LADELL

Our first trip to Europe is a Mediterranean cruise in August. Yes, I know probably the worst time of year. On Caribbean cruises, we have not prebooked shore excursions but gotten off the ships and found very capable locals to take us on day tours. Is that possible in Naples, Civitavecchia(Rome) and Livorna(Florence/Pisa)?
We have a distance to travel from these port cities. Are there capable guides waiting at the ports? Or does anyone have any suggestions?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also,is it okay to wear Capri's in the churches. We know shorts are not allowed, but I was not sure about Capri's or skirts above the knees. Thanks

echo168

We did the western Med cruise last October and thoroughly enjoyed it. We didn't join any ship's shore excursions. Since we boarded in Civitavecchia, we flew to Rome and spent 2 days there. Rome has a very good bus and subway system and plenty of taxis. If you research ahead, you can easily go around Rome yourself. We travelled by train from Rome to Civitavecchia and took a taxi from the train station to port. In Naples, we took a train to Pompeii. If you want to go to Capri, the ferry is right beside where the cruise ships dock. In Livorna, there are lots of cars with drivers when you get off the ship. You tell them where you want to go and settle on a price before you get in. The driver we got was really good. He drove us around Florence, then dropped us off in the centre of town to wander around on our own, picked us up at an arranged time later and then drove to Pisa. We find if you have some idea of what there is to see in each port, you don't need to prebook shore excursions.

ira

Hi Ladell,

Depends on what you want to see.

In Naples, I would take a taxi to the Archaeological Museum and then walk back down to the docks stopping off to see the Veiled Christ at the Capllea Sansevero, The Pzza Dante, Pzza Plebiscito (and the Castel Dell 'Ovo if there is time).

From Civitavecchia you can take the train to Rome.

From Livorno Centrale you can take the train to Florence.

See www.trenitalia.com/en for schedules and prices.

The churches expect you to cover your shoulders, tummy and knees.

vanda32547

My wife and I are going on a Mediterranean Cruise in August also. I think its a great time of year with temperatures in the 70-80 during the day and 55-65 at night. We too are interested in the local flavor of each port we visit and find the cruise excursions a little too predictable so we too are looking for some local tour drivers.

Intrepid1

You will get a great deal more information if you also go to the message boards on either www.cruisecritic.com or www.cruiseaddicts.com

vanda32547

By the way what are the approximate going rates for train travel you mentioned?

Steve_James

Vanda - Livorno-Florence is approx. € 12.00 roundtrip

Civitavecchia-Rome is approx. € 8.20

Steve

Steve_James

Here are a couple of limo services which operate from Livorno:

http://www.donatirent.it/sito/

http://www.libertyrent.it/

.......................

Here are some limo services which operate in the Naples/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast area:

www.seesorrento.com (M.Maresca) ... [email protected]

www.tourofitaly.com (G.Gargiulo) ... [email protected]

www.cuomonet.it

www.sorrento.it (S.Astarita) ...
[email protected]

Try also Francesco Marrapese ([email protected]) - who posts regularly here and is just starting his own limo service. I'm sure he'll be happy to give you a quote ...

Hope this helps ...

Steve