Sicily and Amalfi Coast
Mar 19th, 2011, 08:52 AM
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Sicily and Amalfi Coast
I'm planning a trip for 4 seniors (60-75) to Sicily and Amalfi Coast this Sept. Has anyone had any experience w/Kensington Tours ? KT seems to provide what I'm looking for ie help w/our luggage from one point to the next and tour guides w/out actually going on a pre scheduled tour bus.every day all day long. Any feedback regarding KT or other suggesions are welcome. thank you
Mar 19th, 2011, 10:26 AM
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Not that many posters on this board take tours so you may not get a large response.
I always wonder why people think that handling luggage is a problem. You still have to take the bags off the carousel at the airport and get them to the driver. This is the same as getting them to the taxi stand at the airport and then handing them to the taxi driver. Large hotels will have porters to take the bags to and from your room to the front and get them loaded into a cab. If this is the only reason you're taking a tour I would reconsider your options.
The pricing widely varies on the Sicily tour and doesn't include any meals so you're on your own for meals. It also looks like airfare is not included since the tour starts with day 1 in Palermo.
So for 4 people you'll be paying between $11,000 and $17,000 for 7 days in Sicily with minimal sightseeing, no meals and no airfare. Then you have to pay for the Amalfi Coast part of the trip. I think this is steep.
Think about if the places the tour takes you to are the places you want to go and if hotels are centrally located.
You might want to plan your own trip - book hotels and private drivers (airport transfer, Taormina transfer) and it will come out much less expensive. Hotels can book you sightseeing excursions if you feel like going with a group or can usually put you in touch with private guides.
Tauck is an upscale tour company that has a Sicily and Amalfi Coast trip you could look at to compare what you get and price. They have a very good reputation.
http://www.tauck.com/tours/europe-to...ruise-sin-2011
Collette is another company with a good reputation and they have a couple of Sicily tours and a tour of Rome and the Amalfi Coast.
http://www.collettetours.com/tour-se...6&action=clear
Good luck with whatever you decide. If you choose Kensington come back and let us know what you think of the company and the trip.
I always wonder why people think that handling luggage is a problem. You still have to take the bags off the carousel at the airport and get them to the driver. This is the same as getting them to the taxi stand at the airport and then handing them to the taxi driver. Large hotels will have porters to take the bags to and from your room to the front and get them loaded into a cab. If this is the only reason you're taking a tour I would reconsider your options.
The pricing widely varies on the Sicily tour and doesn't include any meals so you're on your own for meals. It also looks like airfare is not included since the tour starts with day 1 in Palermo.
So for 4 people you'll be paying between $11,000 and $17,000 for 7 days in Sicily with minimal sightseeing, no meals and no airfare. Then you have to pay for the Amalfi Coast part of the trip. I think this is steep.
Think about if the places the tour takes you to are the places you want to go and if hotels are centrally located.
You might want to plan your own trip - book hotels and private drivers (airport transfer, Taormina transfer) and it will come out much less expensive. Hotels can book you sightseeing excursions if you feel like going with a group or can usually put you in touch with private guides.
Tauck is an upscale tour company that has a Sicily and Amalfi Coast trip you could look at to compare what you get and price. They have a very good reputation.
http://www.tauck.com/tours/europe-to...ruise-sin-2011
Collette is another company with a good reputation and they have a couple of Sicily tours and a tour of Rome and the Amalfi Coast.
http://www.collettetours.com/tour-se...6&action=clear
Good luck with whatever you decide. If you choose Kensington come back and let us know what you think of the company and the trip.
Mar 19th, 2011, 12:03 PM
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I remember reading this trip report from a Fodorite who used a tour Sicily that he really liked; I think he has another report on using them elsewhere in Italy too:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-vacations.cfm
And here's a "master list" of private tour guides in Italy:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...aster-list.cfm
Lastly, bobthenavigator has written some wonderful, detailed trip reports - Sicily in 2005 and the Amalfi Coast last year:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...o-prove-it.cfm
I hope these help!
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-vacations.cfm
And here's a "master list" of private tour guides in Italy:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...aster-list.cfm
Lastly, bobthenavigator has written some wonderful, detailed trip reports - Sicily in 2005 and the Amalfi Coast last year:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...o-prove-it.cfm
I hope these help!
Mar 26th, 2011, 03:03 PM
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ok, I decided to abandon the tour idea and do the planning on my own w/all the help I received from the above replies.
