samavarcruiser

Don't miss The Pantheon and have a lunch in a small restaurant around the area.

Have fun planing 🙂

On 3/24/2022 at 3:33 PM, cruisemom42 said:

Touring in Europe is a very different proposition to touring the Caribbean. For a number of reasons, it's not usually the best plan to look for an independent taxi driver to take you on a tour:

 

• Gas is expensive, and distances in many ports are significant for touring. So you're not likely to find "cheap" taxi tours. Rome is a bit over an hour from the cruise port of Civitavecchia; and Florence is 90 minutes from Livorno....
• Supply and demand -- in some ports there is a limited supply of taxis and independent tour operators waiting at the port. Yes, there are usually a few -- but do you want to go all the way to Europe only to find that you have no way to see the sights?
• Language barriers/Providing info:  While many drivers speak English, some are better than others, who may be difficult to understand or only provide minimal information. Their primary function is to be a driver, not a guide (see next point).
• Driver/guide regulations -- in Italy at least, there are clear rules about drivers and guides. A guide must be licensed and can accompany you into sites to provide information and insights. A driver cannot accompany you into any site -- and what's more a driver is not allowed to act as a guide even if s/he is licensed to be one. 

If you don't want to take ship tours, I'd concentrate on booking private tours in advance with well-researched and well-recommended agencies. You can often find others on your roll call to split costs and make them more reasonable. Or if you are willing to do the planning, many ports can be done on your own using local transportation (buses, trains, the occasional taxi).

Absolutely right, I would go with sharing excursions.

On 2/2/2022 at 6:31 PM, Mrs Miggins said:

This sounds great but could you reveal our source.  We are cruising in April ending in Venice.

 

On 2/2/2022 at 7:56 PM, euro cruiser said:

I'm guessing that the hands in prayer emoji indicates that this is a hope, not a fact.

On 2/2/2022 at 8:01 PM, Mrs Miggins said:

Oh dear, I hadn't realised that it was just an expression of hope.  Not sure of the point of posting as we all 'hope' that things will change soon.

I've got friends who live in Italy and they explained me that all the laws ("decreti" as they call them) enforcing restrictions because of Covid are part of the so called "stato di emergenza" since march 2020 (state of emergency). The restrictions regarding cruise ships in Italian ports are also part of these special laws.

The state of emergency is in force until March 31st and in a recent interview the vice minister of health said that very likely it won't be extended. This means most of the restrictions will be lifted.

They also sent me this link to a newspaper article

https://www.iltempo.it/attualita/2022/01/31/news/addio-allo-stato-di-emergenza-pierpaolo-sileri-non-sara-prorogato-cosa-cambia-per-green-pass-e-vaccino-30312033/

On 12/23/2021 at 9:04 PM, mchin said:

Looking for options to convert US dollars into Euros for our Western Mediterranean cruise.  Has anyone used the service at BCN?  Ease of use?  Service fees?  etc.

 

Thanks in advance!

You better use your credit cards and het cash except of being charge commission on exchange!

On 1/30/2022 at 2:04 PM, sellwingri said:

Thanks but that’s not my question.  Are there private guides at the piers? 

No guides at the pier, only taxi drivers 😞

Absolutely W Hotel in Barcelona, check it out

https://www.marriott.it/hotels/travel/bcnwh-w-barcelona/

We had a guide for the Vatican Museum and St. Peter basilica portion of our day, she was fantastic and worth every penny.

On 1/3/2022 at 7:05 PM, BrocktonCruiser said:

Thank you for adding that clarification.  You are correct.  We had a very informative driver.

We had a driver and a guide only for Vatican portion of our day in Rome, an amazing day I would add 🥰

The restrictions will be lifted on March 31st and private shore excursions will be allowed again 🙏

Termini is not a safe area, I would highly recommend you to check Hotel Raphaelo :)

Private shore excursion will take you wherever you want to go!

On 2/21/2021 at 7:30 PM, marazul said:

Will it be done? 

Nope, unfortunately 😞

On 1/12/2021 at 5:45 AM, cruisemom42 said:

 

The problem with the catacombs is their location -- not in the centr and not so easy to get to for someone not as experienced negotiating public transportation (bus, metro).  If the catacombs are a must, you could consider a tour that picks up/drops off at your hotel, but it will take 1/2 a day of your two days. Again, I would really recommend 3 days in Rome. Also, consider timing -- there are 3 main catacombs on the Appian Way and they are not all open every day. One is closed on Sunday, one on Wednesday, and so on...

 

Check for additional info and tour suggestions at a site such as this one:   https://www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/catacombs.html

 

 

 

Yes, I've been to Sicily a number of times. Unfortunately Messina and Palermo are quite a distance apart, almost at opposite ends of the island, about a 3 hour drive -- too far to visit on a one-day port stop. You'd spend nearly 6 hours just driving. 

 

 

 

Most restaurants post menus at the podium. Fair warning that the ones located on more picturesque piazzas (like Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori, etc.) are priced to reflect the superior views. Food tends to be very traditional Italian in many cases, things like pasta carbonara or amatriciana or chicken cacciatore. Pizza is Roman style -- very thin, almost crisp crust and limited toppings. Bread tends to be given to you, but there is usually a small charge for it, don't be surprised, it is normal.

