Private Tour of Naples

[maggie3]

Can previous travelers to Naples please recommend an independent tour or private guide for the city? We don't want to pay cruise ship excursion prices, but we do want to explore off the beaten track.

[Love Cruis'n]

Can previous travelers to Naples please recommend an independent tour or private guide for the city? We don't want to pay cruise ship excursion prices, but we do want to explore off the beaten track.

 

In 2007 we were very happy with AP Tours (http://www.APTours.it)

I think their WEB site lists a tour of Naples as an option, and we found them to be very flexible.

 

(Tell Sarah that Terry W from Chicago said hi!)

[mafiadon]

We were in Naples in October and I booked a private tour with Romeinlimo, it was one of the best days of our cruise. We did the Amalfi coast, Sorrento, Positano and Pompeii. Romeinlimo was wonderful we saw so many beautiful sights and stopped several times to take pictures. They brought us to a small restaurant high at the top of the mountain that had the most spectacular views and the food was to die for and so much you couldn't possibly leave hungery. They arranged for a private guide at Pompeii but you can tell them what you want to see and they will gladly arrange the tour the way you want. I also used them for three other tours and several transfer, you can't go wrong with them. I will be using them again when I go back to Italy in Oct. 2011 on a land tour. Jany is very easy to work with and will answer any questions you might have very quickly. I just can't say enough good things about this company as they made our trip the best. Linda

[chipmaster]

I can't comment about a tour off the beaten path of Naples, but if you want to see Pompeii and Amalfi coast then RIL ( Romeinlimo ) should be considered. Very reasonable and personalized day and cheaper then the cruiseships. I am less clear if they have an expertise just around Naples. The city is so in close to the port that I'd consider it DIY.

 

Good luck

 

Can previous travelers to Naples please recommend an independent tour or private guide for the city? We don't want to pay cruise ship excursion prices, but we do want to explore off the beaten track.

[BigGuy25]

Like mafiadon, we also had a GREAT experience with Rome in Limo. While on the Amalfi coast we decided on lunch not in the hills but right along the water edge. Our driver (Giovanni) found us a great restaurant where we had one of the best meals on our trip. We also had a great stop in Pompeii on the way back to the ship. I always use the word "style" when I talk about Rome in Limo because they are much more than just a car and driver. They love their country and it shows. MY DW and I have done a lot of cruises and LOTS of shore excursions and I don't hesitate to say that our trips with Rome in Limo have been among the very best. We booked them in three ports last summer and we've booked them in Rome for this summer. Can you tell I'm a real fan!!!

[Billiam]

I'll put in my 2 cents worth. I have used Tour of Italy (tourofitaly.com) twice and had great trips both times. I have also recomended them to others who had great days. Giancarlo is the contact and usually replys prompty. They use a great restaurant overlooking Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast looking towards Positano. They are a family run business from Sorrento so they know all the places to go. Others do a good job too and if you use the search mode on this board you'll find others but personally I would use only Tour of Italy. Happy Cruising

[cookie115]

I am considering using romeinlimo for our first Med cruise this fall. I just have two quick questions. First...tipping. What would be a average tip for excellent service for a private tour? Also, the email states they only take payment in cash-Euro. If we are planning on three tours, that would be a huge amount of cash to be carrying. How do you handle exchanging that amount of cash while abroad, or do you exchange before you depart? Trying to figure out the details before we book the tours. Thanks.

[~Fianna]

I am considering using romeinlimo for our first Med cruise this fall. I just have two quick questions. First...tipping. What would be a average tip for excellent service for a private tour? Also, the email states they only take payment in cash-Euro. If we are planning on three tours, that would be a huge amount of cash to be carrying. How do you handle exchanging that amount of cash while abroad, or do you exchange before you depart? Trying to figure out the details before we book the tours. Thanks.

 

Use an ATM. A fair amount of places in Europe don't take credit cards, anyway - especially places like smaller local-oriented restaurants. (I speak from experience here. Our first night in Venice, we got the check for dinner, pulled out the card and then went on a looooooong hike to find an ATM. After that, we pulled cash whenever we saw an ATM so that we always had euro on hand.)

 

The exchange rate at an ATM will be far better than at a cash exchange kiosk. Avoid changing in the airport at all costs unless it's just the only option (like when you first get there and need money to get out of the airport). The rate is equivalent to getting a payday loan.

 

~Fi

[cookie115]

Thanks, Fi. I've read that the ATM's are the way the way to go. My concern is that there will be a limit per day at te ATM. If I do 3 tours, I will need a lot of Euro's!! Since we are in port almost daily, don't want to run short (or experience an episode like you did in Venice! ; ) Thanks for the airport tip, too.

[GVAZcruiser]

ATM's; are you exchanging US dollars or using a credit card?

[cookie115]

Credit and debit.

[~Fianna]

Thanks, Fi. I've read that the ATM's are the way the way to go. My concern is that there will be a limit per day at te ATM. If I do 3 tours, I will need a lot of Euro's!! Since we are in port almost daily, don't want to run short (or experience an episode like you did in Venice! ; ) Thanks for the airport tip, too.

 

Everyone says to "get lost in Venice" as part of the trip... It would have been a lot nicer if DH wasn't sitting at the table waiting for me to get back.

