Off to Naples for Easter and staying in the centre and wanted to go down and look at the tunnels that were covered in the recent BBC programme ‘Invisible Italy’.

I’ve tried googling but only seem to find official trips organised by tour companies. Don’t really like organised tours and much prefer to just turn up, pay the entrance fee and go for a wander. Is this possible, if so where do you buy the tickets?

Other than that was planning getting around by the local train and visit Herculaneum (rather than Pompeii – as though it might be a bit quieter), day trip to Sorrento.

The volcano looked okay, but I’ve seen a few larva lacking craters before.

Any other ideas or must do things?

Capri?

Was thinking Sorrento rather than Capri as thought I’d be able to fit more into the day as it’s quick to get too on the train rather than a boat ride

We enjoyed Naples on our visit. It has a more ‘gritty’ and local feel than some more touristy cities.

We got the train down the coast to Pompeii. Even at peak time I didn’t think it was that busy – it is a massive site.

Castel Sant’Elmo has great views over the city, and towards Vesuvius.

The coastal road Via Nazario Sauro becomes a pedestrian area at night. Its a great spot to eat and people watch.

Osteria Il Gobbetto is a cool little restaurant for lunch. Full of locals and cheap as chips.

I went on a walking tour with my daughter under Naples, great experience – with these guys – https://www.napolisotterranea.org/en/naples-underground/. I think we booked online, and the tour was escorted through the tunnels. Quite easy to get lost down there, so wouldn’t think they let people wander about.

If you want to go to Sorrento I’d recommend a boat trip to get there. Fast ferries, views of Vesuvius.

The highlight of our holiday was Pompeii though – absolutely stunning.

Oh, and take a camera! – https://www.instagram.com/p/590SfHLAmS/?taken-by=irvb

Capri is great. Ischia is good too – get the boat across and then a bus to one of the thermal spa ‘parks’.

Vesuvius is a bit meh. Been to quite a few craters.

Stayed in Sorrento once. Good as a base but towns further south on the coast (e.g. Positano) are more picturesque.

Capri is great, not that big and great to get ‘lost’ in. Sorrento is good but as irvb said get a ferry as the views along the almalfi coast are great. Or if you don’t mind traveling by bus on windy roads and have the time, get a bus. This also gives opertunities like the blue lagoon and almalfi itself.
Positano is OK just to stare at the wealthy. When we went there was alway at least 3 multi million pound yachts in the bay Inc Paul Allen’s Octopus which has its own personal submarine…..

Herculaneum and Pompeii are both worth a visit, but like you said, don’t do guided tours as they are very rushed to try to fit it all in. Your much better going in on your own and picking and choosing the bits you want to see.
Avoid mount vesuvius – it’s just a big hole in the ground…..

The Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino in the Chapel of Sansevero is the most extraordinary work of art I’ve ever seen.

Some of the best bits of Pompeii are in the Archaeological Museum in Naples. The adults-only room is not as saucy as you’d hope.

Try the pizza 🙂

Great part of the world.

We’ve stayed in Sorrento twice – and love it.
Easy to get to from Naples, we took the train, which goes past Herculaneum and Pompeii on the way.
Both sites are awesome and well worth visiting – however Pompeii can be hard-going if its really hot as there is very little shade.

Herculaneum and Pompeii are both worth a visit, but like you said, don’t do guided tours as they are very rushed to try to fit it all in. Your much better going in on your own and picking and choosing the bits you want to see.

+1 buy a guide book rather than guided tour.

We didn’t think much of Naples but to be fair we didn’t try very hard to get below the surface.

We took a coach/bus from Sorrento to Amalfi – amazing route but possibly the most travel-sick I’ve ever been.

Capri is great – there is a jet boat/hydrofoil thing that’ll get you over there quicker than the ferry.
The Grotto Azura is worth a visit if you are going to Capri.

We will be going back as soon as the kids are old enough to appreciate Herculaneum and Pompeii.

The Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino in the Chapel of Sansevero is the most extraordinary work of art I’ve ever seen.

Could not agree more.
Also the archaeological museum is worth half a day, but worth visiting for the Farnese Bull and some weird animal porn from Pompeii

And a wander up the via dei Tribunali or Spaccanapoli at night, just for the buzz

Cheers guys good advice there

Any other ideas or must do things? [/I]

Naples, unless it’s suddenly changed, keep your valuables safe and be careful after dark – I use to go there every other week for a few years with work.

Best tourist experience we had though was paying for a guide at Pompeii, loads of them at the ticket booths.

We had a couple of dodgy experiences in Naples so watch yourself. One guy in the station in the middle of the day wouldn’t leave us alone, kept going ‘what’s in your bag’ and then trying to open it and I eventually had to shout at him to get him to **** off but you worry about going confrontational in case he pulls a knife or God knows what.
Have fun! 😀

Just a quick update on Naples as I sit in the airport on my way home.

Fabulous place and totally unlike any of the other Italian cities I’ve been too. Very gritty and raw, with non of the ‘show’.

The old town was great in the day and even better by night. Street food and little bars some of the piazza’s were really cool as well.

Pompeii was good but Herculaneum was better, the underground tunnels in the city were the best bit.

Security – it felt perfectly safe both by day and by night in the old town. We were a little more conscious of our wallets but not overly so. I think the place gets a bit of a bad rep for pick pockets just be sensible and don’t wave 50 euro notes around