Excursions Venice-Barcelona May 2014

[Celtic Fringe]

Hi

 

We're going to be on the Equinox on May 20 (Venice to Barcelona). We are planning to do sight seeing ourselves, but does any recommend that we take any of the Celebrity tours instead - for example Istanbul?

 

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Celtic Fringe

[4774Papa]

Hi

 

We're going to be on the Equinox on May 20 (Venice to Barcelona). We are planning to do sight seeing ourselves, but does any recommend that we take any of the Celebrity tours instead - for example Istanbul?

 

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Celtic Fringe

Suggest that you post this question on the cruise's roll call.

[Celtic Fringe]

Okay - thanks. I'm still reasonably new to this but will attempt to find the roll call! :rolleyes:

[CathyCruises]

Istanbul is one of the easiest to do on your own!!! There is a tram that runs right in front of the dock that takes you to the major sites (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Spice Market, Grand Bazaar) in 10 minutes.

 

You do need Turkish Lira (YTL) to buy the tokens. There is a Starbucks across the street--we bought a coffee with euro or dollars (they take both) and asked for change in YTL--super easy.

 

Most ports are doable DIY. Not sure where you're going, but the only one that comes to mind that needs a tour is Ephesus. We teamed up with other roll call members and shared a great tour with Ekol Tours.

 

If stopping at Naples, Herculaneum and Pompeii and Sorrento are easily reachable by train, Capri reachable by hydrofoil. But the Amalfi Coast needs a tour, and I really do not recommend ship tours there because the big buses can't maneuver on the narrow winding roads, so again a private tour is best, we used See Sorrento with a roll call group.

 

I think those are the only two we've used tours for other than our second trip to Athens where we went way out into the countryside to see Agamemnon's 'Palace', Corinth, etc. since one time in Athens was plenty!

Edited February 16, 2014 by CathyCruises

[Celtic Fringe]

Thanks Cathy. We're going to Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Rome and the Amalfi Coast so I shall definitely try and join others as you suggest - and go solo in Istanbul. :)

[AZ ParrotHead]

Celtic,

 

We have a very active roll call in the forums. Many of us are sharing tours and information. Come on over and check it out.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1813593&page=39

[rjrpar]

Good advice to check the Roll Call.

We did RomeinLimo for Rome and Naples and they did a great job. Don"t, don't miss Pompeii

[Essiesmom]

Get a copy of Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports. He will tell you exactly how to do the ports on your own, from gangway to gangway. Traffic is terrible in Istanbul, so if you can use the tram, it will save you stewing on a bus...EM

[CathyCruises]

Get a copy of Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports. He will tell you exactly how to do the ports on your own, from gangway to gangway. Traffic is terrible in Istanbul, so if you can use the tram, it will save you stewing on a bus...EM

 

LOL! That reminds me--we swept right past the stalled X buses when we were on the tram--and probably paid 1/10th of what those pax paid for the same exact thing!

[Celtic Fringe]

Once again, thanks all for your helpful comments. :)

[red919]

If you happen to be Game of Thrones fan, it is partially filmed in Dubrovnik and there's a tour that takes you to all the filming sights led by extras on the series. You get a nice history of Dubrovnik as well as many behind the scenes views into the making of the series. It costs a little more but definitely worth it whether you're a fan of John Snow or the Mother of Dragons. ;)

[pennys mum]

If you happen to be Game of Thrones fan, it is partially filmed in Dubrovnik and there's a tour that takes you to all the filming sights led by extras on the series. You get a nice history of Dubrovnik as well as many behind the scenes views into the making of the series. It costs a little more but definitely worth it whether you're a fan of John Snow or the Mother of Dragons. ;)

 

Where can I find information about this tour, Please