 

If eating outdoors, keep a close eye on your belongings -- don't put a purse or jacket (with phone in pocket) on the back of your chair -- due to pickpockets. 

 

 

 

Some like to start out with some euros in hand; but ATMs are the easiest way to obtain euros once in Europe. 

 

Chicago should have plenty of flight options. Nonstop flights are the easiest on you -- shortest flight time and less scrambling through airports or worrying about connections. Flights over tend to be overnight, you will arrive in the morning. 

 

Pickpockets are crafty and prevalent but not violent. You won't need tae kwondo, just some street smarts. Do not keep ANYTHING valuable in an accessible pocket -- they will remove it. Leave excess cash, an extra credit card and your passport in your hotel or room safe. Consider a cash belt or secret (interior pocket). I'm not a big fan of the security purses (like Pac Safe) but they give some people a sense of security. Don't use a backpack either -- too easy to access or even grab them and some sites and museums do not allow them anyway.

 

 

 

With your budget in the central city, I recommend looking for a VRBO. Rome is pricey. There are hotels around the main train station at that price, but you'll have to do a little more walking (or learn the metro system, which is not difficult, especially if you are from Chicago).

 

Many hotels include breakfast, or if you VRBO you can do your own. There are markets and small grocery stores in most neighborhoods, just look on Google when checking out neighborhoods to get an idea. If I'm trying to keep to a budget, I can generally eat a cheap lunch for around 10 euros ($12) or less for something like a slice of pizza or a panino sandwich and a soda or water.  This would be something cheap and more "on the go" -- not in a nice cafe by a piazza, mind you.  Dinner in a sit-down restaurant with a salad, pasta, house wine and bread might be 20-40 euro per person depending on location and if you have additional courses (antipasto, dessert, coffee, bottled water, etc)

 

 

I never travel without a corkscrew!  Don't put it in your carry on when flying. 

 

You can readily find inexpensive wine in any market, grocery, or even wine bars in Rome. Inexpensive wine is generally fine and drinkable but I wouldn't go for the cheapest option. Do you like white or red?

 

 

 

You access the Sistine chapel only through the Vatican museum. Definitely plan ahead and purchase a timed ticket in advance at the official site, here:  https://tickets.museivaticani.va/home

 

Through the Vatican you can buy just your tickets and wander on your own or purchase a tour with an official guide, which use headphones and tend to be fairly large groups.  Or you can look at private tours, which are smaller but more expensive.  Guidebooks like Rick Steves have a ton of info on what your choices are.

 

 

 

No problem, it's a pleasure to talk about traveling again instead of just COVID!

Wow, this was very helpful. Thanks a lot 

Enjoy your cruise 🙂

Thanks for sharing those articles with us 🙂

We loved our day in Montalcino and Montepulciano but we did it on our own as a day trip from Rome 🙂

Another great link with tons of info is the following 🙂

We loved our day trip to Montalcino and Montepulciano

Another vote for Madeforspainandportugal tour company, have been very happy with them.

I would highly recommend you to check also Albergo del Senato, close to the Pantheon.

On 2/3/2020 at 1:13 PM, AliceS said:

Romeinlimo does a fabulous tour of the Aladdin coast and were happy to adapt to our needs.  The full Amalfi is beautiful ...,,go all the way to Ravello and have a nice lunch at a scenic restaurant.  You will not be disappointed and they always get you back In time.  They do this all of the time and I have been their client for years.  Have fun.  Ciao, Alice

You mean the Amalfi coast Alice, right 🙂

On 1/27/2020 at 3:09 PM, bedfordmom said:

Does Mallorca get a lot of rain in May.. The reason I am asking is that I am interested in booking a Formula One tour and it could be cancelled due to rain and they will only give a rain check good for a year.  Given that I am a day tripper from a cruise and most likely not going to return in a year, I am trying to hedge my bets.  I also put this in another and have not received a response.  Sorry for the duplicate questions. 

You will be there only for a day and it might rain on that specific day is you are not lucky enough but I am sure they will refund you the money!!

Don't even think of using anything different then a taxi.

On 1/23/2020 at 10:30 PM, shopping is fun said:

We have tried to book our late May/early June 2020 transfers to/from Civitavecchia with RomeinLimo, but, unfortunately they are already fully booked on our dates. They suggested another company, ItalyPrivateExcursion, which has availability but seems a bit more expensive. I am also looking at RomeCabs, Rome Airporter, Rome Transfer Tour, Limousinecruiservice, among others. Several of these are well-rated on TripAdvisor. We are hoping to be picked up at Termini station and then transferred from Civitavecchia to a hotel near FCO airport after our cruise. Any suggestions on best service, rates, etc? Any of these to avoid? 

 

Thanks!

I have used http://www.italyprivatexcursion.com in the past for my airport and port transfers and would highly recommend them.

Have fun planning 🙂

On 12/22/2019 at 2:42 PM, Pens fan said:

Food and beverages were included.  It was a walking tour, so no transportation was required.  Dennis met us at our hotel which was an easy 5-10 minute walk to our first stop.  I'm sure if you were staying further away, they could make arrangements for you, though - possibly at an added cost.

Yes, it make sense if your hotel is in down town Rome.

Thanks a lot