And again: on the search for a parking place

After I checked out of my Airbnb in Atrani, I headed for Naples. Since the road was not far and I had all day anyway, I decided not to drive on the highway to save on the toll charges.

While first a winding road went up the hill a few kilometres and then down again, an exciting search for a parking space followed.

The further south I get, the more I get the feeling the Italians are driving like they have seven lives. Unfortunately I only have one. That’s why I decided not to go into Naples by car.

I had chosen a suburb and wanted to take the train from there to the centre. At the first parking lot I had chosen, you could only park with a parking ticket. For two nights of course not so useful. Next I was looking for a parking garage, but the one I found didn’t looked really trustworthy.

So I kept looking and found another parking garage half an hour away by car. So I went on my way and I was already thinking what I would do if I didn’t find a parking space.

After I got lost, because the traffic was very confusing, I took a break from the search and then headed for the parking garage. This was another one where I had to hand in the key, however it looked really trusting.

I dropped off my car and left some things in the car that I wouldn’t need in the next two days, which made my suitcase a lot lighter.

The last step to the goal

The search for the train station did not take long, but I was initially unsure if there really was a train station, as everything looked very deserted there.

I bought my ticket at the counter and the man explained to me where I had to go, so I found my train track very quickly. Only ten minutes later I was in town and another ten minutes later I was already in the hostel.

I really liked the hostel. It is quite large, modern and clean. When I got to my room, nobody was there and I was the only one. But it didn’t take long and the six-bed room was fully occupied.

Although I had not planned the time, I still had enough time to look around Naples that day.

Strolling around Naples

First I went to the nativity street of Via San Gregorio Armeno. On the way there, I noticed how different Naples was from other Italian cities or towns. It’s like it’s another culture. From the nativity scene I went on to Piazza Bellini, which didn’t impress me very much, but the Gesù Nuovo Church, which I went to next. The entrance was free, so I took a quick look inside. I was really impressed by the high, elaborately painted ceilings and the many elaborate carvings.

After visiting the church, I just strolled a little over the nearby shopping street, before I made a detour to the supermarket and then went back to the hostel.

And again: steps over steps

Since I had already seen some of Naples the day before anyway, I slept out the next morning and left the hostel only about half past twelve. First I went to Castle Sant Elmo. I was less interested in seeing the castle, but much more in seeing the view from up there.

In extreme midday heat, I went up the countless steps. Completely sweaty I came to the top. The view was really worth seeing but in my opinion Naples is not particularly beautiful to look at. I liked all the other cities in Italy much better.

After a short break up there I went back down to the city. The way downhill was of course a lot faster than the way uphill.

Passing the Quartieri Spagnoli I went to the Galeria Umberto. A mall that looks similar to the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele Mall in Milan. Although I have to say that I liked the mall in Milan a lot more.

From there I went on to Piazza del Plebiscito down to the sea. Because of the container ships and the industrial area, the sea and the port of Naples did not seem particularly attractive to me either.

Since I had actually already seen everything I wanted to see in Naples, I just strolled quietly through the streets. Relatively early I was already in the hostel. So I sat on the terrace for a while and read there.

In the evening I sat at dinner with some guys who came from Germany, Italy and the United States and we talked mostly about traveling. Since I wanted to drive 700 kilometres to Venice the next morning, I went to bed quite early in order to be fit for the long journey.