marazul

CC seems to have deleted all threads before 2020! We went pre-Covid in 2018. It is a shame because I posted on all the ports and they seem to be doing the same itinerary again. I looked in my notes and found the name of the tour guide in Brindisi. It is Alessandro Perrone of https://pugliaexperience.wordpress.com/

You could walk the causeway or take a 5 minute drive on the bus. The SB excursion uses the bus to get there and gives you the return ticket to go back on your own whenever you want to. It is just a very good walking tour (we were only 15 people or so) and you are free at the end to do whatever you want and go back when you want to on your own. The bus runs every 15-20 minutes. We had lunch in Monemvassia, looked around some more and took the bus back. We took the tender to the boat, got our bathing suits on and went to the beach in Gefira afterwards. It was really hot when we were there, so the little bus instead of walking was good. BTW, the fare is only a couple of euros. The Mystras bus was getting back when we returned from the beach. You would not have time to go to Monemvassia if you go to Mystras and that would be a waste. Mystras is very accessible on a day trip from Athens, but Monemvassia is more out of the way by road and a cruise is the ideal way to go there. This is one of the ports that makes that cruise special and is a "true calling" port.

Brindisi and Lecce are good size cities with the typical cathedrals, ruins, etc.. Go to Ostuni and Alberobello. They are unique. We used a private guide and added other places like Locorotondo. I believe he is still available. Look up my posts on the SB board for details.

Sorry. I don't know what happened with the above post. To answer your question. We have been to Mystras on a land trip and it is indeed wonderful. However, IMO, it is too far from Monemvassia. (It is 1.5 hours one way from Monemvassia.) Save it for another cruise that stops in Gythio or for a land trip. Instead, enjoy Monemvassia itself. It is a jewel and not to be missed. I gather you are on Seabourn. Monemvassia is one of the highlights of this cruise. Do not miss it. I posted about it on the SB board a while back. It is very easy to do yourself by taking the little city bus that goes across the causeway, but I would recommend the SB walking tour to get the most of it. And don't make the mistake some people have made. The town you tender to is called Gefira. Monemvassia is on the island at the end of the causeway and not visible from Gefira. Don't miss the sailing in or out to get the full effect of the town.

There is enough variety to keep the kiddo entertained. But, hey, it is your vacation too and you will definitely enjoy all of it. And, yes, the dress code is only if you go inside the casino. With any luck you can stay in the old city of Monaco and see the palace and/or the aquarium.

Topside.

Beach facilities will probably be closed by the end of October. That is past the beach season in Greece. The train may be running to the winery.

Go taxi to Colosseum, taxi toTrevi, walk (10-12 minutes) to Navona and Pantheon. (Or Pantheon and Navona.) Pantheon and Navona are a 5 minute walk from each other. You should get to the taxi line by the Pantheon by 3:45 at the latest. It should be a 15-20 minute drive to the station. This cuts about 10 minutes from your ride to the station. You could also walk from the Colosseum to Trevi. It should take 15-20 minutes and probably as fast as a taxi with the traffic.

NO. Yes.

Make sure you price a "multi-city" flight, such as CLT-FCO going out and ATH-CLT coming back. It will be about the same price as a round-trip CLT-FCO-CLT. The only flight you would have to add is one-way FCO-ATH or NAP-ATH on Aegean.

The only thing you need to know is to pack as for a Charlotte summer. Going into churches in Italy and Greece requires you to cover your shoulders and knees. That means short or cap sleeves are ok and one inch below the knees is ok too. And chill! It will be wonderful. I take it you booked the Greek cruise.

It is a security line for the basilica. You can't avoid it. It is free admission so there are no tickets. Go really early. It's the only way to have less pf a wait.

Your TA is blowing smoke. It doesn't matter which side you are on. In some ports you may be facing the port, in others you won't.

You can, but all their people are very good. We have been using their services for over 20 years. We first drove around with George (now retired) in his yellow taxi.

It might be easier to convince him if you do look for things to see and do. Just saying...

To add to cruisemom's post. Your guide can arrange for disabled people to use the elevator. There is usually no problem using the elevator, even without prior arrangements, for people who are visibly impaired, such as using a walker, oxygen, etc. Someone who is not visibly impaired, such as a heart condition, may need a medical certificate or doctor's letter.

Oops, I see they renamed their website to georgestaxi.com. Both links work.

The original and most recommended George's Taxi is taxigreece.com

I hope you meant you are staying in Rome one day ahead of the cruise. One day after the cruise will not help you getting to the ship on the first day of the cruise. Your arrival plan relies on a lot of wishful thinking and luck.

You can always email or call the hotel directly and book a room even if the website doesn't let you.

That's nuts.

OMG! Yes!

The longest time then. Like Rome, Athens should not be shortchanged.

Pick whichever allows you to be in Athens for at least two full days.