The Ruins of Pompeii

Okay, I wasn't planning to post photos about our holiday in Italy. However, I think it is a great idea to share our experiences, tips and what you don't do in Italy. My husband and I scouted around Naples, Rome and Florence for a week. I'm going to divide the posts as it's going to be a long blog, so without further ado!

First stop, Naples. Naples is definitely not a place you want to stay for long unless you are staying in high class area. Or somewhere around Sorrento, but we stayed in Napoli Centrale where the main train station was only 7-10 minutes walk from our B&B. Which I think for us was easy access, especially when you are travelling to different places around Napoli. We went to visit Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius and Herculaneum. However, Napoli Centrale is not a safe place to wander around. There were lots of refugees, beggars, pick pockets, you name it! The good thing is, there is a small army of soldiers and police 24/7 inside and outside of Napoli Centrale Station. Even in the squares and streets, the police and soldiers are everywhere. We were saved by one policeman when he saw us being harassed by one of the beggars asking for money and trying to lead us to a railway platform. The beggars won't leave you alone unless you ignore them. They're very persistent. But basically, the policeman told him to back off and leave us alone. The policeman asked us to stick with him and told us the right direction. The police and soldiers were very helpful with all the tourists. They guide and watch you. Just don't wander around Napoli Centrale Station. Beggars, refugees and pick pockets are everywhere! When you get there at the centrale station, ask the desk information or ticket guides to plan your route. Never ever hesitate. The ywill help you out!

Make sure your wallet is inside of your jacket and completely zipped up. Do not open your wallet widely in public. If you can, open your wallet inside your jacket, or put a few notes or change in a pocket. Even the local people advised us not to open your wallet widely in public. Do not display your fancy phone in public unless it's safe enough to use your google map or maps app. Pick pockets are everywhere! We were followed a number of times. We noticed them. We walked fast. Avoid them immediately! Local people are confident to use their phones in public but for we tourists don't do it. However, when you are in the tourist sites there is a completely different side to the story. Everyone can use their phones to take photos with their selfie sticks. Still, just be extra careful. Like I said police and soldiers are everywhere, inside and outside of the train stations, squares, streets and tourists areas. They're everywhere. So don't do anything stupid. They have guns and ready to shoot you! Beware!

Our three nights in Napoli Centrale wasn't too bad at all, apart from being paranoid and stressed about how to get to your location. Paranoid, because of the pick pockets and stressful to make sure you're on the right track. But it's all part of the journey especially if you are in a different country. You just got to watch each other's back! That's the best advise I can give to survive the journey.

Anyway for now, here's our photos from "The Ruins of Pompeii". It is one of the historical places that was buried with ashes along with the people, when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. My husband has been wanting to visit this place along with Herculaneum. So to be here, is dream came true. It's definitely worth seeing despite the rainy weather. To get there, was very cheap via train. Entrance fee was pretty decent. Just buy the ticket from the main entrance, nowhere else!

From Napoli Centrale Station to Pompeii Scavi Station: €2.80 pp (one way only, you got to get your return ticket from the Pompeii Scavi Station on your way back). Beware if you ask to go to Pompeii, they will send you to the main station in Pompeii, which means you will either have to get a taxi or walk to the ruins. So ask for Pompeii Scavia.

Entrance Fee: €15 pp

Take whole day trip to see the whole place.

The best month to visit the tourist site is January. There was no large cues of tourists.