marazul
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Posts posted by marazul
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Well, abuelos and a short port day complicate things...
Here is a suggestion:
Taxi to Riomaggiore. Explore the town going down to the port.
Ferry to Vernazza. Everybody will enjoy the ride and you get the best views of the villages.
Explore Vernazza. Pizza?
Train to Manarola. Explore Manarola.
Train to La Spezia.
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6 hours ago, alserrod said:
No, it is not in that order. Just wondering if we have enough time for all of them
All onboard is by 17:00. I am considering even situation like part of family says they want to enjoy the ship, oversleep and have late breakfast.... thus time for two or three villages only
Well, part of the family can stay on board and the other part can go sightseeing to all 5 villages. The part that stays on board could maybe go to Porto Venere for a couple of hours to enjoy a similar experience to Cinqueterre. Sometimes (often) it is best to split up so everyone enjoys what they want to do. Especially the kids who probably don't want to be taken on more sightseeing when they would rather be at the pool.
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Is that an order of preference or the actual order you will be visit? Planning your visit in that order doesn't make sense because you will be backtracking. If you want to visit all five villages, you should start at the North end with Monterosso, then Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. You can take the train or ferry to Monterosso and then go back South to the other villages either by ferry or train or walking. Corniglia is not on the water, so you would have to take the train or walk there. Another possibility is to take the taxi to Riomaggiore and then the ferry to Monterosso and then back south. Seeing the villages from the water is not to be missed.
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5 hours ago, Nemo2005 said:
While we think we want to stay at Athens Gate Hote, precruise, wondering if there are recommendations for perhaps quieter locations, very close to Athens Gate Hotel. The comments on discussion boards and TripAdvisor about "noise" are our only hold-up on that particular hotel. We like the idea of being able to easily walk to Acropolis entry and Plaka district. Any other hotels to consider, still in that area? We have just 1 night, 2 full days in Athens.
We really like thee Hera.
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5 hours ago, Nemo2005 said:
Following. We're in the same situation. Has been recommended to us to use arrival day (long flight) to go to the Acropolis Museum and stroll and read at our leisure. Save the exploring for the next day.
That works. Use the rest of your day to walk around Plaka and have dinner there. Get your tickets to the Acropolis for first admission the next morning.
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4 hours ago, sasandy said:
Thank you, it is always nice to have information from someone who has been there. I have researched a few other options....
Using taxis and audio tours like Rick Steves
Public transportation such as the bus, tram or metro (seems confusing)
Private tour is too expensive I think and I just need transportation
Hop on hop off I refuse to do. Too many bad stories.
Is it easy or difficult to get a taxi at the port, acropolis, and NAM?
There will be taxis at the port. You may have to wait if there are too many people waiting, but they keep coming. There will be taxis at the exits of the Acropolis. When you come out of the NAM, cross the street and flag down a taxi to go back in the "right" direction.
Buy your tickets for the Acropolis on the official website. You can buy your ticket to NAM right at the museum. No need to prebook.
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On 3/13/2024 at 12:29 PM, mrsbos said:
I also read about George's Taxi, but now someone said he is retired.
George's Taxi started out as one taxi driven by George Kokkotos. He became "famous" on various websites when he started giving tours to tourists (us among many). Over the years, his sons expanded the company into a full service transfer/tour company. George retired a few years ago, but his company is going strong.
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4 minutes ago, D&N said:
https://www.ports-monaco.com/les-croisieres/
This article, which can be viewed in French, English or Italian explains "Digue" better as they are using the term. We saw (I have photos) a Seabourn ship moored at Quai des Etats-Unis in June 1997. I don't think that happens any more but the "Digue" can take up to 300 metres.
We were at that Quai with Seabourn just 5 or 6 years ago. That's why I said smaller ships dock there. Digue usually refers to smaller seawalls, but what they built is really a pier.
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2 hours ago, Cruzin1616 said:
We are due to dock/anchor Monte Carlo April 27th on the Regent Seven Seas Splendor
What is the "Rade FTV"?
"Rade" means harbor. FTV means Fontvieille, the yacht harbor on the west side of Monaco. Maybe you will tender there.
