mtcruise10

We will be in Dubrovnik in July and i'm looking for some things to do. I don't plan to take one of my cruise ships excursions, and didn't have a ton of luck finding something of interest on other tour sites. So - was thinking of just walking the city by ourselves. We have 2 kids ages 10 and 8. My initial thought was to walk the city walls which looks really beautiful but also appears to be pretty pricey ($20+ each sound right?). So wondering if that's worth it. If we don't do that, my only other thought was to walk around Old Town, check out Buza Bar so my husband can jump off some cliffs and I can get a drink! I also saw the Park Grandac that I thought my kids may like to run around in, and then a very small beach near there Suluci, more for a quick stop than a long beach day. What else could we check out if we are trying to save some money and see some cool local things.

We will be in Kotor in July and am looking for some tips on completing the hike up to the fortress. I've watched a lot of videos and it looks amazing, and seems do-able for my family of 4. (kids ages 10 and 8). What I need to understand though is, realistically how long that hike takes if we stop along the way to take pictures (aka, catch my breath). We have a boat excursion later in the day so planned to do this early but want to make sure I leave significant enough time to get back. 

Corfu Taxi Tours is who I was looking at as well. I was just mapping the distance between places and noticed that as well - it's a bigger island than I was initially thinking. So - good tips, maybe I could take transportation (bus or something) from the cruise port to Corfu town, explore a bit there. Then have the taxi pick us up from there, drive through a small village or something on the way to Angelokastro. Maybe hit up a few of the other vista points or something else and then have him drop us off at a more popular beach like maybe Paleokastritsa. Assuming there is transportation back from there to the cruise port would be my only concern. 

I'm considering booking a private driver for a tour around Corfu. We will probably only do about a 3 hour tour or so. Looking for a good list of ideas of things to do while in Corfu. With only 3 hours, I want to try to get in a quick stop at a nice beach, potentially view angelokastro, and then maybe drive through a village somewhere. What else could I fit in? Our kids are 10 and 8 but will do pretty well with sight seeing. But - no winery recommendations probably, no waterparks...etc. Rather see scenic views, or things we couldn't see elsewhere 🙂

Cool! Maybe we could do a part of it. I was also thinking about maybe skipping the boat tour, just given it's a tight time frame to make it there (arrive 1pm and have to tender to be ready for 2.15 boat tour). Then maybe we could do a piece of the hike, and then maybe take a bus to Oia and then a bus to a beach? Anyone have any tips about how to do that successfully?

I considered doing that hike as well - I can't decide if it would be too much for kids that age. And/or if it would be too scary for me to have them that close to how high up we are. Still need to watch some videos to see if my fears are real. 

Hi there - we will be stopping for 1 day in July at Santorini, with my kids ages 8 and 10. I've read lots of reviews (really...warnings...) about things in Santorini... it's hot., long lines to get up, donkeys, poop etc 🙂 I'm trying to come up with the best realistic plan for my family. We will be there from 1pm-10pm, and likely won't want to stay out late. My initial thought is to book a tour with Caldera Cruises and take a 3 hour trip over to see the volcano and the hot springs. That is the only trip we could find that leaves in the afternoon, and even then, given we have to tender, starts at 2.15 and seems like we may be pushing it. 

After that, my thought was hopefully the initial crowds for the cable car will die down and we could go and explore Fira for a bit then head back. I'm not sure if it's worth it to trek down to Oia with kids, even though I know I'd love the views. 

Any other ideas on self touring we could do? Or tour companies that are reasonable? Caldera seemed to have good reviews and reasonably priced. (or open to feedback if that's a bad idea also...I haven't booked!)

Love the Da Vinci museum idea - never heard of it before now, and the pictures looks great. Kids would love it. Straw market and Porcellino sound fun 🙂 I'll check out the Medici idea as well. Good to know Livorno isn't worth the stay 🙂

The train to Lucca could be a good idea as well. Any tips on which train? Navigating transportation is a stress for me. 

What about transportation if we want to go to Florence for the day? 

Thank you for the thorough tips! Pompeii sounds like a good bet. I think the kids will enjoy some freedom to run around and check it all out. Plus they've been reading books about it 🙂 SITA bus seems like a good option. I google earthed the Immacolatella Vecchia and still am worried I won't understand where the bus is and/or how to read the schedule you provided. I'm working on studying Italian now 😉 SITA would save money but maybe the City Sightseeing bus could be a better option. Both appear that they only offer more limited return options in the afternoon. Do you think we would need 5-6 hours in Pompeii? If we get done is there anywhere around Pompeii to hang out prior to bus coming?

Ha! Figured that regarding the price 🙂 DIY sounds perfect. Is that beach public/free? That looks really nice (thanks google earth). 

It also looks like there is a small beach to the right of the port, near le petit train. Probably not near as nice, but may work also? It's right before the famous beach you referenced. 

Any tips on which train or how to catch? Your comments about Eze make sense, maybe just checking out the beach, and then a train ride to Monte Carlo would be fun. Museum looks great! And the changing of the guard. Thanks - great tips. 

We will be in Cannes next summer with two boys, ages 8 and 10. I've done some research on Cannes but would appreciate some help. I've heard it's a nice town to explore on foot, not too big, and we've looked at doing le petit train. I'm trying to find some things that my kids may find interesting! I'd be interested in also heading to Monaco and maybe even Eze, but i'm having trouble finding a tour that seems reasonably priced 🙂 Any tips on companies that do nice tours. Or any other ways you'd recommend I explore with my kids here? Beaches to go to? Sites to see?

Hi there - arriving in Mykonos in July with two boys ages 10 and 8. A lot of the research I've done indicates Mykonos is great for walking the town, enjoying a nice meal on the water, seeing the windmills. Even the cruise line itself doesn't have a lot of options (and the ones they do have are too pricey!)

Any other recommendations for someone looking to explore without spending too much money? Is there a beach that's accessiable and nice for families? If so - how would you recommend getting there?

What about other fun things to do with kids? I'm kind of lost on this port so any advice is welcome. 

Hi! Next July my family will be stopping in Livorono with our two boys, ages 8 and 10. I have a few ideas of things to do but would love some advice. 

-Pisa: I think my kids would find this entertaining, but past taking the pictures and maybe running in the open field....I'm trying to decide if it's worth the drive to do this or if we should just go to Florence

-Florence: I know there are so many things to do here. I'm hoping specifically for some tips on a self tour we could do with kids. They won't mind some museums, etc, but would also like to mix in some things they will find entertaining. Also sounds like some of the museums you need to book tickets ahead of time. Trying to decide which ones. What about transportation here besides an expensive tour? Any train, bus, taxi recommendations? 

-Stay in Livrono instead? I hate to miss out on Florence (I need someone to tell me don't miss Florence also!)...but would there be interesting things to do that would cost a lot less if we stay in town? 

Next July my family and I will be in Naples. We have two boys ages 8 and 10. The cruise excursions are too pricey so I'm trying to find ways to do it myself. Here are some things I'm thinking about but would love some help from people who have done this before. 

-Pompeii: my kids are interested in this. I know it will be hot, but I think they would find it interesting. I've heard Herculeum is better preserved, but I'm worried on picking that over Pompeii given it's just more famous. Thoughts? I've also heard we could travel there by bus or train...looking for a good mix between saving money but not being crammed into someplace overcrowded/hot (someone told me one of the trains was too overcrowded)

-Underground Naples Tour: I've read mixed reviews on this

-Sorrento: Is it worth going with kids? I'm sure wouldn't mind another place offering gelato but not sure what else there is to do there for us. 

Any other ideas?