We're going to fly to Catania and taxi to villa schuller in Taromina. The hotel will arrange day tours for us during the 7 days we are there. I'd like to spend another 6 nights in Southern Italy/ Amalfi Coast. Where should we go , what's the best place to stay and do day trips to surrounding areas and how do we get there from Taromina?
thanks
We're going to fly to Catania and taxi to villa schuller in Taromina. The hotel will arrange day tours for us during the 7 days we are there. I'd like to spend another 6 nights in Southern Italy/ Amalfi Coast. Where should we go , what's the best place to stay and do day trips to surrounding areas and how do we get there from Taromina?
thanks
Mar 26th, 2011, 03:03 PM
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ok, I decided to abandon the tour idea and do the planning on my own w/all the help I received from the above replies.
We're going to fly to Catania and taxi to villa schuller in Taromina. The hotel will arrange day tours for us during the 7 days we are there. I'd like to spend another 6 nights in Southern Italy/ Amalfi Coast. Where should we go , what's the best place to stay and do day trips to surrounding areas and how do we get there from Taromina?
thanks
We're going to fly to Catania and taxi to villa schuller in Taromina. The hotel will arrange day tours for us during the 7 days we are there. I'd like to spend another 6 nights in Southern Italy/ Amalfi Coast. Where should we go , what's the best place to stay and do day trips to surrounding areas and how do we get there from Taromina?
thanks
Mar 26th, 2011, 03:19 PM
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OK, it may not be easy, but this may help. I would train from Taormina, actually Giardino/Naxos, to Salerno and then get a private driver to your destinaiton of choice---I suggest Amalfi or Positano. Here are some tips:
NAVIGATING on the AMALFI COAST
HOW TO GET THERE: You have to want to—it may not be easy. The best option is to land in Naples, but that is not always feasible. Most travelers access it from Rome by train to Naples—a trip of less than two hours. Once in Naples, you have a choice. The local commuter train, Circumversuviana, leaves from the same train station and takes about an hour to SORRENTO, with a possible stop at “ Pompeii Scavi” to see the famed ruins. However, to access any of the coastal towns you must then take a SITA bus or a taxi.
The best option is to hire a private driver to meet you at the Naples station or airport and take you directly to your hotel. Expect to pay about 100E.
www.cuomonet.it www.tourofitaly.com www.francescomarrapese.com
www.angelodriver.com
WHERE TO LOCATE & WHAT TO SEE: Ah, what not to see? This is the most stunning scenery in all of Italy---be sure to pack the camera. Your daily activities will be somewhat determined by your location. SORRENTO is really on the Bay of Naples and not the Amalfi Coast [AC], but is the most convenient location for day trips to Pompeii and the Isle of Capri. The town is larger & relatively flat. In contrast, POSITANO is the most spectacular village on the AC but is almost vertical and a real challenge for your legs.
Hotel choices in Positano should be evaluated by their location in town relative to the beach or position on the hill above the beach. AMALFI & RAVELLO are other popular destinations but are further down the coast.
NOTE: Any of the drivers above can be hired for day trip excursions but should be booked well in advance. Expect to pay about 35E/hour.
Here are my top five activities for this fabulous coast:
• Seeing the coast from the water---the best option. Hire a boat and pray for good weather—here is one www.gennaroesalvatore.it
• Day trip to Capri by hydrofoil from Sorrento or Positano—in season
• Day trip to Ravello by local bus or driver. This lovely village is high above the coast with great views---see Villa Cimbrone.
• Day trip to Pompeii. Plan on spending 4 hours to see it well. You can take the commuter train from Sorrento or hire a driver.
• Shopping for ceramics and sipping LIMONCELLO. The latter is not to be missed---I still have it almost daily at home after dinner.
WHERE TO EAT: I hope you like seafood. Here are some of my favorites:
* In Positano: Da Vincenzo Buca di Bacco Da Constantino
* In Ravello: Cumpa Cosimo Villa Maria
* In Sorrento: Trattoria Da Emilia L’Antica Trattoria
NAVIGATING on the AMALFI COAST
HOW TO GET THERE: You have to want to—it may not be easy. The best option is to land in Naples, but that is not always feasible. Most travelers access it from Rome by train to Naples—a trip of less than two hours. Once in Naples, you have a choice. The local commuter train, Circumversuviana, leaves from the same train station and takes about an hour to SORRENTO, with a possible stop at “ Pompeii Scavi” to see the famed ruins. However, to access any of the coastal towns you must then take a SITA bus or a taxi.
