marazul

We took that tour in a private version for four of us. Same description. It was excellent. Murcia is a lot more intetesting than Cartagena. We had driven through the area before, but our friends had not and this contributed greatly to our trip. Get a quote for a private tour just in case you don't get the large group. You might be able to find a few more through your roll call.

Or take the ferry all the way to Monterosso first to get there a lot faster, and then the ferry between the towns. You can always take the train back to La Spezia from the last town.

It is way too early for Madrid, but don't forget you can always get a taxi from the airport. I would book the transfers in Italy, especially if no advance payments are required. I like your idea of going to Pompeii on your way to Naples. You will have more time than on the way to Amalfi when you will also be looking forward to getting to your hotel. That also lets you visit Pompeii in the morning when it will be cooler out. Glad you are doing well.

Italy has announced new tourist train routes, some using vintage trains. They should start being implemented in the next few months. This sounds like a great complement to a cruise or just the main part of a land trip. https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/italy-tourist-trains/index.html

There are bank ATMs at the airport. Still, change just enough to cover your immediate expenses for the first day.

Good plan. Get them at the airport.

WARNING: We stayed at the 5-star Athens Coco-Mat hotel just next door to the Hera Hotel where we have also stayed. The Coco-Mat opened in a renovated building during the pandemic and it has a rooftop pool which we loved. HOWEVER, the top court of Greece has just ordered the Coco-Mat to demolish the top two floors of the hotel (added during the renovation) because it exceeds the height for center city buildings. Whether this ever happens or not is uncertain, but beware of booking there in case the government actually follows through with the condemnation. We were unaware of this when we were there, but I am certainly glad this action was mandated. https://neoskosmos.com/en/2023/07/15/news/greece/hotel-that-blocks-view-of-acropolis-ordered-to-demolish-top-floors/ https://news.gtp.gr/2023/07/13/greek-tourism-ministry-shuts-down-athens-hotel-for-construction-violation/

Why don't you download it now and see what happens? If it goes away (it shouldn't), you can download it again just before you go. It is a free app that anyone can download.

You can also take the ferry in the opposite direction to San Fruttuoso and Camogli. But, to quote cruisemom, Portofino is absolutely beautiful.

Transfers mean you and your luggage to/from port/airport/hotel. It is a "limo" service, not a taxi service. The transfer service includes personal pickup at the terminal, help with your luggage, etc. The taxi is just an unscheduled pickup at a taxi line or the street. It's probably an issue of licensing for rides within the city so the transfer companies are not in competition with ordinary taxis for rides. That is why they will take you to the museum with a tour, but not just a ride.

Here is a thought on jetlag and Madrid. I am a great believer in the "stay up, early supper and bed" theory. However, in Spain there is no such thing as early supper. Restaurants open at 8 pm and that is early. (Actually, some restaurants in tourist areas will open earlier.) In your case, you can take your Palace tour, follow the little itinerary I sent you walking to the Plaza Mayor, down the steps of Arco de Cuchilleros and on to Mercado San Miguel for lunch. Then you could go to the hotel for a 2-hour siesta (set the alarm), go to the pool for a while, and then have dinner at 8 pm and back to the hotel. Then you will be on Spanish time. The next morning take an 11 or 12 o'clock train to Barcelona. This method has worked for me. No guarantees for anyone else! There are many good restaurants near you, like Taberna del Alabardero, Casa Gallega, Asador Real, etc. You also could go to Botín. https://botin.es/en/menu-botin-en/ You must reserve there. Their signature dish is roast suckling pig, but there is a lot more.

The Majestic on Passeig de Gracia.

Just about all restaurants will have them. They all post the menus and have a blackboard with the specials outside on the sidewalk. Read the menus and pick a place you like.

Aix and Cassis.

And it has a pool! I might try it next time. You are going to have an amazing trip.

I hope you discuss the "service" doggy issue.

Look at hotels in the triangle from Teatro Real to Puerta del Sol to Plaza Mayor. All these hotels will put you within a 15 minute walk of the Royal Palace. All 3 or 4 stars with guest ratings above 4 (out of 5). https://www.google.com/maps/search/Hotels/@40.4171336,-3.7089188,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m16!2m15!3m6!1sHotels!2sMadrid,+Spain!3s0xd422997800a3c81:0xc436dec1618c2269!4m2!1d-3.7037902!2d40.4167754!5m6!3e2!3e3!4e3!5m2!1s2023-08-12!2i3!6e3?hl=en&entry=ttu I always do a street view of the ones I am interested in.

The only you hotels are too far for walking. I just looked and saw the Ocean Drive hotel by the opera. Also Hotel Opera. I haven't stayed there, but it looks good. I am not crazy about TA's reviews in general. The Europa looks ok. Also the Petit Palace. Don't forget, it is only one night.

