JRoeT

Thank you!

Hello! Haven't been to these forums in a loooong time. Nice to be back!

Will be on Med cruise in November and stopping in Messina one day.

Would like to do a whole day tour of vineyards / wineries only. I'm aware of options that include other stops that are not wine-related as well. However we'd like to do all wine for the day! Would love to do tastings, see the land/wineries, spend time outside, talk to vintners, have a picnic lunch, etc.

Any suggestions for group tours? OR, if we do a private tour, any suggestions for a tour operator that really knows the vineyards/wineries.

Thank you, All!

J.

Bad news first: To my knowledge, Tapuna Mountian Safari is the only company that offers 4x4 excursions on Bora Bora. And Pricness books witht hem, so they probably won't take you independently.

The good news: The Princess tour with Tapuna was VERY fun. It took us up very windy, very bumpy, very steep mountain roads. The six people in our vehicle were holding on for dear life and laughing hysterically - we had fun, but it was also a little scary! My husband had one arm on the grab bar, and one arm around my waist, because I was on the end and it was hard to hold on! But it was really fun.

We went to the lookout points, saw the WWII artillery, went to a pearl farm, saw pareos being made . . . lots of fun stops. So, if you can't find something independent, you will have fun with Tapuna through Princess.

I know you were hoping to hear about an indpendent tour, but I figured I'd weigh in and share anyway. Hope it's not annoying to get the "you can go through Princess . . " schpiel!

Hi, Tom. I hope you didn't think I meant that you were obligated to post - of course you have other things to do! (Not that I do - I seem to be here every day after work these days! It;s so darn COLD here in Boston - not much else to do!) Certainly didn't mean it that way, but re-reading the post it could read that way. Anyway, I am 100% genuine when I say you and others are generous with your time here on the boards!

J.

I just booked the beach snorkle break from Island Marketing aka cozumel cruise excursions. I realize that things have changed since wilma and I just want to know if this place stills has what website claims it has. Is it the ultra modern chic beach club with big stuffed furniture and will it be a pleasant atmosphere, or a barren beach with some plastic lawn furniture? We dont plan to spend the entire time here, we plan on taxi over to Palancar or (San Francisco and Paradise if not too crowded.) But we did want to shore snorkle a bit first and I really liked the look of Uvas on this link http://cozumelmexico.net/Playa_Uvas.html

I have been watching for info here on these baords regarding Uvas Beach and the clear kayak excursion that goes there. I have been noticing that there are at least three threads asking similar questions about Uvas. And they are all going unanswered. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE, it is simply my observation and a conclusion I'm beginning to draw . . I'm thinking people (specifically some of our generous local board-friends who are always posting here) are not answering because they do not want to say anything negative about the condition of Uvas, or about the seeming difference between the way the Uvas website shows it vs. the reality of it.

I'm starting to think I want to switch excursions.

Please, someone change my mind! Any info on OP's questions?

I am reading mixed answers. As of now, is Uvas Beach back to operational? Also, I read somewhere further down that the clear kayaks are "no more." Is this still true, or are they running that excursion again?

Thanks

We just bought adult sets at Sports Authority. They had a pretty good variety. We ended up buying Body Glove mask and snorkel sets - the most entry-level ones that are made w/ temprered glass. (My husband says tempered glass is important to avoid fogging up the glass a lot.) These cost us $39.99 per set.

We also bought fins for $19.99 / pair, also made by Body Glove. There were cheaper ones,a nd more expensive ones, too. I actually pried them out of the box to try on, and the $19.99 ones were the best feeling, rubber seemed most flexible, didn't cut into my feet.

I am considering returning my mask (but not husband's) and buying correctove vision mask, as I wear glasses.

They also seemed to ahve a good variety of kid's gear, too.

I did not see any inflatable vests there, though (nor at Walmart or Target), so I believe we will buy them on-line.

Have fun!