Francesco, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast
 

Hello,

A few questions. (Any info from Ira and knoxville couple would be appreciated also!)

1. How long is the drive from Sorrento to Pompeii?
2. Knoxville couple - when you had Francesco to drive you to Pompeii, and then you had Enzo, you paid Francesco to wait while you toured Pompeii? I am assuming that is how it works?
3. Do most drivers just bring you to Pompeii and then wait (while you pay the hourly rate).
4. Would you reccomend going to Ravello and Positano with him also?
5. Is it "fair" to ask for a better rate if he also drives us from the Naples train station and then to Pompeii the next day? I don't want to insult him.

Thank you! Jennifer

Last year Francesco picked us up at the Naples train station and drove us to Positano. Two days later he drove us on a tour of the coast, including Ravello and Pompeii. Yes, he waits for you at the hourly rate. Good value for the money but go ahead and ask for his best price. Can I ask the dates when you have booked him? (Haven't booked him yet for June but plan on it.)

Rbnwdln-
Thanks for the information. Since you are using him again, clearly you enjoyed the experience. We are looking to book him for 7/2/2006. I know it is early, but I am trying to get most stuff in order. Any tips? Did you enjoy Ravello?

Jenn,

Actually, from Sorrento to Pompeii is an easy train ride. Probably about 30 minutes. If you don't rent a car, as we did, use a driver for touring to Positano and Ravello but Pompeii you can do easily on your own, if you're staying in Sorrento.

We were there 5 years ago at the same time of the year. Wonderful trip.

cw

Hi Jenni -

rbnwdln has summarized it pretty well - Francesco arranged Enzo for us for the two hour Pompeii tour (at 100 Euros extra) and we paid Francesco for the length of the time he was devoted to our tour of the Amalfi Coast (about 9 hours I think, including the time he waited for us during our Pompeii tour). You can ask for a better deal since you want him to handle your Naples to hotel transfer - but if it's not in his interest to give you a better deal and he hands you off to a "colleague" (a common practice I believe) you need not to be insulted. Although Francesco is charming (and you're paying a little for that charm), he is a businessman.

I'd definitely recommend Ravello and Positano with Francesco - actually he started our Amalfi Coast tour by picking us up in Positano, then drove us to Pompeii for a morning tour, then back to Ravello (for lunch), Amalfi, Praino, etc.

We did like him so much that we have hired him for our one-day Naples area excursion while we're on our Med cruise in June.

KC

Jenni - With the ease of the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii at a cost of only € 1.80, why would you want to pay € 150 + for a driver?

Unless you're Bill Gates, of course ;)

(You can also cruise between Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi for a fraction of the cost).

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hi J,

1. It is a short train ride on the Circumvesuviana and you get off at the entrance to Pompei Scavi. A driver isn't necessary.

5. Of course. This is a business transaction, not a social gathering.

((I))