ollienbertsmum

That looks really nice. I am experimenting with virgin cocktails to accompany my late afternoons. I am going to look it up.

I have never been to the hotel - but have stayed in various areas included a bit further out from the Monument. I have always been happy. Barcelona is a big but walkable city so the tourist sites are somewhat spread out. The Monument is near to Casa Batllo which is a great attraction. It is certainly walking distance to the Ramblas and to the Gothic area. Barceloneta and Montjuic are walkable for me, but also accessible on public transport for most. If I were to say which my favourite hotel is from the location, it is Hotel Suizo. because it is central and there is a Metro station right outside. It is only 3 star, I am fine with that when traveling. We only use the room for washing and sleeping, we don’t even usually get breakfast in the hotel - prefer to go out for coffee and toast at different venues around. We don’t make use of the facilities of a 5 star. If I have a big budget I would rather spend that on a meal out or even an upgrade on the ship. The reviews of the hotel are mixed. The ones I read seemed genuine. I sometimes think that the higher the star ratings the more mixed the reviews because expectations are higher. I am not sure how helpful that is, but I cannot imagine you not being unhappy with your choice. It depends on the deal that you got.

That is a great trip.

Not sure about transport as it was over ten yrs ago. I think we must have used the ship shuttle to the old town then we took public transportation to the beach. It was in July. I would recommend La lonja de la seda - quite special.

I was looking through old photos of trips (sorting the files out). One thing I noticed was that youngest and I bought a couple of parasols. It made so much difference. You could just as easily carry an umbrella.

I have no idea what to advise.

I think right now that is the weather we are all craving.

So sad for you.

ouch

I cannot recall how many ships were in when we used the train back in 2012. We didn’t have to worry about not getting back on though. We took the train that went on a single route along the coastline. We got off at a Napoleon monument and then at the end stop. Train gave us a time to explore, get back on the train (same seatS) and then continued the journey. It was a nice little outing. Not sure about timings of queues to actually get on, I am sure that we would not have queued. I have read that there is a route that tours the town. Ajaccio is walkable. There are mixed reviews on Trip Advisor - I found a few photos of the trip to give you an idea.

That is amazing. I love the way you have changed the sky too. My only experience of removing objects was when youngest was called to the bar and her boyfriend took photos. He didn’t notice that besside her was one of those yellow slippery surface warnings that cleaners leave around. I found a free app that did a bit of a removal job. Nothing as smart at this.

I love as much as you have time to share. Vicarious travelling is not quite as good as the real thing, but I enjoy it.

I was randomly trying to find something on tv to pass the time while i was checking my emails. I found Joseph’s amazing technicolor dreamcoat (Donny Osmond was Joseph). It reminded me of why this thread was started. We used to have free streaming of plays and musicals to keep us entertained. Joseph was one of the shows i watched. I loved this endeavor, but really such a long time ago. How far we have come.

I have been through Malaga airport several times this year. No mention of COVID. No mention at the Gibraltar Spain border either. I cannot recall the last time I travelled and COVID was an issue. Was it 2022?

First I think I didn’t post properly and then twice. Sorry.

I have been on a quest to tidy up my photo album since retiring at the end of last august. Today I have come across photos from exactly ten years ago. This is me on the very pebbly beach at Capri while waiting for the ferry to take us back to Naples. It was hot but a good day. Capri is beautiful (I know this is the France board, but I thought it was appropriate given the thread).

I know this is true, but i still always ask if I know the card is my only form of payment. I always think ‘what if the machine is not working today’. It has never been the case though!

I have to agree that swimming in the Med is a good way to spend a couple of hours on a port day. For me it is preferable to trying to squeeze into the pool on the ship. When we used to go in the middle of the summer it never failed to amaze me how families seemed unprepared for the fact that there are beaches in Med ports. I have seen numerous children from ships who end up bathing in their underwear. I used to wear my bikini under my day wear when I knew that a swim might be an option, I also always carry one of those very light travel towels in my bag. I do always run for the shade, but we have never stayed long enough to need an umbrella or beach beds. What I am trying to say is that I do not think you need to spend a whole day at the beach, in some port stops you could have a lie in, do a wander around a port and still have time to relax and swim. Cannes is a place that we have stopped for a dip, we have also had nice swims in Palma, Civitavecchia (although swim shoes to cope with the rocks are needed), Valencia, Ajaccio, Cagliari and Capri. We could easily have bathed in Sorrento but chose to eat a pizza instead! The picture below is however in Cannes from our trip mid July 2011. The weather was not for bathing, we were actually lucky that the tenders were running. It does show some of the facilities. These cheaper beds are situated along La Croisette. The first beach clubs are supposedly expensive. We never asked how much. One of our trips to Cannes was in November. Obviously not beach weather either but we took a boat trip to Ile St Marguerite. That would be a place for bathing in the summer.

You don’t need to book. Taxis are plentiful at the cruise port in Barcelona. I think you could slow yourself down by trying to work out the meeting point. If we are trying to get off early, we take snacks to our room the day before. One person has gone to the buffet to get coffees but this avoids the breakfast queues which can really slow you down.

Being smart - so important. About ten years ago on the BCN metro system I noted how the local women were sitting with bags held tightly on their laps. The train was not really that busy, they were clearly just used to it. I hope that we all stay safe, but do not let these stories of thieves take away the joy of travelling.

Your question was “was it worth it”. I have been into the Basilica a couple of times. I think going into the Basilica was more impressive than the towers. I reallly remember the former, not got much of a recall of the latter. Could just be me.

I live in the southern med, but we benefit from sea breezes. Even so the heat at the moment is brutal. Take your water, take your umbrellas and put your heath first when it comes to planning your day in southern europe.

I am a recently retired speech and language pathologist. Happy to give an opinion when needed.

I have not heard of any positives for some time. A good reminder that we have to remain vigilant. I especially worry about visiting my 94 yr old parents (now about 4 times a year and I have to fly there). They have never been positive because neighbours have been so good with the support for shopping (and they still do, what great neighbours my parents have).