Is it worth it or should we get off the cruise ship and hire a taxi to take us around?

I can recommend Francesco Marrapese as a driver/guide. He is great! He was our driver/guide for our first trip to Amalfi Coast. He is charming and knowledgeable. Don't have his web address but just google his name. ( I can recommend him but he has other employees so be sure to ask for him!)

Hi WS - I preally don't think Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are the kind of places where you need a 'private guide.' Why go to such an expense?

Are you sure you're docking in Amalfi? If yes, it's very easy to wander around, jump on a ferry to Positano, back to Amalfi and up to Ravello.

If you want convenience, take a taxi to Ravello. Much cheaper than a day's 'tour' JMHO ...

Steve

Thanks alot for your answer---how far is Ravello by taxi...how far apart are te 3 cities? I was thinking of a drive along the Amalfi coastline as part of it....then we would need someone?

Ravello is probably about a 15-minute drive from Amalfi by car.

I would just take a taxi from the port to Ravello. You will drive along part of the Amalfi Drive if you do this. And from Ravello you can hire another taxi to go to Positano if you do not want to take the ferry or bus.

Or, hire a driver. If you do this you can leave your things in the car while you walk around..But you do not need a guide!

Why don't you post the itinerary for the cruise..

Is hiring a "driver" the same as a taxi vs. a "guide" ? I don't really see the need for a guide but how do I distinguish between driver and just getting a taxi? Would I arrange for a driver in advance?

Yes, you would arrange for a driver in advance. Where is your ship docking? Naples? A driver, sometimes called a guide, is about 350 euro from Naples to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Of course, if you are docking someplace else, that price would change.

If you want to be in a private car, as opposed to a bus, you can either hire a taxi on the spot, or arrange with a driver in advance. If the driver speaks English, he can point out various things en route. I don't know which would work out cheaper for you..taking taxis from place to place or hiring one driver for the day. If I were you, I would e-mail a few drivers mentioned on this forum and see what they would charge to pick you up at the dock and take you to Ravello and Positano and Amalfi. See what price they give you and then come back and report and we can help you figure it out..

So send an e-mail to Franceso, mentioned above:

http://www.francescomarrapese.com/


and also send one to a few of the other drivers; one that I have read good things about is:

http://www.gianpierofiorentino.com/

I used a driver to Paestum who I liked a lot but his English is negligable so I will not mention him here.


Please let us know what they quote you for the day!

Hi, Just came back from Italy. We docked in Milan. Had a guide from Sorrento (Marianno) from Pleasant Travel in Sorrento,visited Pompeii and Amalfi drive for E400 for 4 adults. We have used him before, excellent! He arranged the guide at Pompeii for E80, and what a guide! I can really reccommend him. Dont use the expensive cruise excursions. You see a lot more with the private guides. And don't forget to buy lemon drops in Ravello! Enough!
Enjoy.

You docked in Milan?