maryann ns

New York is one day is "doable" too if you only go to one place (Empire State Building) have a quick lunch and shop. However that is not experiencing New York at all.

I have spent five days in Florence so far and have barely scratched the surface.

We enjoyed the bus ride to Stanley but were underwhelmed by the market. It would be very low down on my list. Just wandering around the waterfront and Nathan Road and taking the Star Ferry could fill a day.

My day backpack weighed a fair bit, but it was never checked on the three internal flights we took.

If the timing works out, think about Corniglia for lunch.

Fewer people make the effort to go to Corniglia and it is nicer because of that. We had a memorable meal there outside on the side of the hill (close to where you walk up). We had a wonderful view of the water, the vine covered hillside, and the flowers everywhere. The food (fresh 'sardines' fried up crunchy, pesto pasta and local wine).

This report is a keeper. Your advice, maps and organization are excellent. This and your earlier report will be very useful to others spending a day or two in Rome before a cruise.

On behalf of future cruisers to Charlottetown, thank you so much, Tweedy, for reporting back.

That is a smart service Budget are providing.

This is really useful information. Could you let us know how it worked out?

Sailingwithmom, thanks for a great review which will be very helpful to others.

This is a map of the port area of the city. You can see where the ferry comes in. The cruise piers are to the north of this. You can also see 144 Rue St. Pierre.

http://*******/maps/PEv3q

Your best option for a great day is to rent a car and drive. The driving is very easy.

Here are some previous posts:

boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1230792

boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1250994

boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1651619

Again it should be mentioned that paying in advance is not a good idea and with so many other operators and DIY options, it should not be necessary.

There is no way I would do this.

I do not know this area well so cannot help. There have been previous posts which you can look for by going back to the Canada page and looking for the search feature to the right of the blue bar near the top of the page.

I would also go to Trip Advisor and search and/or ask questions there.

On the surface, it looks like you would not be likely to get to Perce on time for the boat tour you mention. You have to be picked up, taken to the train station and complete the procedures for renting your car and get on the road all in half an hour. Then you have to hope for no traffic. Then you have to find the right place for the boat tour, park and get to the boat.

http://*******/maps/zpj7m

Now if you took a taxi or arranged for a car and driver in advance you would save some time, but of course spend more money.

I would contact the car rental companies and see what they say. Google for them or check canada411 Enterprise is known for delivering the car to you.

boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1687976

boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1667990

Dubrovnik was fabulous last October and we had a car since we were on a land tour. The views up high and around there are great, as was the drive to Kotor and from Korcula.

I have not been to Grose Morne National Park for many years, so I cannot help too much.

Here is a map which should help a bit.

http://*******/maps/hTZp3

You can also drive around in the park, but I can't find a decent map. http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/rech-srch/clic-click.aspx?/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=79930&query=driving%20grose%20morne&hiword=GROS%20GROSS%20MORNES%20MORNING%20driving%20grose%20morne

http://*******/maps/0wRtO

You would be able to get help by writing to them or at the entrance.

You are lucky to be going in October. That is when we went and the weather was great, warm enough to eat outside, but not hot.

You do not really need a taxi tour as you can walk the walls and the old town on your own. If you wish you can take the cable car to get a great view from up high.

For lots of information, google toms port guides.

Has anyone who has cruised on Uniworld's River Saigon tell me about the staircases. I have a friend going on this. She walks with a cane and is fairly large. How narrow are the staircases?

Since Louisbourg will not have animators after October 15, I would suggest that you rent a car and take the drive to Baddeck and Iona. The Alexander Graham Bell museum will be open. http://www.visitbaddeck.com/attractions/bell.html

This is the route I would take: http://*******/maps/SYuFr

You will have to come back (preferably on a land trip) to see Louisbourg, the Cabot Trail and all the other wonderful things in Cape Breton. http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/visit/heures-hours.aspx

There will likely be taxis on the dock and you may be able to arrange something with them.

Google toms port guides and you will find more information and the name of one private tour operator.

Private tours often include rug demonstrations too unless you clearly specify you don't want this.

