bellaone

I would suggest contacting Levent Solmaz at levent.slmz@gmail.com. A wonderful and fairly priced tour guide who you can customize with. I've used him twice and have him booked already for next years cruise.

PS-Terrace Houses are a must 

I know this wouldn't be for everyone, but on my last Lisbon stop I used "Bike My Side", motorcycles with side cars, great and informative drivers, and the ability to get onto side streets and in alleyways no car could fit through! So much fun.

Oh gosh, I don't remember, but Tom was a great communicator so just contact him with what you would like to do and with how many. I guarantee it will be reasonable, particularly compared to the ships cattle call😉

We were 4. 

https://www.tourthegameofthrones.com/meet-tom-your-tour-guide/

I used Tom's company for a full day tour as I am a GOT geek. Fun, smart, flexible and highly recommended.

It might not be for you, but my last time there (my 3rd) I stopped in a lovely hammam after wandering a while. Loved it, but not for the modest! Sorry, but I cannot remember the name of the place.

Sadly, I have no recollection, but remember it seeming fair.

No, we actually just had our driver bring us to the dock where the (numerous) boats begin the tour, picked a boat, paid and off we went. The driver waited and brought us back to town afterwards. ENJOY!!!

It's very doable. Upon disembarkation you will see a kiosk for tours and a line of drivers/taxis. We grabbed a private car and were able to visit the Blue Lagoon with time to spare to wander Valletta.  Enjoy!

We had an idea of what we wanted to do, walked off the ship where there is a well run kiosk. We just walked up to and made arrangements on the spot. There is a cab queue. 

I have had the privilege of using Mr. Solmaz's services twice in the past. Would highly recommend as well!

I have used Levant Solmaz twice in Ephesus. Just wonderful. For lunch we went to a little place where you go up and order from a counter and bring your food to the table. Lots of choices as opposed to a set menu,  quick, and you choose your meal and pay accordingly. It's been some time but, as a group that felt lunch was just a necessary time suck, it was perfect. 

I had a wonderful stay at Catalonia Magdelenes and found it perfectly located. Great rooftop bar as well.

Yes. The company I selected was "Tour The Game of Thrones" based on reviews. Tom's correspondence was quick and concise. We spent the day with them,  11:15am to 5pm, a private tour of 4 adults, two of us fans of the show, two not so unfamiliar, and all had a great time, with our flexible and very knowledgeable guide, Neno. We also included Trsteno Arboretum, were allowed to modify to our tastes, and the price was quite reasonable.

If time allows and you just want to end the day getting dirty, have them drop you off at Mt.St.Serge and give Buggy Dubrovnick a try! 

Enjoy!

15 hours ago, Scotmay said:

Can't seem to find a tour at this port for the 1st of September, 2020. Are there usually plenty of taxis at the port. 

 

May

This may sound odd, but contact Dubrovnik Driving Guide. Julija Antunovic is an amazing driver and guide (read her reviews), you will never regret booking her if you can, and if I'm not mistaken she actually is from Montenegro. Who would think to look under Dubrovnik! Good luck. 

On 8/20/2019 at 8:12 PM, Sauer-kraut said:

Warnemunde is a nice little seaside town.  You can walk along the river to the lighthouse and there is a beach there.  You can rent bicycles and do the area from a local shop about a block in town from train station. The Molli Train to Bad Doberan is nice if you are in to mini steam trains.   There is Schwerin Castle about an hours train ride from Warnemunde, where you can walk around and have a nice tea in the garden.  There is Wismar which is a Unesco town because of its Brick Gothic buildings, as well a Medieval churches and tucked away somewhere is a Roman Bath ruin.  There is a lot in the area. 

For an extensive look at what to do there is a great website https://travelanni.webs.com/

Anni used to post here and lived in the area.  She has broken things down by city in the area and how to get there using public transport. 

If you berth directly in Warnemunde you are only steps away from the train station.  At Rostock you'll have to get a shuttle.

The travelanni website is terrific!! Going next year and couldn't decide what to do. So helpful, thanks!

15 hours ago, Idallarry said:

we are going on the infinity next June 13. I was wondering if anyone can recommend private tours for Croatia. 

Absolutely and wholeheartedly recommend Julija Antunovic with Dubrovnik Driving Guide. Whip smart, wonderful sense of humor, a superb  driver, perfect English and I could go on and on. Read her reviews on Trip Advisor. https://www.dubrovnikdrivingguide.com/. 

Hi Katie,

It was a couple of years ago but we just stepped off the ship and there was a both a travel information kiosk and a neat row of drivers. Make sure communication with the driver is adequate and pricing is clear up front. We had a lovely and accommodating driver, fair pricing, and the Blue Grotto was just beautiful (bring your suit!). Love Malta, enjoy!

