Mexfolkart

Just got back this week..stayed 5 nights at the Hotel Continental (our third stay) and it is wonderful! They have a little patio in back where people gather in the evening and trade stories. This is the tricky part though..as you come DOWN the Ramblas from Placa Catalyuna the Continental is at #

138 on the left. It only says "Hotel" outside.

Fun people to meet and a fine buffet for breakfast. We got wine across the street and down to the left a little at the Carrefour. You can easily take the shuttle to or from the airport. We paid 20Eu for a taxi from the ship directly to the front door of the Continental..but know that number 138!!!

Enjoy..wish we were back there! They are SO nice..our favorite Hotel in Europe!!!

We also had a Ramblas view room and worth the extra cost for it.

LaPoma across the street is fine for a quick dinner some night. Or nearby is Sabarra for Tapas! Check out the Palau Musica..we went there for the symphony one night and it was fabulous!

Sherry & Kimber

We just used Andreas Kambas in Athens and he was also great..he is also with greek Taxi drivers..his email is a.kambas@taxidrives.gr he picked us up at the airport and took us to our hotel and then the day we left he picked us up and took us to the cruise ship. He also does private tours and can do the acropolis early in the morning and Corinth.This is our second time to use him and we really like him..speaks perfect English. He also does tours to Meteora!

Kepp him in mind, too!

Sherry & Kimber

We use their air and fly in a day or 2 earlier and get the flights we want.

They do a good job.

Sherry

Cassis and Aix en provence are both lovely towns..plenty to see and do in both! Sherry

We did the exact same day as above with Revelation tours getting the flower market in Nice, St. Paul de Vence, where we had lunch, and then on to Eze and even time for a looksee in Monte Carlo..one of the best days of that whole trip..but have a tour set up so you can do it all..they know the roads and time from one place to another. Can't speak highly enough of Revelation Tours.

Sherry

For those of you who did have a shuttle to Taormina did this go from the little town at the bottom of the hill all the way up to Taormina and back again? About how often? Will be there on Nautica. Thanks, Sherry

We are staying pre-Cruise at the First Hotel Reisen right in the Gamla Stan where we can walk everywhere. It is on the water and just across from the Vasa. We thought it was reasonable for Sweden and its location..check it out.

Sherry

Last time we had two days there. First day we took a city tour through the ship. Second day we went off on our own with our visas that we had gotten ahead of time. (Ships bus took us in town and dropped us off) Walked into the Church on Spilled Blood and went to pay, and, duh, realized that we did not have Rubles!! Off we went to a bank and exchanged our USD for Rubles..actually easy! I had a little book of russian with me so checked out how to ask for small bills, please, in Russian..when I did the dour teller smiled and the others inline clapped! Then everyone smiled when I said Thank you in Russian! Just glad no one asked ME a question!!! Back to the Church and afterwards to the market and over to Nevsky Prospekt and walked and walked..this is where we went to the little art market by the church on NP.

I had gotten someone on board to write down, in Russian, Please take us to our ship at Dock____...luckily they were honest doing that!! We LOVED our second day..the freedom to walk at will in Russia!! Our taxi driver back to the ship had long black hair, a black cape and Opera blaring from his radio! A perfect finish to our trip!

We go back next week for 3 days on our cruise with friends..we have booked a tour with SPB as we have to get a lot in for these days when things are closed etc. Just seemed easier..but if it were just the 2 of us would not hesitate doing it alone again. Just remember to get Rubles ahead of time..we have!!

Sherry

Thank you all very much!!! Frihamnen-650 it is!! Sherry

Thanks..it is VERY confusing as F650 is not shown on anything FROM Azamara!! The tickets say F638 and the other info says that for THIS departure it is from Vartahamnen!! We will go to Frihamnen 650 and at least be prepared if the Journey is not there where else she might be!!! I just hope all the other travelers get there too!!

Thanks for everyone's help!

Sherry

On our Azamara Journey tix it shows that we dock at Frihamnen 638 however on one blog it shows we are at Vartahamnen! I need to know where we are for both 7/21 when we embark, and on 7/28 when we disembark..any help would be great! We have booked our Super Shuttle from ARN to Hotel Reisen..now to book the return if we can only find out where the ship docks..if we can find where to get on in the first place!! Thanks!!

Sherry

I could not figure out the price on the ARN to Gamla Stan fare..it was coming out to $3,640 USD!!!!!! I KNOW that can't be right! Thank you! We leave in a week for our trip..also we need it from Firmhaven back to airport also..

Sherry

Does anyone know where the Azamara Journey docks on 7/21 and 7/28 in Stockholm?

Also, are the Taxis big enough for 4 with bags or will we need two taxis to/from the ship?

Thank you,

Sherry

We will be staying at the First Hotel Riesen in the Gamla Stan area before our cruise on the Azamara Journey on 7/21..do you know where the ship will be and what is the best way to get from the hotel to the ship..taxi?

Then at the end of the cruise on7/28 we will be going to the Radisson Blu Arlandia hotel at the airport.. do you know where we dock then? Should we pre-book a taxi with TaxiStockholm or is there easy transport to the airport and we can walk or shuttle to the hotel from there.

Thank you! There will be 4 of us..are the taxis big enough for 4 with bags or do we need two taxis?

Sherry

There are several Mohammeds..what was your guide's last name, please? We are set with a "Mohammed" and don't want a smoking one!! Thanks, Sherry

Cruise Mom..thanks for sending your photos..we are even more excited about this tour! Sherry

Cruise Mom...we recently booked the same tour that you took in November in Cairo..we wanted something a little different and that sounded great. This is what makes this board so nice..we never would have known about that otherwise. Thank you, Sherry

Cruisemom..thank you for your post..we have just booked the same tour you took in Cairo thru this same company. Would not have known about it if you had not posted it.This is what makes this site so great!.Thanks, Sherry & Kimber

We booked through Ramses.com I am hoping that is the correct one! Sherry

Our ship's purser would not and we did not know about the exchange in Dover until we were actually on the pier..it just took a second and they were very nice about it. Wish the ship had at least told us all that as many were quite upset. Enjoy Guernesey!!

Sherry

We also were able to exchange our Guernesey Pound notes for British pounds sterling at the Dover port before you exit the terminal.

by the way..

we all LOVED St. Peter Port and the Island of Guernsey..took a drive around the Island and plan now to go back another time!

Sherry & Kimber

Our stop in Cassis was one of the highlights of the whole trip..very unspoiled, lovely little town. We took a boat ride out to see the Calanques (cliffs) which can be done if the weather is right..the view near Cassis is breathtaking. I also spent 2 weeks in St. Remy...if you want small, unspoiled French wterfront village, then its Cassis. If you want more of a town, with pretty scenery and winding streets then its St. Remy..St. Remy is what I would consider a very typical Procencale town. Cassis is a village. Good luck in your choice! Sherry

Barcelona..Saturday mornings at the Placa del Pi they have an art show..with very good art. 2 years ago we bought a lovely oil and this past May went back and there she was again and bought another..constant reminders of wonderful days in Barcelona!

Athens- gold jewelry and embroidery and hand hooked rugs at the Craft Emporium where the local women all sell their work.

Florence - gold jewelry

Istanbul - Pashmina shawls at the Grand Bazaar..I WISH I had bought a small mirror with an elaborately carved back in a silvery metal $30Eu..

Provence - anything lavendar and wonderful provincial fabrics

I also buy silk scarves all over..easy to pack..I go to Department Stores for a great selection

Kusadasi -little rugs ($$$)

Rhodes - lovely table linens

Wow..what fun! Sherry