itsanita

We are booked with SDT. It's a long ride, but seems to be the easiest way to visit the Alhambra. Can someone tell me how much walking this tour entails? I know they break us up into smaller groups once there. Is it constant walking, or short walks with lots of stops? He managed Neuschwanstein Castle without difficulty, lots of walking there, but it was a lot of stopping and starting. Not long stretches at a time. Trying to decide if my DH can manage it after a knee replacement and hip replacement.

Hmmmm maybe we should try and do both. I guess my question would be...those of you who have done both, which would you be more likely to visit again?

I did all that!! But both look interesting. Are they similar once inside? One is more expensive, but that does not necessarlity mean better.

Casa Batllo and La Pedrera (Casa Mila) We only have time to visit one of these on our last morning in Barcelona. In your opioion, which one should we choose? Or should we try and make time to do both, back to back?

So if they do offer traditional dining times......does anyone remember what the times are? And what time are the shows? Stil 7pm and 9pm?

Can anyone tell me what the times are for the assigined dining times? 6? and 8:30?

Does this tour include getting out of the vehicle at any time? Or just a drive by all the sights? Are you able to walk through any of the gothic area, visit any of the chruches (other than the Sagrada Familia)?

that is perfect!! thanks for sharing.

THANK YOU for your patience.....got it!

I called RC, and at 45 days out, reservations were not yet available for the shows. She had no idea why and told me to just keep checking. I was able to make reservatiuons yesterday, at 42 days out. Very easy online and in app once they are available!!

Yep, no problem finding that, but all it seems to allow me to do is check out other sailings and book a new cruise. Can't seem to find any way to change to another cruise activities etc. I guess I am having a 'senior moment'. LOL

How do I change the dates in the app? When I open the app it only shows my sailing. Thanks for your help.

We are only 41 days out and the reservations for the shows just opened this am. According to RC they usually open 60 days prior...not sure why so late. The app does not list ANY activities yet. I tried to change the date on the app to a earlier sailing but it won't let me, or I just am not doing it correctly,

Does anyone have your paper compass for a 3 night Allure of the Sea cruise...with the listed activities? Would like to schedule shows around other activities we might find interesting.

Thanks for your replys, but reservations are not available on either the app or online. I will give RC a call today to find out why.

We are 44 days out, we have already checked in...but I can't fnd anywhere on the app or online to reserve any of the shows or even dinner reservations. Can you tell me where to look?

We will be in Barcelona in November. We will make reservations for Sagrada Familia, but will we need to make reservations at that time of year for Casa Batllo and La Pedrera? It's hard to make a schedule that is so dependent on exact times. So just curious if November might be easier to just buy tickets when we are ready to visit them.

Thanks! I do have a couple questions. We will be there in November. I will get advanced tickets for Sagada Familia, but will I need to do the same for Cas Batilo and La Pedrera? It is hard to know what time will be convient ahead of time. How are the crowds? And is it possible to eat at the Public Market, Mercado de La Boqueria? Or is everything just for purchase to take home with you? We will be looking for a light meal that first day, and we are staying around the Las Ramblas/Placa de Catalunya area.

We have been to Barcelona twice. Thanks for the itinerary, it's been awhile and we will re visit some of the sights. We are there 3 days pre cruise. We still like the HOP on for our arrival day. Works for us, nice overview of the ciity and keeps us awake and moving till early dinner and bed. I guess I will just pick one, if they are similar. Our 2nd day we will explore the city, and our thrid day we will be going to Zaragoza via train for a day ( using zaragoza's info, thanks!).

Thanks so much!

In researching the HOP On Hop Off bus in Barcelona, I am finding there are a few different companies that do this in the city. Has anyone had any experence with them? Is on better (on time, more frequent, better routes) than another. We find on our fist day in a city, while trying to get rid of jet lag, these buses are great. They give you a birds eye view of the city and keep you awake.

I am about to book a tour at the Sagrada Família, and it is asking me which tower I want to go up. The Tower on the Passion facade or the Tower on the Nativity facade. Is one better than the other?

I went back and looked at our walking plan for Florence. I copied it here. It was a while ago, but maybe still helpful. It was less than 2miles all totaled. We had early pickup…around 8am when ship docked. Quick stop at Leaning Tower of Pisa Drove to Michelangelo Square overlooking Florence for a photo, awesome view The Driver dropped us off at Accademia for 10:30am appointment to see David. Allow around 30-45 minutes. We walked Ricasolli to Duomo (10 minute walk), passing Medici Riccardi Palace..(we did not enter), shopping area, continue to Via Dei Pucci (on right) to see San Lorenzo street market. Back to Ricasoli to Duomo. We happened to hit Mass at Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral (Duomo). It was “closed” for mass but they let us in to pray. The mass was beautiful, in Italian with school children singing. Then climbed Giotto’s Tower. Check out Baptistery and Ghiberti’s bronze Doors in that area. Then, facing Duomo turn right onto the pedestrian only street.. Via Dei Calzaiuloi. Walk towards Uffizi Museum (only a 5 minute walk)… We had lunch along this road. On the right is Orsanmichele Church ( walk around it and check out the statues). Plazza Vecchio, the main civic center of Florence is here. This is where David first stood. Walk past the replica of David into the FREE courtyard of the Plazzo Vecchio (city hall) and walk thru Loggia, the sculpture garden. Walk down the left side of the courtyard from Plazzo Vecchio to the river passing the Uffizi. We had bought tickets for this museum too, but after 5 minutes inside with the kids we left…would not attempt with kids. Once we hit the river, we walked to the right to the cross the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. After crossing we went left into a less touristy area. Great views, little shops and artisans at work, shrines, spikes for candles, many eateries. We crossed back over the river at the Ponte alle Grazie and walked to the Church of Santa Crocein. Look for Star of David in church’s façade. Many buried inside, including Michelangelo, Galileo, Machievelli, Dante’s graves. Somewhere in this area we met the driver for our gelato and ride home. I don’t have the name or location.

We used https://www.tuscanybytaxi.it/ Just want to remind you that we hired just a taxi .....he was not a tour guide. He spoke some english, but we had already discssed by email where we wanted to go etc. When he picked us up at the ship, he collected half of the money, and said we would pay the other half when he delivered us to the ship. We met him at the end of the day at an geloto stand (at his suggestion), so we had a treat for the ride back. We gave ourselves plenty of time for the return drive. And if you go, make sure you get your tickets for the Accademia to see David ahead of time so you don't wait in long lines.

We have been to Barcelona several times and would like to do something outside of the city on this visit. We will be there a couple days before our cruise. We are looking at a couple options: Taking the train to Zaragoza on our own. A tour to Pals/ La Costa Brava. A tour to Besalu, Rupit (Castle of Rupit), stopping in Tavertet before going back to Barcelona. A day tour to the Pyrenees Mountains, stop at Queralbs village, ending with a trip to the peak of this Pyrenees. Any ideas and/or suggestions would be helpful. Even if to eliminate a tour.