susanpayne

There is no way you could do Split, distance is too great. You may want to check out tours to our Konavle area, wine tasting and a stop in Cavtat. That would fill your day very nicely and it is a lovely way to spend a day here.

Thank you so much! We will have to come for another trip to see Split I really want to do that. If we decide to do Cavtat and revisit the Old Town and shop more than we did last time. Would you suggest Cavtat in the morning or the afternoon. Also how easy is it to get a cab from Cavtat or should we set that up for the return trip when we get dropped off? Also one more question. How long would you allow for Cavtat? Are you still loving retirement in Croatia? I spoke with you some before my last trip there and thought of you while I was in your country. Our plan is to retire and do VRBO's for a month at a time a few times a year to different country's to really get a feel for what life is like there.

Carnival Liberty 2014

Carnival Liberty 2015

Carnival Conquest 2015

Carnival Vista Inaugural 2016

Next Carnival Horizon Inaugural 2018

I'm sure this has been asked but we we in Dubrovnik last May. We did the wall, cable car, lunch at the top on the mountain and back down into the city for shopping and gelato. We are looking for ideas for something new this time. In port from 8-5. Would love to do Split but I don't think there is time for that. Anyone have any suggestions?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Plan the trip that you want I suggest Rome in Limo as a tour company they were amazing. They have several tours to choose from. Then go to your roll call page or Facebook group for the cruise and try to get people that want to go. Four people will run you about 550 I think. We loved having the smaller group because they could dart in and out of parking spots easier and get you closer to areas. If that doesn't work join the tour sharing group for the tour you want to do. In Livorno we did Florence saw David did a little shopping then we went to a winery for lunch and wine tasting then we went to San Giamanno (sp) for the afternoon we loved our day.

We didn't add the Guide at the Acropolis we opted for the Vatican Guide instead. In hindsight I probably would go back and add the guide at the Acropolis especially if splitting with 12 people. We had 4 people. We love the small group because a small Mercedes is able to fit in spaces that a van cannot. You don't need a guide for the entire day because if you ask for an English speaking driver they will provide you with lots of information but are not allowed to accompany you to the Acropolis. We had Chris as our driver. He was amazing. Couldn't say enough good things about him.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hello,

 

Yes we went to cassis it was market day so we went the market.

(The main market day in Aix is Saturdays what day will your cruiseship be arriving?)

We didn't do a boatride because the weather was bad.We went to admire the view from the cliffs by car after lunch we stopped at a winery.

On the way back to the cruise ship we drove by a few of the sights to see in Marseille.

My recommendation would be to have a quick lunch in Cassis in order to have more time to see things and to visit the winery.

I have a question for you. We contacted Nancy and scheduled a fantastic four for May. She is asking us to prepay which I'm not worried about however do you happen to know her cancellation policy. I wrote her but haven't received a reply. We are on the inaugural cruise with the Vista and just trying to cover basis in case it doesn't sail on time.

Thanks! We are in town Friday May 13. If I'm not mistaken that is when the market is in Cassis. I have been emailing Nancy so hopefully we will be able to do the same itinerary that you did.

Oooohh what a pity I didn't see your comment before, I did a full day tour that Nancy arranged for us, we first went to Aix en Provence and as it was market day we were thrilled to discover all the local scents and flavors. Then we went to Cassis, stopped on the way for a wine sampling and enjoyed a wonderfull seafood lunch in Cassis. Our guide had scheduled a short boat outing to discover the cliffs but it was too windy. We had a wonderful day, for your future reference don't hesitate to contact Nancy at (nancy@southernfranceluxury.com) she will make all the arrangements for you.

We are thinking of booking with Nancy for our day in Marseille. We would like to go to Cassis and then to a winery. Did you go to a winery on your tour? Would you recommend Aix en Provence? Did you get to see much of Marseille? Is there anything you would change about your tour? Thanks. Im sorry I know that is lots of questions.

just thought I would update you, I emailed both taxis that I had as contacts - and neither one replied.

What day will you be in Marseille?

