Naples - where to stay, where is safe?

OMG. This thread is a real frightener for any Gransnet travelers. It's always wise to take precautions ie don't carry a handbag, wads of cash etc. BUT what is the worse thing that can happen?? I would rather experience a place warts and all when travelling, rather than the touristy, overcrowded honey spots. Be careful but just go for it and live a little. Even if you are scammed you can dine out on it for many a long day! We travelled for weeks on a budget, independently on public transport round Spain and were terrified after warnings about Seville. In the end we stayed in a local, central B&B and the only person who tried to scam us was an elderly down at heel British woman.....

I stayed here at the Villa Manino when I spent a couple of days working in Naples last year. Very clean, very central, very friendly, and I felt perfectly safe as a woman on my own, obviously taking all the usual precautions in an Italian city. I walked to the rail station and took the train to Pompeii etc. Don't be put off, just go for it.

We vwent to Sorrento about 4 years ago and visited Naples twice. We went on the ferry once and on the train another time. At no time did we feel at all unsafe. Staff in cafes were lovely, the museum was amazing(stuff from Pompeii) Sure, it was dirty in places, but it was very interesting. We had a lovely simple lunch in a cafe in a side street but otherwise didn't stray to far from the main streets. Don't wear flashy jewellery, keep your purse safe and you should be fine. If you go to Herculaneum, be warned. Don't take a taxi from the station, it's only a 10 minute walk to the ruins! We didn't go on any prebooked excursions at all and went everywhere on public transport, including Amalfi and Vesuvuiio. Our Italian is pretty minimal but we mnaged very well. Good luck

I'm glad I don't see these direful warnings before I go off on my city breaks with DD.

Is Vienna ok? Have all the Harry Limes been successfully dealt with?

It's seems the usual thing for taxis from airport to city centres to have a set fare, stipulated by the authorities. Can't believe Naples is any different.

Going to Seville in the autumn. Glad to you found it to be ok lazigirl.

Jings you will just love Seville am sure, we did. Amazing cathedral and Alcazar, gardens, people and flamenco. Just don't engage with gypsies thrusting bunches of thyme in your face and trying to tell your fortune. Saw lots of tourists being intimidated and ripped off like this. We carry a false wallet in case of robbery with old credit cards and small amount of money, but never had to use it. As has been said on another thread, also fans of Rohan clothing with concealed pockets for phone and money. Means you don't have to carry handbag. If you are sensible then life is too short to start stressing about what might happen - think the best of people, BUT keep a look out for shabby elderly Brit lady!!!

I've got a fancy to go to Seville too. I've been looking for flights but can only find direct ones from London. If anyone knows different I'd be grateful if they'd let me know!

Maggiem. It's easy to get flight to Malaga from local airports then train to Seville - takes about 2.30 hrs I think, and you can buy train tickets before you go.

Thanks, Lazigirl, that's the only other option I could see. It would be doable,but maybe a bit of a faff for just a short break. We'll see.

Lazigirl what other thread? Interested in the info about Rohan clothing. Could you post the link to the discussion, please? We are going to look at what we have carefully before deciding what safety stuff to take. Has anyone felt the need to take a personal alarm or is that just completely pointless?

A few people mentioned Rohan on thread "what do you wear to travel in". Check out rohan.co.uk. Most of their stuff has concealed pockets, can be washed and dried quickly and is light to pack. We like it because we usually only travel with hand luggage. We are off to Sicily in October. I personally wouldn't bother with alarms. Sometimes if I feel it's a bit iffy I take sim out of phone & keep it separately, and sim is password locked (not just phone). Mostly people we've met on our travels are friendly and helpful, and it does help being older I think.