I'm probably going to spend a week in Naples, but I'd love to hear your thoughts! I've heard that the city is quite dangerous and crime-ridden? I've also heard that "Neapolitans" aren't very welcoming and have a bad temper?
Is this true or just rumors?😊
It's true that Naples has a bad reputation, but I think the authorities have made a lot of efforts recently.
So, Naples shouldn't be much more dangerous than any other big city. The usual precautions are essential...
To back up what I'm saying, here's a little anecdote: two years ago, my parents went to the Bay of Naples. My dad trotted out all the usual clichés: Neapolitans are all thieves, they drive like maniacs (though that hasn’t changed), etc. After some discussion, we managed to convince him, and the trip could finally happen... The whole time we were wandering around, the car stayed wide open (the window down), and everything was still inside 🤪... I don’t have a better example 😎
I went to Naples with my family at the end of July for a long weekend. The traffic is chaotic and dangerous, and car theft is very common (almost every parked car has a huge steering wheel lock), and parking in the city is really difficult anyway. So in my opinion, forget about the car.
For exploring the city, some neighborhoods are best avoided, but many others are very interesting and easily accessible by public transport (metro + tram + funicular + bus) and on foot.
Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Mount Vesuvius are easily reachable by train from the central station.
However, be careful when exiting the train, as I witnessed two pickpocketing incidents (in 4 days) by groups of kids (no older than 12-13) with total passivity from other passengers and the police, even though they were present in the station’s main hall. It’s better to stay in the middle of the crowd rather than at the back!
All in all: the city and sites are interesting, but as always, take usual precautions (keep passports and credit cards in the hotel safe, no jewelry or cameras slung over your shoulder, etc.)
It’s highly recommended not to carry a handbag, ladies, or a camera bag...
About 10 years ago, my mom had her handbag snatched by guys on a scooter—strangely, right after she’d withdrawn money from an ATM...
The best thing to do is carry cash and documents close to your body, in your clothes or a money belt. You can never be too careful there.
I had the same apprehensions a long time ago—they’re now forgotten, and a stay in Naples and its region is always a celebration. I don’t remember any bad moods among Neapolitans, just a genuine cheerfulness.
You still need to be careful, though. I’d worry more about petty theft than aggression.
When I go, I wander through the colorful, lively neighborhoods during the day, and in the evening, I take one of the four funiculars to sleep in the Vomero district and enjoy the view of the bay. Vomero seems very safe at night.
I’d only go to Ercolano to see Herculaneum during the day—I wouldn’t sleep there. Pompeii, on the other hand, is very calm, and you can spend the night at a hotel. That said, I remember campers getting robbed while they slept.
I’ve never felt unsafe on the Circumvesuviana train that serves the Bay of Naples—there’s a conductor, and the passengers didn’t look shady. At the end of the line, there’s Sorrento, which is completely calm, but it lacks the color and "architectural madness" of Naples’ lower neighborhoods.
As someone here mentioned, Neapolitans have made a lot of effort to improve hospitality—museums are even regularly open. Europe has funded major projects in Naples.
I’d heard those rumors too, so I took a few precautions:
for my documents and money, no handbag, no cross-body strap,
no jewelry,
and I didn’t go by car.
So I have only great memories and no problems with the Neapolitans.
For transport: buses or the train.
I do the same in some cities in France and elsewhere—Naples isn’t exceptional! And you shouldn’t think there’s a thief waiting on every street corner.
Have a good evening
You can head to Naples without worry: Neapolitans are super friendly people and ready to help if you ask them. I barely speak Italian, but I had some lovely encounters that let me discover a different side of Naples.
It’s a really cool city with tons of history, and the surrounding areas are gorgeous too—though it does get cold in winter, lol.
I went to Naples last summer. The city suffers from its reputation for good reason in a couple of neighborhoods. When you arrive, you might be struck by the incredible chaos. The areas near the station aren’t safe to visit after dark, but otherwise, there are so many sides to explore in this city, where you’ll find the Italy of postcards.
For accommodation, I recommend the 6rooms hotel, run by Australians. It feels like home—it’s really nice. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate!..
