One thing I really like about our DISH cruise ( Sept. Rome to Venice) is we are able to spend 2 days in Sorrento. This the only port we have hired a private driver so we can explore the Amalfi Coast. We have him for the entire first day to do whatever we want. Any suggestions? What were people's favorites? Sorrento, Almalfi, Ravello, Positano - all of the above? Is an entire day too long? My husband and I enjoy countryside, quaint towns/villages as opposed to big cities and large crowds. We are also not big museum people (one hour is usually plenty for us), but enjoy local people, food/wine, picnics and great scenary. We plan on doing Capri on the second day and are doing it on our own. Thanks in advance for any advise and suggestion.

Sally

Hi Sally! It's getting closer now, isn't it? Wendy and I are planning our excursions now too! We're on the same "wave length" as you, planning to enjoy the quaintness of local towns and villages (and all their little trattorias have to offer!). We'll be in Sorrento one day the week prior to the week we're on with you. Which gives us three days total, so we'll be able to do Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Capri, thankfully. I'm a little nervous about the Amalfi Coast, I don't like heights a lot, or windy roads, but I'm going to force myself to go with "the gang" for the scenery.

I'm not sure in which order we'll do the above mentioned. We have one couple (Tony and Betsy) on board with us the first week, and another couple (Lynda and Mike) with us the second week, so we'll let them decide which they want to do, and we'll go along with it.

Who did you book your Amalfi Coast tour with? I'll know then, that he's taken on September 14th!

Charlene

Sally "all of the above" and you'll have a full day - we did Capri on our own second day too - Joanna

Hi Charlene - Our TA booked a private driver for us with a company called Travel Bound. It is $326 for the 2 of us/all day. We do not have a set tour, but plan to follow the driver's advise and just explore. You may want to check out the following website for Capri.. http://www.capri.net/salsa/lang/en/card2_id/341/page/card.html. I am tempted to hire them because of their cool convertable cars that could take you all over the island. Haven't made up my mind yet. I wouldn't mind stopping at a neat take-out place and plan a picnic with wine in a scenic spot.

I can't wait!

I can't wait either, Sally! I'm glad we're in the "planning excursions" stage, it's exciting. I will check that Capri website out in a few minutes. I think we'll be going with Marcello (Claudia's pick) for the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii on the other two days.

As the dates get closer, we'll pick a spot to meet for a drink on board!

Charlene

If you have two days, keep one for just spending in Sorrento _ the day with less time).. Sorrento has great shopping and the other day do the Amalfi coast tour..( Marcello)..
it is so much fun..
You don't need to waste alot of time in Positano or Amalfi at the tourist shopping spots as they have all the same stuff in Sorrento ( for less) and that time should be saved to see the beautiful coast and have that memorable lunch.
Want to go back now!!!!

Claudia, if I have 10 hours in Sorrento, is it safe to say I'd have enough time to visit Capri AND shop in Sorrento? I'm hoping so, that way I can fit everything in. I'll certainly remember to tell Marcello I want less time in Positano and Amalfi, and more time seeing the coast and eating and drinking!!! Thanks for the tip!

When you talk about shopping in Sorrento, could I ask for what? By that I mean, is it touristy things (glass, etc.) or good old shoes and clothes? And how outrageous are prices, so I can mentally prepare?

Charlene

Yes, you can do Capri and Sorrento.
Lots of touristy things- and lots of great stores ( good Italian name stuff- high fashion etc.)
Great ceramic stores ..places that sell, burl wood music boxes ( that are made there- pretty)..lots of art. furniture everything. And, all the store peoplr remind you constantly that they can ship!
There are streets and streets of stores.
Don't forget the touristy stuff like Limoncella ( if you have never tasted -you must! There are lots of shops that give you tastes

We always said if we go back we want to spend more time in Sorrento - driver took us around and I then realized how much there was to see and buy - but our day was full on the coast and i did not regret that at all - Joanna

OHHH...take me with you! I loved the Amalfi coast!! That picnic with wine sounds fabulous, as does the drive! Charlene, I doubt you will be bothered by the heights. The scenery is stunning! I took most of my pictures on that trip of that scenery. If I had it to over again, I would probably do the rent-a-car thing....then you can stop whenever and wherever you want! Watch "Under the Tuscan Sun" with Diane Lane if you get a chance. There are scenes from the Amalfi coast and Portofino to get your juices flowing!

That is definitely a place I would like to visit again!!!

