ollienbertsmum

Thanks, you are not insulting my intelligence. I am from Europe and have traveled to Asia, Africa and North America - but I don’t know the process of replacing a lost passport. I will be looking it up before my next trip.

DH is just the same for saying that he is foolproof, but he does keep stuff in the front tucked inside his pants. I think he is right that it would be a challenge for a thief but I think he could do better. In your position I would make sure that if either of you were assaulted, then the other has access to enough funds for both to continue their trip. ad to the backpack with hidden back pocket, that is what I use and feel it is as safe as can be expected. I keep my wallet, Id and phone in there. Perhaps a thief with a knife could access it if we were in, say, a crowded train. For that reason in busy markets or trains I turn my backpack around and have a it at the front. Not the most stylish way to walk around, but I still recall the heart sink feeling when I realized my wallet had been stolen. I don’t want to feel that again.

When we had 6 am arrival we have made it to the train station for 7:30 which you need to do to catch the 8 am train. I have written before that this means being one of the first off - and not going to breakfast. if you are going to catch a 9:15 am flight you would need to be at the airport at a similar time. If you only have carry on you have more leeway. Malaga airport can be busy in the morning. Not always, but you have to plan for the worst when traveling.

I’m team ‘go by train’. I’m not sure that I have that many photos from the train (nothing special) - but you do get a sense of the scenery across Spain. I have taken more photos along the trips - but nothing has been interesting enough for them to be saved.

I have always enjoyed my port days in Cannes. One stop we added a train ride to Antibes for a couple of hours. However if I was there during the film festival I would wander around/people watch/if it was warm have a swim from the public beach/eat something French - and so have a great day.

Thank you for telling your story. It sounds as if you were so calm and accepting during the experience. That must have made a difference. I had a close escape a number of years ago when we boarded in Malaga and the taxi driver (I am not convinced it was a genuine taxi) stole my credit card. I was lucky that my passport was not in the same bag. I read posts like yours because I feel so like ‘it could have been me’. I think that, apart from being calm, the other essential is that you have some breathing space on your credit card. Knowing that you can afford a last minute hotel and flight are so essential.

In my experience of numerous embarkation/disembarkation in Barcelona over the last 15 years, taxis are plentiful. I think that it would be more time consuming to take a shuttle somewhere else to get a taxi. Only the OP knows the plans they have for the day. I have to say that we were always one of the first off the ship. We sacrificed the last breakfast to get an early train home. If we were going for the day, I would still get off the ship promptly if going DIY. Bcn is one of my favorite cities with so much to see. I would wait in line for a taxi to my first destination of the day and walk/use the metro after that.

I love that photo. Their looks say “this is us and we are together forever”. Good luck to them. The gift is a great idea.

I have been on two eastern med cruises, lots in the western med. i like cruise 2 best. I would stay two nights in Venice pre cruise because Venice deserves it, but Trieste, nice as it is, is a couple of hours away by bus or train. You can also overnight in Athens to make the most of a beautiful and interesting city. You still get to visit Istanbul. I have been on several November cruises - loved the off-season calmness. One year we got caught in a storm that meant a cancellation of our port stop in Naples. It is a risk, we did not feel that it spoilt our cruise, but of course we had been to Naples before. I cannot recall sunset being an issue for us, really it is Santorini that has the big sunset ‘thing’. I think that it is overrated, sunsets can be beautiful everywhere. One of the problems of an early sunset in Santorini is that you have to get back to the ship after dark. The steps are dangerous in the dark. We shared a tender back with a lady who found this out to her cost. She avoided the cable car because she was scared of heights and ended up with a nasty break to her leg when she slipped. Crowds will not be an issue in November though. So at the end of the day I think it is about the ports you embark/disembark. You might need to watch some youtubes or read some blogs about the ports. happy planning

Thanks. I (reluctantly) took a couple to my daughter who needs building up after a wisdom tooth removal. She messaged me to say she enjoyed them (actually that is big praise). I read the recipe again and I realized I should have added the starch. I’m doing them again for sure

I finally got around to making latkes. I think mine are bigger than yours but the recipe said 1/4 cup for each one. I had to adapt slightly but I want to eat the whole plate ! The fifth one did not get to the photo

They look so good. I’m doggy sitting my grandog tonight. Tomorrow I’m going home to make them. Happy Hanukkah. I must get a dreidel too.

I have to agree with posters about using taxis with luggage. DH and I once tried to get from train station to our hotel which was right outside a metro station. It was my idea, and I have to say it was one of my worst! We travel fairly lightly in terms of luggage AND we are used to walking. The small amount of loose change saved did not compensate for the stress on the metro.

Graham - I still have Iona aft envy. I am sure you know I was booked on my *first ever* aft balcony on Iona in June 2020. Even though youngest went with me to Tromso in Feb this year I still regret not taking an amazing cruise.

Hang on, are they not the same word?

In the middle of summer the tourist sites are packed and it is soooo hot. I would have thought that the shoulder seasons might be more comfortable. I would have thought that travelling to Rome by a coach tour would be easier. There is a board “Disabled cruise travel” that might offer insight.

First congratulations on your 25th. You have chosen a good itinerary. Your first “must do” is visit the places with You tube and via blogs. This is the way you will find out which sites would interest you most in these cities. Then you can start joining the dots in terms of transport options. At this point you should come back and ask more specific questions. If you have a good time I am sure that you will return.

I would certainly think that staying overnight in Rome or Athens is a treat and would make a lovely change to Barcelona.

Lovely as Malaga is, +1 You may have to change trains in Madrid. It is not a big issue.

I saw Graham’s post and turned on my tv. Oh how scary it all looks. Horrible and chaotic scenes. Stay safe Dani, praying for peace in the region

Using the mixer in the sink. Brilliant. I have cooked with so many kids and never thought of that.

Bonjour. I loved Ajaccio. We have been twice. So lovely to go to those ports where you just walk off the ships and you are ‘there’.

I have given up worrying. I have a friend who travels a lot. She has had Covid 5 times. Apparently none of these bouts have been more than a nuisance for her. She shares her house with her family, they including her Pilot husband have not caught it. no rhyme or reason

The chair looks great. I love the idea of ilevel. So important. Keep doing those 360 degree twirls.

Can you explain what the people are waiting for. In Gibraltar when storms are predicted we usually cancel appointments and take in the washing.