Hey!! You're totally right, Naples is a bit dangerous at the moment,
but it depends on where you visit. For example, a friend recommended I check out Palm Concierge. Their team gave me some great tips and even found me a free villa with a sea view in Posillipo—it was amazing!! My final advice: hang out by the sea, like Posillipo and Vomero.
????
Seriously?
Replying to a post from 2005??? Are you trying to sell something?!
We’re three adults planning a trip to Norway in May 2027.
What do you recommend for the Lofoten Islands? We’d prefer to group the places to visit (flights, rental car...??).
Hi,
I’ll be in Barcelona at the end of October.
I can choose to be there over the weekend or during the week. Probably 4 nights.
Is there a big difference in terms of crowds in the city and in the museums?
Little or no difference would simplify my itinerary on the way.
Hi there,
I’m looking for some great tips for a stay in Palma de Mallorca this summer.
I need cheap flights departing from Toulouse and affordable accommodation for 4 people.
What do you recommend?
Best regards,
From January 1st to 4th, I’m heading to Barcelona for the first time. Beyond the tourist sites—which are going to cost me an arm and a leg!!—I’d love to spend a day off the beaten path and see some less touristy spots.
What do you recommend? I’ll be getting around on foot, by metro, or possibly by train if it’s not too far. I love both nature and cultural spots.
And one last thing—is Barcelona at night safe for a woman alone, or is it sketchy?
We’re heading to Norway for the first time as a couple for 8 days in December
I’m really torn about how much time to spend at each stop (and how many stops to make)
We’d like to explore the cities, visit the Christmas market, see some beautiful landscapes, and if we have time, a stave church.
We arrive in Oslo on December 5th around 5 PM and leave from Bergen on December 12th around 11 AM.
Initially, we were thinking:
Oslo from the 5th to the 8th
Train to Bergen on the 8th, then stay until the 12th
But now we’d like to fit Flåm into the itinerary
Do you think it’s better to do:
From the 5th to the 8th: Oslo
On the 8th: train from Oslo to Flåm (arriving at 3 PM)
On the 9th: a short fjord cruise, then the 2 PM train to Bergen (but then the Myrdal–Bergen stretch will be in the dark)
From the 9th to the 12th: Bergen
Or should we adjust the number of nights in each place? Maybe shorten Oslo? Add a night in Flåm? Skip Flåm altogether? I’m not sure 😅
Hello,
We’ve booked our flights to Tromsø from January 9th to 16th, 2027.
Now it’s time to plan our stay, and I’ll admit I’m feeling a bit unsure...
We definitely intend to rent a car, but what route should we take?
Should we book accommodation for the entire stay (7 nights) in Tromsø and do day trips (Sommarøy, Kvaløya, Lyngen, a day in Tromsø, a boat excursion, and then... what else?)? Or spend 3–4 days in Tromsø and hit the road for another 3–4 days somewhere else—but where?
I’d also considered splitting it: 3 days in Tromsø and 3 days in Målselv, so we could explore a different region by car and maybe try some downhill or cross-country skiing.
Is this area interesting beyond skiing?
During a recent trip to Lapland, we already tried dog sledding and snowmobiling, so we’re not planning to repeat those activities. Instead, we’d love to discover the landscapes and Sami culture.
I’d love to hear about your experiences or suggestions to help us plan our trip.
Thanks,
We're heading to Genoa and the Cinque Terre in mid-October for a full week. We're planning to spend two and a half days—three nights—in the Cinque Terre. The idea is to hike between the villages and use the train (or boat) for the trip out (or back). We're thinking of staying overnight, and I was wondering which village to prioritize.
We’re traveling next summer with our three kids, ages 9 to 15. We’ll arrive in Cork by ferry with our car. We’d like to stay several nights at each stop to settle in, take our time, and stay flexible depending on the weather!
What do you think of this 18-day itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrival around 9:30 AM, drive to Kinsale to visit the village and Charles Fort, then accommodation
- Day 2: Blarney Castle + Cork, then accommodation
- Day 3: Travel to Kenmare (stopping at Gougane Barra?)
