Private Excursion 3 Days in a Row - To Much?

[lawtyger]

So, during our upcoming cruise on the Celebrity Solstice we are very excited about seeing Rome, Pisa & Florence, and Naples (going to Pompeii and the Almafi Coast). We have decided to do private excursions in all 3 ports and will be using RomeinLimo for our day in Rome and our day in Pisa & Florence and have yet to finalize who to use in Naples.

 

That said, it turns out that we visit those 3 ports all in a row with Florence first, Rome second and Naples third. I guess I'm wondering if that is going to be to many days in a row in a car?

 

I wish that those ports had been broken up a bit but realize it probably has to due with proximity of location. It would have been nice to have a port thrown in between those that we could just walk around all day with no driving or lengthy transportation required.

 

I figure the itinerary of having Livorno, Civitavecchia and Naples all in a row is probably something that happens a lot. So, my second question is has anyone done these 3 ports in a row before using a private outfit like Romeinlimo, Romecabs, etc., and did it feel like to much driving over a 3 day period such that it took away from the experience?

[paul929207]

Clearly, those three ports in a row will be a tiring few days. Can you do it? That really depends on you. For some people, it would be a piece of cake. For others, they would be dropping by the end of day two. The three ports and cities they encompass are some of the greatest in the world. I would go for it unless you know you can't do it.

[cruisemom42]

Yes, it is quite common to have these 3 ports all in a row. Whether you do a private excursion in a car/van, a ship tour on a bus, or do-it-yourself using the train or a taxi, there is a fair distance to be covered between the port and the sights most people want to see.

 

In Rome, there won't be a lot of riding other than to/from port, presumably. In Florence the ride to/from is a bit longer, but sounds like you are going to break it up with Pisa either going or returning. I'd guess the day you do the Amalfi Coast will involve the longest time in the car.

 

Are the days exhausting? Yes -- especially if you'll be going in the heat of summer. However, you could choose some options that would be less intensive (e.g., do Capri from Naples). Unfortunately, many folks want to cram in as much as possible each day, thinking they won't be returning for a long time (for some, once in a lifetime).

[lawtyger]

From a physical standpoint it will be no sweat. My concern lies more in the idea that when we look back it will have felt rushed or we weren't able to take it all in since we were seeing, as you say, 3 great cities all so close to each other.

 

Mind you, we'll be doing it regardless, just wondering what orthers who have done it may have thought afterwards.

[paul929207]

We have taken land tours where we were seeing fabulous things every day for 2, 3 or even 4 weeks and loved every minute

[texancruzer]

Again, it is up to you....... and how you like to travel.

 

For me.......lets go go go !!!!! I do not go on vacation to relax especially in Europe. I definitely use the sea days to recharge tho..... as should you.

I will add that we always fly in a few days ahead and "soak up" some Europe.

 

I remember our first trip over we really did go non-stop.....thinking we would maybe never get back. Ha ! We have now done 3 Med cruises and have repeated some ports a few times........ there are some that I don't have to go back to - but others we just keep going back :D

 

In my opinion, each day will be different. Pisa/Florence will be broken up and sites are unique. Rome is the most go-go as there is so much to see (our favorite) and Amalfi is lots of car time but relaxing for me and so unbelievably beautiful !

 

Have fun and enjoy ! Rest on sea days !!!

[euro cruiser]

Florence is a walking city, I'm not sure what you would do with a car other than get there and get back.

 

For me, this is also true of Rome. The longest distance between two points, for most tourists, is about two miles (from the Colosseum to the Vatican). I suppose it's nice to have an air conditioned car to sit in for a few moments, but given how close most things are to one another you won't actually be in the car all that long other than, again, getting there and back.

 

The Amalfi Coast is a long drive, so if seeing it is important to you, you kind of have to suck it up and accept a lot of hours in the car (assume two hours each way).

 

As others have said, it depends on your priorities and on how you like to receive information. When traveling I prefer to engage all of my senses at the same time, which usually means walking so I can see, hear, smell, feel, etc. without the barrier of a car in the way.

[hylasgirl]

So, during our upcoming cruise on the Celebrity Solstice we are very excited about seeing Rome, Pisa & Florence, and Naples (going to Pompeii and the Almafi Coast). We have decided to do private excursions in all 3 ports and will be using RomeinLimo for our day in Rome and our day in Pisa & Florence and have yet to finalize who to use in Naples.

 

That said, it turns out that we visit those 3 ports all in a row with Florence first, Rome second and Naples third. I guess I'm wondering if that is going to be to many days in a row in a car?

 

I wish that those ports had been broken up a bit but realize it probably has to due with proximity of location. It would have been nice to have a port thrown in between those that we could just walk around all day with no driving or lengthy transportation required.

 

I figure the itinerary of having Livorno, Civitavecchia and Naples all in a row is probably something that happens a lot. So, my second question is has anyone done these 3 ports in a row before using a private outfit like Romeinlimo, Romecabs, etc., and did it feel like to much driving over a 3 day period such that it took away from the experience?

