grnrab

Zadar is very small - DIY on foot in 1-2 hours

Cadiz is small - DIY on foot for old town sights and if necessary take a cab to the beachfront and walk the any of the numerous beachside restaurants/bars - also search Spain Ports section of the boards for more info on Cadiz

Dubrovnik is small - DIY on foot and or join a fee walking tour which you can arrange on the fly just in front on the Pile gate or in book in advance on internet

Hvar is very small - not much to see, DIY on foot.  Walk up to castle on top of hill if in good shape -easier walk down - great views from top. Most people arrange for boat transport to a couple of the close by beaches or island tours

Kotor - very small - DIY or pre-arrange a guide for a small group or private walking tour. Again many people do the walk up along the medieval ramparts above the town - again if you are in good shape, don't have to walk all of it

Split - Too big to do most on foot - many things to see - probably could do a cab based tour (?).  You can see the Diocletian palace on your own or with a fee based walking guide. We went to small town of Trier and then coastal beach as part of an organized shore excursion

Venice - no taxi's - its impossible beacuse of the canals.  Join a paid or free walking tour, consider vaparetto rides around main island and for side trips to Bufano, Murano and Lido beachfont.

Palma - small DIY on foot unless you want to get around the entire island - then you'll need some form of organized transport

Lexioes - gate way to Oporto - that's where you want to head to. 

Check out Spain Ports thread and serach for postings by Campolady  - numerous about Malaga - she lives in vicinity

Search this Board area for numerous posting on your cities in croatia, portugal - much has been already written

Search Italy Ports area of the Board for more ideas on Venice - again a million things have been already written 

I have always recommended the Catalonia Hotel and Resort chain which has over 10 locations in Barcelona. Look for the ones that have been rennovated such as Magdalenes, Catederal. Portal D'Angel are and are conveniently located to everything. Superior rooms at least in the late Summer and Spring 2018 have been in the 190E range. All are slightly off major streets and are quiet. All have some sort of small rooftop pool and lounge. Magdalenes has a small fitness room and Hamann in the lower level adjacent to the breakfast room. Rooms are very good size compared to European standards. Good luck

Hello

Why don't you try posting this under the France Ports sub-section , you might get a better response

You are right about Jardim do Tobaco although that name has not stuck yet in anybody's mind - still being called Sta Apolonia. I was there late September 2018. Yes its about 1-2 block closer to Praca Do Commercio than the original Sta Apolonia terminal. However because its new, there seems to be better designed pull-up and waiting areas in front of the building, off that main street that runs in front. We walked from Metro station with luggage and I believe we saw a taxi rank just to the far left of the new terminal building as you face it. We were embarking to Azamara Journey so not a zoo in front at early afternoon. Maybe your hotel can make a suggestion?   

Yes on Journey September 2018 - I believe there is at least one,  below the shower head, about hip high

Just to add on. I actually helped arrange a small group excursion from Cadiz to Seville using SDT. We succeeded. My biggest challenge was really the small pool of possible participants to choose from from the CC roll call.  Sometimes folks just aren't aware of CC Roll Calls (spread the word), but cruisers certainly know about SDT and contact them often.  The combined efforts of my early recruitment (2 mos in advance) with outside independent inquiries worked out to our favor, nearly filling a full coach bus of 40.  Big coach/longish drive --- not to worry our overall SDT escort Debbie was terrific filing the time with facts about Cadiz, Jerez, sherry, wine, rice and about her home in Malaga - 1.5 hours went quickly. In Seville we were split into smaller walking groups each with our own official guide for the walk thru Plaza D'Esp, Santa Cruz and then the Alcazar.  All well organized and very informative with headsets included. Bonus was having some free time to explore nearby, grab a bite or see things like Seville cathedral or the Triana neighborhood/River.  Excellent company with their act together at a reasonable price - no hesitations using.

Journey - September 2018 - On Deck Six forward we had a shower line. There were hooks on the short wall, backside of bathroom facing the bed. There was also a set of hooks on the long cabin wall, closer to the end of the wardrobe/drawers than to the TV.

