I just returned from my amazing vacation on the Amalfi Coast planned by Kathy at New Tuscan Experience. As a women in my 50’s traveling alone and going abroad for the first time, I had been nervous about planning my trip because I do not speak Italian and I wanted to be sure my hotel and activities would be safe. Kathy came highly recommended by friends who knew her, had used her services, and said their trips were fabulous. BUT….they were not traveling alone.
From the moment I contacted Kathy she was really easy to work with, she listened to my concerns and the things I wanted to see, and fit everything in perfectly. She also made several of her own suggestions which all turned out very well. Her great attention to detail and the fact she lives in Italy, speaks the language and knows the ins and outs that only locals would know, ensures that everything runs smoothly.
My 5 day stay in Positano was fabulous. I loved the small hotel Kathy suggested right on the beach. It was immaculate and the room size was much larger than I expected from what I have heard of European hotels (I even had a private little veranda with a view). The staff were very pleasant and attentive and there was a lovely restaurant and a beach café, with stunning views of the sea. While the hotel wasn’t luxurious, it was exactly what I wanted and what I could afford and it was safe and spotless - a place where you go to sleep and wake up with the waves crashing a few yards in front of you. The only caveat is that since it is ON the beach you need to get down to it from the main road by walking A LOT of steps! If you are in good health or walk slowly it is not a problem, but it is quite a bit of mandatory exercise. Luckily, they provide a porter to carry all your luggage up and down the steps.
Since I was trying to stick to a budget, and because of course you can travel by bus, trains and ferries, I was hesitant when Kathy suggested I use a private car service on the coast because public transportation is often unreliable and over-crowded. However, I am so grateful I took her advice. I want to point out that Kathy was really helpful in explaining how to get the trains from the airport in Rome to Naples where my driver was waiting - since it is much cheaper to use a driver from Naples than from Rome. She had also advised me to purchase a flex ticket for the train, in case I needed to make any changes, which proved to be a great idea since my flight arrived an hour early! I contacted Kathy, who jumped into action and called the car service - and like magic, my driver was waiting for me in Naples almost an hour ahead of schedule. That’s the kind of service she provides, exceptional. If I had used a travel agent from the US, the agency would not even have been open and I would have stood around for an hour either in Termini or Naples.
I totally recommend using the wonderful car service she suggests - it was outstanding. The drivers are locals who speak English and know the area. They are professional and experienced drivers, so important on the narrow Amalfi Coast roads where driving can be insane. My driver was delightful; he pointed out many things, and would stop the car, get out and take my picture at beautiful spots.
I had scheduled my own visit to Pompeii with a group tour during the week, but last minute I ended up following Kathy’s original suggestion and asked the the driver to stop at the site on my way to Positano from Naples. The driver was very accommodating and brought me there for two hours for not much more than it would have cost me to do it on my own taking two buses and a train each way.
I arrived at the hotel with enough time to change before I met the loveliest local tour guide, Lucia, another fabulous recommendation of Kathy’s. Lucia walked me around Positano pointing out some of the local delights and shops, including a gelateria run by a family for three generations. Lucia was well known by all the locals and such great company. She felt like a friend even though I had just met her. Thanks to her studies in archeology, she had a great grasp on the area with information you would never get from a regular tour guide. Lucia is a must have on your trip to Positano. She gets an A +++!
Wednesday, Kathy arranged a full day boat tour to the island of Capri. It was a lovely boat that held 12 people and our Captain, Pepe, was terrific. We stopped at the white, green and blue grottos, and swam on the way to and from Capri with beautiful electric blue fish. Once we got to Capri, we took a bus to the top and then a chairlift to Anacapri where the views were even more breathtaking. It was easy to mingle with people both on and off the boat, and I never felt alone. On the way back, Pepe treated us to homemade limoncello shots which were divine and some great little pastries. You don’t get that kind of service on the big ferry which may be quicker and cheaper, but you miss the complete experience. Another A+ tour.
Thursday was the day I had originally planned to go to Pompei, so I contacted Kathy for some suggestions besides strolling and shopping. Of course she had a fabulous one: to take the bus from Positano to a little town on top of the hill called Nocelle - away from the tourists so you really get a feel how the people live. For 1.80 euro each way, I took the bus up and down with the local people, who were really friendly and wonderful. I hiked around some rural trails with beautiful views for about three hours and found it was a perfect way to spend the day.
The following day, Kathy arranged a full day tour with the driver all the way down the Amalfi Coast. We stopped in Amalfi and went to the paper factory which, believe it or not, was really very interesting. I also stopped in the church which was gorgeous. We continued to Ravello which was lovely and I enjoyed visiting the church and one of the gardens. It was a beautiful day, and at the end of it I really felt I had seen the coast the best way possible, with my trusty driver beside me. Another A plus rating! This is really worth the money, be sure to take advantage of this full day tour.
On my last full day, we went to Sorrento. We toured a beautiful inlaid wood museum which I really recommend. My driver had friends everywhere he went. He took me into this great shop that had all kinds of free tastings and I had a lot of fun.
In the afternoon, I went to a cooking class at a restaurant on the beach that Kathy had booked for me. The class was awesome, there were only 5 of us and it was totally hands on. While we cooked, they kept the prosecco flowing. At the end of the class, the five of us ate what we had cooked in the restaurant with a beautiful view of the sea. We ate and chatted for about 2.5 hours and it was nice not to eat alone.
My favorite dining experience was at Rada Restaurant. It was fabulous - really over the top. It is a three story building located at the end of the beach with live music on the top floor, sushi and a dining room with really unique fusion foods. The awesome food, view and service make it worth every penny.
In conclusion, I give Kathy an A+++ for her knowledge, experience and ability to understand my needs and situation. Everything she booked for me was perfect. If you want a local who knows the ins and outs of how to plan things AND you want an expert who really cares if you have the best vacation possible and does everything in her power to be sure that happens, then there is only one person to contact: Kathy Perunic from New Tuscan Experience - even if you want the total Amalfi Coast experience.
Cynthia M. - New Jersey, USA
