Train trip from Naples to Scalea "our first trip abroad

[leonardo]

well david finally putting pen to paper. I won`t bore you to much i`ll start from when we flew from coventry airport that was in march the flight was pretty good 2 1/2 hrs landed in Naples.

We took a taxi ride to our hotel into naples what an experience that was, the taxi drivers are total nutters but we did manage to get to the hotel in one piece :-). At about 10:00pm he charged us about about 16 euros a bit pricey but it was worth that just for the ride.

We meaning my wife anna my son andrew and myself stayed at the "hotel garden" ( www.hotelgardenapoli.it ) it was only for the one night the cost approx 90 euros for the three of us in one room. We went out for a bite to eat about 10:30pm also to look for the railway station about 200 metres away. The area is a bit run down but it grows on you given the time, I`m sure naples is wonderful place.

Anyway next day we went to catch the train at the central railway station, luckily there`s an old guy who helped us get the tickets for scalea and showed us the ropes we gave him a tip about 4 euros; Yes I know too much but he was very helpful. Luckily my wife can speak italian so that came in very useful.

The price was about 32 euros for all 3 of us 2nd class and the train left about 10:30am and it took us about 3 1/2 hours. I must say we really enjoyed it and the views were wonderful . we arrived in scalea about 02:00pm and took a taxi to our appartment approx 500 metres away which i didn`t realise otherwise we would have walked.

We stayed for a week in scalea and I must admit would love to go again the weather was very mild compared to England in march and the locals once they get to know you are very friendly, the beach and the sea was different with being a volcanic beach and the sea so blue.

You cannot visit scalea without visiting the old town ll centro storico. on leaving scalea we caught the express train back to naples which cost us about 48 euros for all 3 of us and a compartment of our own with air con as well. On arrival at naples we had time to do a bit of site seeing then we caught the bus just around the corner from the railway station to the airport which cost us 3 euros each and the rest they say is history

I wrote this just to let everyone know just how easy the train is, it is definitely a viable option for visiting this beautiful area. Ciao

[CAZZDRAZZ]

Originally Posted by leonardo

well david finally putting pen to paper. I won`t bore you to much i`ll start from when we flew from coventry airport that was in march the flight was pretty good 2 1/2 hrs landed in Naples.

We took a taxi ride to our hotel into naples what an experience that was, the taxi drivers are total nutters but we did manage to get to the hotel in one piece -). At about 1000pm he charged us about about 16 euros a bit pricey but it was worth that just for the ride.

We meaning my wife anna my son andrew and myself stayed at the "hotel garden" ( www.hotelgardenapoli.it ) it was only for the one night the cost approx 90 euros for the three of us in one room. We went out for a bite to eat about 1030pm also to look for the railway station about 200 metres away. The area is a bit run down but it grows on you given the time, I`m sure naples is wonderful place.

Anyway next day we went to catch the train at the central railway station, luckily there`s an old guy who helped us get the tickets for scalea and showed us the ropes we gave him a tip about 4 euros; Yes I know too much but he was very helpful. Luckily my wife can speak italian so that came in very useful.

The price was about 32 euros for all 3 of us 2nd class and the train left about 1030am and it took us about 3 1/2 hours. I must say we really enjoyed it and the views were wonderful . we arrived in scalea about 0200pm and took a taxi to our appartment approx 500 metres away which i didn`t realise otherwise we would have walked.

We stayed for a week in scalea and I must admit would love to go again the weather was very mild compared to England in march and the locals once they get to know you are very friendly, the beach and the sea was different with being a volcanic beach and the sea so blue.

You cannot visit scalea without visiting the old town ll centro storico. on leaving scalea we caught the express train back to naples which cost us about 48 euros for all 3 of us and a compartment of our own with air con as well. On arrival at naples we had time to do a bit of site seeing then we caught the bus just around the corner from the railway station to the airport which cost us 3 euros each and the rest they say is history

I wrote this just to let everyone know just how easy the train is, it is definitely a viable option for visiting this beautiful area. Ciao

Ciao Leondardo

We have used the train many times in Italy and we always find it fine glad you enjoyed the experience and I'm sure once you get to know Napoli more you will learn to love it just like we do!

Napoli has it dangers but as long as you don't walk around like a tourist swinging your cam or your jewels you should be fine.

Have a real look around at the sites next time its so well worth it.

Scalea is wonderful yes the locals are really lovely we can actually say that so far so good we have found the people in Scalea to be nice. The beach is lovely its that crystal water that does it for me.

Centro storico is just beautiful like all of them in Italy just amazes me every time . We have eaten twice in the Centro Storico and have been pleased with the food and serivice each time and of course the wonderful surroundings.

When are you guys going out there again?


