We are taking a cruise this August that stops at Amalfi/Positano (actual stop is Amalfi-tender port) for one day. Not even a full day, because it is a tender port and we have to wait on the tender when we get off the ship. Since we're not taking one of the ship's excursions, we will not be able to get one of the first tenders. Our ship docks at 8 am; we'll be lucky if we are able to disembark at the tender port in Amalfi by 10 am (we've done this port before with this same ship and it was a long wait to get the tender, then the tender ride in). Our ship leaves at 6, the last tender is at 5 pm. So, realistically, that gives us about 6.5 hours in port, if we don't want to cut it too close.
Most of the private excursions I have found go to Capri-Sorrento-Positano or Rovello-Sorrento-Positano (back to Amalfi).
Considering the travel time between these towns, I'm estimating that approximately 3 hours would be spent just driving from Amalfi to Sorrento to Positano to Ravello back to Amalfi, leaving very little time to explore each area. I have also read that taking the ferry from Amalfi to Positano gives you beautiful views.
I have been to Amalfi, Sorrento and Positano once before and chose this itinerary so we could return, as it was one of my favorite places, so I am eager to visit Sorrento and Positano again. I have not been to Ravello, and have not been to Capri. I'm reading that Capri can be very crowded especially in August when we will be there. Some people say it's touristy and some people say it's a don't miss experience. I am overwhelmed trying to figure out how best to spend this day.
Because it's such a short day, I am reluctant to join a group unless the entire group is from our ship, as we may need to cut some of our time short. I am willing to do a private tour so we can control where we go and how long we stay. I have also been looking into DIY taking the ferry from Amalfi to Positano, Positano to Sorrento, and a hydrofoil to Capri, but I worry about schedules, the ferry being too crowded and not getting on, and not having enough time. It seems like, from looking at Rome2Rio, it takes about the same length of time to take a ferry as it does to drive from Amalfi to Positano, so I guess we wouldn't be saving any time there.
So I guess I'm looking for some guidance. Is it too ambitious to try to add Capri to Positano and Sorrento? Or if we drop Capri, and add Ravello? Ravello is all the way in the other direction. To add one more fly to the ointment, my paternal grandparents and all relatives come from a place 10 minutes out of Sorrento called Meta. The last time we went, we took a private tour that included stopping in Meta to see the town, but we were unable to get into the cemetary or the church where my grandparents were baptised and married because they close from noon to 3 pm. I'm debating whether it's worth it to throw in a quick visit to Meta instead of trying to get to Ravello, which, again, we have never seen.
This is very long because I want to give the full picture. I am equally torn. 50% of me wants to go back to Meta, even if it means not seeing Ravello. 50% of me says, we did that already, let's see something we haven't seen already, and go to Ravello or Capri. (Sorrento and Positano are definite must sees). But mostly I'm worried that we won't have time if we try to see everything and end up spending most of our time driving rather than just walking around these lovely towns. I also don't know whether to choose Ravello or Capri, if we are able to do everything. Advice?