We are motor homing down to Italy at the end of May this year, for 3 weeks
We wanted to do Florence, Rome and Naples...
Are we mad?!
I am pretty sure we could do Florence and Rome, but is Naples stretching it? We also hear horror stories about attacks on m/homes in Naples...
I was looking at Tim and Cary's postings re their travels to Italy.
We shall be travelling from Calais, and I have done a route using Microsoft Autoroute which I shall tie in with our satnav.
We always avoid toll roads, and being older I am quite happy going along at 55mph.
I always regard the travelling as part of the holiday, so any suggestions re the route??
------------- John Winlow
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
have never been to Naples but met a couple from York a few years ago in Florence who had been all over Italy and said Naples - never again! They hated it but I can't remember why. Hopefully you will get someone along soon who has been and can advise (hopefully advice to the contrary for you!!).
No one who wants to visit Italy is mad If you are retired why not take a bit longer? Rather than Naples why not think about Sorento, you can always get the train in. All the original artifacts from Pompeii are in the museum there. I would also try and include Siena as well, nicer than Florence in my view. As to route you have many options. We tend to use the Brenner motorway into Italy but you can go via Switzerland or France.
We went as far down as Pompeii but decided to give Naples a miss because of a)time and b)adverse publicity.
Pompeii is well worth a visit, and Herculaneum is meant to be even better! There are loads of sites near the Pompeii excavations.
That same year we also visited Florence, Rome and Venice, plus lots of other places in between. We took almost 4 weeks, so it is possible!
Sorry - can't agree that Siena is better than Florence!
Florence deserves a fortnight if you want to see all the Artworks and churches etc.
Climbing the Campanile in Siena was an interesting experience though!
To be honest I like Naples as I do most of Italy in 10 years never had a hint of trouble. Just use common sense and I am sure you will be fine. There are parts of the UK I would not take a motorhome Naples is no worse.
From Rome I would personally just use the Autostrada in Italy it really is not worth any other. Just to give an idea Como to just below Naples in a big van 52euros.
From Calais - Brussels - Luxembourg - Metz - Nancy - Epinal - Basel - Como. All toll free apart from the tax for Switzerland. 200 miles less than going through Austria as well.
Quote: Originally posted by allie sommerville on 15/2/2010
Sorry - can't agree that Siena is better than Florence! Florence deserves a fortnight if you want to see all the Artworks and churches etc. Climbing the Campanile in Siena was an interesting experience though!
I should have perhaps qualfied why I said what I did. Can't argue about Art and all the galleries, second to none and probably one of the greatest concentrations in one place anywhere, I love that part. However if that is not your thing Florence I always find is scruffy in comparision to Siena.
We spent 10 days in Florence and did a fair bit of travelling about - Siena and Lucca are beautiful places and although I didn't love Pisa, I did think the leaning tower was spectacular. Although I enjoyed the holiday I was a bit bored by Florence by the end of the 10 days though and had wished I had gone for only 7.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
When we were in Naples, I was approached by a local Caribiniere who advised me to keep all valuables undercover and inside clothing. That said Naples is a very interesting city to visit although I would suggest staying outside the cty and using the cheap public transport to visit. Compared to other Italian cities, I would describe it as a 'Shock'.
There is a site at Pompeii which is well used although I have never stayed there. We normally stay in Sorrento. From there, the Circum Venusia railway takes you into Naples via Pompeii and Herculaneum. There is also the ferry for a trip to Capri and the Amalfi coast.
Whilst a Florence, take in San Giminano with its tower, Sienna (the Palio is a magnificent spectacle) In my opinion, the Field of Miracles is the only thing worth seeing in Pisa and that is magnificent.
The route of France, Belgium, Luxemborg, France via Nancy, Epinal Mulhouse to Basle is toll free. After that Switerland has the Vignette for Motorways and Italy tolls for theres. It would be a slow journey without using the toll roads in Italy for the mileage you wish to cover in 3 weeks.
The site we stayed on at Pompeii was Campeggio Zeus. Right next to the historic site so you can get there before the coach-loads turn up!
The vignette for Switzerland is worth forking out for, as it will save you on fuel in the long run. Those winding grinds uphill certainly take time and use up the juice ...
Plus it lasts a year, so you might be able to fit another trip in before it runs out.
I worked Caserta just outside Naples for 4 years. It is just 2 hour drive from Rome. Food and scenery are the best in Italy - crime is horrendous, partly due to 25% unemployment and the mafia (camorra) rules. In and around Naples you will find shanty towns, where illegal imigrants live - Naples is one of Europes main entry points for immigrants, all run by the mafia of course. There is a good chance that rubbish collectors will be on strike (rubbish collection is all Mafia run) and there will be piles or refuse on every corner. You will be amazed that a European city could be so poor and deprived. I am not sure about campsites, but the safest hotels are owned by the Mafia.
This all may sound like a bit of an exaggeration - honestly it is not
On the plus side, Naples is one of Europes most beautiful cities, with an abundence of culture which is completely in contrast to the deprivation. Also, head to the Amalfi coast - it is beautiful and relatively crime free.
Driving in Naples takes a real sense of humour - it is great fun in a company rental car (btw I never had a scratch). One 4 lane stretch of Autostrada frequently has 6 cars abreast all doing 40 mph!
Thank you all for advice and suggestions. It took me a while to find this posting again, but I shall print off all your suggestions and provisos.
THAT'S why we were going on down to Naples... to see Pompeii and Herculaneum -as well as the bay.
Thanks Peeps.
Thank you all for advice and suggestions. It took me a while to find this posting again, but I shall print off all your suggestions and provisos.
THAT'S why we were going on down to Naples... to see Pompeii and Herculaneum -as well as the bay.
Thanks Peeps.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Goin` on down to Naples..
If you are retired why not take a bit longer? Rather than Naples why not think about Sorento, you can always get the train in. All the original artifacts from Pompeii are in the museum there. I would also try and include Siena as well, nicer than Florence in my view. As to route you have many options. We tend to use the Brenner motorway into Italy but you can go via Switzerland or France.