 

 

You will have a great time with Romeinlimo (or whoever you choose) for 3 days in a row. It's hard to get away from that with some of these itineraries. BUT, the private tours will make the days easier on you. That is for sure. They are GREAT cities! And you will want to see the sights there. I think you can make more out of your limited hours.

 

Enjoy! These are 3 GREAT cities! My favorites on a Med cruise! :)

[chipmaster]

There was a recent thread about the big three.

 

I worried about it with three generations in two vans in each port. So happy I went for it, best three days of our cruise!

[baggal]

We've been on two Med. cruises. The first with our two children in our 20's. I wanted to show them as much Europe as possible and we had private tours scheduled in each port except for our last port, Toulon. It was go-go-go during the day and early to bed nights. We didn't do much on the ship at night other than dinner and a stop in the casino. We used Romeinlimo for the big 3 in Italy, and each day was memorably. You will be in the car/van for over an hour in the morning and evening (Florence and Rome are not port cities) depending on traffic, but you'll do a fair share of walking. These tours are not "drive-bys."

 

Last summer just my husband and I took another Med./Adriatic cruise - repeating some ports and adding some new ones. This trip was meant for R&R with some sightseeing. It was a totally different experience in that we didn't sightsee as much during the day - we didn't even go to Rome but took a ships tour to the countryside that day - and very often we were back on the ship for a late lunch. We scheduled nap times and went to the shows and night activities most nights.

 

I would not have done the second cruise without having done the first the year before.

 

Have a great time.

 

P.S. To get the most out of your days - hire a private guide through RIL for Pompeii and the Vatican. Money well spent.

[lawtyger]

As a followup, we are definitely excited about the big 3 and plan on taking them on (along with all the ports and our 5 pre-cruise full days in Barcelona) full steam ahead.

 

Can anyone tell me more specifically how their day went if you've done a private excursion to Pompeii and then to the Amalfi Coast to see Positano and Sorrento (and then hydrofoil back to Naples)?

 

I think Euro cruiser mentioned the trip to Amalfi was 2 hours each way? Sounds far, but the coast is something we think would be beautiful and quite memorable and would break up the day between with two totally different experiences (Pompeii exploration vs. sightseeing two towns and the coast).

[texancruzer]

We have done the same tour twice while docked in Naples. Not with RIL tho but another tour company......

 

We got off the ship pretty quickly altho we weren't the first ones off. Our driver was waiting for us. We went straight to Pompeii and our guide was also waiting for us. We did @ 2 hours in Pompeii and then back in the car. We then drove up to Ravello. We had @ 45 minutes there which is ok since it is small village. Then to Amalfi and @ 1.5 hrs there where we also had a quick lunch. We opted NOT to have the big sit down lunch offered by many tour companies but instead have more time in each village and visit Ravello. Then to Positano - again @ 1 hr. there. Then to Sorrento where we went straight to the ferry headed back to Naples. The ferry took @ 40 minutes. It docked right next to where our ship was docked and we had plenty of time before all aboard.

 

Hope this helps !

[Baseball fan]

We did the exact same thing (although we had 2 days in Civitavecchia). We booked all 3 ports with Italy Limousine. In Naples, we went to Pompeii and drove the Amalfi coast (stopped along the way). For Rome, we spent one day hitting all of the main sites. On Day 2, we went to Tarquinia and the surrounding area to see the Etruscan tombs. Florence was a very long day in the city. It appears the cruise lines are getting more port intensive in the Mediterranean. A few years ago we did a 14 day cruise with 3 days at sea.

 

Yes, it appears pretty standard for the cruise lines to do all 3 in a row...you will be exhausted but it is very much worth it.

 

Enjoy!

[joandian]

So, during our upcoming cruise on the Celebrity Solstice we are very excited about seeing Rome, Pisa & Florence, and Naples (going to Pompeii and the Almafi Coast). We have decided to do private excursions in all 3 ports and will be using RomeinLimo for our day in Rome and our day in Pisa & Florence and have yet to finalize who to use in Naples.

 

That said, it turns out that we visit those 3 ports all in a row with Florence first, Rome second and Naples third. I guess I'm wondering if that is going to be to many days in a row in a car?

 

I wish that those ports had been broken up a bit but realize it probably has to due with proximity of location. It would have been nice to have a port thrown in between those that we could just walk around all day with no driving or lengthy transportation required.

 

I figure the itinerary of having Livorno, Civitavecchia and Naples all in a row is probably something that happens a lot. So, my second question is has anyone done these 3 ports in a row before using a private outfit like Romeinlimo, Romecabs, etc., and did it feel like to much driving over a 3 day period such that it took away from the experience?

 

We did all 3 last year with Rome in Limo and we had 3 totally amazing days. You are there so it's your opportunity to see as much as possible. Go for it! RIL gave us a discounted rate because we did the 3 tours.

