maryann ns

Are you sure you will be eight days on the river? The cruises are usually 3-5 days. We made our own arrangements and took a three night (supposedly 4 day) cruise. This went from Chongqing to Yichang. That was interesting, but long enough. You really can easily make your own arrangements, including drivers and guides to pick you up and take you places. You will save a lot of money doing this.

There are many posts on TripAdvisor about how to do this.

I don't know about the weather in November. We went in March. It was warm enough everywhere, except for one day in Beijing. A front went through and cleared out the pollution but it was cold.

We had this place (Barababao) recommended and it was wonderful - not touristy. They care about the food.

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g187870-d1155570-Reviews-Bacaro_Osteria_Barababao-Venice_Veneto.html

Check out driverinrome. We took several excursions with them and were very pleased.

Right you are!

https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Canadian+Museum+of+Immigration+at+Pier+21,&daddr=Lunenburg,+NS+to:Mahone+Bay,+NS+to:44.5471854,-64.2326829+to:44.5037618,-64.0634363+to:Peggys+Cove,+NS+to:Peggys+Cove+Rd,+Upper+Tantallon,+NS+to:Canadian+Museum+of+Immigration+at+Peir+21,+Marginal+Road,+Halifax,+NS&hl=en&sll=44.643254,-64.039307&sspn=0.495381,1.352692&geocode=FYogqQIdkRI2_CEgmzhDlXHjFyndrHIwSiJaSzEgmzhDlXHjFw%3BFa0jpQIdjZIq_ClD0a4gwVtXSzHrTTCtT3o5Vg%3BFcI9pgIdPJsp_Cn7Y_qvyl9XSzGf5BZFz_TFyg%3BFXG8pwIdFuMr_CmVbw6Uw-ZZSzGRJeihENXCOg%3BFdESpwIdNHgu_Cl1Fr7icftZSzFDhjUguvaQdA%3BFernpgIdRLIw_CnlsFTY6QJaSzFmhYBMEgaDaw%3BFV_HqQIdQCEx_CmX_MwURfFZSzEV3v7-Z-u9AA%3BFYogqQIdkRI2_CEgmzhDlXHjFyndrHIwSiJaSzEgmzhDlXHjFw&oq=pier&mra=dpe&mrsp=4&sz=10&via=3,4&t=m&z=10

If you are pressed for time you can skip some of the coastal detours on the way back.

Prince Edward Island has beautiful pastoral scenery with rolling hills and tidy fields and homes. The north shore has beaches and red cliffs on the shore. Rent a car and take a drive.

In Canada if the card has to be swiped for some reason, then we sign. Otherwise it is the PIN, and yes we have the wave thing too. It is for small transactions. I make a point of checking my account online frequently to see if there are bogus charges. There have not been for many years.

Yes we travelled by tram most places. My DH was the navigator so I am vague on details. I believe we took the tram to the shopping area. There is a large pedestrian area. We had lunch there.

Some places we just walked. To get to the Glover Gardens you go up an elevator and something else. We were running late so just had a peek. Our ship was visible right below us so we had a pleasant walk down the hill to board it.

So if you can read a map and walk a bit the tram pass is all you need.

We found banks on the main street where the shuttle dropped us off and I think we saw others later on too.

We spent a wonderful day in Nagasaki. The cruise terminal had very helpful people who gave us maps and information on getting tram tickets. We went to the Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum. Then we took the cable car up to the lookoff on the far side of the harbour. We later found a shopping area and had lunch. Finally we went to see the Glover Gardens which are high up the hill above where our ship docked. We walked down to the ship from there.

The people are all very friendly and the place was beautiful and amazingly clean.

For Busan we took the free shuttle and walked around from there, seeing the amazing fish market, the upscale shopping area, and the far from upscale shopping area. Then we took the escalator to the top of the hill where there is a tower and temple. The shuttle bus picked us up there. This may sound complicated but it was not.

That's very useful information that is now in my notes. Thanks SpokaneDan.

What a great itinerary, Scarlett! I have been to all those places except Barcelona, and only on the Amalfi Coast did we take a tour.

Google "limousineinrome" and you will find some reviews and previous posts.

Sebastien, this a great offer you have made. I would advise you to start a file on your computer with notes and links to useful web sites.

I agree to take the tram. It is a pedestrian and stroller friendly place. You will have more than enough to see and do in the old city area.

Yes, do tell us what you learn and I will add it to my notes.

Here is a google map with walking directions to these addresses:

https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Esplanade,+Sydney,+NS&daddr=81+Victoria+Road,+Sydney,+NS+to:224+Welton+St,+Sydney,+NS+to:1246+Grand+Lake+Rd,+Sydney,+NS&hl=en&sll=46.141238,-60.196969&sspn=0.030152,0.084543&geocode=FTYPwAIdl3dp_CmH2p5VKftnSzGi1NYfQuHwCg%3BFcoXwAIdP8hp_CnFxdf8yuRnSzHaXaiilDBC_Q%3BFQ4WwAId-epp_CnhMQs3tORnSzEZ5En_Q21kjg%3BFRKCwAIdAP9q_Cnb1f4HhuNnSzE8g9l6wVjJag&oq=1246+Grand+Lake+rd&dirflg=w&mra=ls&t=m&z=13

It is about a half hour walk to Victoria Road.

I do not believe there is any public transportation to Fortress Louisbourg. You would need to rent a car or take a taxi.

Now if someone would do the same thing for Halifax, I would be all set!

Hmm! Now there's a challenge. I may work on this in the next few months. I have lots of notes. Meanwhile post your questions!

Cabin Number: 6083, 6074

Ship: Quest

Date: Nov. 2009, March 2011

Would you choose again? Yes

Is noise an issue? No

Balcony size: Normal

Comment: Good location. Close to stairs and elevators. Wonderful spots. No noise from below.

In 2011 I had no problem getting sparkling water with meals, but would have had to pay to get it at other times from a bar.

I agree it is extremely easy to go on your own in Istanbul. Check Rick Steve's guide. Google for toms port guides. Do a search here for Virtual Rain's post on how they toured Istanbul.

For Ephesus, you should consider a private tour. Go to the Roll Call for your cruise and see if you can join one that someone has organized. I organized one for 15 people and we had a great day. This was with Hello Ephesus. You really want to guidance about what you are looking at. Be sure to specify that you want to see the Terrace Houses.

I cannot remember where we were dropped off but we did walk to the ferry to go to the volcano park. Later we took the ferry back and walked to the mall with the ferris wheel. we were with Azamara, but I think the shuttle is put on by the city.

When we disembarked there two years ago there were lots of taxis and there were bilingual workers there to tell the drivers where you wanted to go.

However do not trust that they get it correct. Luckily we had been in Shanghai overnight, knew a few landmarks and recognized our taxi driver was not going where we wanted. We had the address of where we were going in Chinese script and once we showed it to him, he quickly changed course.

So, there should be taxis. Have the address you want written in Chinese and make sure they have the meter turned on.

Wow! What a comprehensive review. I just spent a couple hours reading it. Your photography is wonderful. You planned your trip really well and timed it for the fall colours.

Because of all that you had a memorable trip.

I often answer questions about Sydney, Halifax, Charlottetown and Quebec and will be referring to this from now on.

Someone commented on the deep blue sky in some photos. That is what we have in the fall on clear days. The colours are really that vibrant.

We stayed there three days and had a car. You can get great views from above the old city, so if it seems easier, by all means take a taxi. However, I think the cable car would be fun. It was too windy when we were there in October, 2011.

I know, I know! But this question has to be one of the funniest ever (and there has been lots of competition)!

I did not see the movie, but remember hearing about it.