The Anonymous Widower

A Big Mistake In Naples

I know Naples well and I like the city a lot, but I still made a big mistake, by not getting a hotel right in the middle and preferably by the station.

I choose to stay at the Holiday Inn and it all went well getting there as the taxi was just ten euros.

I then needed to get back into the city to have something to eat. I wanted to get to Umberto’s restaurant, which is one I’ve used before that is very celiachia-friendly.

I thought there would be a bus, as coming in, I’d noticed the stop on the other side.  But the guy at reception said that the only way to get back to the city centre was to take a taxi and he would call one. Like an idiot I believed him.

The taxi driver appeared about twenty minutes later and insisted I wanted to go to Pompeii.  I ignored him and felt that perhaps the best thing to do was take an early night.  He then called the receptionist and as I was hungry, I negotiated a trip to Umberto.  I didn’t get the direct route and it cost me twenty euros to return.

But at least the meal was worth eating, even if I was a bit stressed. I finished the meal off with this ice cream.

Ice Cream at Umberto’s

It tasted as good as it looked. But then I trust Umberto’s, as everything gluten-free is clearly marked GF. And they even do gluten-free pizza!

Coming back, they sorted the taxi for me and I got back to the hotel for fourteen euros. As they said, I should have got a hotel in the centre.

The room in the Holiday Inn was actually quite comfortable and good value.

In the morning though, when asking another receptionist (female) how to get to the city centre, she gave me the timetable of their free shuttle bus. And of course, one would have been convenient to have used in the evening.

I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere near a Holiday Inn again. Especially in Italy!

October 9, 2013 - Posted by AnonW | Food, Transport/Travel | Coeliac/Gluten-Free, Home Run From Palermo, Hotel, Italy, Naples, Restaurant