Neither. You are only going to be there one night so you need to be within walking distance of the main things you can see in one day. You need to be in the area between Puerta del Sol and the Teatro Real (opera house). There are a number of good 3 or 4-star hotels in the area that would be fine for one night. Good Spanish chains are NH Hotels and Melia, but there are many international chains and independent hotels in the area. But don't stress about it. Pick one with decent reviews and you will be fine. This will allow you to walk to the Plaza Mayor and the Palace. There are a million good restaurants in the area. The best and fastest way to get to the area from the airport would be by taxi which could cost you around 60-70€. The cheap alternative would be subways with one or two changes carrying all you luggage. The taxi can get you to your hotel in 30-45 minutes. That means that you could possibly make the 9:45 tour. All hotels will keep your luggage at the desk. You can walk from Puerta del Sol square to the Palace in 15 minutes, less time if you are closer to the Opera. After the Palace, walk to the Plaza Mayor and after looking around, go down the Arco de Cuchilleros steps to see Casa Botín from the outside (oldest restaurant in the world, great roast pig, $$), and on to Mercado San Miguel for lunch. Here is the walking route. https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Royal+Palace+of+Madrid,+C.+de+Bailén,+s%2Fn,+28071+Madrid,+Spain/Plaza+Mayor,+Madrid,+Spain/Casa+Botin,+Calle+de+Cuchilleros,+Madrid,+Spain/Mercado+San+Miguel,+Plaza+de+San+Miguel,+Madrid,+Spain/@40.41607,-3.7131795,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m26!4m25!1m5!1m1!1s0xd42287e7da4a9c1:0x2e7fec79d6ce4851!2m2!1d-3.714312!2d40.417955!1m5!1m1!1s0xd42287ed85fe0d9:0xd202c4f0d67625e8!2m2!1d-3.707023!2d40.4156181!1m5!1m1!1s0xd42292d0e183a03:0xfe6d0b31cf8abfe5!2m2!1d-3.7079547!2d40.4141769!1m5!1m1!1s0xd42287921196e2d:0x162fe6d34dd190e8!2m2!1d-3.7089697!2d40.4153794!3e2?hl=en&entry=ttu After that, check in to the hotel and maybe take the ho-ho bus to see the city (not my thing, but it would work for your time frame). Maybe get out at the Prado Museum and look around. The next morning take a taxi to the train station. PS - A shopping hint. When you are in the Plaza Mayor and right at the corner of the Arco de Cuchilleros, there is a store that sells abanicos (fans). Buy a couple and keep them in your purse. They will be life savers in the summer heat and so very Spanish!. I think the shop is Toledo Craft Studios.

What was the cutoff date for canceling the excursion? You could have held it until then while waiting for other options. You do have plenty of time. And yes, with 5 days in Rome a day trip to Florence could be a very good option.

That was quick! Happy to help.

Portofino is what they consider the "attraction" of a stop in Genoa. This is a common practice for cruise lines. For example, Livorno (Florence) or Messina (Taormina). Portofino is a tiny tender port away from Genoa. No way this could be an embarkation port.

Portofino or Portovenere?

Madrid is the logical option. It's a nonstop flight from Charlotte and you have the option of either flying to Barcelona the same day or taking the high speed train from Madrid. You can also take the train from the airport into Madrid. Madrid is a wonderful city. It would be a great opportunity to visit it. You get there on the 10th. It would be nice to have that day and a full day in Madrid before going to Barcelona the next day. I would still keep your original plan of two full days in Barcelona if you can. Here is the train website for RENFE (train company): https://www.renfe.com/es/en The stations for the airport into Madrid are: MADRID-AEROPUERTO T4 to MADRID PTA. ATOCHA-ALMUDENA The stations from Madrid to Barcelona: MADRID PTA. ATOCHA-ALMUDENA to BARCELONA-SANTS The Puerta de Atocha train station is located at the base of the Paseo del Prado in Madrid. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Madrid,+Spain/@40.4061236,-3.6854276,16z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0xd422997800a3c81:0xc436dec1618c2269!8m2!3d40.4167754!4d-3.7037902!16zL20vMDU2X3k?hl=en&entry=ttu It is a very convenient location near all the museums. There are many hotels nearby. Rather than staying right by the station, I would recommend picking a hotel on Paseo del Prado or near it so you can walk to a lot of places. There are many taxis available for the short ride. From there you can taxi to go visit the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, the Mercado de San Miguel (fabulous food court, much better than La Boquería in Barcelona). There are also ho-ho buses. And you will be near the station to take one of the frequent AVE trains to Barcelona. The ride is under 3 hours.

I just found this: https://www.charlottemagazine.com/girls-getaway-destination-for-charlotteans-madrid/