| |
|
sunlover2
|
25-05-2008 01:37 PM
|
Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 2
| We are a family of 4 (3 adults and 1 child) and going on the Med Renaissance and Jewel of the Med in July. Has anyone got any advice on how easy it is to visit places of interest on your own or when a guided tour is a must.
As there is 4 of us, we are trying to keep costs down and like to try and go it on our own when we can. However, some of the places we will visit seem a bit difficult to get to on your own steam.
If you have visited places on your own any advice on modes of transport and approx cost would be a big help
Thanks
|
|
|
quizzer
|
25-05-2008 04:19 PM
|
Joined: 17 May 2008
Posts: 38
My Profile
| Hi Sunlovers if you write down all your ports of call i'm sure between us we will have visited them either through organised excursions or under our own steam.kind regards Quizzer
|
|
|
sunlover2
|
28-05-2008 08:45 AM
|
Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 2
| Hi
Ports of call as follows:
Trapani, Sicily
Olbia, Sardinia
Naples
Livorno
Rome
Ajaccio, Corsica
Toulon
Villefranche
Barcelona
Mahon, Menorca
The one's I would particularly like info on are Livorno, Rome, Toulon & Villefranche.
Any information would be a big help.
Thanks
|
|
|
quizzer
|
28-05-2008 10:09 AM
|
Joined: 17 May 2008
Posts: 38
My Profile
| Hi again Sunlovers. thanks for the list.ok i can kick off a few ,of course these are my ideas or what i did in each port,The prices i'm not sure about,public transport wise .
Livorno..This port serves Both Florence and Piza ,lets begin with Florence. with its many museums,Art galleries and beautiful architecture so i would suggest an organised excursuion to benefit from an expert guides information,there is also a long drive involved .so the youngster may not keep up the Interest..
Piza well i'm sure you can get to Miracle Square to see the leaning Tower using public transport.probably bus or Train,if i can remember its less than a hours drive from Port to the tower.once at the Tower there is in fact a large grassed area and besides the tower there is a white marble church and baptistry,also many side stalls selling ,copies of the leaning tower, mmm wonder if they throw away the straight ones as rejects.
Rome next...done Rome twice and to get inside the Colosseum means queueing for probably a hour or more,so once again we took organised tour,which fast tracked us inside . but its easy going on your own too you can catch a train not far from the port at Civitavechia which takes you into the heart of Rome, of course the kids will like this better .Roman Centurions stand around and for a donation the kids or adults(big kids) can have their pic taken next to them,then the Forum, the exact spot Ceasar Died,Arch of Constantine, Trevi Fountain ,Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona.get an artist to draw you in caricature in 5 minutes ,great momento,.Circus Maximus.and of course St Peters and the Vatican, Its probably not possible to do all these in one day,no organised tour does them all .Once again we fast tracked into the Vatican ,the queues there were massive too..if your not bothered about about seeing everything,get yourself a street map and work out a route for the things you know are quite close to each other.just remember leave plenty of time for the journey back to the Port
.Ajaccio Corsica,You moor up almost in the town so a pleasant walk is easy,you can visit the Birthplace of Napoleon.there are lots of monuments around town dedicated to the Corsicans famous son,also within the city there are Museums all about the life of Napoleon and there are beaches within easy reach too.
Barcelona .now this city you can do on your own, use the famous bright red open top tour buses which travel a set route past all the major sights,this is a great way of touring.you can get off and view something and wait for the next tour bus to come along.you are also issued discount tickets to visit places which charge entry fees, .if your into Soccer be sure to visit the fabulous Nou Camp Stadium,theres also the massive AQUARIUM .and not forgetting Las Ramblas the street with its cafes,Restaurants,shops,Market area.just be careful with your valuables in Barcelona,it seems to have more than its share of pickpockets and the like.
Mahon Menorca We were in Mahon in early May 2008 be sure to be on deck as you enter the harbour area slowly navigating down the straits past the Island with its old Infantry fort.once again your moored up almost in the town itsef,so thats great for shopping and looking around the Marina area the more interesting buildings include Church de Santa Maria,the Gin Distillery which you can tour,theres also the Museum of Menorca which is in fact based in an old Monastic building.