- Day 4: Glengariff and surrounding area
- Day 5: Healy Pass + southern Beara
- Day 6: Gap of Dunloe + Kenmare and Reenagross Park
- Day 7: Dursey Island
- Day 8: Killarney National Park
- Day 9: Travel to Clare (stopping at Bunratty)
- Day 10: Kilkee + Loop Head
- Day 11: The Burren
- Day 12: Aran Islands
- Day 13: Travel day to Connemara (stopping at Roundstone and Dog’s Bay or via Galway?)
- Day 14: Clifden + Sky Road + beach
- Day 15: Diamond Hill
- Day 16: Kylemore Abbey + Killary Fjord
- Day 17: Drive back to Cork (stopping at Cahir)
- Day 18: Departure
Hi there, after reading a well-known travel guide, it seems like there’s a lot to see and do in Valletta (I’m only talking about Valletta itself). That’s why I’m thinking of spending 2 days there. I don’t want to rush and would like to get a complete overview. However, I’ve noticed that some travelers only spend one day there. For those who know the city well, what do you think? (I’ve also planned the Three Cities for another day, by the way).
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Our accommodation for 5 days will be near a "Carrefour by Deliveroo Hop." There doesn’t seem to be anything else nearby (it’s a very residential area).
I can’t figure out if it’s delivery-only or if you can also do your grocery shopping there. Does anyone know this type of store and could help me out, please?
Thanks in advance!
PS: I called, but I don’t speak Italian and the store doesn’t speak English—so they hung up on me.
Hi,
I’ve found my upcoming trip for February, and now I’m looking for a one-week getaway in April—somewhere not too far with generally nice weather. Any tips?
Best,😉
Hi, who’s familiar with the Algarve?
Lagos—should I go for a rental or a hotel? How do I get from the airport to the seaside, and how do I get around the city? What’s there to see and do?
Thanks for your ideas and tips!
Hello, VoyageForum friends, and happy holidays!
I’m planning a trip with my 19-year-old grandson to Milan for Easter Saturday, Sunday, and Monday in 2025.
I’d love your insights on what we can visit in Milan that would interest both my grandson and me (I’m 75). Of course, I’m thinking of the must-sees, but not just those—cozy little restaurants, trendy neighborhoods, and anything else you’d recommend. I’m also looking for a comfortable hotel in the city center that isn’t too expensive!
I’m sure the VoyageForum community will help me uncover some hidden gems! Looking forward to your replies.
Summer 2027 is going to be Norwegian for us!
We’re heading to the Lofoten Islands first, then Senja, near Tromsø, and finally the North Cape.
We’ll likely start from northern Finland (flight tickets and car rentals are more affordable there).
I’d like to book accommodations early to have more options.
Good value-for-money places go fast in these pricey Nordic destinations...
But where should we book?
We’re planning to stay around ten nights in the Lofoten Islands.
What’s the best approach?
One place in the central part and explore from there?
One place in the south and another in the center?
Or one in the south, one in the center, and one in the north (3-4-3 nights)?
Hi there, my husband and I are planning a trip to Iceland in mid-October 2026.
Would you have any advice on the best places to visit for a first trip to this destination? Thanks
Hi, I'm heading to Italy soon and I wanted to know if Italian banks charge fees when you withdraw cash at an ATM, or if, like in Spain or Greece, it's better to avoid taking out money and bring cash instead. Looking forward to your replies... Thanks
We’re planning a short trip at the end of July to explore the legendary mountains and valleys of the Bernese Oberland: round trip from Nancy (Swiss highway vignette planned), 2 nights in a room with a small kitchen in Adelboden, then 2 nights in a hotel at the Gletscherblick in Grindelwald, both with half-board included.
Could you share some tips on the best road routes to take, as well as some walking hikes (we’re not as fit as we used to be, so nothing longer than 2-3 hours)? Maybe also 1 or 2 cable car rides—I was thinking of Oeschinensee Lake above Kandersteg and the First gondola above Grindelwald for better panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau... all while keeping it doable with our schedule. We’ve ruled out the "premium" trip up to the Jungfraujoch for this time.
I’m also guessing that paying to access Wengen or Mürren only makes sense if we’re staying there for a few days, right?
