Already been to Rome? Try Naples
I LOVE Italy. It’s a country I want to spend time in at least once a year, ideally in the shoulder seasons of May or September. By early May, Rome and anywhere in Italy that’s south of Rome is already summery and magical. Sardinia easily is my top choice if I want to take a beach holiday within Europe, even if the water is a little bit on the cool side. However, I’d want spend a week or two in Sardinia, and sometimes I’m more in the mood for a city break.
Where does that leave me? Naples.
Naples is a great choice if you’ve already been to Rome and still want to stay in southern Italy. Naples has a reputation for being a little on the gritty side. However, I love that. It’s like Brooklyn, whereas Rome is more like Manhattan (not really, but hopefully you get what I’m trying to say with the comparison).
If you want a break from starring at the walls of your flat on the weekends, and you quite fancy stuffing your face with Italian pizza and gelato, then get yourself to Naples. Instead of spending your weekend at home, spend it in Naples in a coffee shop drinking espresso and practicing your Italian.
The average temperature in Naples in May is 23C, and May is one of the least rainy months of the year, so what I’m saying is that now is the perfect time to go. As well as checking your standard flight search sites, also look at budget airline sites.
If you’re trying to stay on a budget but are over 1* hotels then you can start familiarizing yourself with all the websites that offer last minute deals on more luxury properties. For example, sites like Priceline and Hotwire, where you pick your star level but then get a mystery hotel. This also saves you the hassle of actually choosing a hotel, which can be a pain since it often feels like every hotel has at least some bad reviews. Naples is place where it’s nice to retreat to a bit of luxury at the end of the day.
Naples is a great place for a girls weekend, because you get eat, browse the shops, have a vino, and stroll along the seaside to get rid of your work stress.
If you’re going to do any activities in Naples that don’t involve eating and drinking, then try the backstage tour of the Naples opera house. The NYT has the details in their guide to 36 hours in Naples. Just like Rome, there are also opportunities to see some famous Italian art in Naples, but it can be a bit less overwhelming than in Rome.
What are you waiting for? Book yourself a trip to Naples!
photo credit: MarioMancuso via photopin cc
