katmich12

[COLOR="Red"]I clicked the # of the post in the top right hand corner of the message I wanted to print and that post came up on my screen. I then printed it.

Lindy[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Red"]Thanks so much but I learned how to print 1 post so printed your previous post.

Lindy[/COLOR]

:)

We have just returned from the Mediterranean Cruise on RCL’s Brilliance of the Seas that sailed from Barcelona on August 19th. I have submitted a full cruise critic review that should be posted soon, but below are my specific comments for the tours we did with RIL:

 

We used Rome in Limo (RIL) for our private tours in the next 3 ports. I would absolutely recommend them as they were truly professional from the first time I contacted them, to answering all my questions, to providing us with exactly what we asked for. Thank you, Jany and Duman! The RIL contact info is

Rome in Limo Company

Mr.Kafelebasi Duman

Via C.T Masala 42 Ed.9

00148 Rome, Italy

http://www.romeinlimo.com/

info@romeinlimo.com

 

From USA & Canada;

Phone 011 (39) 328 652 6705

Fax 011 (39) 066 020 0736

 

From other Countries;

Phone +39 328 652 6705

Fax +39 066 020 0736

 

Livorno, Italy.

 

Pisa and Florence was the first of the 3 tours we booked with RIL. Our driver Clara (or actually Maria Clara) met us on the pier at 8:00 am and whisked us away in the mini-van that would seat 7 people. We were in Pisa at 8:35, but the access to the tower allows only 45 people every 30 minutes. Clara quickly negotiated for us to be allowed in so that we can spend 25 minutes climbing the tower instead if waiting for the next group. I stayed back with Clara (I was in the tower in the past) and we spent time just chatting while the rest of my family climbed the tower and enjoyed the view. After a short walk around and mandatory “hold the tower” pictures we were off first to drive around Pisa (did you know there is a SECOND Leaning Tower in Pisa?) and then to Florence. I do not want to go into all the details of our Florence tour, but I do want to mention that everything was fantastic and we did exactly what we wanted to do and saw everything we asked RIL to see. The only place we were not able to visit was the Great synagogue as it is closed on Saturdays. Clara was talking to us all the time and even thought she is technically a driver and not a tour guide, she provided us with so much detailed information that we probably will not be able to retain. She knew every corner of the city, the best place to have lunch (fresh paninni sandwich and a glass of wine from a place that looks like a hole in the wall, but fabulous food!), the BEST place to have gelatto and everything else. Clara really knows the area well, she truly loves it and she made our day very informative, enjoyable and fun! After a busy day we were back to the ship shortly after 5:00 pm.

 

Costs:

Your tour costs as quoted by RIL, plus tips as you see appropriate. Cash only.

Pisa tower access: 15 euro/person. CC accepted.

Ufizzi Gallery: 10 Euro/person plus 4 Euro per ticket if you request RIL for advance ticket reservation (worth it as there is no wait time spent). Cash only.

Academia Gallery: 10 Euro/person plus 4 Euro per ticket if you request RIL for advance ticket reservation (worth it as there is no wait time spent). Cash only.

Lunch at a “hole in the wall” plus gelatto”: about 7 euro/person.

 

Civitavecchia, Italy.

 

Rome was our second tour we booked with RIL. Our driver Nicola met us on the pier at 8:00 am and showed us to a spotless beautiful Mercedes Benz. The car was top of the line, but it may not be comfy for 3 “above average” people in the back seat. Nicola also has a pilot’s license and he expertly “flew” our car to Rome. We had a nice chat in the car and, as we approached Rome, Nicola began the information portion of the tour. Again, he is a driver and not an official guide, but I am not sure how much more info a tour guide would be able to provide. Throughout the day Nicola provided us with a lot of info, so we really did not need any guides in any of the places we visited. In Rome tourist buses are only allowed to stop/park in certain places, but because we were not with the bus, we were able to squeeze through the narrow streets and get really close to the places we wanted to see. Nicola recommended a nice place for lunch which was very good indeed. We had a great day with Nicola and we saw so much in less than 8 hours in Rome! We were back to the ship shortly after 5:00 pm.

 

Costs:

Your tour costs as quoted by RIL, plus tips as you see appropriate. Cash only.

Colloseum (includes entrance to the Emperor’s palace): 12 euro/person. CC accepted.

St. Peter’s basilica: free

Pantheon: free (we could not go inside as there was a Sunday mass, but could see the church through the open doors)

Jewish Museum/Synagogue: 23 Euro for 4 of us. CC accepted.

A couple of churches where they have interesting artwork: free, but we gave some donations.

Lunch: 40 euro for 4 people, including wine and tip. CC accepted.

 

 

Naples, Italy.

 

Amalfi Coast/Positano/Sorrento/Pompei was the third tour we booked with RIL. Our driver Rafaele met us at 8:00 am and after a short walk we were shown to our van that would normally seat 8 people. He gave us a brief overview of the area and its history and we headed off to Positano and then to Sorrento. The drive along the Amalfi coast offers the most beautiful views, but beware if you have vertigo/issues with the heights. Rafaele made the drive look effortless, expertly navigating forever winding road. On our way to Positano we stopped at a roadside fruit stand where Rafaele got us some local grapes to taste – yum! Positano is a very picturesque village that was used for several movie sets, but it very touristy. Sorrento is beautiful with a lot of nice shops and many, many tourists. After a nice lunch in Sorrento, we started off to Pompeii. This place is a “must” to see! We met our private tour guide Gino and we spent 2 hours with him walking through the ancient city and learning about its history. In 2 hours we were able to see about 5% of Pompeii! After Pompeii we were on our way to the ship with Rafaele singing “O Sole Mio”. We arrived to port at about 5:00 pm and Rafaele presented us with a bottle of limoncello compliments of RIL. Very nice touch!

NOTE: This is a good tour to share with others as there is little chance that there will be issues as to the itinerary. The Positano stop was about 30 minutes, and a couple of hours in Sorrento is plenty for every one in the group to do what they prefer.

 

Costs:

Your tour costs as quoted by RIL, plus tips as you see appropriate. Cash only.

Pompeii: 11 euro/person. Cash Only.

Pompeii tour guide (pre-booked by RIL on our request): 100 euro for 2 hour tour (absolutely worth it). Cash only.

Lunch in Sorrento: 50 euro for 4 people (with tip and free limoncello shots provided by the restaurant). CC accepted.

Thank you so much for taking the time to make such a detailed report. We will be using this company for the 3 ports next September. Do you know how I can print just your message? If that is not possible, could you email it to me at Buffs212aol.com? Thanks, Lindy

Thank you so much for taking the time to make such a detailed report. We will be using this company for the 3 ports next September. Do you know how I can print just your message? If that is not possible, could you email it to me at Buffs212aol.com? Thanks, Lindy