Hi

With such a short time you should consider a Tuk Tuk tour for about 3 of those hours. If not familiar with a tuk tuk they are motorized vehicles quite like a mini VW bus - typically  open air with some tarp covers, one driver/guide and holds 2-4-6 persons. Many companies have a standard 1-2 hour tour but you can customize up to 4-6 hours picking neighborhoods from their standard tours. Good idea to pre-book something. You should try to include Castello Sao Jorge and drop by the Se (Lisbon's main cathederal). If you arrange it properly have them drive you out to Belem (about 10-15 miles east) to see the the Torre, the Discoverers monument and see the outside and grounds of Jeronimos Monastery - you will not have time to tour the inside. Using the TT will maximize your limited time. Have them leave you at the waterfront near Praca Do Commercio  and take about 1-1.5 hours  to walk up Rua de Augusta for some shopping, eating etc. At the end you'll be near Carmo area and upper Baixa - research a restaurant for yourself when you arrive at end of Augusta - many many choices you'll need to do the leg work on that. Easy to catch a cab up at Rossio Sq to get wherever you have to go next.

Look up "Tours of Seville" in trip advisor you'll see many offerings with reviews

"Devour Tours" reputable and good tours if interested in food aspects while visiting

You will not be disappointed in Palau Dalmasses performances - they only seat 80-90 people, you are right on top of the stage and admission includes one adult beverage. Museu Natl D'Art over Miro - also walk and photograph the fountains in front (yes outdoors) - my own  personal - read up.

Hotel Bessa

And

Eurostars hotel off Liberdade

Sagrada "inside" is highest on my list - go early in the day

Picasso Museum in Born/Gothic area - its open late

Palau Dalmasses up the same street as Picasso - evening Flamenco performances - pre-book

I would also say the Museu Nacional D'Art (too big - limit yourself) and magic fountains in front it also in PM

I like the outside and inside of the Palau de la Musica Catalana  - another great non-Gaudi modernist building without hordes of crowds, near metro stop Urquinaona.

Santa Catarina market before 3pm when the fresh food vendors rollup instead of Boqueria market

Gaudy not Gaudi - tour the "boutique" shops along Passeig de Gracia to see how the other half (maybe you are the other half?) lives and shops and to beat the heat, Also Hotel Majestic lobby and bar if dressed appropriately.

Craft Barcelona - for beer of course

Good adventures

Hi there

Well it depends on where you are going of course - you mentioned no cities. Do some research on your own using a good guide or trip advisor on Lisbon or other cities you may want to visit in Portugal - too much to possibly comment on in one message. Lisbon and Oporto are the main destinations and should both be considered by you. I assume you'll be starting in Lisbon. Lots to do there i recommend any walking tour. In Lisbon l also recommend tours offered by We Hate Tourism Tours, Spain Day Tours/Top Day Tours, Lisboa Tuk Tuk (customize yourself for 3 hours based on their other std tours). Skip the hop on hop off busses. I recommend our Lisbon hotel, Hotel Bessa on Avenida Liberdade but there a a ton of hotels in that vicinity from 2 star to 5 star - all depends on your budget. Lot of Air B &B options too  - just get to know the neighborhoods you want to be in. Also walk from Marques Pombal Square all the way down to Rossio Sq on Liberdade and check out all the vendors selling their wares one afternoon. If there is a Eurostars hotel near Liberdade check them out too, pretty good value for 3-4 stars. Check out Bairro Alto/Principe Real neighborhoods for any kind of restaurant you can imagine including lots of small tapas places and bars later in the night. Get out on the water - lots of different tours/trips around harbors including Lisbon and Oporto. Good luck

Germane to original post. On my recent Journey cruise 9/21-9/29 through Spain, Schweppes mixers were the standard everywhere. They also had BritVic bottles bitter lemon

I have often recommended the Catalonia Hotel and Resort chain. They have at least 7-8 locations in the city. Most have rooftop lounges and small dipping pools, most recently updated interiors. I've stayed at Magdalenes, Catederal and the one closest to Placa Cataluyna for business. They definitely have some off busy streets. The three above are all centrally located.

