Amalfi Coast Tour

[willy2468]

We are planning a trip to the Med in November. We have several tours booked already. We are staying in Rome 5 days before our cruise. We want to take the train to Naples to tour Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.

 

Is it advisable to book our tour with the same company we are using in Rome (they do offer an Amalfi Coast tour/Pompeii) or use someone in Naples locally?

 

 

Thanks

 

Bill

[seapenarth]

We are planning a trip to the Med in November. We have several tours booked already. We are staying in Rome 5 days before our cruise. We want to take the train to Naples to tour Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.

 

Is it advisable to book our tour with the same company we are using in Rome (they do offer an Amalfi Coast tour/Pompeii) or use someone in Naples locally?

 

 

Thanks

 

Bill

 

I would use local specialists as the area has it`s own very special attractions and it`s own travel problems. You will enjoy one of the most beautiful and rewarding parts of the world. Pompeii, Sorento one way and Ravello, Amalfi and Positano the other. :)

[willy2468]

I would use local specialists as the area has it`s own very special attractions and it`s own travel problems. You will enjoy one of the most beautiful and rewarding parts of the world. Pompeii, Sorento one way and Ravello, Amalfi and Positano the other. :)

 

Thanks...

 

Do you have any recommendations on who to use?

 

Bill

[Lane40]

We used TourofItaly for our half day on the Amalfi Coast. The company is owned by a father and son. We actually had lots of fun watching the interaction between two as the old man is trying to keep things the old way and the son is trying to move the company into the future. Anyway, the contact infor mation for the son is Giancarlo Gargiulo [giancarlogargiulo@tourofitaly.com].

 

Let me know if you have other questions about our tour with this company.

[da.pooh]

We used TourofItaly for our half day on the Amalfi Coast. Let me know if you have other questions about our tour with this company.

 

Can you tell us a little more about your day with TourofItaly? We are planning to go with them in sept.

thanks

[golfnut47]

We did the Amalfi Coast two years ago. We rented a car in Rome and drove there. Fantastic. Positano has tobe one of the most beautiful places in the world. From there day trips to Amalfi, Ravello and Sorrento are easy.

[tuleia]

Our group of 21, ages 9 to 67, recently returned from a 12-Night Grand Mediterranean cruise.

 

We had arranged for private excursions in Naples, Messina, Cannes, and Livorno.

 

In Naples, MARCELLO MARESCA, the owner of SEE SORRENTO, was one of the driver-guides on our 9 hr. Amalfi Coast tour that included Sorrento, Positano, Ravello and Pompeii [we had three (3) deluxe 8-passenger minivans] . Marcello and his 2 drivers (Nicco and Marco) were prompt, courteous, personable, funny, and extremely knowledgeable. At the conclusion of our 16-day European trip, the group was in total agreement that our 9-hr. day with Marcello, Nicco, and Marco was the highlight of our trip and that the lunch that Marcello had arranged for us at the hilltop village of Pontone, above Ravello, was THE best meal of our trip. We highly recommend MARCELLO MARESCA and SEE SORRENTO (http://www.seesorrento.com)

[High C's]

At the conclusion of our 16-day European trip, the group was in total agreement that our 9-hr. day with Marcello, Nicco, and Marco was the highlight of our trip and that the lunch that Marcello had arranged for us at the hilltop village of Pontone, above Ravello, was THE best meal of our trip.

 

Do you happen to recall the name of the restaurant? Sounds like its worth a visit!

[Lobbylin]

Do you happen to recall the name of the restaurant? Sounds like its worth a visit!

 

Hi Jackie - fancy bumping into you here. I too would like to know the name of that restaurant - might see you there!!!:p

 

Linda

[Dog Bear]

Hi,

 

Did anybody use Sorrento Silverstar for Pompeii and Amalfi Coast tour? Do they have both driver and guide?

