The overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples on the SNAV Sardegna was enjoyable. This ferry is big: 10 levels capable of carrying 1700 passengers, 575 cars, and 118 trailers. It wasn't anywhere near full.
The cozy cabin, dated appointments, and formally-dressed male staff give the ferry a retro atmospher. Compared to a bus or a plane, the ferry is a nice way to travel.
We flew from Naples to Frankfurt, which is sort of the anti-Naples. Frankfurt's weather sucks, the regional train is wonderfully modern, and the train passengers sit quietly staring at their smartphones.
In comparison , Naples is sunny and warm, the trains are crappy and old and filthy (like Naples), and the passengers are, well, Italians. Who thought these two could share a currency?
Nevertheless, vive la différence.
The ship is the SNAV Sardegna moored in Naples between trips to Palermo. The train is heading to Frankfurt and is all high-tech with LED lighting, flat screen readouts, and boring passengers focused on their screens. Behind me - not shown in other words - is an enclosed section for pregnant women and the elderly. Can you find Paul on the train? Hint: he is the only passenger not looking at his phone.
