I will be in Sorrento on a Rick Steves Southern Italy tour this May. The 2nd Wednesday is a free day. Do the tour guides or previous tour members have any suggestions as to:
Thanks in advance.
I would be surprised/shocked if your guide did not have info for 'what to do' and 'how to do it' on the free day.
OP Joe, I'm not taking or have taken the SI tour but shared Mondo tours for RS members has a day excursion which goes to Capri from Sorrento.
Given the price of ferries from Sorrento to Capri - around 20 euro pp each way - 90 euro pp for this tour is not a bad deal. Personally, I would opt to skip the Blue Grotto as it would eat up a lot of time better used elsewhere on the island. It also has an additional cost. Look like you may have to see about hustling up at least 4 more bodies to have the minimum 6 for it to operate.
If not up for a tour, Capri is easily done on one's own. See ideas for activities here (skip the touts of tours) and getting around:
Hi Joe. When are you taking your tour? We’re on the May 6 - 18 tour.
Much of the info you’re asking for is online and in the RS Italy guidebook that you received. I’m sure the guide can answer any other questions you (we) have. Here is a website that gives a little info: https://www.capri.net/. Are you using Google Maps and bookmarking ferry stops, sightseeing and restaurants?
Enjoy your tour.
Kathy
We will be on the May 13 - 25 Tour
Joe
Great answers so far. Note that hundreds, if not thousands of tourists visit Capri each summer day from Sorrento, most of them independently. We also skipped the blue grotto.
Reading Ricks itinerary, he warns of long walking distances and sun and heat most days of the tour. There is NO opportunity to “take it easy” on those aspects on Capri. It is big, steep, and highly pedestrianized, with no limo option even for Paris Hilton types.
Thank you all for your replies.
We decided to go with Mondo guide tours. 1 day to Capri.
Joe
OP Joe, I'll be looking forward to your trip report, especially this aspect. We are on the Southern Italy Tour beginning 31 August this year. Considering doing the shared trip to Capri. Also, I'm curious where you found your best information for preparing for the Puglia region portion of the tour. Were you sent any extra information, book suggestions, or links in advance?
There are many ways to travel around Capri after the ferry ride from Sorrento.
https://www.capri.net/en/getting-around#section-getting-around-05
The taxi up to Anacapri is IMO the best way to do it.
I'll agree with Gerri about the many ways to explore the island. While we didn't do Capri as a day trip - we stayed on Capri for a couple of nights - it's not a difficult place to do on your own IF willing to do your own research in advance. She has provided a really good link to info about how to get around. We took the bus up to Anacapri but taxi is preferred by other folks. Everything else - other than the chairlift to the top of Mt. Solaro - we did on foot.
Activities to choose are up to your personal interests, abilities and, possibly, weather. You've been given the excellent https://www.capri.net website for ideas. As previously noted, ignore the many touts for guided tours on that site as, with some reading up, you don't need them.
Ferry schedule from Sorrento:
https://www.capri.net/en/ferry-schedule?from=sorrento&to=capri#
To Sorrento from Capri:
https://www.capri.net/en/ferry-schedule?from=capri&to=sorrento#
During high season I don't advise trying to get on the last ferry to Sorrento late in the game. You'll want to pre-purchase your tickets if wanting to push your time to the last possible hour.
Look, we found more people in line for the bus on Capri than would fit on the next one. That suggests 30 minutes waiting to set out on the bus ride. This is a very busy island in high season.
If you want to visit a specific place, like the monastery, Villa Jovis, or Villa St Michelle, your only option is to walk there, under the fierce sun. You can’t take a cab. That’s all I mean.