[tuleia]

Dear “HIGH C’S” and “LBACKWITH,” I must locate the photo taken of the front of the restaurant in order to obtain the name for you. Hope to do that tonight. I do recall that the restaurant is a family-owned-run-and-served trattoria in the very scenic and small town of Pontone. Lunch was served on the patio. The food that was served was cultivated by local self-sufficient farmers in much the same way as their families had done for over a 100 years. For our group of 21, lunch consisted of freshly baked bread, assorted fresh and pickled vegetables, caprese whose large slices of tomatoes were extremely tasty and the buffalo mozzarella freshly made, variety of exquisite salami, olives, goat cheese, vegetable and potato fritters, eggplant parmigiana, 2 types of pizza, 3 kinds of pasta (one with fresh asparagus, another with fresh herbs), 3 types of scrumptious desserts, red and white wine and a soft beverage for our 9 and 10 year olds were served throughout the meal. At the end, a local lemoncello was served as well as a new alcoholic beverage that was being perfected (of which the owner/hostess graciously sold my nephews the only 2 bottles that they had - which were the ones being served to us and which we dubbed “the attempt”). The cost of the meal was 20 Euro per person, and the owner/hostess/mother would not accept payment for the 9 and 10 year olds in our group. Needless to say, the meal was memorable and quite an Italian food experience.

[High C's]

Dear “HIGH C’S” and “LBACKWITH,” I must locate the photo taken of the front of the restaurant in order to obtain the name for you. Hope to do that tonight. I do recall that the restaurant is a family-owned-run-and-served trattoria in the very scenic and small town of Pontone. Lunch was served on the patio. The food that was served was cultivated by local self-sufficient farmers in much the same way as their families had done for over a 100 years. For our group of 21, lunch consisted of freshly baked bread, assorted fresh and pickled vegetables, caprese whose large slices of tomatoes were extremely tasty and the buffalo mozzarella freshly made, variety of exquisite salami, olives, goat cheese, vegetable and potato fritters, eggplant parmigiana, 2 types of pizza, 3 kinds of pasta (one with fresh asparagus, another with fresh herbs), 3 types of scrumptious desserts, red and white wine and a soft beverage for our 9 and 10 year olds were served throughout the meal. At the end, a local lemoncello was served as well as a new alcoholic beverage that was being perfected (of which the owner/hostess graciously sold my nephews the only 2 bottles that they had - which were the ones being served to us and which we dubbed “the attempt”). The cost of the meal was 20 Euro per person, and the owner/hostess/mother would not accept payment for the 9 and 10 year olds in our group. Needless to say, the meal was memorable and quite an Italian food experience.

 

Tuleia - that certainly does sound wonderful! Thanks for the details, and I will watch for you to post the name later on tonight, if you are able to.

[Lobbylin]

Tuleia - that certainly does sound wonderful! Thanks for the details' date=' and I will watch for you to post the name later on tonight, if you are able to.[/quote']

 

Yes, thank you Tuleia;)

[nancy anne]

Dear “HIGH C’S” and “LBACKWITH,” I must locate the photo taken of the front of the restaurant in order to obtain the name for you. Hope to do that tonight. I do recall that the restaurant is a family-owned-run-and-served trattoria in the very scenic and small town of Pontone. Lunch was served on the patio. The food that was served was cultivated by local self-sufficient farmers in much the same way as their families had done for over a 100 years. For our group of 21, lunch consisted of freshly baked bread, assorted fresh and pickled vegetables, caprese whose large slices of tomatoes were extremely tasty and the buffalo mozzarella freshly made, variety of exquisite salami, olives, goat cheese, vegetable and potato fritters, eggplant parmigiana, 2 types of pizza, 3 kinds of pasta (one with fresh asparagus, another with fresh herbs), 3 types of scrumptious desserts, red and white wine and a soft beverage for our 9 and 10 year olds were served throughout the meal. At the end, a local lemoncello was served as well as a new alcoholic beverage that was being perfected (of which the owner/hostess graciously sold my nephews the only 2 bottles that they had - which were the ones being served to us and which we dubbed “the attempt”). The cost of the meal was 20 Euro per person, and the owner/hostess/mother would not accept payment for the 9 and 10 year olds in our group. Needless to say, the meal was memorable and quite an Italian food experience.

 

 

We also went on a similar tour with Marcello last October. He was AWESOME! He shows you his Italy. He also took us to the same family run restaurant. Not only was the food some of the best we've ever had, but the view overlooking the Med Sea was breathtaking. Our group also deceided that of the 6 private tours we had, Marcello of See Sorrento was by far the BEST!

 

Nancy

[tuleia]

Ciao, High C's and Lbackwith,

 

The name of the restaurant in Pontone is "Antico Borgo."

