My husband and I are spending 2 days on the Amalfi Coast at the end of January 2005. We are looking to hire a private driver for one day, preferably from Sorrento. Anyone have any suggestions?

Sheryl - Here are a few Sorrento/ Positano based drivers who have had good reviews here:

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

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

www.positanocarservice ... [email protected]

www.flaviogioia.com ... [email protected]

www.positanolimoservice.com or www.limocarservice.net ... [email protected] (L.Paone)

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

www.cuomonet.it

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I will contact them immediately.

Hi sheryl,

We were very pleased with
Limousine Service Sorrento (Renato Cuomo)
Mobile number: (0039) 3391612081 - Office: (0039) 0818023037
Fax. (0039) 06233208879
www.cuomonet.it

They are based in Sorrento.

We used Giovanni Benvenuto based out of Praiano. He and his family drove us three different times. He also secured a private guide for us for Pompeii and she was wonderful. His website is www.benvenutolimos.com and his phone is 39 338 40 40 684. Fax is 39 089 874 420. I contacted him by email [email protected] and he was prompt to reply and also we emailed a lot to get everything worked out. Happy travels!

We used Giovanni Benvenuto based out of Praiano. Website is www.benvenutolimos.com. Email [email protected]. He and his family drove us three different times and he secured a private guide for us in Pompeii. She was wonderful. Phone 39 338 40 40 685. I contacted him by email and he was prompt. We did a lot of emailing to get all the details down. Happy travels!

Sorry about the double post. When I sent the first one I got back some page that said it did not go so I reposted.

Thanks to everyone for their responses. After considering the cost of the private tour ($300/person) my husband and I are wondering if it is a better idea to take the public SITA buses from town to town? It is certainly cheaper but we wouldn't be able to stop at will. Any thoughts?

If you want to use the SITA bus service for the whole day them buy an all day ticket that lets you get off at will.The main routes are Sorrento to Amalfi via Praiano and Positano and Amalfi to Ravello and Amalfi to Salerno via Atrani,Minori,Maiori,Erchie,Cetara and Vietri sul Mare.If you want a reilable private driver then I recommend Salvatore Lucibello of Driveamalfi at [email protected] who is used by all the major hotels and who worked at he Santa Caterin Hotel in Amalfi for 20 years and is acknowledged as the best driver and guide on the Amalfi Coast.

Sheryl - Who quoted you $300 pp??!!

The going rate is about €30-40.00 per hour for up to 4 people - so a half day should cost about €150, a full day about €300, give or take.

Is it a better idea to take the bus? Well, I've never thought €300 is good value for money when the distances are so short - but that's a personal opinion.

If you want to stop at will, your best bet is to get a day pass - which will cover you between Sorrento, Positano, Praiano, Amalfi and Ravello.
Cost: approx. €5.00

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S. For best views from Sorrento, sit on the right side of the bus.

Thanks to everyone for their input which has helped us decide to travel by SITA. I will check the SITA site for an all day purchase. I think we will be staying in Sorrento.

Grazie!

Hi Sheryl,

You can take the ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi to Salerno, train to Paestum, train back to Salerno and then bus to Amalfi and bus to Sorrento at night.

You get to see the AC from the water, the best preserved Greek ruins outside Greece, and the Amalfi Coast Road at night.

It's a great daytrip.

Ira - Sheryl's going this month - so I don't think the ferry from Sorrento is an option at this time of year.

Steve

Message to: Francesco -- If Sheryl72 does not take you up on your offer to drive her around for free in exchange for an honest feedback post -- I will! Although I won't be there 'til July 2005 and your business will probably be booming be then!
Good luck!

Another vote for Giovanni Benvenuto! He's great. He's a young man who speaks excellent English, is a very careful driver, is friendly and very professional. Really knows his way around. www.benvenutolimos.com It's a family business.

Thanks Francesco for your kind offer. However, my husband and I have decided to travel to Florence to meet some friends. We look forward to touring the beautiful Amalfi Coast at some point in the future. Best of luck with your business.

Sheryl72- you're wellcome, and thanks for letting me know. Enjoy Florence and beautyful Tuscany...but remember to come see the South some day, feel its warmth, and taste its great food!