Thanks. I did check and they make a quick stop in Positano, but I'll probably want to stay longer.

Anyone out there that wants to split a driver on July 4th starting in Sorrento?

GoJ-Thanks for the info. I actually did get this quote as well but never thought to find someone to split it with. Great idea.

Hi Ekscrunchy-

The prices for 280 Euro came from the following:

Gianpiero Fiorentino
Carmine Ussano (Amalfi Coast Drivers)
and
Marcello Maresca

If we had a few other couples to split that with, it wouldn't be so bad but there's no way we can afford that on our own :( That's why Giovanni's rate of 150 Euro seemed more on par with what we could pay (although it would certainly still be a splurge for us).
On the other hand, I'm still considering taking the ferries on-way, and then doing the bus on the return trip back to Sorrento...we'll see what the DH says when he gets home. Ok, I need to get off the Internet now before my eyes explode! (: With only 2 weeks before our trip, I've been living on Fodors lately!

yoo hoo, what I keep saying is that you don't have to decide now. You can find someone when you are there, there are cabs all over and you can bargain with them. Altho your bargaining power is not very good at that time of year. Just have the bus and ferry sked on hand just in case.

In Amalfi we got to talking to a driver who had dropped his fare off and had to drive back to Sorrento anyway so we hopped in. It is loose in that area.

Oh I see you are there only one day, so you may have to plan. But eks. you will be there longer.

Yoo Hoo!!!! Good thinking as usual, Sea Urchin. Odd, though, such a vast price difference with the various drivers, no?

How does this sound:

*Depart Amalfi early morning (very early..good photo light, less traffic)
*Quick stop near Battipaglia.. mozzarella tasting at roadside
*Visit Paestum..1 1/2 hours maximum stay
* Vietri ..short visit to ceramic museum and a little shopping..
*Late Lunch..in a SlowFood place in Cetara
*Ravello..
*Drop off in Amalfi..

Thanks for all the great advice. Ok.... so ferry from Sorrento. Should I go to Positano first or Amalfi/Ravello and then Positano on the way back? From what I read, I may not be able to get a seat back from Positano, so is this ok:

Sorrento to Amalfi (AM), Ravello (lunch), late afternoon-evening in Positano, back to Sorrento.

P - your plan sounds good now!

Eks - That sounds like quite a full day. I know you are exploring the fastest ways to get around and down to Paestum. From Priano to Paestum, it took me over 2 hours one way. But - I had not investigated trans well enough in advance and probably could have done it faster with other options!

I spent about 2 hours actually there (including a quick pizza lunch) and would have liked more time to include the museum. Had to skip it in order to get the boat back from Salerno to Positano.

The temples were well worth the effort!

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you go by train to Paestum, you must get your return ticket at the bar in Paestum. No tickets are sold at the tiny station. Plus it's a bit of a walk from the station to the site. Take a hat and water.

Thanks again, Dayle. I was trying to figure out a day with a driver and wonder if the plan I have sounds too crammed..we would be leaving from Amalfi so if we leave early in the morning...

I am trying to arrange a day with a driver to maximize the use of the driver...would you happen to have an idea of how long the drive is from Amalfi to Paestum?

With all this talk of Naples, I will have less time in Amalfi than I had originally planned..I am thinking that we will arrive on Sunday from the airport and leave for Naples on the Thursday morning...and then have almost three full days in Naples..(and thre full days on the coast..) We do not care about swimming or beaches so can move around during the time on the coast..

I am not planning to visit Capri...so with three full days on the coast we have some time to explore...the original plan was to rent a car but I am leaning more now towards the driver idea..

Paestum sounds like I should try to "add it to my TO DO LIST" after reading a few of these comments.

Ths thread has great information, as I will be in Positano (after staying in Capri for a few days) at the beginning of July and putting together a plan of all the towns, and sights not to miss to maximize our visit.
Still trying to figure out the best transportation for us on each day trip, so reading these posts is a great help of different options.


The fun part is deciding what restaurants and towns to eat at.

Cetara apparently has a reputation for having some excellent restaurants that might be just a bit off the usual tourist path, if that interests you. I know I will head that way at least once to sample one of the three SlowFood recommendations in that town...

Hi Eks,

If you plan to do a full day with a driver, I think your plan sounds just great! I don't think it will seem too much when you don't have the stress of making public trans connections and you get to start early with dependable transportation.

Have a wonderful time!

Hi TG,

>Paestum sounds like I should try to "add it to my TO DO LIST" <

Definitely worth seeing.

Wee took the ferry to Salerno, train from there to Paestum, train back to Salerno and then SITA bus back.

A very nice day.

((I))

Thanks, Dayle! I was worried that I would not get back to Cetara in time for lunch, with the stops for mozzarella (should take only a few minutes, I guess..); visit to Paestum; and stop in Vietri...I am glad this plan seems feasible!

I agree with TrendGirl..now the fun begins: Finding places to eat on these various Amalfi coast days!

Hi P6-

I emailed Gianni at Il Nido over the weekend to get her feedback regarding the bus and ferry/boat, and whether we would need a reservation for the ferry/boat... Below you can find what she wrote--I'm not sure if it will be of help to you or not :) I tried going to the website she mentioned, but the link didn't work. Will try again later.

Best,
Angela

---------------------
Angela,
A 5,00 euro ticket (yes, FIVE) permit you to travel all over the Amalfi Cost
by bus. The ticket is valuable 24 hours and permit you to stop and take the
bus again from Sorrento to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
Other way is to reach Amalfi from Sorrento by boat (www.metrodelmare.it) and
once in Amalfi, reach Ravello by boat, come back to Amalfi and take the bus
to Positano. Visit Positano and than bus again to reach Sorrento.
Boat reservations are not accepted.
I hope this information proves useful to you.
See you in July
Gianni

-----------------

But I am puzzled as to how one can reach Ravello by boat..did she mean "bus" here?

Eks,

Yes, she definitely meant "bus". I would really hate to see someone trying to get up to Ravello in a boat!

Hi, Ekscrunchy - Your day sounds pretty full to me, but even so, I thought I'd suggest that you find a way to spend a little more time in Paestum. Its a large, beautiful site, and the museum there has some very unusual items that I thought were well worth seeing. I spent about 2 hours visiting the temples (and could have spent more!) and about 1 hour at the museum. Hope that helps!

Thanks, Kja. I suppose that we could head directly from Amalfi to Paestum, planning to arrive when the site opens. And make a short stop for mozzarella after Paestum, before continuing on to Vietri.

I don't think I've read anything about the ceramics shopping here on Fodors even though Vietri is one of the most important centers of ceramic production in the country. I bought a truly beautiful set of dinnerware there years ago. Anyone care to share your experience about visiting the town?

My friend and I had a ball here picking out stuff for his home. I bought some plates that I have on my wall now. Have fun.

http://www.solimene.com/company.html