Travel To Be Free

Thanks, CruiserBruce.   I'll try to practice on my patience.  🙂

How busy is it in June????  

Does anyone have a recommendation for a boat tour operator for the Cinque Terre that offer a good price for 5-6 hours from the port of La Spezia?

We have been to Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri, however, never south of Sorrento.  Would like a little time in Sorrento and then down the Amalfi Coast on a "boat."  I didn't see this type of tour with Italy tours.  The price for their tours is great though!!

Still hoping to find someone with a boat tour operator recommendation.  

Ski Mom 2 -- we also like doing our own thing!!  Thanks for the input!

Marazul-Thanks for the ferry schedule.  Do you know if the ferry that starts from the La Spezia port a good way over to tour the 5 villages?  

6 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

You might try sending queries to the vendors advertising on TripAdvisor, about a private boat charter.

However, if 200E is your price for all four of you for the full day, I doubt that would be possible, unless you sign up with a much larger group.

 

We had some trouble getting responses, but that may have been because we were probably emailing during their "off season" (mid-winter).

 

From and back to La Spezia by small boat may not give time for many stops.

 

GC

The 200E was per person.  If it were for our group of four, that would be nice!!

We will be in Naples on a cruise.  Would like a cruise down the Amalfi Coast, stopping at 2-3 of the recommended villages with 1/2-1 hour time (once for a small lunch as we’ll eat later on Capri).  Then to be transported to Capri, where we would end the boat tour so we can spend the remainder of the day there.  Can you recommend a good company for this and approximate cost for the four of us?

Does anyone know if they do tours of Cinque Terre from La Spezia?

I'm still doing research and there are a few agencies on TripAdvisor, however, some are around 200E.  I was hoping to find one not quite so expensive.  Those included lunch on board and swimming, but we're looking for doing lunch in one of the villages and then just boating along the coast.  Hoping to find some suggestions.  

We're in port 7-7 and are a party of 4.  We would like a boat tour of the Cinque Terre with stops at the best villages.  What villages are the best for stops?  How long at each stop?   

Our cruise lists Santa Margherita as the PORT.  How long is the ferry ride from there to Portofino?

What other things would you combine in the area to make this a 5 hour day?  

13 hours ago, mskaufman said:

So,  we took the wooden train from Palma to Soller and then the tram to the Port of Soller.  Took the tram back to Soller and had lunch right outside the cathedral.  Next the bus to Valdemossa before continuing back to Palma.  The train/bus stop was less than a 10E taxi ride from the port.  Difference was that we were in port until 11 pm so we had more time.  I don't remember exactly what time we got back to Palma but we did have dinner in the ship's MDR.

About how long was each leg of the trip:  (1) The train to Soller?   (2) The tram to the Port of Soller?  (3) The bus to the Valdemossa?  (4) The bus to Palma?    

If you're not sure, maybe someone familiar with the area could advise.  I was wanting to know the different stages so if we have to cut something, we'll know approximate times.  

Will be here in June and would like the best options to see Valldemossa (1.5-2 hours), Soller (and ride tram), back to Palma to see Cathedral , Plaza Mayor (if good) and the walkway along the water (saw a picture, but can't remember the name).  It doesn't seem like we would have enough time to ride the train part of the route.  We are there 8am-6pm. 

We don't like huge tour groups--Small ones are okay.  If there is something independent we can do, we're up to it if we have everything mapped out so we don't have to stress in the middle of the day.  Would love some suggestions.  (Was reading the 16 page thread below, but wondered since I had narrowed down what we would like to do, if someone could help.)

Essiesmom-I understand facing the dock is not always best.  It depends on the port.  I did look at the pictures on the website you listed.  It was very helpful!!

Lastdance-I've never been to Portofino and am excited to go!  It's nice to know we can do this on our own.  I've not started looking at options of things to do at this port.  Is there something else that it a MUST SEE/MUST DO at this port?

It looks like most of the ports aren't extremely scenic.  

Monte Carlo-If we dock there, is the side looking away from the dock more scenic?

Rome-if you aren't facing the dock, do you have a very good view?

Barcelona-if you aren't facing the dock, do you have a very good view?

Cruiser Bruce --  Oops.  When I went back on my computer, it didn't look like this had posted.  So I basically reposted the same thing.  I'm going to copy the info you just gave me and see if I can delete this one.  

Should we plan to stay near Central Station?  If we would switch to another train heading towards the port, is there a better station to stay close to?  

We're not really wanting to do a train, to a subway, to a good central area.  Would like to stay close to a train station.

Thanks for any insight!

Should we plan to stay near Central Station?  If we would switch to another train heading towards the port, is there a better station to stay close to?  

We're not really wanting to do a train, to a subway, to a good central area.  Would like to stay close to a train station.

Thanks for any insight!

You are all giving some great information!!  The ports we'll be at are:  Civtavecchia (Rome), Naples, Palma De Mallorca, Spain, Barcelona, Monte Carlo (tender), Santa Margherita (tender) , and LaSpezia (Florence/Pisa).  (1) Which ports may have good views from the port (or are they in a desolate ship yard)?   (2) Does anyone happen to know if the docks on any of these face the town, or are they facing another ship?   That may help us make a decision.  (3) Monte Carlo and Santa Margherita "may" have good views from where they stop??? 

We've reserved a room on the Starboard side of the ship for a Mediterranean Cruise.  I understand they pull that side into the dock so it's facing other ships to kind of advertise it's floating restaurant...  or if no other ships, it will face out so others can see it.  I normally like to face the port whenever possible so I have some type of view while on the veranda, however, this will only happen if it docks where another ship isn't in port or if you're in a tender port.   Do you think the Port or Starboard side would be best?

Thanks for the information!!

We’ve been here once before and took a tour. This time would love to shop the town and then walk or get a taxi to a beautiful restaurant on the water. Does anyone have suggestions?

What is the website to rent from a good vendor?

Our ship is in Aruba from 8 AM to 12 midnight. I want to do bracelet shopping there, however, would like to spend as much time on the beach as possible. it seems one time we were there until 8 PM, however, some of the stores seemed to close. Is there an expert out there on Aruba that may know?

Have never used to Uber.... have never been to NYC on my own. We've always been with relatives who live there, so I have some questions.

From Newark NJ airport to hotel (close to Central Park/Broadway), what is the best mode of transport? Approximate cost? I had looked earlier and there is a bus from the Airport to the Port Authority Station. From there we could do a subway or taxi about 10 blocks to the hotel. Do you have any opinions on this option?

Other option is Uber. Is Uber decent with all the traffic? Approximate time? Approximate cost?