The best option is to hire a private driver to meet you at the Naples station or airport and take you directly to your hotel. Expect to pay about 100E.
www.cuomonet.it www.tourofitaly.com www.francescomarrapese.com
www.angelodriver.com
WHERE TO LOCATE & WHAT TO SEE: Ah, what not to see? This is the most stunning scenery in all of Italy---be sure to pack the camera. Your daily activities will be somewhat determined by your location. SORRENTO is really on the Bay of Naples and not the Amalfi Coast [AC], but is the most convenient location for day trips to Pompeii and the Isle of Capri. The town is larger & relatively flat. In contrast, POSITANO is the most spectacular village on the AC but is almost vertical and a real challenge for your legs.
Hotel choices in Positano should be evaluated by their location in town relative to the beach or position on the hill above the beach. AMALFI & RAVELLO are other popular destinations but are further down the coast.
NOTE: Any of the drivers above can be hired for day trip excursions but should be booked well in advance. Expect to pay about 35E/hour.
Here are my top five activities for this fabulous coast:
• Seeing the coast from the water---the best option. Hire a boat and pray for good weather—here is one www.gennaroesalvatore.it
• Day trip to Capri by hydrofoil from Sorrento or Positano—in season
• Day trip to Ravello by local bus or driver. This lovely village is high above the coast with great views---see Villa Cimbrone.
• Day trip to Pompeii. Plan on spending 4 hours to see it well. You can take the commuter train from Sorrento or hire a driver.
• Shopping for ceramics and sipping LIMONCELLO. The latter is not to be missed---I still have it almost daily at home after dinner.
WHERE TO EAT: I hope you like seafood. Here are some of my favorites:
* In Positano: Da Vincenzo Buca di Bacco Da Constantino
* In Ravello: Cumpa Cosimo Villa Maria
* In Sorrento: Trattoria Da Emilia L’Antica Trattoria
Mar 26th, 2011, 04:02 PM
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I think you've made a good decision to do Sicily and AC on your own and have the flexibility to sightsee according to your interests and energy.
I've stayed in Sorrento twice to visit the AC, Capri, Naples, Pompeii, and Herculaneum (Ecolano) and the reason is that the town is charming and flat and you can easily get many places on the bus or train (or private driver in your case).
On Capri we did take a private driver who took us on a scenic ride, and to Capri town and Anacapri. He dropped us off for about an hour or so in each town to explore and have lunch and then came back to an arranged spot to pick us up and go on to the next place. There were lots of drivers at the port where the boat docks on Capri. With 4 people this would be the best option rather than dealing with public transport on the island.
You really haven't stated your interests but I loved Pompeii and Herculaneum and the Archeological Museum in Naples where many of the Pompeii treasures are stored. Pompeii is tough walking and if you have mobility problems you might want to miss Pompeii and see Herculaneum which is smaller and easier to navigate. The plus of Pompeii is that there are guides at the entrance; at Herculaneum there were no guides nor audios when I was there (although you could get your hotel to arrange for a guide and driver).
The AC is beautiful and you should certainly spend an day or two exploring that area. I went to Ravello and enjoyed it along with the beautiful drive up the coast.
If you stay in Sorrento you might consider the Excelsior Hotel. I didn't stay there but ate lunch there one rainy day and it's beautiful.
Check the flights from Catania to Naples. The train takes about 6 hours.
I've stayed in Sorrento twice to visit the AC, Capri, Naples, Pompeii, and Herculaneum (Ecolano) and the reason is that the town is charming and flat and you can easily get many places on the bus or train (or private driver in your case).
On Capri we did take a private driver who took us on a scenic ride, and to Capri town and Anacapri. He dropped us off for about an hour or so in each town to explore and have lunch and then came back to an arranged spot to pick us up and go on to the next place. There were lots of drivers at the port where the boat docks on Capri. With 4 people this would be the best option rather than dealing with public transport on the island.
You really haven't stated your interests but I loved Pompeii and Herculaneum and the Archeological Museum in Naples where many of the Pompeii treasures are stored. Pompeii is tough walking and if you have mobility problems you might want to miss Pompeii and see Herculaneum which is smaller and easier to navigate. The plus of Pompeii is that there are guides at the entrance; at Herculaneum there were no guides nor audios when I was there (although you could get your hotel to arrange for a guide and driver).
The AC is beautiful and you should certainly spend an day or two exploring that area. I went to Ravello and enjoyed it along with the beautiful drive up the coast.
If you stay in Sorrento you might consider the Excelsior Hotel. I didn't stay there but ate lunch there one rainy day and it's beautiful.
Check the flights from Catania to Naples. The train takes about 6 hours.
