Breakfast_at_Taylors

We’re looking into booking some sort of Amalfi Coast tour with Joe Banana (preferably by boat...) during our stop in Naples and have heard great things. But can someone clarify for me—are the tours (especially by boat) “private” as they say, or are you lumped into a group? Any other info on this company and their Sorrento/Positano/etc. excursions from Naples would be very much appreciated. Thank you!!

I’ll be cruising Europe on the Jewel of the Seas this year during Halloween, and I’m starting to wonder...does Royal Caribbean do anything onboard? I’m not a big Halloween person, so I’m fine either way. I was just wondering if I should be prepared for anything out of the ordinary :)

I tend to be a bit skeptical when it comes to shore excursions--will the guides herd us like cattle? Will we have enough time at each stop? BUT I also hate the thought of missing out on going to places that are further afield (I'd absolutely love to go to Positano or Amalfi when docked in Naples) and I'm a little nervous at the thought of trying to get there/back to the ship on my own.

SO...my question is, has anyone ever done one of the excursions from Naples that visits Sorrento, Positano, and Pompeii in one day? If so, is it too exhausting? OR--is it easy enough to get a bus to Amalfi or Positano on your own? (Bonus points if you can make a case for staying in Naples.)

Basically, I have absolutely no idea what to do with my day in Naples, and I just don't want to miss out on anything big.

Yes! I've heard about the market...is it easy to find?

Oh, goodness! They all look so wonderful. Which was your own personal favorite?

Thank you all sooo much!!!

We docked there a few years a ago in early September and agree it is a good place to just get off and wander. Not so sure about about the likelihood of finding a bar with singing though. It is France and feels French, yet it has similarities to Amsterdam as there are canals in the centre of the roads, so plenty of boats to see and an open feel to the town centre. Some of the boats are more what you would expect to see in a marina though.

 

Unusually I did not do my normal extensive research and I actually think that was for the better as we could just stroll and enjoy, with the odd drink/ice cream along the way.

This is so beyond helpful! Thank you!!

When I was there I just walk around the town, looking at the houses, street and canals.

Watched a soccer team sing some songs in a bar. Fun time. Last stop a cute candy store

where I bought some gifts to take home.

That sounds like a ton of fun!! So the town itself has a nice, quaint vibe to it?

Thank you very much, Roothy. This is all extremely helpful! I’ll definitely look into everything you suggested.

If you are there on Oct 27th like us....be advised that the must see St. John Cathedral is closed on Saturday afternoons.

We took a a taxi to Cathedral and just walk around from there. Turkish Bath, Market, must see .

That sounds great! Were there taxis waiting when you got off the ship? Were they trustworthy? We’ve had bad experiences with foreign taxi companies in the past...

Oh, excellent! Thank you.

If you list the available excursions, you could get some more feedback.

There is an excursion that goes to Nice and Eze, and one that goes to Nice and St Paul-de-Vence...which would you suggest?

Wonderful! Thank you.

Capri is sounding better and better! Thanks, all.

Loving these tips, everyone! Good to know that the Windjammer has outdoor seating.

Any must-visit restaurants?

We are docking in Messina—not sure I can fit in the clock tower, but it sure sounds neat!

Wonderful information! Thank you so much.

It's always hard to recommend things to others without knowing them.

 

I think the long tours that go to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast are just too long to really let you appreciate any one place. Also keep in mind that the ship-sponsored big bus tours cannot actually go down into Positano -- so you'd only see it from afar.

 

Capri has a lot to offer if you like pretty scenery, shopping, photogenic streets, etc. It's a bit "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" in some parts but definitely worth a visit.

 

Naples is more of a gritty "real" city, but definitely has things worth seeing -- and tasting. My first pick in Naples would be the Archaeological Museum with all of the wonderful finds from Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other areas.

Ooh, that sounds lovely! I’ll have to check out that gelato!!

Excellent suggestions—thank you! I’ll definitely get up early for that sail-in!

Sound like you ought to get over to Mdina.

