Italy - Avoid Naples!

I visited Napels (Napoli) last week and was shocked to see that the garbage issue is still not solved. Garbage was everywhere piled up and the smell was horrible.The city doesn't clean the streets at all.

It is a shame that the weak Italian government is not able to solve the problems caused by the Italian mafia. It's a disgrace to the EU.

In the meantime it's best to avoid Napels at all!

Naples is one of my favorite cities in Italy. I live in NY so garbage doesn't bother me. Get a nose clip if it does, but don't miss this city. It's real Italy with great food and lively people.

Naples is one of my favorite cities in Italy. I live in NY so garbage doesn't bother me. Get a nose clip if it does, but don't miss this city. It's real Italy with great food and lively people.

and probably salmonella, ecoli and the runs. sounds like a great place to visit :rolleyes:

and probably salmonella, ecoli and the runs. sounds like a great place to visit :rolleyes:

You haven't been there, I take it... :rolleyes:

ecoli and the runs. sounds like a great place to visit :rolleyes:

I thought that was Germany :p

Edit: sorry, forgot.. despite spending several summers in Naples, the only time I had a very close call with salmonella was in Los Angeles

So I take it this is an ongoing/continuous problem?

I was in Naples in 2004 (the only time) and they were having garbage issues then! We have a family trip to Italy scheduled for fall - we are doing Rome, Florence, Venice. Would have tried to include Naples/Capri/Sorrento but time was the limiting factor.

Conflict between the municipalities and mafia is evident just about everywhere in southern Italy. My partner and I travelled through rural southern Italy last year from Bari to Sicily. Very evident in Reggio Calabria and parts of Sicily (Sicily seems to have the problem more under control overall, however).

Naples certainly has its own dynamic. From a vacation standpoint you're probably better suited spending your time in places like Rome, Venice, Florence, Amalfi Coast. But if you're looking to try a different flavor of Italy (and don't mind the pollution) then Naples is definitely your place...

Conflict between the municipalities and mafia is evident just about everywhere in southern Italy. My partner and I travelled through rural southern Italy last year from Bari to Sicily. Very evident in Reggio Calabria and parts of Sicily (Sicily seems to have the problem more under control overall, however).

and those are different Mafia's. YOu have Cosa Nostra in Sicilia, Comorra in Campania, and the worst, the 'Ndrangheta in Calabria (the worst) or Sacra Corona Unita in Puglia.

If you want go reading on the Calabrian "failed" state read the Wikileaks memos from the US Consulate in Napoli.

Sicilia is getting better, and there is the Addiopizzo taking hold in Sicilia. West is worst than the East of the island, though Catania still has problems in certain areas.

As for Napoli, I go often and have no problems. I've seen trash strikes in New York stink up areas also. I've been to worse places in this world, where they just don't pick the trash...ever.

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/naples-must-sees-and-see-what-happens/

Happened upon Trattoria Nennella on a random walk on my last trip there. Fantastic food and prices so cheap I wondered what the catch was. Also check out Dora's down by the water a few blocks south. Great seafood.

Naples is a diamond in the rough, and is far safer than many cities. The view of Vesuvio from the Renaissance rooftop garden at breakfast is a great way to start your day!

Timely NY Times travel post on Napoli:
http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/naples-must-sees-and-see-what-happens/?hpw

Homeward, they mention Nennella also.

I visited Napoli last December and this was one of my favorite trips in recent memory, partly because the city is not the typical western European city that one might expect. If you expect it to be clean and orderly you'll be hugely disappointed. If you treat it with a sense of adventure, you'll really enjoy your visit.

Naples is not your typical sanitized Western European destination. I wouldn't choose it for a honeymoon, but I loved it for its less touristy feel. Luckily at the end of November, when I went, the garbage stench wasn't bad.

Any particular areas in Naples to avoid???, rather be more careful??
We will only be there about 24 hrs. We are taking the train from Rome, than spend the night in Naples, The next day I want to go and see Pomigliano area, my father was stationed there in May 44. He was a USAF fighter pilot. He also was at at another base near there. I saw on google earth, the base is still there, but abandoned. Any suggestions on a reasonably priced hotel????
JK

I visited Napels (Napoli) last week and was shocked to see that the garbage issue is still not solved. Garbage was everywhere piled up and the smell was horrible.The city doesn't clean the streets at all.

It is a shame that the weak Italian government is not able to solve the problems caused by the Italian mafia. It's a disgrace to the EU.

In the meantime it's best to avoid Napels at all!
My family and I currently live in Naples or Napoli. It is a chaotic adventure. The food is wonderful and the people are animated. The city itself is rather dirty, but it is very charming in places. First and foremost, the garbage is NOT everywhere. It is piled up in many places, but the places where it is at, you really wouldn't visit or tour. YES, Naples is very different from other cities. That is half the fun. If you are avoiding Naples only because of the garbage then you will definitely be missing out on a unique adventure. Ciao!

Any particular areas in Naples to avoid???, rather be more careful??
We will only be there about 24 hrs. We are taking the train from Rome, than spend the night in Naples, The next day I want to go and see Pomigliano area, my father was stationed there in May 44. He was a USAF fighter pilot. He also was at at another base near there. I saw on google earth, the base is still there, but abandoned. Any suggestions on a reasonably priced hotel????
JK

We'll be in Napoli in mid-September for two nights and chose the Hotel Una ..

http://www.unahotels.it/en/una_hotel_napoli/napoli_hotels.htm

It's very economical with breakfast included in the cost and it situated very close to the train station for trips south to Pompeii etc. It has great reviews on trip Advisor. Mind you we find out in 2 months time.

Hotel Piazza Bellini...right down the street from the Museum.
You must go the Museum of Naples while you are there.