I would like to arrange a car and driver for a day trip from Sorrento in May, 2004. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Giovanni Gargiulo, who can be reached via e-mail at: [email protected] or on his cell at:3387306575. We've used him quite a bit on our trips to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. He is very reliable, good driver, speaks English well, and FUNNY. First found out about him here on the forum four years ago.

Good luck!

I'll second the motion for Giovani Garguilo of Tour of Italy. Giovani and his son, Giancarlo are the best. I've used them many times and even was invited to their house for dinner with the family on a few occasions. Giancarlo took us to meet our family in Calabria and then on to Sicily.
I've used them from as far north as Firenze, all the way down to Sicily. Both father & son are fabulous people.

Thanks very much - I'll definately call them and let you know!

Hi vancouver,

We found Renato Cuomo to be very reliable.

www.cuomonet.it [email protected]

does anyone how much does Giovanni Gargiulo cherges? is it per day or hour and in case we rent a car can he drive our car?? is it cheaper if we provide car or how does that wk, we're going in may as well and wouldnt be a bad idea to have a guide

I'll let you know about charges just as soon as they reply to me.

Mr. Gargiulo charges about 370 euros for a full day's travel, inclding a tour of Naples and a trip into the hills.
I will report in May whether it was good value!!!

Hi - I would recommend Gennaro Ruocco from Sorrentolimo.com. Great service - we used him for our trip last August and it was so nice. Have a wonderful trip!

Joann
My Italy trip report:
http://www.geocities.com/jsustachek/

wow 370 euros for a whole day travel?????? i think i should quit my job and become a tourist guide........more than what normal people make in an average day wking 8 straight hrs

Four firms have now replied to me - their quoted prices run from 300 euros to 450 for the whole day.
Looks like a lot of money; as you say, almost as much as working - but then, I guess they are working, aren't they? And they're paying outrageous gas prices and insurance as well. So maybe it's not out of line.
It's sure better than having me behind the wheel!!

I know that Giovanni & Giancarlo have "special tour/driver" type licenses. They also have to have special insurance to go with that license. In addition, as someone mentioned, gas prices are huge in Italy. Not to mention the upkeep on the Mercedes that they chauffeur you around in. I'd say 370 euros for the day is a bargain. You're treat like royalty and they KNOW the roads, the typical traffic
congestion, and the sites. The Garguilo's are from the Amalfi coast. They live in Massa Lubrense.

hey guys i guess different strokes for different folks, i think that 350 a day is very expensive but it all depends on the person , i have been traveling aroud europe for 5 years in a row and lived in prato for 1 year where i went to school, i just became so local that i found out that good prices still can be found in italy that's a very expensive country.if you ever come to Texas, i wanna be your tourist guide..if you pay that good hehehe
Gabriel

I promised to report back on my experience with Giancarlo and Giovanni Gargiulo, the "drivers from Sorrento."
Giovanno took us from Sorrento to Montefredane (a small village near Avellino) to search for ancestors.
Well, he was fabulous!! He opened doors at the town hall for us that made the experience a lifetime memory - not only did we find the ancestors, we found living ones, and Giovanni insisted on driving us into Avellino to meet with her.
I cannot recommend these people too highly - the fee (which turned out to be 250 euros for the day) was a bargain!!
You can contact Giovanni or son Giancarlo at [email protected]

That's good to know, Van

Vancouver,

I am so glad you've had a great experience. When we hired a driver for the day, we had initially thought the price was high but began to consider the time it would take to "bus it" in the coastal region from our Sorrento base. In addition, in addition to the air conditioning and comfort of the mercedes, the knowledge of our driver and the hours he spent with us (approx. 12), the per hour rate was not out of line. In no way could we have seen all that we did (all the way to Paestum), and spend the time milling aroung the towns and shopping (ceramics in Ravello), had we not chosen this route.

I would highly recommend this to anyone, even if your on a limited budget, but would like to maximize your viewing pleasure.