 

Valletta, Malta (Mdina)

 

Hint: Get up early and don't miss any of the sail-in to Valletta, it's one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. And if you get off the ship early, you'll have the to yourself until about 8:45 am.

 

Malta has way too much to offer for a single day in port. We decided to keep it fairly simple and inexpensive on our first visit: attending mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, visiting Mdina, enjoying lunch, then returning to Valletta for further exploration.

 

St. John’s Cathedral aka "Co-Cathedral" is a must-see. However, due to services, it's closed to tours on Sunday and pictures are prohibited. You can still visit the church if you'd like to go to mass (no charge) at 9:15 am. On any other day, you can get a ticket for €10 per person, and visit Caravaggio's painting of the beheading of John the Baptist. Either way, the interior of this church, built in the 1570s by the Order of the Knights of St. John, is spectacular with it's painted ceiling frescos, marble and gold columns and arches, and ornate inlaid marble tombstones that cover the entire floor! They commemorate some of the most illustrious knights of the Order and date from the early seventeenth century into the late eighteenth century.

 

 

You have to work your way up since the old city is on the cliff top. As long as you use the elevator it shouldn't take you longer than 20 minutes to walk to the Co-cathedral from the ship. Turn right upon exiting the cruise terminal and walk towards the Barakka Lift (€1,00 up / free down). The Lift will let you out at the Upper Barakka Gardens which offers nice views overlooking the harbor. Start walking down Castille Street and turn right on either Republic Street (three blocks). Walk down 2.5 blocks to Triq San Gwann. You can't miss the Co-Cathedral.

 

Following mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, we walked back down Republic Street and out the City Gate to pickup a taxi near Triton Fountain. I prearranged roundtrip transportation online with eCabs to Mdina and back (just €5 per person each way for a party of 8). A comfortable van was waiting on us when we arrived.

 

 

The driver dropped us off at the Mdina Gate. Mdina is a small, walled town with narrow streets. “The elegance of the architecture, the pop of colors, the panoramic views and the sheer beauty of the town are all incredible. You can really feel as if you are in another time when here.” This is one of the “Game of Thrones” filming locations. After exploring the walled city, we went back out the front gate to get lunch at BOTTEGIN PALAZZO XARA, a reasonably priced restaurant which had received rave reviews online.

 

 

It's only a 6-minute walk to the restaurant at Palazzo Xara, Triq San Pawl, Rabat RBT1243, but we had some trouble finding it despite the building's distinctive dark royal blue doors and shutters. We chose to eat outside in their courtyard. Two of our fellow travelers enjoyed pasta dishes while my wife and I loved our locally raised roasted rabbit with pumpkin-infused mashed potatoes and a glass of Serina Merlot. Highly recommend.

 

We met our driver back at our prearranged pickup spot at 1:45 pm and were dropped back off at the Triton Fountain. This gave us about 2.5 hours to walk the streets and explore Valletta before returning to the ship.

 

Info on 28 more Mediterranean cities: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/mediterranean-secrets.html

Looks neat, but I get sick on small watercraft

I’m going to be cruising the Med on the Jewel of the Seas this fall, and I’ve never been on the ship before. Any secret tips or hidden gems I should know about?

My mom and I are going on our first trip to Europe this October on a 12-night cruise! Afterwards, we’re taking a train to Venice (arriving in mid afternoon) and spending two nights near Piazza San Marco before flying back home.

We’re two fit, adventurous Americans who love walking, window shopping, and taking pictures of quaint and quirky side streets and alleyways. We’re big foodies, and we’re NOT huge fans of galleries or beaches. What would you suggest we put on our bucket list?

My mom and I are going on our first trip to Europe this October on a 12-night cruise! We’re two fit, adventurous Americans who love walking, window shopping, and taking pictures of quaint and quirky side streets and alleyways. We perfer smaller, local, village-style experiences to touristy or big-city-style jaunts, though we enjoy both. We’re big foodies, and we’re NOT huge fans of galleries or beaches.

Our ship docks in Sete, and we want to explore on our own. Have any must-see’s for us? We’d like to avoid public transport while we’re there, if at all possible.