We're staying in a hotel in Capri for 3 nights and would like to see the mainland ie Pompei, Positano, Sorrento etc - but have no idea how to do so. Apparently we can't hire a car on the mainland and as we can't take it across to Capri - how do we see as much as possible in a short time without a car? (we are travelling with a 6 year old).

For Pompei you could take a boat to Sorrento and then a half hour ride on the Circumvesuviana (commuter train) to Scavi Pompei.<BR><BR>Sorrento: see above boat.<BR><BR>Positano: I believe there are boats from Positano to Capri and reverse.<BR>

GeeBee...When we visited capri we took the hydrofoil over from Naples, we toured Capri for 4 or 5 days and returned back to Naples to recharge our batteries and do a laundry and then moved on over to Ischia which is a bigger, nearby island. From Naples you can also take a short inexpensive bus ride to museum at Herculaneum. It's an ancient roman city at the edge of the sea that was buried in mud when Pompei erupted. It's fasinating and close by if you don't want to go all the way down to Pompei. Naples is a great city to visit and the National Museum is full of the history of Pompei that was uncovered and removed back to Naples. Buses and cabs are not expensive and the train station is a short ride away from the harbor. Try looking at Naples if you are pressed for time. You'll love Capri..cheers

Hello GeeBee,<BR><BR>Hydrofoil and ferry timetables from Capri to Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Naples are onBR>www.capri.net/home/en/transport.php<BR><BR>There is an hourly bus from Amalfi up to Ravello.<BR><BR>The Sorrento-Pompei Scavi train (Circumvesuviana) runs every 30 minutes.<BR><BR>As your time is limited, I'd combine Positano, Amalfi & Ravello on one day, and Sorrento & Pompei on another.<BR><BR>Let me know if I can be of more help ...<BR><BR>Steve<BR>

Thank you !<BR><BR>Actually - I was also wondering if it might make sense to hire a guide/driver?<BR><BR>Could anyone recommend?

There are several Sorrento-based drivers who regularly get good reviews here, e.gBR><BR>M MARESCA<BR>www.seesorrento.com<BR>marcellomaresca@ tin.it<BR><BR>G GARGIULO<BR>www.tourofitaly.com<BR>info@tourofital y.com<BR><BR>Does it make sense? Well, I prefer to use public transport myself rather than spend EURO 30.00 an hour for a driver, - but it's a personal choice.<BR><BR>I don't see much point in paying a driver to take you, for example, to Pompei - and wait for you while you visit, - when it's a EURO 2.00 trip by train. <BR><BR>The Amalfi Coast itself is best visited by boat/hydrofoil IMO rather than by road in high season, when traffic can be very slow.<BR><BR>But it's a personal decision.<BR><BR>Steve<BR><BR>