I knew our tour would have lunch at the rug hooking school. The outdoor lunch was good; seeing how the silk is spun and the rugs are made is very interesting. We got to sit in the display room as they showed us the various types of rugs. None of us was bought one and there was absolutely no hard sell.

http://www.cornerbrook.com/default.asp?mn=1.22.94

http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/canada/newfoundland-and-labrador/newfoundland/corner-brook/activities_h2374883_sports-and-the-outdoors.html

They are at least reputable enough for the city of Corner Brook to list them and to be in Fodor's.

clay clayton, I cannot help you as I have not been to Newfoundland for many years (except to ski!)

Check out this company on Trip Advisor and google it as well. It sounds like it would be a great trip.

Hi Smitty3000: Thanks for confirming that renting is the way to go out of Sydney.

If you do a search on the Ports of Call - Canada page you will find many previous reports. Just look to the right of the blue bar at the top of the page.

For Sydney, it depends upon when you are going. The two main things I recommend are Louisbourg and Baddeck.

If you are going before Oct. 15, I suggest going to see Fortress Louisbourg. The quickest, most economical way to get there is to rent a car. There are many posts about this. You can also reserve a taxi or probably pick one up at the dock. The ship's tours from what I have read do not give you enough time. Once you are inside the Fortress you will not need a guide, as people acting the roles of actual people who lived in Louisbourg in 1744 will explain things. If you go there, try to have lunch or at least a drink in the pub.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/ns/louisbourg/index.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortress_of_Louisbourg

https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Port+of+Sydney,+60+Esplanade,+Sydney,+NS&daddr=Fortress+Of+Louisbourg,+Cape+Breton,+NS&hl=en&sll=46.027005,-60.077362&sspn=0.24219,0.676346&geocode=FeQWwAIdlG1p_CFVQ_v0LVL7zymDSwr7K_tnSzFVQ_v0LVL7zw%3BFWt2vAIdZ8hr_CnfpPkNVqhCSzEQdCafkpSbcQ&oq=port+&mra=ls&t=m&z=11

If it is after Oct. 15 and/or you would like a fairly short scenic drive, then I would rent a car and go to Baddeck and Iona, returning to Sydney another way. This will take you around the scenic Bras D'Or lakes (really an inlet of the sea).

In Baddeck you can see the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and walk around the village. There are shops and restaurants there.

In Iona (which is one of the most beautiful places I have been) you can tour the Highland Village.

https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Port+of+Sydney,+60+Esplanade,+Sydney,+NS&daddr=Baddeck,+NS+to:Alexander+Graham+Bell+National+Historic+Site,+Baddeck+to:Iona,+NS+to:Christmas+Island,+NS+to:Port+of+Sydney,+60+Esplanade,+Sydney,+NS&hl=en&sll=46.026905,-60.07716&sspn=0.24219,0.676346&geocode=FeQWwAIdlG1p_CFVQ_v0LVL7zymDSwr7K_tnSzFVQ_v0LVL7zw%3BFc1tvwIdDPVg_CnPkSNJLGJdSzHz0SeXSM56XA%3BFWF8vwIdARdh_CGgaKDXZTcWmimRaNcULGJdSzGgaKDXZTcWmg%3BFZJPvQIdijBg_Cl3_U_XX2hdSzG-umoFiqZDow%3BFRVTvQIdPNpg_CmLNVmJ_mddSzHgrABkv7cAyg%3BFeQWwAIdlG1p_CFVQ_v0LVL7zymDSwr7K_tnSzFVQ_v0LVL7zw&oq=port&mra=ls&t=m&z=10

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/hv/en/home/default.aspx

For Corner Brook, you could rent a car and drive into Gros Morne National Park. The scenery is beautiful.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20120604-canadas-most-beautifully-built-city/1

This gives a good idea about the charms of Quebec.

Congratulations on your new granddaughter!

I am so loving this thread and your so very romantic ideas. I hope you can stretch this out. If your wife is not on cruise critic she may not be able to find the exact cruise. Don't let her near a travel agent!