Is it possible to do the seaside portion of the wall. Then maybe lunch at the Panorama cafe ( are reservations needed) then cable car. Do a little shopping in the market then out to the Buza Bar for a drink before getting back to the ship. We are in port from 7 am till 5 pm. Is the wAll tickets good for all day? And are we leaving ourselves enough time for everything? Thanks

Most tours in Florence are either of the city of Florence or Florence and Pisa. We are looking to do Florence and part of the Tuscan countryside or maybe a small town with a winery and wine tasting. Does anyone know the best way to find such a tour? Thanks

Oh ok. We are on Vista May 1-14. Thought if you were on that one we were booking a tour of cassis with boat ride to cliffs and then winery and tour of Marseille. You could have joined the 4 of us.

Which cruise are you on?

I've missed getting to Cassis when we stayed on land in the area. For one Marseille port day, I did a lot of work researching how to get to Cassis...but it was a Sunday in November and decided it wasn't the brightest idea to go there then. The train station is a hike from the town...over a 1/2 hour, then on Sunday a cab might not be found and if I recall correctly the bus from the train station didn't run on Sunday. The Tom's port guide has the instructions for getting to Cassis on page 39. The Marseille forum on Tripadvisor might also be a good source of information.

 

 

 

We also love French markets. Have you already been to Aix? They have a market most days. We're lucky, our cruise next June ports in Marseille on a Saturday, a big market day in Aix. That's where we are heading.

We are going to be there Friday May 13 on the Vista there won't be a market that day in Aix but there is in Cassis. So just not sure what to do now since we had always assumed we would go to Aix that day. It is our first time time Europe so we are a bit overwhelmed.

Marseilles itself can easily be done on your own. Going farther out to some other towns depends on your comfort level with taking public transportation or renting a car. The most common and easiest place outside Marseille that cruisers go is Aix en Provence. It's close and relatively easy once you get to the train or bus station.

 

 

 

We've also have spent the day in Marseille itself on a port day and have had perfectly lovely day that was just a shuttle ride away from the port itself.

 

 

 

Have you checked out Rick Steves' Mediterranean Port guide? He outlines the options for most of the Med ports, tells you whether each option is easy to DIY or whether to look for an excursion. There are many options outside Marseille (Avignon, Aix, Cassis, Arles, Les Baux, to just touch on some) so it is one port that is important to really read up on.

Just wondering your thoughts on Cassis? It isn't Market day when we are in Marseille. So we thought about doing Cassis. Is that easily done on our own or do we need a tour?

OK Thanks. That is exactly the info I was looking for.

We are in port from 7am-7pm. We would love to do the Accropolis and everything around there then lunch and shopping in Plaka then if possible Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon.... Is that too much for 12 hours? Just want to get all that we can out of the port. Hate to spend that afternoon on the ship when we could be in Greece.

UGH! Sorry for double posting. Not sure how that happened.

UGH! Sorry for double posting. Not sure how that happened.

Do you think it is possible to still beat the crowds with a private guide? My fiancé is thinking that we will miss some of the history and experience if we don't have a guide for the day.

Either one is very doable. Depends on how you prefer to sightsee.

 

There are a couple of easy options for getting into Athens on your own, including an express bus that picks up and drops off right at the port. The metro stop is a distance away and rather inconvenient.

 

I like to recommend getting into Athens quickly and getting right to the Acropolis. If you take a taxi -- only about 20-25 euro from port to Acropolis -- it's well worth the money IMO. You can get in a good hour at the site before the cruise tours begin to arrive. PRICELESS!

 

Once in the area, most everything can be done on foot -- the Agora, Acropolis Museum, Plaka, Arch of Hadrian, Temple of Olympian Zeus, etc.

If we hire a private tour guide do you think it is still possible to beat the crowds. My fiance is thinking that if we dont have an English speaking guide we may miss the history and not experience everything that port has to offer.

Did you have any time in Plaka since you did the Cape tour?

We are as well. Thought it might be a good beach day of the weather is good. Have you booked Athens yet? Working on that one today thinking of the PK tours.

Is there anything to do around the port if you schedule only a half day tour but don't want to get back on the ship too early. We are in Athens from 7-7. Thanks

We are cruising to Athens in May. Trying to decide whether to book a private tour or do the day on our own. Any suggestions?

Are you on the Vista in May? We are trying to plan that same port for the inaugural cruise.