[Carolyn R]

I think that by taking private tours you get the most out of the "big three" ports in the most comfort and with the least effort. As well, you are able to get much closer to all the sites in a smaller vehicle than a big bus. We used All Around Italy in all three ports and Fabrizio exceeded all expectations.

[euro cruiser]

you are able to get much closer to all the sites in a smaller vehicle than a big bus.

This is a bit of an exaggeration. A car can't get any closer than a bus to:

• Pompei
  
• Amalfi Coast (with the notable exception of Positano)
  
• Capri (neither are going to get you here)
  
• Colosseum
  
• Forum
  
• Vatican Museums
  
• St. Peter's basillica
  
• Duomo (Florence)
  
• Ponte Vecchio (Florence)
  

In fact, the only "key" sites that immediately come to mind where a car has better access than a bus are:

• Positano
  
• Ravello (parking lot is slightly - as in one block - closer to the main square than the bus lot)
  
• Trevi Fountain (one block closer by car than bus)
  
• Pantheon (two blocks closer by car than bus)
  
• Accademia (three blocks closer by car)
  
• Santa Croce (four blocks closer)
  

[Carolyn R]

I defer to your expertise and edit to say "many sites" including some of the ones listed in Part 1 of your post, just my experience, excluding Capri of course. I for one just do not relish walking in a pack of 40 people with a leader holding a sign, and those blocks in Rome and Florence do add up.

[chipmaster]

I know at Pompeii we got dropped right at the entrance.. didn't see any buses

 

Amalfi coast, Ravello etc. didn't see a single tour bus all day.

 

Colesseuem, Vatican, Dumo, Pantehion, Trevi, Ponte Vechio, Academia for us at least in a 8 person van got dropped really really close. Did see lots of ship cruise crowds with their guides and their flags hiking in, never did see the bus... Go figure... probably just miss seing the 60' long bus parked on thoes busy narrow Europen road doing their very very very quick unloading 40+ passengers.. think not :D

 

This is a bit of an exaggeration. A car can't get any closer than a bus to:

• Pompei
  
• Amalfi Coast (with the notable exception of Positano)
  
• Capri (neither are going to get you here)
  
• Colosseum
  
• Forum
  
• Vatican Museums
  
• St. Peter's basillica
  
• Duomo (Florence)
  
• Ponte Vecchio (Florence)
  

In fact, the only "key" sites that immediately come to mind where a car has better access than a bus are:

• Positano
  
• Ravello (parking lot is slightly - as in one block - closer to the main square than the bus lot)
  
• Trevi Fountain (one block closer by car than bus)
  
• Pantheon (two blocks closer by car than bus)
  
• Accademia (three blocks closer by car)
  
• Santa Croce (four blocks closer)
  

[euro cruiser]

As we all know, just because we don't personally happen to see something doesn't mean it isn't true.

 

I've led groups on buses to all of these places in recent years and I can tell you that each 50 passenger bus most certainly did pull right up to each of the places on my list. As recently as October 2011.

[Grandpaul]

We've done this loop a couple times. We did it a second time so obviously we liked it. Having gone all the way over there you might as well see all that you can see. We've used RIL both times and found them to be great. And using a smaller vehicle is a lot better than a tour bus. I t can get to places a bus can't so the walks are shorter. Time to load and unlad are almost negligible. And the tour becomes whatever you want it to be. You can change it on a whim. It is a lot of miles but you will never get bored. So many great things to see.

[BigGuy25]

As a followup, we are definitely excited about the big 3 and plan on taking them on (along with all the ports and our 5 pre-cruise full days in Barcelona) full steam ahead.

 

Can anyone tell me more specifically how their day went if you've done a private excursion to Pompeii and then to the Amalfi Coast to see Positano and Sorrento (and then hydrofoil back to Naples)?

 

I think Euro cruiser mentioned the trip to Amalfi was 2 hours each way? Sounds far, but the coast is something we think would be beautiful and quite memorable and would break up the day between with two totally different experiences (Pompeii exploration vs. sightseeing two towns and the coast).

 

It's really not about "getting closer" when you book a private car and driver (even though sometimes they can get closer in some areas). It's all about being on "your" time, going where "you" want to go and leaving when "you" want to leave. Also, when it's time to eat, private cars can get you away from the large restaurants and into the neighborhood spots where the locals eat. We've used RIL for two visits to Italy. Including the "three ports in three days" itinerary. The Almafi Coast day was incredible. We spent the morning visiting the sites along the breathtaking coast and then had lunch at a great little seaside restaurant. After lunch, we headed to Pompeii. I will admit the two hours (or so) that we spent at the ruins meant it was something of a whirlwind tour ... but still totally enjoyable. We can't wait to get back to Italy ... and I wouldn't hesitate to use RIL again!

[samavarcruiser]

I defer to your expertise and edit to say "many sites" including some of the ones listed in Part 1 of your post, just my experience, excluding Capri of course. I for one just do not relish walking in a pack of 40 people with a leader holding a sign, and those blocks in Rome and Florence do add up.

 

Agree with you Carolyn :)