Edmontontraveller

We have a do-it-yourself day there. I am wondering what ideas people might have?

Corfu taxi tours was our absolute best option.

I used them for Olympia and it was a "you get what you pay for" thing. I think the commentary on the way there was good and Mark was exceptionally smart and kind and fluent in so many languages. We didn't use the guide at the site. I basically saw it as a ride to and from Olympia with a bit of instruction. It was 20 euros - I didn't expect more. They do not start on time which is frustrating and while they return well in advance of the time the cruise ship Leaves they don't return on time. I hate that but I accept it for 20 euros. I didn't do Athens but friends did. They felt that they had committed to an incredible number of people and it was too much. They were glad for the day to be done.

The hop on/Hop off bus was a very poor experience for us in Taormina. They never came and we ended up having to take a taxi back. They have many caveats that they dont' tell you about when they talk to you and sell the tickets. Basically they can ask you to get off and give up your seats, that they are do not take responsibility for following the schedule, and they may not have seats when you come. It was not a good experience. It was aggravated perhaps by having an overwhelming number of cruisers in town due to multiple tenders and the community being overwhelmed and we also having a significant rainfall.

Travel with friends - Private SHore trips - did a great job of Nice, Cannes, and Monaco for us. It was fabulous. The guide had not been given the precise customized itinerary that we had arranged so we were a bit apprehensive but it worked out brilliantly.

I would use them again but I am not as rich in my praise as others.

1-I did find that the communication was prompt but it was not always perfect. There was the need to clarify and re-clarify things at times about some details. This wasn't my experience with other tour companies.

2-I wasn't sure if Oscar was one person or a group of people who were monitoring the email account. I had that feeling because of the email threads often involving some re-statement of things.

3-The guides were great although for people with hearing difficulties they had commented they would appreciate a microphone as some of the guides had soft voices. This wasn't an issue for me but those sitting at the very back and/or hard of hearing did make that known.

4-ALl of the guides had a good spirit, a real knowledge of Italy and brought real presence and character to it.

5-We didn't get time for lunch in Rome and I honestly don't even know how that could be done!!!

We also used Italy private tours and had a wonderful experience with them although they expect you to co-ordinate your own tickets which I found inconvenient.

We were in Spain for a few days and enjoyed the following:

1-Hotel Sants near the Sants station is ideal if you like taking the train and being away from the activity level of Las Ramlas. It's affordable as well and I found the staff super-caring when we had an injury and medical need. They helped us co-ordinate medical care and were fully bilingual. It could not have been better.

2-We took a tour through Amigo tours and it was a disaster. The guide did not speak English fluently and caused some confusion someone was left behind. Multiple people complained about the quality of English throughout. The agency was entirely unreceptive to feedback and conversation. I have had dozens of tours over the years - this was the worst by far.

3-We had a very nice experience with Barcelona Guide when we went to Monserrat.

We then booked a ship tour for Toulon and then we went with Steven Huley's private shore trips (travel by friends) and it was a wonderful experience in Monaco. The guilde hadn't been given all the details of our trip and so we had to cue him live about the things we had very much wanted to see but it was just lovely. I couldn't recommend it enough. Then we went with Italy cruises private tours for Florence. They do themselves a disservice by having you co-ordinate your own tickets which is tricky but it really worked out well with Daniella helping me with complicated steps. Ricardo was an exceptional guide and our best guide thus far. We went with Italy Tours for Rome and also for Pompeli. They were a bit disorganized with some of the details in arranging for the Rome trip but it was generally a success. They took care of all tickets and all details. The driver had a very soft voice and would have benefited from a microphone. That's a pretty picky point though - it went so very well. Taormina we did a do-it yourself day and did the hop on. That only worked for getting in as they never showed up after that. We had to cab it back. They also fail to tell you certain things when you book - that they can ask you to get off to make room at any time and they can also not have enough seats to accommodate you. I learned that after I paid and was given the brochure and it was different than what I was told orally. It was frustrating and a disappointment to be left high and dry. They are small enough to be able to get up to Castlemola so that is a highlight. Perhaps on a less busy port day that could have worked out but it didn't work out for us. I see people have either a very positive or a very negative experience so perhaps they struggle on those days that are too busy. There are two hop ones and we went with SAT Taormina.