Contact " info@leventsolmaz.com " . I have used his services twice, what a pleasure. Hopefully he has not retired.

Has anyone taken a tour from Kotor with a guide?

I don't know your budget is or what experience you're after but we used Kotor Private Tours and took the "Ultimate Best of Our Coastline" tour and it was a great, comprehensive day well done. Highly recommended!

Diana,

The audio guides are sold when you purchase your tickets and/or check in for the individual sites.

They come in several languages.

Thank you so much 4774Papa. I was imagining an audio guide which brought you from place to place!

Istanbul is easy to do on your own. We did the self-guided tour with audi-guides. They are excellent. You can purchase the passes in advance.

 

Here is some information:

 

Obviously going to Sultanahmet by taxi is easiest way but the tram is simple and less susceptible to traffic delays. As you leave the port, walk about 200 yards and you'll see the stop. But before you do that ask someone where the nearest machine is to buy the tram tokens (red plastic discs which you use to open the platform gates). Each ride cost 2 TL pp so you'll need 4 pp to go there and back. If you want to go the Grand Bazaar after Sultanahmet you could walk (about a mile) or tram it, in which case you'll need another disc. There is a token machine at Sultanahmet (probably more than one) if you need to top up.

 

 

Topkapi palace 25TL (u12s free), + another 15TL for the Harem

 

Hagia Sophia

Entry cost 25 TL

 

For both of these you can buy tickets in advance (except for the Harem, which you get from the box office once inside the Topkapi palace) from http://www.muze.gov.tr/hagiasophia This worked out well as we went straight in past the long lines. You print out an email with a QR code for each ticket and remember to take it with you

 

For u12s (free) you don't need a ticket. Our youngster was obviously under 12 and the official at the turnstile waved her through, but we had her passport with us anyway.

 

The only downside with buying your ticket in advance is that the website makes it clear it is non-refundable so if you don't use it, it's lost. But as 25TL is not a fortune I'd say getting it this way is well worth it - just double check you get the date right.

 

Blue Mosque

Entry is free and they provide clothing if your shorts don't cover your knees. You can't go in at prayer times, so as the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque are almost next to each other go to the mosque first and check your possible entry times (i.e. outside of the 5 prayer periods). That way you will know when to go there and not waste precious time. If you get lucky and can go in straight away, do so and go to the Hagia Sophia afterwards - your ticket there is for the day and does not specify a time. Once inside the mosque we spent about 15 minutes looking round. The tiles are stunning and I would have liked longer here but was mindful of our schedule.

 

Basilica Cistern

You can't buy your (10 TL) ticket in advance but the queue moves quickly. There are over 50 steps down to the cistern floor. I think this is another 'must-see' as there can't be too much else like it anywhere. It's a one trick pony but a great one, and we spent 15 minutes down there.

 

Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower (12 TL) & Spice Bazaar

 

Obviously going to Sultanahmet by taxi is easiest way but the tram is simple and less susceptible to traffic delays. As you leave the port turn right, walk about 200 yards and you'll see the stop. But before you do that ask someone where the nearest machine is to buy the tram tokens (red plastic discs which you use to open the platform gates). Each ride cost 2 TL pp so you'll need 4 pp to go there and back. If you want to go the Grand Bazaar after Sultanahmet you could walk (about a mile) or tram it, in which case you'll need another disc. There is a token machine at Sultanahmet (probably more than one) if you need to top up.

Wonderful, concise information! Could you tell me where to get the audio guides?

Thank You,

Diana

Facing the Hagia Sophia, the ticket booths were to your right at the end of the 'road'. This same road leads up to Topkapi Palace so is super easy to find. Also, as you walk towards the ticket booths, on your right is a ice cream stand and just before that is a public toilet - always helpful information to know! Make sure you have a few lira. I don't know how much it was as I didn't need to use it - just noted its location.

 

Excellent! Istanbul, here we come, and better armed thanks to Kat!

After exiting the Blue Mosque we nipped back to the Mosaic Museum where we quickly and easily obtained the 72 hour Muze Pass. Then we walked back to the front of the Blue Mosque and across to Hagia Sophia - where we promptly saw several other vendors for the same card!

 

 

 

Curiously, people were not utilising this but instead forming very long cues for the ticket office.

 

What a pleasure Kat, thank you. Where were these booths? They will certainly make the process simple and quick!

I'm booked in 2144, direct opposite, Equinox 10/10/11. How was the noise? I'm so concerned as I have 8 people, 4 cabins in a row. Also, I see sunlight. Is it because of the side of the ship you are on, or do I have a chance as well? THANKS ATONAL1