Thursday, May 22nd 2025. I took the 8 AM Alicost ferry from Salerno to Capri, stopping at Vietri, Cetara and Amalfi. For speed, wait for the 8:40 one, stopping at Positano only. It overtakes the 8:00 service and arrives at Capri’s Marina Grande half an hour sooner. At Amalfi, a tanned grey haired guy with sunglasses was among the passengers hopping on. Soon after departure he grabbed a microphone and told interesting stories about the Amalfi coast villages that we passed. Alicost’s trip info didn’t mention this service, but it was informative and fun. The guy introduced himself as Corrado and he lived on Capri. He would offer guide services for the day to anyone deciding to join him in a group and the price for his guidance and transport on Capri would be 20 Euros. He immediately dismissed the Blue Grotto visit as being too expensive and time consuming. I had already heard about that. For 40 Euros per person, you visit it in a small rowing boat since the entrance is cramped and during busy times, waiting times are long and the visits inside are a few minutes per boat only, in order to process the flow of punters smoothly. As an alternative, he advised the Green Grotto, which offers a similar water light show for only 10 Euros. But there would be too little time for that today, too.
The itinerary would include a reconnaissance of the Marina area and time for coffee and pastry and a pitstop, a minibus-transport to the higher-up centre of Capri Town, visit the vantage points of Piazza Umberto and the Vista Gratis (offering the same vista as the Giardini di Augusto next to it, which requires an entrance fee) and a walk through the posh shopping streets. Free time would be allotted to take pics, take refreshments or food and to stroll and browse around. After that, a minibus would take us along the Via Provinciale with its spectacular views (a.k.a. the “Mamma Mia!” road) to Anacapri, with again a walk around the most central area there, around which Corrado would show where the shops and restaurants were and the famous chair lift to the stunning vista point of Monte Solaro. In the free time allotted up to the time for return for the boat, the group could grab a bite to eat, browse the shops or ride the lift, which i did (14 Euros, not included). Best chair lift ride i ever took and the view on top was even better than that from the Terrazzo dell’Infinito in the Villa Cimbrone gardens near Ravello.
A foreigner visiting on a first visit can never plan and coordinate like a seasoned local can, so of course i joined. Corrado knew everyone, vice versa, and he could hire a bus on the spot fast. Try that as an anonymous tourist from abroad. He also knew all the worthwhile places, so it was a day well spent and efficiently timed. He showed us some local products, like Capri watches, perfumes, ceramics and fashion, and he obviously had a deal with the restaurant who could serve a special “Menu Corrado” (34 Euros, not included). If that’s his twist, let him. Capri is an expensive location, and i would have spent the same amount or more on my own accord. Corrado’s knowledge and entertainment and transport arrangements were well worth the 20 Euros, and he made sure that we got on the last boat back to shore in time. The guy gets 5 stars from me.
This was a last minute booking at a very, very crowded time of year and despite that Paolo was amazing. He got our tickets, got us to the front of every line, and showed us all the best places. We had a fantastic time and I highly recommend!!
abbiamo fatto l'escursione a Capri, guida molto preparata e simpatica. Ci siamo trovati benissimo. Ci ha fatto appassionare dell'isola più bella del golfo. Ritorneremo a fare altre esperienze con lui.