South Italy in 13 Days
Naples
We had some trepidation about spending time in Naples. Our research indicated a few red flags regarding unsafe neighborhoods and pickpockets. However, Naples became our favorite city of the tour.
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We were astounded by the striking views of Vesuvius throughout Naples and marveled at how enormous and sinister the volcano’s presence remains. The streets were rich with colorful graffiti, overstuffed shops, fanciful items and lovely people. One street appeared to be dedicated to the sale of a plethora of Christmas items. We enjoyed strolling and shopping through back streets in the evening. The lanes were bustling and brightly lit.
We explored the heights overlooking the city with two sisters from our group. A trolley ride took us to the top (and down). We were captivated by the neighborhood and just happened upon a fantastic restaurant. The patio had a remarkable view of the city with Vesuvius looming in the background. On our way back down, we struck up a conversation with a charming gentleman who happened to own a jewelry shop a short distance away. He was emphatic about having us stop in. The items were entirely out of our comfort zone!
When we got lost on our return to the trolley we asked a group of local students for directions. They were happy to assist us. We loved the National Museum and our tour guide. She selected important rooms in the gallery which allowed us to relax and enjoy ourselves..
We had a lovely but poignant final dinner with our tour mates. The next morning, after a tearful breakfast we said “Ciao!” A couple from the tour, with whom we connected, joined us in the taxi to the train terminal and we helped each other navigate our way to the correct boarding area. Mary and I loved the scenic train ride back to Rome.
Salute
We adored our Rick Steves Tour of southern Italy! It was breathtaking. Our main tour guide was engaging and intelligent. Our fellow tourists were all lovely, sincere and authentic. We were surprised by what a tight-knit group we became. The itinerary was exceptional; the activities were outstanding. The additional guides were personable, knowledgeable and helped the museums come alive.