- Is the road through the narrow valley of the White Lütschine toward Lauterbrunnen and beyond still worth it in terms of views and scenery?
On the way back, if we have a little time to explore Bern’s historic old town, what’s the best parking plan for a 1- or 2-hour stop?
Thanks in advance for your advice, fellow travelers familiar with this beautiful region! 😉
Hi there,
I’ll be in Rome from April 1st to 13th, 2026—it’s coming up fast!
I’ve been searching online for tickets to visit the Borghese Gallery, but either there’s no availability or the tickets offered are ridiculously expensive.
Could someone guide me to a website where I can book 2 skip-the-line tickets (I’ve heard you have to reserve in advance online)?
Hi everyone,
I rented a car through Klaus Wagen, picking it up in downtown Porto and returning it in downtown Lisbon.
After paying, I read some pretty negative reviews about them.
So, can anyone reassure me with positive experiences they’ve had with them?
Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
I’m heading to Setúbal at the end of June with my granddaughter, and I can’t seem to find clear info on the best way to get from Lisbon Airport to Setúbal. It looks like there’s a train or bus, but I can’t find the exact names of the bus (or train) companies or the precise departure points. Thanks if anyone can help me out! 😉 Just to clarify, I’m on a tight budget and have already ruled out taxis or similar options.
Hello,
We’re heading to Puglia at the end of May. We’re a senior couple. We arrive in Bari, where we’ve booked accommodation for 2 nights. We’ve rented a car.
Day 1: Bari
Day 2: Polignano a Mare – Monopoli
Day 3: Ostuni – Brindisi
Day 4: Lecce
Day 5 & 6: Exploring the coast from Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca
Day 7 & 8: Gallipoli area
Day 9 & 10: Matera
We’re considering renting a place near Lecce for 5 days and using it as a base to explore the region.
Hi there,
I visited the Faroe Islands in late March 2026 for about ten days. I was invited by a friend who lives near Tórshavn, so I don’t have any info on tourist accommodations or car rentals. Still, I’d like to share a few thoughts about my trip:
- Before leaving, I consulted travel guides and blogs. I was surprised by how repetitive and unoriginal the featured sites were. This leads hurried travelers to follow the same overcrowded routes, which can annoy locals. I found that all Faroese villages were interesting—they reflect the country’s identity, even without the iconic grass-roofed houses. Those are indeed harmonious and beautiful, but they feel like an exotic cliché. For activities, I loved the lively ports that keep the country running.
- I was annoyed by the paid trails in tourist spots. Locals explained that these paths cross private land, and owners are responsible for maintenance and safety. There are plenty of free trails, too—signs at the start detail their features. While not alarmist, the extreme and unpredictable weather is a key factor to consider before setting out.
- The wind’s strength really impressed me. The architecture, with doors and windows opening outward to prevent gusts from blowing roofs off, speaks to the harsh climate. Some days, relentless rain and squalls made going outside unappealing. I realized that in this country, it’s best to plan for flexible indoor days.
- Distances are relatively short. I was happy to be based near Tórshavn because it was easy to explore one or more places in a day. The roads are in great condition. In late March, diesel was 2 €. Tunnel tolls can add up (~26 € per crossing), making a fixed base less practical than I’d thought.
- Everyone agrees: the landscapes are breathtaking. Nature feels untamed here—except for the short grass, thanks to all the woolly sheep.
- The flight from Paris to the Faroe Islands (and back) was long in March—11 hours with three legs: Paris-Amsterdam, Amsterdam-Copenhagen, Copenhagen-Vágar. In bad weather, Vágar Airport can close, causing delays. During tourist season, Atlantic Airways offers a direct Paris-Faroe Islands flight, which is more comfortable and cheaper.
- I found a book recommendation in a guide that fascinated me after my trip: *Les collectionneurs d'images* by Joanes Nielsen. Through its sometimes caricatured characters, it offers a glimpse into Faroese mentalities from the 1950s to 1970s—attitudes that likely persist today.
In conclusion, I’ve traveled a lot and I’m tired of destinations that all start to look the same. The Faroe Islands were a delight—a country stunning in its landscape, climate, and culture, where tourism has barely altered its authenticity.