I just read the port's website. There is a long "semi-floating" pier (digue) where cruise ships dock in Port Hercule, the main port. So that's what they call the long pier at the port. Smaller cruise ships can dock inside the port.
https://www.ports-monaco.com/les-croisieres/
There is the video on that page. Take a look.
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If you are willing to do a private excursion, a tour to the Etruscan necropolis in Cerveteri and a visit to the Castello Odescalchi on the shores of Lake Bracciano are a great option. Cerveteri is closed on Mondays. The castle is open daily in the summer. Companies such as Rome cabs offer this option.
https://www.romecabs.com/toursinitaly/rome-countryside-tours/
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11 hours ago, mlmdaisy said:
That is a useful thread and I thank you. I have scrolled quite a bit, though and see no reference to using a credit card. Can someone please confirm that I can pay for a taxi with a cc? I'd like to figure out how many euros to get.
Yes, all taxis have a cc terminal. Ask before you get in because some might tell you it is out of order when you are ready to pay. This is rare.
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1 hour ago, mlmdaisy said:
Excellent! They take cc?
Look at this thread:
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19 hours ago, mlmdaisy said:
I didn't even know about Alexandra in Granada. I have two nights reserved at Palacio de Santa Ines.
I checked out the Alexandra. It is indeed a Hilton and within steps of the Passeig de Gracia where two of Gaudi's masterpieces are: Casa Batllo and Casa Mila (La Pedrera). It is located on the Carrer de Mallorca, a cross street between Passeig de Gracia and Rambla de Catalunya. There are lots of good and reasonably priced restaurants in the area, especially along the Rambla de Catalunya.
It looks very nice and the location is excellent. You will get a lot more sightseeing done in that area just by walking out the door. This would be important in the morning before you go to the port because you can go out for more sightseeing without worrying about check out or going back and forth to the Hampton Inn. The Hampton is really out of the way.
The Alexandra would be great if you can get it with points. If you are using points+cash, you could look at one of the many non-Hilton hotels in that same area. There are many reasonably priced 2 and 3-star hotels around it. You might get it for less cash and save the points.
Good luck. Here is the map of that area with all the hotels marked up:
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16 hours ago, saturn3 said:
I have two questions, first I was wondering if any other cruise line does the Medallion method or something similar to what Princess does. Seems this system works very well. Second which cruise line does the best Mediterranean cruise with the ports of call being Greece, Spain and Italy
Thank you in advance
When you compare itineraries make sure you check how many hours are spent in each port. MSC is notorious for short stops, for example 4 hours in a port instead of 8 or 10. That really shortchanges your ability to do any meaningful sightseeing in that port.
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1 hour ago, mlmdaisy said:
I didn't even know about Alexandra in Granada. I have two nights reserved at Palacio de Santa Ines.
I wasn't familiar with the name. I will look it up.
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1 hour ago, mlmdaisy said:
Alexandra
In Barcelona or Granada?
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7 hours ago, mlmdaisy said:
I'll still look into the finances of one of the Hiltons with a better location.
Why do you have to stay in a Hilton? If you are not using points, you can stay at lots of better located hotels for a more reasonable price. US chains generally do not have the best locations in most European cities, unless you look at their flagship prestige properties.
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1 hour ago, mthomp5 said:
Hi again, is it typical for Albergo del Senato to request credit card info to be sent to them via email to hold the reservation? If so, I may just wait for the one year mark when online resettle open up.
Yes, it is. You can email it, call them, or send it by WhatsApp.
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6 hours ago, mlmdaisy said:
It's more important for us to be closer to the airport than anywhere else. We will be anxious to drop our luggage off. I'm unclear, which of these Hilton properties is closer to the airport?
If your anxiety is only for dropping of your luggage to start sightseeing, you can spend an extra 15 minutes in the taxi and drop off your luggage at a centrally located hotel. From the airport hotel you would still have to take a taxi and ride the extra 15 minutes to get to the sights. And then taxi back to the airport hotel instead of just walking back to the in-town hotel.