Cazz

Just a word of warning. We had to change trains in Naples the other day and I jumped on the train ahead of my friend (elderly, not that mobile) with some luggage and when I went back to get her and her luggge on found she'd been 'taken over' by a gypsy who had grabbed her lugage and hussled her onto the train. I paid up to avoid hassle. My friend said she felt her feeling around her clothes but luckily there was nothing getatable. If anyone tries it on 'Va fa in culo (pronounced coolo)' would be a useful phrase. Having said that, there are elderly men around to help with luggage that I wouldn't mind paying and should be treated OK. Keep your loot in your knickers might be a byword! Happy travelling!

[CAZZDRAZZ]

I'm glad someone is putting their loot in their knickers this is the way to go we always do this Naples is beautiful don't be put off but you have to have your full wits about you. Men will help you on the train with your luggage and you may think they are being kind and they want paying after. Also watch out for the gypsie ( zingaro) in italian food and drink sellers they try to sell you stuff for a price.

Having said all of this I love train travel in italy but you do have to be careful it is however a wonderful expericence and you will meet up with lots of nice people on your journey from all parts of italy and other parts of the world.

cazz

Hi - a few more thoughts. The elderly men I said would carry bags had some sort of uniform so presumably OK. We had quite a wait between trains so left our bags in the left luggage and had a walkabout for the benefit of my friend and it is a shame that just having time to go around the station area doesn't really give an idea of Naples. Have you seen that the station's being transformed into a version of Rome station? Can I just say that I thought the 19 (?) euros taxi fare L paid wasn't bad. Going back we took the through train to Rome Tiburtinia If you don't have bags it's only a short trip on the metro to Termini but we took a taxi (10e so not bad) to get to the Ciampino bus drop. Agree about the train travel. One bad thing this time - the toilets made anything any Brit line had to offer like an op theatre but....all experience! Tra.

That's Tiburtina - now back in UK can't use the excuse of the keyboard anymore for typos!

[leonardo]

ciao cazzdrazz / margaret just a quick reply for now . thankyou for taking the time to reply. yes we would like to go back to italy but when not quite sure depends on the cash flow as usual :-) .cazz we found even the area just around the central station in naples fascinating of course when we got home it was a question of if only we did this if only we did that but that just makes more to look forward to the next time we go . thanks for the advice margaret i learnt a few italian swear words from my mother inlaw when she was alive bless her but luckily we didn`t have to use any ciao for now leonardo

[CAZZDRAZZ]

Ciao Leonardo/margaret

nice to hear from you both and to know that other people are enjoying expericences of napoli too!( I AM A NAPOLI LOVER) I haven't noticed anything differant as of yet about the train stazione in napoli will have to check out that next time. Yes leondardo one always wishs one had done this and that ! We feel like that every time we go to Italy!! Our Tropea trip was a well worth one you MUST go there its about hour and a half drive south of Scalea.


ciao alla prossiama glad you didn't have to use those words from your mother in law!

[CAZZDRAZZ]

prossima

[Margaret]

Hi Cazz and L -
think it will be a while before the staion at Naples changes much - they've just got the boards up - thought maybe there's a big hole in the ground behind them! Re other note - great idea about choosing somewhere to meet. ?Silver
PS Just as well you or I don't type for the UN or there'd be new wras (e.g.!) breaking out every day with our typos - even Uk v. Italy!

[CAZZDRAZZ]

Hi M


where is Silver? I just getting to know Scalea its gonna take some time.

Yes anything started in Napoli is like started and never finished!!

Cazz

Hi Cazz - See under Restaurants - L&B have written about Silver as well. It seemed a good idea as near centre but David says it's closed in the winter so that's that. He mentions Il Corsaro which seems a good idea. Like you, we don't really know Scalea well. We're hoping to be out again beginning of Dec. Hey L - check out those cheap flights! - and cheap bullet-proof vests etc for Naples as it's worth a closer look - on your way to Scalea of course!. There's an article about it in the October issue of "Italy" which pretty well says it all. As a lot of people seem to pass through Naples on their way, wonder if anyone else has 'done' the excavations under the Duomo and some other nearby churches. Incredible - back through Roman to Greek to... Anyway, C, L and all - happy cheap flight hunting - we're doing just that now.

[CAZZDRAZZ]

Hi M

nice to hear from you hey this is becoming quite a habit. Its going to be nice meeting up. We were gonna go over in December but we have kinda thought we may not now as cash flow bit bad at the moment but we will keep it open in case . Hope you have a fab time when you go will want to know what the weather is like for you over there.


It never occured to me to get bullet proof vests for Napoli are you serious?

We have been so many times to Napoli and not yet had a problem but yes we are aware of the crime there its just thats part of Napoli that it has that mad dangerous charm not that we love crime filled places but the city is so exicting and beautiful we love the Mergelina area its just breathtaking and its so fascinating mixing in with the local people.


However saying all that having such a love affair with the city how glad and relieved and relaxed we are when we finally arrive at our wonderfuly save haven of Scalea.

One defiantly cannot beat that 2/3 days in Napoli and your heading for a nervous breakdown!! Laugh only those that have expericenced the real Napoli will really know what I mean and thats why Scalea is just so appealing as its so italian and its so safe and has everything you can want for a relaxing time


cazz