Naples Warnings Or Dangers

No matter how tempted you might be, don't put your credit card into the tollway pay machine. Get a prepaid card, use coins, or one of those little things you attatch to the window that will alert someone to automatically deduct the money from your bank account. The machines often malfunction and keep cards... Then the gates will come down and alarms and bells will start ringing... Then there will be a flash of light as they take a picture of you, your car, and license plate... And then you will sit there while the workers try to figure out how to open the gate again...

No, they aren't mosquitoes, but their constant buzzing will begin to annoy you after awhile. Yes, scooters and Vespas are cute and great for transportation, but they are also a hazard to your health. I've seen whole families on a scooter, 3 teenagers riding one, and so on....always without helmets... They'll cut you off in traffic without a second thought.... So watch out for the motorbikes, scooters, and other two wheeled transportation. One of my Napolitano friends was out riding his motorbike at night one time. When he stopped at a stop sign, two motorbikes, one with one person and the other with two, pulled up beside him... One guy jumped off, put a gun to my friend's head...and to make a long story short... The three guys took off with my friend's bike and he had to walk home in the dark. So, just be careful!

Don't rely on your guide book to tell you which day is closing day for Naples' wonderful museums - I did, and I regret it!

My guide book said that the Capodimonte Museum was closed on Mondays, open the rest of the week. So - I thought it would be safe to delay going there until Wednesday - my last day in Naples. I would save it to the end, like a treat. Information I picked up in Naples confirmed that Monday was closing day at Capodimonte, and I triple-checked the information by asking the helpful clerk at the Archaelogical Museum. BUT nooooooo! I took the streetcar up to Capodimonte on Wednesday, and -- Lo and Behold, the doors were locked shut. It just shows to go you.

Anyhow, it just gives me an excuse to come back to Naples at some point in the future to resume my acquaintance with this fascinating city. And I would have missed out on some of the museum's greatest treasures anyway - their horde of Caravaggios were on tour in London while I was in Naples.

Plenty of accomodation there and convenient cos right next to train station but....

the whole place looks like one big rubbish dump.

when we step out from our accomodation, full of Africans selling cheap, plastic, fake stuff on streets

many suspicious looking groups of men around this area all the time, day or night

we were so frightened that we went to bed at 6 pm the first day we arrived in Naples

Naples is world widly unfortunatly famous for stoled wallet and big "PACCO"

let's talk about it:

POCKET PICKING

the most dangerous places are bus, metro , markets... commonly where ever people is pressed on people and it's easy to let your wallet slide out

so put it in an internal pocket if you have any
or espcially if you travel in group any body have a look to the other bag

if somebody push you
check quikly at your wallet;)
that's a smart way to stole it

before it was quite common also the "scippo"
guys on a vespa running fast take your bag (usually lady bag) or your clock for example if you are driving in the trafic

BIG DEAL

especially in the main train station area (napoli centrale - piazza garibaldi)
you will be for sure asked to have a big deal

there is people trying to sell (especially to tourist but not only) digital camera and video camera, mobile phones.All of them are the last model , all of them at a very good price.
They keep them in hands and let you try them.They let you put your sim card in the phone and make a call for example.So if the shop price is 10 you will pay 2.
Than the *** happen....you go home...open the bag and then you find a brick inside!!!
yes...a brick!
that's what they call "pacco" and it means that you have lost your money and have no chances to have it back.
When you gave him the money he (they are so skilled!) have changed your object with a different one giving you the "pacco".

You will probably also find people jokin "alle tre carte" the game of the 3 cards.They are all friends.You will never win even if it looks very easy to win.The only solution is not play(!).

BY the way

this tip is not to scare you
i think that if you are intelligent and smart enough you would never fall in this situation anyway.
Napoli it's a school of life
where it's hard to survive and you don't know if it's fault of these "thieves" or fault of who fall in this trapes

Enjoy napoli
and don't be scared;)

It takes statisically 10sec to have your wallet stolen. Make sure you carry a money belt or carry you wallet in front pocket. Women make sure you zip your purse and keep it close by.
Buy from the street vendors at your own risk as there are no refunds...even if you didn't get what you thought you paid for.

You better get used to the way of driving in Napoli the second you set a foot on the street! Scooters, cars, trucks, old ladies - whatever! It's just too busy & crazy! But it gives the city a special charm... :)

Yes, it exists. Most likely, nothing will happen to you. But you should be aware of what can happen and take precautions

For example, I think of myself as a seasoned traveler, used to dealing with gypsies and con artists in Rome, Barcelona, and other places, but was unprepared for the scippatori (snatchers) in Naples.

I was taking a picture, near the Duomo, in broad daylight, when a young man stole the camera out of my hands and took off on a motorcycle. I think it was the fact that I was a woman and alone which made me vulnerable. Yes there were people around (Italians) within 20-30 feet of me, who saw what happened and no, no one did a thing. (I did report it to the police - which was an interesting experience in itself. They were very kind but of course could do nothing but fill out papers.)

By the way, the train station in Naples is particularly dangerous. An Italian friend of mine had his wallet lifted there while his hands were filled with his wife's and daughter's suitcases. Con artists will try to "help" you. I just tell them to "go away" (vye VEE-ah.")

I know this all sounds horrible -- but Naples does have some museums and sites that are really worth visiting. I wouldn't hesitate to go to see these again. But be forewarned and act accordingly.

For emergencies, you can flag down a police car or call the police (carabinieri) by dialing the local emergency number, 112; you can speak to an operator in English.

The main police station is at Via Medina 75 (tel 081.794.1111); you can also report crimes at the small police station in Stazione Centrale.