Our ship is coming in through Giardina Navos and I wish to see Taormina and Castleloma. The tour buses cannot get as far into Castleloma and this would lead to walking that is not do-able for my mother. We are looking at tours and perhaps a bit too late. I had been banking on a DIY and feeling that we could do public transport. I am now hearing we will waste a lot of time. What I don't like about the tours is that they go to Taormina first and I'd rather end in Taormina and have LOTS of free time there. They do Castleloma last. Part of me is thinking of just getting a cab at the port to take me to Castleloma and then Taormina and then late in the day get another cab back. I have been told that this may be difficult for the way back as cabs are scare at the end of the day. I don't wish to be stranded.

Can anyone who has done this comment?

http://www.taorminahop.it/service.html

Giardini -we are coming in at this port and I see that this bus service stops here. Has anyone tried it or have alternative recommendations?

I have never been. We are going on Holland America. We are arriving at 1:00p.m. but it appears that the tours do not start until 2:00 or 2:30 p.m. which I find very odd. I am just doing a "Venice on your own" where it takes me into Venice. It says only for 4 hours which is a bit odd but I'll ask about what when I call.

I find it very odd that they would have us wait 1.5 hours before getting off at the port.

Does anyone understand this?

https://book2.hollandamerica.com/secondaryFlow/excursion/VCE/20160926/1010040068/details

Horsegirl may I ask which port you are referring to?

The best way to get off the cruise without a ship excursion when you have an older person with you and are wanting to minimize walking and preserve energy.

What is the best method and also we port at 1p.m. what's a realistic time to start St. Mark's square tours?

I looked at the website and was wondering about the 4 hour versus 7 hour tour - what made you choose the 4 hour?

We have a tour ending in Venice and we are going to Rome for 2 days after. We would already have spent a day there on a tour which would take us through the Coliseum and main Vatican items.

During our extra two days there what would people recommend?

A rome at night tour in the Coliseum has been suggested but I'll already have seen it in the day so i am not sure.

Any other ideas?

Due to the istanbul crisis we have some changes. Mykonos and Rhodes are new ports - any suggestions on private tours or ideas? Also looking for athens and the extra day we have there

With regards the Segrada Familia would you pay extra to see the views and the guide or just get the straight forward tickets?

http://www.italy.artviva.com/tours/22/venice_tour_my_prestigious_the_original_grand_canal_tour_artviva

has anyone done this?

Our ship is tendering at Taormina so there is no need to make arrangement to go to Taormina from another port - we are right there. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for do-it-yourself in the town.

We are tendering and going right into Taormina. We are not planning an excursion but will be hanging around town. Do you have any recommendations?

I am looking at doing Venice myself - I am not normally a do it yourself kind of person.

I have been looking online and they have 2 hour grand canal tours and I am wondering how that would differ from the hop on/hop off. Can anyone give me a recommendation or insight?

I am wanting to do that PLUS a gondola ride - just to have the experience.

We are arriving September 12th, 2016 a.m. and boarding the port at 3p.m. on September 15, 2016. Looking to make sure that I do all the right things in the days to follow we are going to do the following:

-doing a pedicab tour the day of arrival

-doing a monserrat tour the day after that includes a half day tour

-going on our own on the 14th probably through Hop on hop Off Any other ideas?

We have a tour wrapping up October 9th, 2016 and are heading to Rome for a few days. I am wondering if you could let me know which train station you would recommend going to. I have an older person and lots of bags. And did you book in advance?

We are planning to do Olympia, Argostoli, and Mytilene on our own as well as Santori - is this inadvisable?

What Greek crruise ports do you think can be done on your own?

I have not been to greece but a lady on my roll call is using Olympic tours by Niki. They have good reviews on trip advisors.