If you have not been on a cruise before do not worry about doing your own thing on shore,the Excursion staff supply maps and info of interesting sights,buildings etc at every port of call and of course can advise on public transport usage,
Enjoy the cruise,kind regards Ernie
|
|
|
CornishCruiser
|
28-05-2008 03:22 PM
|
Joined: 19 May 2008
Posts: 8
| The only place I would suggest an excursion is a must is Olbia, from memory there was precious little to see or do there...
Have visted all the others on various cruises and have found that they are interesting in themselves and we have spent the day wandering, dining, people watching & generally chilling out rather than taking part in mostly hectic excursion timetables!
Depends what you want out of your holiday really. If you want to see the sights which normally means early starts and a busy day with limited time, or if you want to take a slower pace & just soak up the local atmosphere.
Whatever you choose to do, enjoy yourself.
|
|
|
Miss Ritchie
|
03-06-2008 12:44 PM
|
Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Posts: 41
My Profile
| I am also a family of 4, two adults and two kids 10 and 7. My youngest has to wear splits whilst walking around for stability and I'm a little concerned at the length of the excursions. I particularly want to do the Florence and Rome trips and wonder if anyone could help me with my following concerns:-
At what time do the trips leave the ports and return to the ship.
Out of the 10 or so hours allocated for the trips, how much time is actually spent travelling on the coach i.e. from the port to your destination.
On the walk about guided tours are you allowed some time to stop and take in the sights and are the tours at a decent pace i.e. no whizzing about everywhere.
How much free time do you get to do your own thing, have a meal etc.
I really want to do these two trips but am a little concerned about my daughter's situation and don't particularly want to sight see from a bus only.
Any views would be most welcome. A little over two weeks until we depart for our first ever cruise on Thursday 19 June I am so looking forward to this!!
Cheers.
Tracy.
|
|
|
g1992
|
03-06-2008 01:29 PM
|
Joined: 09 Mar 2008
Posts: 15
My Profile
| I've never been to those places, but know that excursion lengths etc can depend on which one you choose. If u have a look at the thomson website there should be a list of what each excursion consists of (under the ports of call), the duration and the price and by this info u should be able to tell what your daughter can manage.
when u get onboard there wil be an excursions brochure with how the walking is (active, meduim or easy) as well as details about food and drink.
If u need anything else just ask.
|
|
|
tenpin
|
03-06-2008 01:38 PM
|
Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 1558
My Profile
|
Hi Miss Richie,
Both trips/tours involve some walking, but most are at a very easy pace Rome in particular could be heavy, however you can just sit down or wait in most places you visit, until guide has done tour or stopped talking, then pick up tour again.
I myself do have trouble with up-hill or even steady walking, but have had no trouble keeping up on both these tours, you do usually have some sort of stop to eat which is normally included in the price.
Any problems just ask guide to let you wait at certain stop, and collect you later.
Have a great cruise and enjoy.
|
My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Grand Princess Cruise Ship (9/10)
|
|
Miss Ritchie
|
03-06-2008 04:20 PM
|
Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Posts: 41
My Profile
| Many thanks to you both for your kind responses. As long as she can have rests inbetween I'm sure we'll manage.
Cheers
Tracy.
|
|
|
tenpin
|
03-06-2008 04:28 PM
|
Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 1558
My Profile
| Sorry Tracy,
Missed telling you times of tours.
Generally tours try to get away from between 8 and 8.30am. but this depends on how the ship keeps time between ports.
Tours again normally depart first then other passengers are let off.
Expect between 1 hour to one & a half on the coaches.
|
My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Grand Princess Cruise Ship (9/10)
|
|
Holiday time
|
06-06-2008 12:18 PM
|
Joined: 24 Mar 2008
Posts: 16
My Profile
| Thank you for all that info, its a a great help to eveyone who will visit these ports with whichever company. It will make our planning easier and more importantly save some money!
|
|
|
tenpin
|
06-06-2008 12:48 PM
|
Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 1558
My Profile
|
Hello Holidaytime,
On behalf of all members who reply to the post in the Cruise Forum, and indeed yourself who joined our little community, a thank you for taking the time to let us know you have read our replies.
|
My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Grand Princess Cruise Ship (9/10)
|
|