 

Hope you get to lunch there ... it's well worth the drive up a narrow and windy road. One way to ensure lunching there is to hire Marcello Maresca of See Sorrento as your driver-guide for the day.

[High C's]

Ciao, High C's and Lbackwith,

 

The name of the restaurant in Pontone is "Antico Borgo."

 

Hope you get to lunch there ... it's well worth the drive up a narrow and windy road. One way to ensure lunching there is to hire Marcello Maresca of See Sorrento as your driver-guide for the day.

 

Thank you! I have my tour already booked with Drive Amalfi. But I will mention the name of this restaurant to our driver and perhaps we will be able to go.

 

Thanks again!

[Love Cruis'n]

Thanks...

 

Do you have any recommendations on who to use?

 

Bill

 

Bill,

Last summer we used AP Tours (http://www.aptours.it) and can't say enough wonderful things about them. I emailed their office, exchanged ideas with Sarah, and ended up with a custom designed tour. I recall that the cost for the 4 of us was less than anything the ships could offer, and it was one of the best days I've ever spend. :)

Enjoy...

[1stCruiser]

Ciao, High C's and Lbackwith,

 

The name of the restaurant in Pontone is "Antico Borgo."

 

Hope you get to lunch there ... it's well worth the drive up a narrow and windy road. One way to ensure lunching there is to hire Marcello Maresca of See Sorrento as your driver-guide for the day.

 

Thanks for the name of the restaurant. We will be with Marcello in October and are so looking forward to our day with him. I will ask him to make sure he takes us there. Your positive review only makes it even more worth looking forward to...!!

 

Laura

[Lobbylin]

Ciao, High C's and Lbackwith,

 

The name of the restaurant in Pontone is "Antico Borgo."

 

Hope you get to lunch there ... it's well worth the drive up a narrow and windy road. One way to ensure lunching there is to hire Marcello Maresca of See Sorrento as your driver-guide for the day.

 

Thanks Tuleia, I looked it up on the web and the views do look wonderful.:)

[The Cruise Advantage]

I agree with Love Cruis'n. We used APTours and had Alberto for the day. What a knowledgeable and fun tour master. His upbeat and humorous Italian personality kept us interested and smiling all day. If you use APTours, ask for Alberto. If your off to Positano ask him to take you to La Tagliata Ristorante (http://www.latagliata.com). It was a culinary Fourth of July. We continue to talk about that very special day there. And the views are outstanding looking down upon Positano. That day with Alberto continues to bring up fond memories when the family gets together.

[Margarita Jane]

We were on Azamara Journey and had a tour with Marcello the end of September. Our tour was OK, but could have been much better. Marcello is pompous and knows everything - just ask him - actually, you don't have to ask him because he will tell you. The restaurant he took us to was very good (the best part of the tour as he did not eat with us and the food was very good). Be prepared for several courses and do not fill up on the first course! He was prompt and ontime; his van was very comfortable for the 5 of us. He visited the sites we asked him to. Our only complaint was his personality.

 

~ Jane

[nparmelee]

High C's, Salvatore tends to take you to a restaurant in Ravello which is also very good, sorry, don't remember the name. Don't worry, you won't get back to the ship hungry! I think all the guides in the area have "their" place to take you to, probably run by their family or friends.

[cheelsonrm15]

The restaurant that Salvatore of http://www.driveamalfi.com uses is the http://www.ristorantesangiovanni.com in a small village called Pontone near Ravello

[CJcruzer]

Six of us used Mariano Fiorentino of www.pleasantravel.com and we had a fantastic day! Would highly recommend his services. Very reasonable, lunch at a beautiful hilltop restaurant- also very reasonable - the best pizza and best priced that I had the whole 23 day trip!

[CatF]

I just got back from a cruise on the Voyager of the Seas and we used Sorrento Silver Star for our trip to the Amalfi Coast. I did a lot of research before selecting them. Cost, recommendations, etc. were all factors considered. And I can say without a doubt, the excusion with them was one of the highlights of our trip. I put together a group using cruise critic and I think my fellow passengers that joined us would definitely agree that they were informative, professional and personable, plus flexible with our schedule. We sang in the van on the way back to the ship, we were that happy.

 

Don't hesitate to use them for your excursions in Naples.

 

Cathie F