Sheri

You can do Capri on your own. When you get off the hydrofoil there is a funicular and local shuttle buses. Sorrento has one of the best webcams if you want your friends to see you at play.

DON'T FORGET TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE FUNICULAR...YOU'LL SEE THE TICKET OFFICE - WE STOOD IN LINE FOR 15 MINUTES WITHOUT REALIZING WE HAD TO PAY BEFORE WE GOT ON - I REGRETTED NOT GOING TO ANACAPRI BUT WE RAN OUT OF TIME - WE JUST WALKED IN BACK ALLEYS IN CAPRI AND HAD ONE OF THE BEST LUNCHES EVER - DO NOT REM NAME -

Good idea, Sheri, I've been meaning to rent "Under the Tuscan Sun" and I'll have to make it a priority. I know you're right about the heights, that it's worth battling my fears in order to enjoy the scenery. I'm going, regardless! They can always pop an ativan in my mouth if they notice it's wide open and my jaw is slack and my eyes are glazed over - ha ha!!

As for renting a car, I think Mike and Larry would love to drive the coast, but I'm thinking an experienced driver negotiating the 1,000 curves might be a better idea. And then everybody can enjoy some wine at lunch, etc. I suppose I could ask them if they want to sacrifice a liquid lunch in order to drive? Would you really consider doing that next time around, Sheri?

What is the funicular? I think I need to go to a Capri website! I'll do that shortly.

Thanks for all your words of wisdom, everybody, I'm getting extremely excited about the trip!

Charlene

Charlene,

Amalfi Coast is spectacular. You will be enchanted at every twist and turn in the road.

My suggestion is you let someone else do the driving so you all can take in the breath-taking scenery.

We used Sorrento Limo and had a truly lovely day.

www.sorrentolimo

Ask for Gennaro, the owner.

Enjoy your trip. Italy is amazing!

You're right, Denise, although the guys would like to drive it, Mike said both of them would prefer to SEE it, not concentrate on driving. So, we're going to hire a private driver. I'm going to check out Gennaro and Marcello. Should be great!

Charlene

Charlene, definitely get a driver, and have a great lunch with the wine! You are on vacaion! And these are twisty-windy roads. I have to say that Marcello is a bit talkative, he even told me that on cc he was described as a "virtual erupting volcano" But he was there at exactly on time, and got us back to the ship in order to make the last tender aboard before we left. It was an effort on his part.

YES, Charlene, I would LOVE to do it again...do you have room in your suitcase for me?? Although I loved what I did, I was a bit sorry that we hadn't been there a few days so that I could do the coast drive. I think getting a driver definnitely takes the "load off"...especially if you are going to be enjoying some beverages! ;)

Good to hear that you have decided to use a driver for your trip along Amalfi. Once you've explored Amalfi, you will see why it was suggested to let someone else do the driving. It's awesome.

We loved Gennaro. He was everything we had hoped for in a driver and tour guide. Regardless of who you choose, I am sure you can't go wrong. If you choose Gennaro as your driver and are interested in cameos, ask him to take you to Ravello. I bought some beautiful cameo earrings and a cameo necklace at a very nice shop there.

Please let us know how your trip went. Have a great time!

Sheri, you know I'd take you if I could! You'd fit right in our loony crowd. And Denise, we are SO excited about the whole trip. We'll be gone 20 days in all (pre-cruise in London, post cruise in Venice, 2 weeks on the Diamond). It's still 3 months away, we leave September 2, but time is flying by so quickly (our parents were right, as you get older.....) that I know the trip will be here in no time. Especially since the nice weather is now upon us, and it's time for cottaging up north, partying with friends.... Plus Wendy and I are going to Cancun for a week at the end of this month with our girls, a graduation present for them. So, we'll be heading across the pond in "no time at all". Very exciting!

Charlene

When you go to Capri, take a taxi to Anacapri immediately - the shopping is great, the view spectacular! Prices are very reasonable, too.Antonio, the best sandal maker ever, has a shop down the street to the right of the taxi drop-off. You can take a chair lift to the top of the island and see everything. Nice lunches there, too. After lunch, go down to the main part of Capri for designer shopping. You can also take a taxi directly to the Blue Grotto rather than going there by boat - takes much less time and is a fun trip. Ciao!

Charlene,

Your excitement is contagious! I'm very happy for you! I think you are going to have one fantastic trip! Wish we were going with you, as well. Sheri and I take up hardly any room, right, Sheri?

Now, I hope time moves a little quicker so we can get totally excited about our upcoming Greece/Turkey cruise on Oct. 4.