I will be in Sorrento and would like to know what company did you use? I would like for it to pick me up from my hotel. There’s Mondo, Capitanago, buyourtour, Salboat, so many?? Have you guys tired any of them?
Thanks,
Yoli
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15800 posts
Didn't you recommend this one to another poster?
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/sorrento-boat-excursion
Yes, Gianni's has gotten excellent reviews for some years now - I'd reoc'd them to a couple of honeymooners awhile back who reported back that they'd had a terrific experience - but they don't pick you up. Still, getting to the Sorrento port isn't hard at all unless you don't want to walk or take public transit.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6017 posts
We used Mondo guides they picked us up and dropped us off at hotel
Highly recommend, it was a really fun day
Posted by
OP
128 posts
I would love Gianni’s! If only they could pick us up.
Lol.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15800 posts
OK but you do know that you're going to need to be able to get yourself to the port (Marina Piccola) for any other of your day trips by ferry? Really, it's not difficult and shouldn't be a deal-breaker where choosing a tour is concerned.
From https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/getting-around-sorrento-italy
From the center of Sorrento to Marina Piccola (the port)
Marina Piccola is the area around the port, where ferries depart and where there are a number of small beaches.
On foot: from Piazza Tasso, take the staircase down about 100 steps to the port. It takes about 10 minutes. If you are reasonably fit, you can also walk up without any problems.
By bus: Cooperativa Tasso and EAV buses run between the center and the port. Tickets cost €1 and can be purchased directly on board. Buses stop at Piazza Lauro, Piazza Sant'Antonino, and the train station. Some routes also go to Sant'Agnello, and the EAV C line goes to Piano di Sorrento.
By elevator: at Sorrento's Villa Comunale, there is an elevator which will take you down to the area near the beach clubs, just a few steps from the port.
Posted by
307 posts
Kathy and Christine H... Mondo Tours picks you up at your hotel - or a location VERY convenient to you. Even better, you get on the boat in Sorrento, cruise Capri, and THEN get off to wander around the island.
All of that adds up to not having to get to the marina, and otherwise avoiding the ferry to Capri, and then negotiating with a tour company to take you around the island, and then ferrying back to Sorrento.
Even better, I found the boat to be perfectly sized... There were about a dozen of us - most all were Rick Steves enthusiasts - from high schoolers to retired folks. Other tours have smaller boats, which can be a tougher ride depending on water and weather conditions. Then still other tours on bigger boats have a gazillion people.
We stopped for a while to swim, as well, whhich was wonderful.
In short, I highly recommend Mondo Tours - and you can book a Rick Steves rate at www.sharedtours.com. I booked our trip the night before, so that was even a bigger bonus.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6017 posts
Yes I know! We just did it a Capri tour with Mondo a few weeks ago- it was fabulous!
We had just 8 people on our tour - a few bailed because the weather was iffy but it turned into a lovely sunny day- their loss!
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15800 posts
gbrennan, not knocking Mondo tours at all. They're popular and highly rated amongst the RS forum posters who've used them, and I've recommended them myself. In fact, I recommended them to the OP back in April when she was unhappy with ferry prices to Capri in addition to a shorter 3-hour Gianni's Capri tour she wanted to book (that one did not depart from Sorrento).
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/ferry-to-capri-wow-so-expensive
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/anyone-want-to-share-a-private-capri-boat-tour-on-june-21
But the Gianni's 7-hour tour of Capri from Sorrento also includes pickup and drop off at the Sorrento port - just not at individual hotels - time on Capri island itself+ swimming opportunities. It does not involve the ferries, and reservations, as with Mondo, can/should be booked in advance. Tour size is same as Mondo's: maximum of 12, and prices are roughly the same as well.
Let's just say two different full-day tour options of Capri with reputable companies were offered up as alternatives to ferry + 3-hour tour. One could have been a good backup for the other should booking slots have been full for the desired day. :O)
My comment about having to access the Sorrento port was in regard to day-tripping by ferries to other locations around the coast, such as Positano or Amalfi, if desired, or even independently to Capri if deciding against a tour. It's just not a difficult thing to do.