and I couldn’t believe I didn’t I think of texting her earlier??!
I immediately voiced my views to her through a voice note and even though they were all jumbled up, she understood them. She sensed the instant attraction I felt for Naples and pushed me to spend more time in the area.
Post this, I texted the B&B owner Francesco to ask if he had any rooms available for my dates. Unfortunately, he was fully booked on the dates, but he suggested me to look in other neighborhoods and even other cities.
After a 2 hour search and a couple of emails, Cassandra found me a B&B that was available right in the heart of Naples!! It was just perfect. I was almost about to tell the Signora that I’m coming when I received a message from Gabriel of Amalfi Flavors, a friend of Cassandra’s. He contacted me almost at the same time and suggested to consider visiting Salerno– an underrated port city that I had zero idea about.
A quick google search told me that it was the perfect base to explore the Amalfi Coast, a place that I was longing to visit since 9 years!!
WOW this trip was getting super interesting. Life definitely had other plans and Lazio just had to be seen on another trip.
Life and synchronicities
I still had a day before I could cancel the Lazio booking and so I thoroughly pondered on what Gabriel told me. He knew I wanted something closer to the area of Naples and what he suggested also made perfect sense.
Remember all of this was happening on my first day in Naples??! It was insane!
I was sitting having Caldo Freddo in a Bar in Napoli while Gabriel and I communicated over WhatsApp with an 8% battery. Cassandra on the other hand, was being the perfect soul sister and watching over me as I decided whether to cancel Lazio or not. She told me to take time senza fretta and knew that the right thing will happen for me.
And just like that
And just like that, amid countless Airbnb links and WhatsApp voice notes, I finalized to visit Salerno by the next evening!!
It was not an easy decision to either cancel Lago di Bracciano in Lazio or do something like this on the last minute, in full tourist season!
But my heart felt it was right.
I just wanted to be in Campania.
I’m so grateful to everyone involved in this decision including my dear husband who was offering support from India and meanwhile Francesco, Cassandra and Gabriel who understood my craziness, love and confusion on this.
It was the most random things I’ve ever done on my travels to Italy. But I am so thankful for the strange synchronicity of events and choices that led to this decision!
IT WAS MAGIC!
New Plan
The new plan looked like this– Rome (Lazio)- Naples- Castellammare di Stabia- Salerno (all in Campania)
Stay tuned for more updates from this mind blowing trip to the South of Italy! Can’t wait to share with you all!
18 Comments
7 Reasons why you should give Naples a chance – Italophilia
October 27, 2023 at 10:43 am[…] you’ve read my post Naples is Magic, you know that B&B Binario 39 had a lot to do with the way I felt about Neapolitans. It was the […]
Experience of Staying in Piazza Garibaldi, Naples – Italophilia
October 1, 2023 at 11:35 pm[…] was in two minds when I booked a B&B in Piazza Garibaldi, which was practically above the main train station of […]
Tracy
August 3, 2022 at 11:57 pmI was in Naples for a week from June 20th-26th. I absolutely loved it! I also visited along the coast for a day! Italy is a BEAUTIFUL country! I am so proud to be half Italian! Being in Naples was a whole vibe! I cannot wait to go back!
Italophilia
August 4, 2022 at 5:25 pmOMG I’m soo happy for you Tracy. This is so nice to hear. Italy is really beautiful and you are indeed lucky to be half Italian 😉
Pree
July 12, 2022 at 8:00 pmI’m happy you had a nice time in Naples! It’s one city I haven’t been to yet that I definitely want to visit… mostly I want to go when I’m absolutely ravenous (with a sweet tooth!) so I can enjoy all of the culinary delights!
Italophilia
July 13, 2022 at 11:32 amOh you must visit!! I know you will love it. Lots of delicacies 😉
Elfin
June 28, 2022 at 7:32 pmSo thrilled you enjoyed your stay and saw the soul of Naples. Not everyone gets it and it took me too a while to truly understand Naples. I love that you canceled plans and adapted them based on your instincts, that’s truly inspiring. And how wonderful that you got support as well. Looking forward to your updates!
Italophilia
June 30, 2022 at 11:12 amThanks Elfin. I have heard it from so many people now that it took them a while to get the city of Naples. I’m so glad you got it 🙂 Thank you for thr love xx
Kelly
June 24, 2022 at 8:14 pmWow cara, I love that you let your heart lead you on your Italian adventure! That is the true beauty of travel when we get pulled into the magic to unexpected destinations1 So glad you had a wonderful trip xx
Italophilia
June 27, 2022 at 12:18 pmThank you for reading cara mia. me too!! and yes that is my motto for life- do what your heart says.
Jeremy Dummett
June 24, 2022 at 3:26 pmI was wondering where next to explore in Italy having spent years visiting and writing about Sicily. I think you have convinced me that I should take a look at Naples. Can you recommend a B&B and/or a small hotel in central Naples? I aim to go there in the autumn once the schools are back.
Italophilia
June 24, 2022 at 6:02 pmHi Jeremy! That is awesome that you’re thinking of Napoli. I think you’ll love it. The B&B I stayed is this- https://www.airbnb.it/rooms/34376905?check_in=2022-06-03&check_out=2022-06-09&federated_search_id=ee9dc1ea-993a-4255-b38c-7429439f6f26&source_impression_id=p3_1649685286_ha337gI1bOv8XXE%2B
It is superb, I cannot stress enough. Even though the location not many people recommend, I took a chance, stayed alert when I was at Piazza Garibaldi and just enjoyed. If you end up booking, please give Francesco my best and tell him you booked through my reference.
Anonymous
June 24, 2022 at 10:23 amSo glad you enjoyed it and decided to stay!
Italophilia
June 24, 2022 at 10:44 amThank you, me too!!
KareninCalabria
June 23, 2022 at 4:49 amWow, exciting from the get go! Great to get the vibe, which you bring across beautifully to your faithful readers!
Italophilia
June 23, 2022 at 12:14 pmSo kind, Karen. And YES!! I hope to be there soon again 😉
Crisrina
June 21, 2022 at 5:12 pmI am sitting at the bus depot ready to leave Napoli right now. I finally managed to see Caravaggio’s last work today!!!!! completely agree with you Ishita and am constantly telling everyone how vibrant it is here, but everyone has this preconceived notion that it is not safe. Non è’ vero! Glad you enjoyed it. Lago Bracciano will still be there when you are ready to go- and you need to visit Paestum too. My bus to Foggia is just pulling up. A presto, Cristina
Italophilia
June 21, 2022 at 7:29 pmCiao Cristina! How nice you’re heading to Foggia. Have a wonderful time! And yes so true right? Those preconceived notions are the worst. I’m so glad I made it. xx