Staying in town means that you will be able to walk in and out of the hotel as you please. This would be most useful the day you arrive. Barcelona (and all of Spain) stay up late. Dinnertime is from 9 pm on. Tapas time starts much earlier. The town is lively and there is much going on in the evenings. If you are staying in town, you can walk into your hotel for a little rest and then go out for tapas. If you stay near the airport, you would probably go back early and crash.
Same next day. Taxi back and forth to go sightseeing. Then taxi to the pier. You would be missing out on sightseeing time and wasting money for transportation by staying out of town.
Think about it. One taxi to the hotel and one taxi to the pier if you stay in town.
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47 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:
@BDEM A late lunch in Hotel America after visiting the Alahambra is pure romance. We have often looked at the bedrooms that are visible from the hotel courtyard and wonder about the 'happenings' over the years 😉 We often imagine someone sitting in the shade with an old typewritter and a 'tinto de verano' struggling to write the novel that he feels is inside him. It is a lovely place with wonderful atmosphere.
(ps forget pool and beach and loungers)
I so agree with you! The Costa del Sol is not the Caribbean. The very nice golf resort they are going to is not Sandals or the Club Med. I am afraid @BDEM might be disappointed with a boring and not really "beach" experience for their anniversary. But, what do we know... My best wishes to them for a wonderful day whatever they decide.
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Just now, Alatraveler1 said:
Thanks marazul, had looked at their set tours and they weren't what we were looking for. I'll contact them about a custom tour. Hope others post so we'll have options that best suit us. It's difficult to get an affordable custom tour.
They are very easy to work with for a customized tour. Their set tours are suggestions for first time visitors. You have obviously done your research and have some preferences. They will accomodate you, put the sights in the most efficient itinerary and make suggestions.
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1 hour ago, Alatraveler1 said:
Any recommendations for a customizable tour driver/guide/company in Valletta? We are looking for a 4-6 hour tour in the afternoon (around or after 2pm) that would go to the following:
- Hagar Qim and Mnajdra - tour of prehistoric sites
- Mdina - walk about the old city
- Marsaxlokk - Quick visit for harbor walk
This would allow us to use the rest of the time to go before or after the tour for short visits to Valletta sites of St. John's Co-Cathedral, perhaps the Archeological Museum and take the Barrakka Lift back to port.
Any help appreciated.😀
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56 minutes ago, kctwinmommy said:
Hopefully and easy question... I'm looking to buy our tickets from their website to take the tour. We're in Barcelona the day before on our cruise, and have some walking tours already planned. We'll disembark then on Saturday morning, head over to our hotel which is about a mile or two from the cruise port, drop our luggage, than go back out of course. Being a Saturday, what would be a good time to book our tour? Would it be better to go a little later in the afternoon? Right now it looks like we could pick times starting around 10 a.m. and as late as 3:00 p.m. Just looking for thoughts on this. Thanks!
Oh, and does it matter which facade we do for the tours? Passion or Nativity?
Book the tour anytime. There is no particular advantage. Since the SF is not near other tourist attractions like the Gothic Quarter, Passeig de Gracia, etc., I would go there first and then move on to the other areas.
I am not sure about what you say about which facade to do. The entrance is through the Nativity facade and your guide will describe it. The exit is through the Passion facade.
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20 hours ago, mthomp5 said:
How far in advance does the Albergo del Senato allow bookings. I’m looking for September 2025.
Their reservation portal opens up reservations one year in advance. I am not sure if it is by exact date or by month.
Email them and they can bypass the web portal for reservations.
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Ravena
in Italy Ports
Posted
@NCteacherlovescruising
I have not taken either excursion but I have visited both cities. I would choose Bologna over Faena. Bologna has been in the news recently with its huge, leaning tower. It is also the seat of the oldest university of the Western world (around 1000 years).
However, do not miss seeing the mosaics in Ravenna. At the very least, go to the Basilica of san Vitale to see the 5th Century mosaics. All sites are close together and easy to reach from the port. Search this board for details and google "Ravenna mosaics" for more info. They are magnificent and a top destination by themselves.