Hi All;

For those living overseas. Has there been any news or announcements about about possible protests or strikes after La Mercie in Barcelona late this month? I recall after the last taxi strike earlier this summer about the possibility of additional disruptions - just have not heard anything definitive. We will be in Valencia 26th/27th and Barcelona 28th-10/1> Thanks

The easy way - follow the sign in procedures discussed above (My Account) assuming you've had a user name and password before -if not start a new account. Eventually you will see a nice screen about your current reservations. Under the one of interest you will see a clickable hyperlink called "View More Details". It will open your documents and about two pages down is your full itinerary with arrival and departure times for each port. Just as easy - at AZ website main page, click PLAN hyperlink at top of screen. Then "Find a Voyage in XXXX" where xxxx is the year . Then use "select your ship" drop down box to pick your vessel . Scroll down to your voyage. Click on hyperlink "View Itinerary Details" and you'll see each port described with arrival and departure times.

Hi

You might want to consider the Catalonia Hotel and Resorts chain - They have several hotels scattered across Barcelona at reasonable prices - from tourist areas to non tourist areas/ Most all have nice rooftop pool and lounge area. Most all have been updgraded in the last five years. I have stayed at Magdalanes, Catedral and the one closet to Placa Catalunya. Their website easy to navigate. I stayed once at Silken Ramblas as well, near Boqueria market.

Hi

try this website ibizamaps.net they have a whole section evaluating Ibiza beaches and even have a taxi fare calculator. I know for places like Playa D'En Bossa and Talamanca which are close to Ibiza Town, they can be reached by public bus. Here's link to the transport company's website ibiza.tib.org

I can't recommend anything specifically

If you are into this sort of selection check out a recent conde nast travel magazine article on the 30 best restauranats in BARCA in their and their reader's opinions (maybe February or March 2018) it was available on line - all are what I consider high end with higher cost.

Similar to Monzo there are some banks and credit unions in your home town that will offer either a checking account or a visa/mastercard account with no or very low international fees and or or rebate you any an all ATM fees, you just have to do the research. I have investments with Charles Schwab & Co. You can open one of their checking accounts get a debit card that has no international use fees, no minimum balances and they rebate all fees charged by the dispensing bank right back into your account. We transfer or deposit some money before we leave and use that card exclusively at local atms when need foreign cash or at stores/restaurants.

Hi

Moll de Barcelona (World Trade Center pier) per Port of Barcelona for 9/29 arrive 8 am - this is what's reported in whatsinport.com

Also stroll through La Bocqueria Market Hall off Las Ramblas - fresh market and prepared foods available

Hello

You've got many many options

Of course you will find many american type chains around town if they can't live without such as Subway, Burger King & McDonalds

Very tasty sandwich shops with all kinds of filings - look for the word "entrepans" - chains like Enrique Tomas or 100 Montaditos (small open top sandwich/tapas on baguette - many toppings)

Pizza is everywhere too - check out pasta place Maccaroni in Born area and couple pizza places near it on same street

Also consider tapas places where all of the cold tapas are laid out in glass cases - this way you can see, point and ask if you don't know what it is - if they can see it they might like it. Kids won't go wrong with croquettes - usually ham & cheese filled

Takeaway food - El Cortes Ingles department stores has big food section in their basement

Cafe chains like Pans & Co and Cappucinos always have sandwiches and salads in addition to coffee drinks

Consider Aveneida De Libertade area. Lots' of choices from top (marques de pombal circle) to bottom (Rossio Sq) and there is metro train running below it - lots of restaurants on either side. Lot of folks also like the Alfama district for small B&B/smaller hotels and the feel of the area. For restaurants check out Bairro Alto and Principe Real areas and Cais de Sodre district near River. Look for Time Out Food Hall in the CDS area - upscale multi vendor - some of the top restauranteurs have set up stalls there - worth checking out days and go to their other spots at night. Hotels are sparse right near the two main cruise passenger terminals. Central Lisbon will be very easy to get around by foot, with public transport and taxis.