eyeu

thank you for such a great review...cant wait until next month when we take our trip.

I think the third option was the tour of Padua...how did that excursion fare? Love your daily briefings...thanks...

taking this trip next month..! cant wait to read/see your posts...

Rick

thank you..that was great...!

Rick

Looks very enticing! Appears there are some same slot tours that look good. Like the mussel harvesting vs the Padua walking tour. In Venice the art tour vs the do and the locals do. Any ideas? thanks...

Rick

Hi, actually found some companies that pick you up at your hotel around 8:30 am...bus to Lake Como area with guide...and return later that day around 5:30pm..reasonably price around $120...wonder if anyone had tried any particular tour company for this trip?

thanks..

Rick

thanks for the info...after rethinking the fact we are arriving a day early...think I would like to take a day trip to Lake Como area...Has anyone done that? thoughts?

thanks...

Going on the Milan-Venice Uniworld cruise later this year....Had a few questions....

1. Arriving a day early to take in some extra Milan sites...Want to purchase tickets for the Duomo terrace/rooftop...are they the same?

Do they sell them online by time slots or just by the day that you want to visit?

2.In Venice..is the art tour ..or the "walk" recommended?

thanks...

Rick

stunning photos!! Was in Bordeaux last year with Uniworld...amazing place...was not able to see as many places up close like you did.

Have to go back! ;)

Rick

Fabulous photos!!

What equipment do you take with you?

For those aerial views..do you have a drone? Really great!!

thanks..

Rick

Enjoy reading all the ideas on how to prevent pick pocketing..Unfortunately this is almost a given in today's world. My wife and I were in Barcelona last October and upon entering the subway..lots of bumping..and her money and credit cards were gone!

So smooth...so fast...so professional. Of course you try to be super vigilant but it does happen. One saving grace...

Before leaving we put a daily limit on our card...We had paid our hotel with the card and immediately after our card was taken...he/she went to purchase an expense train ticket....bingo! Was rejected because it was over the limit! That saved us from losing more than the case that was taken.

Agree...be careful..they are professionals...and enjoy...after you take precautions...

Final note...we told our story to one of our guides...who said she was also pickpocketed a month earlier!!!

Since I started this thread will give the final details. I really have no one but myself to blame for the problems. I almost passed out when I got the final charge on my Visa. Over $700 for my wife and myself for the visa and the process to get it!! With VisaCentral (the link from Uniworld for the visa) I did give them very negative feedback. So what?

I think before anyone applies for the visa check on how to DIY without the intermediary..

In retrospect very difficult to have predicted the final cost from their website but should have been more cautious. I usually

do my homework....

adding to JP and Elizabeth...when you are at your doctor's office, may want to feel out his ideas on what to take in regards to traveler's diarrhea ...

pepto...? antibiotics? nothing?...everything?

just a thought...

Rick

I/ A VISA to Vietnam can be applied for by mail or in person at the Embassy.

The applicant must submit:

1. The application form must be completed online,

Click here for online form or visit: http://visa.mofa.gov.vn

Important note: (1) choose ENGLISH language (top right corner);

(2) place of visa submission and collection should be VIET NAM EMBASSY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (the 7th from bottom up in the list).

(3) Field with (*) is compulsory.

(4) In case it is impossible for you to fill in the visa application online, you can download a PDF visa application form (click here).

but confusing at the least...

ummm...just followed the link from the Uniworld website (under already booked)...kinda wonder now...

Hey all,

Just to stay on message....

From my information, the process is online for visa to Vietnam from US. Maybe if you lived near the embassy it would be easier, but I do not. My problem was the specifics of the photo required.

Local UPS or CVS either do not have photo capabilities...or cannot put the photo file on a flash drive... really.

My take away is to have photo taken at a studio where they can put it on flash drive and you upload for application process. Worth a few bucks to save time and aggravation.

Tried taking my own pics..either background was not right..or something. Worth the few dollars to finish the process.

thank you..

Rick

Unless I am totally mistaken..The link to the Vietnam visa through Uniworld..only has the online option..at least that is what I have been struggling with...the questions, payment, etc are a breeze..it is just uploading the photo to their specifics that is causing the problem.

The clearing house that Uniworld links to is called VisaCentral, I believe.

thanks all for your replies...I guess the question is since the process is online...questions,,,photos..etc...how would you be able to get the photo from UPS or CVS onto the computer to finish the process??? I assume the photo they take is a hard copy...not a file for the computer....that is the rub. Do they give a file on a flash drive?? thanks...

Rick

UPS store sounds great..but do you get the file of the photo? or a printed photo? I thought the visa process needed a photo that was on your computer that you could just upload it, so having a printed photo would make that tough without digitizing it. Am I missing something?

thanks..

Since we are going on an October Uniworld Vietnam cruise, have to get a visa. Online, looked so easy....

the questions..the money...etc, but then a photo was required. The rules were reasonable..no smiles, white background...no shadows...etc. I have submitted 6 photos...3 of my wife and 3 of myself...they all get rejected!

What am I doing wrong!? The pics look reasonable...seem to adhere to their rules... but get tossed!! Help...Any suggestions...? Never thought the visa process would be so frustrating....thanks..

I also am a photography enthusiast...with big and small and in between cameras...which makes it even more frustrating...!

Rick

love the photos..getting ready for Uniworld cruise here in October..cant wait...thanks

We are taking that trip later this year and you ask some important questions. I assume we have to obtain our own visas?

What shots did you get? Any malaria prevention? Did you find both the hotels and the ship accommodated the US plug without an adapter? Any other hints would be appreciated...thanks

Rick

thanks...always love reading your blog and seeing your pics!! A treat!

cant wait to read about your trip as well as your pics!

thanks..

rick

Just got off the Riviera Nov 2 after a 7 day cruise from Barcelona to Rome.

The Wifi was tricky and pretty much slow and disappointing. Only one person at a time...within the suite. If my wife was on..have to wait until she got off until I could get on the network. The cruise was fantastic...wifi was not.

Rick