sawtooth

5 hours ago, bradpole said:

Sunday was a busy, and wet, day for us.  Sunday morning we visited the glass museum on Murano.  Had a wonderful lunch at a small restaurant, and stopped off at the Catholic Cemetery on the way back to the main section of Venice. After getting off the water bus in the Cannarego section. we meandered the streets and stumbled upon the most beautiful grocery store.  Yes a beautiful grocery store!  The store’s name is “Despar” however the name on the building is, “Teatro Italia”. 

 

We continued to wander the streets and alleys until we reached the grand canal and took our first water bus ride down the canal towards our hotel.  For those who have not yet had the experience of riding down the grand canal words can’t describe the experience.  Sadly it had yet to stop raining this entire day so many of our photos are a little dreary.  Thankfully before leaving we noticed the dreadful weather forecast of Rain, Rain, and more Rain and added pairs of good rain paints and rain jackets to our suitcase.  Had we not had these the day would have been miserable.  As most people were fighting the wind with their umbrellas we were good and dry.  Sunday evening was the one and only scheduled event we had.  We had booked through Viator an after-hours tour of the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica.  WOW is all I can say.  The tour through the Doges palace was incredible informative and it was worth the price of the tour for the easy admission alone.  We visited all the main rooms and learned in detail their significance.  After a short break the highlight of the evening, the tour of St. Marks.  Photos weren’t allowed, I only managed to snap one or two before we were told no photographs.  The interior of the Basilica is simply amazing.  The tile works are breathtaking.  Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better we were brought into the main cathedral and asked to take a [much needed] seat.  That’s when the real treat began.  They turned on the lights!  WOW!  The gold mosaic tiles glowed!  The marble shined!  You could feel the history!  After sitting in awe for a few minutes were lead around the cathedral and shown up close many priceless works of art.  We also visited the crypt before ending the tour.  If you have the time BOOK THIS TOUR, you won’t be sorry!  We did not climb the Campanile of in St. Mark’s square instead opting to visit the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore instead the next day.  After this tour we made our way back to our hotel and collapsed in near exhaustion from our all our explorations around the city.  Below are a few pictures DH took inside the Basilica, even though he wasn’t supposed to! 
 

Thank you for this advice.

I did book this tour through Viator.  Looking forward to it.  Although our third time in Venice, we have never done this.

Your review is priceless.  Thanks for the insightful comments and tips.

Notamermaid,

Thank you for you ongoing comments.

We board our cruise in Amsterdam on June 2 and are hoping for some mild weather.  It has been a long winter for us.

We are boarding in Venice on June 18 after spending almost a month traveling around Europe.

I am very interested in hearing your thoughts.  Thanks for writing.

I think you may have to forego your running while on the Nile,  just not practical. 

The hotels in Cairo have very nice gyms.

Thank you all for your great advice.  When we sail in June we will do bike riding, hike, Heidelberg, Colmar, Strasbourg and Speyer.  Will heed advice and book bike and other alternate tours upon boarding.

Hi travel nut.

Which cruise are you on?  We are boarding in Amsterdam on June 2nd.

We are thinking Heidelberg, the bike ride.  Colmar, Strausberg and the hike.

That's all so far.

Is there anyplace where you can actually sit outside, weather permitting?

Nice that there is a covered area but sometimes like to be out in the fresh, open air.

Thank you notamermaid for keeping us up to date.

We are sailing with Uniworld, Amsterdam to Basel in very early June.  I am hopeful that all will still be well at that time.

Will keep checking

Thanks for taking us along.

we found this to be a fascinating and rewarding trip.  We had Nile River view rooms at the 4 Seasons on both ends.

Uniworld does it right!

loved the guides, always felt safe and...well fed.

We were on the trip

immediately prior to yours.  We had a smaller group, only @ 44  persons.

we also did the Jordon pre trip with just 6 people.  It was amazing!

Everthing you say is so familiar and brings back such good memories..

we were broken into 2 groups for the flight to Luxor, but all made it onto 1 plane to Abu Simbel.

love your photos too!

1 hour ago, flashfearless said:

 

So are we!  In an explorer suite.

6/18 departure?

We’ll see you on board.  We are in a penthouse veranda.

We are here right now on the River TOSCA.

arrived in Cairo on 2/2 after the pre trip on Jordon.

it was cooler in Jordon, although Petra was warm and comfortable..

it’s not shorts weather here on the Nile but you don’t need a jacket.

It has been perfect weather for touring,

We just docked in Aswan and spent the morning  on the top deck enjoying the sun.

5 minutes ago, OK cruising said:

Wanted to print off the roll call and a few pages but can’t open Shutterfly.  Not sure I ever signed up with Shutterfly site....only looked at such when on the original ....???....whatever it was called.  Any trick to opening Shutterfly?  Looking forward to boarding in Sydney.  Have been busy getting shots and visas for our post-cruise stay in Africa.

 

Barbara 

Barb and Roy, enjoy this epic trip!

We are starting our Middle East ttip

in Dubai tomorrow and then on to Jordon and Egypt.

Deb and Ray

Kelly, not sure of your operator as it was all booked with Uniworld. 

We will be leaving late next week so should have more information when we return.

i will share them.

We will be leaving on 1/24 to start our journey to Egypt via Dubai, Jordon (pretrip) and cruise.

We chose Uniworld.  Have used in Europe and wanted the all inclusive option.

Will report back after/during the trip.

I wonder how the new ship will be...I might have delayed for a year...but truth be told, I am really ready for this trip now.

On 12/4/2018 at 4:13 AM, fred111 said:

I liked the Four Seasons Giza also.  Much more convenient for travelling to sites the last two days.  You might be right about the tea but they called it high tea.  I was really looking for a good gin and tonic.

So you stay at the 4 Seasons Nile for the first 2 days and then at the 4 Seasons Giza for the last 2 days.

I Did not notice that change on the itinerary.

We did this trip post cruise with Princess.  Our cruise ended in Rio so it included 2 nights in Rio prior to the falls.

We loved this part of the trip and Princess did a great job.

2 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

I hope you too will come back and tell us about your trip, we are doing the pre trip to Jordan and then Egypt in November next year.

Yes, I will be sure to share.  I am ready to give back...I learned so much from others on this site.

Wow!  Enjoyed your review.

Really gets my juices going for our January trip starting in Jordon and then onto Egypt for 2/2/19 start.

Can't wait.

Great to hear you had a wonderful trip in the hands of Uniworld.

Our trip is approaching.  1/29 in Jordon, starting in Cairo 2/2/19.

Uniworld, here we come.

So happy to travel along with you again!  Must be nice to get a dose of sun and sand before hitting the holidays.  Enjoy!

I am enjoying your blog and look forward tot he rest.

Following.  This topic is of interest to me as well.  We are considering the SS package for our ocean cruise.

diet, as you cruised in January and February an you share what your average weather was like.

We will be doing Petra pre cruise tour starting 1/29/19 and then starting in Cairo 2/2/19.

Was planning on mostly warm weather clothes but now not so sure.

Thanks