maryann ns

If you want the convenience of being driven by car or van, see if you can get a group together on your roll call. That way you can share the cost.

Eight of us were picked up by Driverinrome and taken to our hotel in Rome. Six of us went with them a few days later to the cruise port.

My DH and I and another couple we met on the roll call took the train. It was very easy. It was a Sunday midday and we had an entire car to ourselves. Just make sure one of you can lift the suitcases on and off the train.

Thanks so much for writing and posting this comprehensive review.

Definitely go to Trip Advisor and definitely go through the Okanagan area. You have time for a lovely trip.

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotels-g196587-Roissy_en_France_Val_d_Oise_Ile_de_France-Hotels.html

CDG airport is in Roissy. The above should help you.

If you join another forum (I use Trip Advisor) with the same username and avatar, people can find you there and send you a PM. I have had people do that several times after I suggested it.

You can sometimes negotiate with the gondoliers if they do not have enough business. If you find some in an area away from the Rialto bridge and go a bit before sunset you will get the day price, but the benefit of the dusk. Be sure to ask to spend more time in the back canals.

Chip and Pin debit cards exist in Canada.

Your daughter getting a local account is a great idea. We spent 14 months based in France and that is what we did. When we needed more local money we would write a cheque on our Canadian account and deposit it into our French account. It would take a time to clear, but it was an easy, inexpensive way to do this.

You should also take a look at Azamara. The small ships without children's programs attract fewer families.

I have spent six days in Venice and haven't seen it all. Take as many nights as you can. People here will say to stay in Venice but we have stayed in Mestre, saving a lot of cash for more important things. The busses back and forth run into the wee smalls, so you do not miss out on evenings in Venice.

Last time we stayed here which is a school turned into a conference centre/hostel. The rooms are large and well equipped, the bus is one minute away and takes under ten to get into Venice: http://www.allelagune.it/location.htm

Part of the charm in Venice is just wandering the back streets and getting lost. Also get a vaporetto pass and get out to Murano and Burano.

Washcloths are not commonly provided in Europe (or China, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina or Peru).

Iancal's thinking is the same as mine. You can go to Paris for a day or two and see the iconic places, but you will not get to know or understand Paris. I would spend any extra time you have really exploring Venice and leave Paris for another time.

This would not be the best use of your time in Europe. Paris needs time and you would spend the best part of a day getting there. It is also quite expensive to get into Paris from the airport.

If you do not want to spend more time in Venice, consider going to nearby Verona for a day, or taking the train to Florence.

I would simply fly to Paris and spend your whole time there. A week is nowhere near enough!

We docked in Xiamen with Azamara in 2011. This was before they advertised free shuttles. There was a shuttle and it may have been provided by the city. It took us from where the ship docked a short way down the road to where you can catch the ferry to Gulanyu or visit the town.

My experience was similar. We met early and went down to the tender area asap.

Thanks for telling us about this new company.

Ephesus is a world class historical site. Istanbul has been a world class city for over 1700 years. It is full of history but is wonderfully vibrant today. It is easy to get around and full of things to see and do.

It is a no brainer choice for me as well.

The trouble is there are so many possibilites and you would like to do everything. I can see you are adventurous so you can count on being back.

Iceland is fascinating and well worth a couple days.

I have spent five days in Venice so far and have just scratched the surface.

Driving in Europe is easy but you need to be alert. I agree that you may tire yourselves out before the cruise. Plan on going back on a longer road trip to explore. However driving from Munich to Venice with some stops would be great.

I don't live in Quebec, but here in Nova Scotia the pumpkins are joined with other decorations as Hallowe'en gets closer. I would go for the leaves. Aim for the second (and maybe third) week of October.

Some of the decorations may have been for Thanksgiving Day which in Canada is the second Monday in October. That will be October 13 next year, so the 4th. may be a bit early.

I have been compiling a list of ports and whether or not there are shuttles. This may be out of date and it would be great to have changes or additions. Also keep in mind what Bill Leiber said that circumstances change frequently.

Azamara shuttles newest in Word.doc

The only reason I can see for hiring a guide for CT is if you are uncomfortable with looking at train and ferry schedules yourself. This is one location where the value-added of a guide is negligible.

I could not agree more. The trains and ferries are frequent. Enjoy a leisurely day enjoying the beauty, little shops and restaurants.

Enterprise advertise that they will pick you up. If they say they will pick you up then they will. The thing to ask is if they will be there to meet you or if you must phone them.

Wow! I just spent the past couple hours reading your entire blog. All your agonizing over cameras was worth it! What an incredible trip you had.

I do not have an elderly aunt so this may be as close as I get to going to Antarctica. However you have made me want to go more than ever.

We just spent three weeks in New Zealand and its beauty blew us away. Antarctica would do the same.

Thank you so much for sharing your adventure.

I have no questions but I am looking forward to your review. This would be a dream trip for me.