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I am looking for some suggestions. I'm really not wanting to stay in Naples(due to what I've heard about the city), but alot of the Excursions(day trips) that I'm looking at on Viator.com leave from Naples. I would rather stay in Sorrento if possible. So my question is, does anyone know of some good day trips that would leave from Sorrento to Pompeii, Capri and to the Amalfi Coast area(Positano, Ravello,etc). I know alot of people say, go by yourself and take a good Tour book. We would prefer to have a guide that can show us the most popular sites and explain things of the areas to us. I would rather not pay alot(over $100 a day pp) for a personal driver. Any suggestions would be great.
Amalfi Coast Day Trips
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Well I would go and get a Rick Steve's Italy book - he lists some guides in there that are pretty reasonable. I would think Capri is pretty good to do on your own - then you could find a guide / driver for the coast. I would think RS would also have good Pompeii info, or maybe a podcast (free!) or see if there is an audioguide for Pompeii.
Hi J,
>I would rather not pay over $100 a day pp for a personal driver <
That's $200 (133 E) pd = $17 E/hr. That's a very low number.
>I'm really not wanting to stay in Naples(due to what I've heard about the city), ...<
What have you heard?
Here is a company based on Sorrento offering group tours:
http://www.city-discovery.com/sorrento/
These companies offer private excursions:
http://www.pleasantravel.com/
http://www.tredytours.com/
This link has info on several other agencies in Sorrento and the surrounding area:
http://www.sorrento-online.com/english/agenzie.htm
I have no experience with any of these companies, so you might want to search for some reviews before you choose one.
There's no way you'll get a private guide with car for that amount - unless you are willing to pack a bunch of people in the car. For two it would barely cover the car and gas - never mind the time of a driver. Either take public transit or a group tour - which you should be able to get for 2 for that amount.
IMHO, you would be better just arranging a tour guide to meet you in Pompeii (or hire one there) and take the train from Sorrento to Pompeii. Easy and cheap.
Also, may not be right for you because, it is a bit scruffy or gritty, but Naples is such an live and vibrant city, easy to get around it, great food, nice people. Last trip, I was in Naples three days. I am looking forward to spending more time there.
Sorrento would be a great base to see all of those places. During peak season I would imagine some hotels would have tours to all of those places. Capri would be very easy to see without a guide, from Sorrento. Contact some hotels in Sorrento and see if they can help. Naples would be a great daytrip from Sorrento (just so you can compare the reality to what people say). I really enjoyed Naples, even though it was challenging to get around at times.
Hi jake - There are coach tour companies which operate out of Sorrento in high season.
Otherwise hiring a private driver will normally cost about € 160 for a half-day, € 300 for a full day. The following drivers are Sorrento-based and have been recommended here:
www.tourofitaly.com
www.francescomarrapese.com
www.cuomonet.it
www.seesorrento.com
www.sorrento.it
But you really don't need a guide for places like Positano and Amalfi.
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Jake,
Last spring we stayed at Villa Garden Hotel in Sorrento - wonderful place and the staff were so helpful. I reckon they'd be delighted to arrange all the guides/tours etc. that you need, without you having to worry about these things in advance. You'll find our entry in the guestbook.
Check out
http://www.villagardenhotel.com/en/index.php
There's a regular express bus service from Naples Airport to Sorrento.
Like Steve says, there's no need for a guide to villages like Positano and Amalfi - you can't go wrong and it's a visual experience rather than a learning one...
Have a great time.
Paul