Navigating with the local Don of Amalfi Coast and Pompeii
Michele is a big Don of southern Italy.
Meet Don Michele (pronounced MEE-KHAIL-LAA).
Don Michele of privatetourinitaly.com
According to the custom of this region the word ‘Don’ is used as a courtesy title before the name of an important man. As I learnt during my tour, Michele is indeed a very important man in the Amalfi Coast.
First, he knows people! If you know what I mean. As tourist in the Amalfi region you want someone who knows local operators and one who can recommend things to do that only locals would know of.
Second, his brother is a pastry chef. Let me repeat that again. His brother IS A PASTRY CHEF. If the importance of that last part is lost on you, perhaps I recommend you revisit your reason for trip to Italy in the first place!!! In other words if you are like any sane visitor to the region who likes to indulge in the sweet culinary delights that is famous of this country then the best thing to happen to you is getting to know a local pastry chef. The next best thing to that is to know Don Michele!
I invite you to explore the wonderful and fantastic place that this place has through the pictures below so that it helps you pick your favorite destinations and allow you to spend your limited time during the short stop at Napoli port during your cruise. The photo descriptions below contain my insider secrets and money saving ideas when visiting Amalfi Coast as an off-shore excursion on your cruise trip.
Streets of Positano
Captured this early dawn image at the Napoli Port from the Norwegian EPIC
The Galleria Umberto is located in the central port district of Naples (Napoli)
Amalfi Coast
Welcome to one of the most beautiful places on planet earth – Amalfi Coast. See they don’t have stuff like this on Mars. So I don’t understand why they fuss over the red planet.
Amalfi Coast
(Foodie Tip – If you pre-arrange the tour with Michele, you can ask him to bring some samplings of pastry made by his brother)
That is a spectacular vista from the hotel
(Cultural Immersion – Michele knows the hotel operators along the coast. If you plan on staying or eating lunch at one of these locations, do ask him for his recommendation and no harm telling him your price range preference)
A small hamlet along Amalfi Coast
Spectacular view of the Amalfi Coastline
Greek architecture influenced Pompeii
These raised stones were intended to be walking stones to cross the streets when the ground was covered with snow and ice
Southern Entrance and main gate
(MoneySaving Tip – You will find several guides outside who will offer you group tours. If you are in a group, I recommend using guide. You will see and learn the important things in a short time vs. doing it by yourself. The campus is HUGE. But you are free to haggle with them for good price. If you pre-arrange a guide with a tour operator it will be more expensive than at the door. But reportedly, the latter are “official’ guides are supposed to offer an authentic tour experience just for your party).
Now these light colored chipped stones would shine under moonlight creating visible walking paths!
Inside the house of a former aristocrat
Contrary to popular belief this is a replica of the original mummified remain found under the volcanic ashes. The real one is in a museum in Milan.
Ruins of possibly a bakery
Panoramic view of Plaza Centro in Napoli (Naples)
Panoramic view of Napoli (Naples) port
Typical route (in red lines) for whole day excursions to see major highlights of the southern coast
Given the vast terrain to cover along the coast, a typical day excursion requires trade off between choices. Feel free to browse through the pre-arranged tours offered by privatetourinitaly.com and make the choice base on your interests.
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Category: Budget Adventure Travel, Italy travel on budget
Looks like you saw a lot during your short time at port. How long was your tour? I sailed the Norwegian Epic last summer and did a driving tour along the Amalfi coast too, however, skipped Pompeii. I wanted to take in as much as I could of the beautiful coast, and even hung out at the beach in ridiculously gorgeous Positano.
Each shore excursion was 1 day only but the entire cruise was for 1 week. Epic is a fantastic starter ship. I was quite wowed. And Amalfi coast is beautiful, need to go back and relax longer. One great thing about cruising is that you can see a lot in short time and then later choose to come back and spend longer time at the favorite destination. Its like a sampler of locales.