 

I'm sure that the sight of a crazy American woman screaming 'No, I'm not in the ***#&*$ canal!!!' at her Blackberry (which was, of course not on my ear, since I was trying to use the GPS to get back to where I was going) was amusing to the locals, though. *grin*

 

Took me about an hour to get there, get the cash and then find my way back. Saw St. Mark's square from about 5 different approaches, though.

 

After that, we ALWAYS got cash. I've never had a problem with a daily limit on my ATM card, but I also use my ATM card for EVERYTHING both on vacation and at home (it gives me US Air miles and I have a lot of reimbursed work-related purchases that can be expensive) so my daily-use pattern is high. In larger cities it's not a problem, but in smaller places and at smaller restaurants, it's just not worth the stress trying to run out in the middle of the meal and remember where the last ATM you passed by was.

 

If you're concerned about hitting your limit, you can always ask your bank to raise it on a PIN transaction while you're abroad.

[cookie115]

That's a great idea. I'll give the bank a call when it gets a bit closer. Thanks again!

[maggie3]

I am the original poster. We have been fortunate enough to enjoy the Amalfi coast sights, as well as Pompeii on previous trips. This time we want to explore just the city of Naples itself for one full day, as we have skipped it in the past. I was hoping to find a private guide or tour that could help us do that efficiently, making the most of our day in port. However, I am beginning to think that, using reasonable precautions along with a good map and guide book, we can enjoy our own personal walking tour of Naples. I realize we may have to keep looking over our shoulders for pickpockets, etc. . We survived in Palermo on your own, so hopefully Naples on our own will be a good experience.

[OnVacation11]

I am the original poster. We have been fortunate enough to enjoy the Amalfi coast sights, as well as Pompeii on previous trips. This time we want to explore just the city of Naples itself for one full day, as we have skipped it in the past. I was hoping to find a private guide or tour that could help us do that efficiently, making the most of our day in port. However, I am beginning to think that, using reasonable precautions along with a good map and guide book, we can enjoy our own personal walking tour of Naples. I realize we may have to keep looking over our shoulders for pickpockets, etc. . We survived in Palermo on your own, so hopefully Naples on our own will be a good experience.

 

We will be in Naples in June and since we love food, are planning to follow this 1 walking tour:

 

http://foodmaven.com/guide/one-day-walking-tour-of-naples.html

[viajes001]

Me and my family would highly recommend Tour Of Italy Car Service. We used them in October of 2009 when our cruise docked in Naples. Tour of Italy is a family owned business. They were very prompt to respond when I submitted an inquiry online. Our driver was Giancarlo, the son. He was very friendly and accommodating. I am in a wheelchair so I was somewhat worried about how accessible the area would be. He took us to all the right spots with the most magnificent views and accessibility was never posed an issue at any of these places. We visited Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. We love taking pictures and he was very patient and never rushed us. We were able to spend more time in the places we wanted because it was a private tour vs the people from the cruise who were in a group excursion. If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me.

 

Also, you can get about $300 Euro's a day from the ATM (varies on machine) so you would probably have to go to the ATM on various days. It is actually better this way so that you don't carry so much cash.

[weliketocruise86]

I am the original poster. We have been fortunate enough to enjoy the Amalfi coast sights, as well as Pompeii on previous trips. This time we want to explore just the city of Naples itself for one full day, as we have skipped it in the past. I was hoping to find a private guide or tour that could help us do that efficiently, making the most of our day in port. However, I am beginning to think that, using reasonable precautions along with a good map and guide book, we can enjoy our own personal walking tour of Naples. I realize we may have to keep looking over our shoulders for pickpockets, etc. . We survived in Palermo on your own, so hopefully Naples on our own will be a good experience.

 

There is also a hop on / hop off bus in Naples which you could use to see the main attractions.

[mommamd]

We are going in June, I would like to hike Vesuvius, visit Pompeii, and eat pizza (have a 10 and 12 year old). Would it be worth a private car for this? Imagine we would be on the hike then in the ruins for much of the time, what would be an alternative, and is it worth trying to see Sorrento after the Vesuvius/Pompeii/lunch expedition? Just trying to figure the logistics of it all. The kids don't like long car rides and we will be doing an all day exhaustive tour in Rome and Florence/Pisa also. Might want to just do a partial day in Naples to avoid a melt-down, and spend some time on the pool deck of the Brilliance.

[euro cruiser]

I don't think there's any realistic way you can hike Vesuvius, see Pompei AND see Sorrento all in one day from Naples. I mean, it's certainly possible to get to all three, but you won't have much time to spend in any of them.

 

Vesuvius is on my list of things I still haven't done (but want to), even after many trips to Naples. I don't know if this is still true, but when friends climbed there a few years ago they had to park in one place and wait for a bus to drive them up to the base "camp", from which they hiked the rest of the way. If this is still the case, waiting on the shuttle may cut into your time as well.

 

Also, keep in mind that June is exceedingly hot in southern Italy and the heat may sap your energy faster than you anticipate, which might also cut into how much you are able to do in a day.

 

I'd suggest talking to your kids and let them do some internet research on Vesuvius and Pompei, and then choose one or the other. That, coupled with some time in Naples, would make a nice day. Also, if you plan to spend your afternoon in Naples, you can always scrap whatever you're doing and just walk back onto the ship when you've had enough.