bobalink

On 3/23/2021 at 3:55 PM, bennybear said:

I looked up the hotel, no longer a best western, it’s the  Grand Hotel Imperiale Resort & Spa in Moltrasio.  It’s a lovely hotel right on the lake.   Ferries leave nearby as well to shorten those drives. 

Thank you, bennybear. I appreciate the recommendation. I looked at their website and it looks wonderful! 

On 3/23/2021 at 3:31 PM, Hlitner said:

Lake Como is actually a pretty large lake so I think one has to deal with the issue on where to stay.  Personally we have preferred Bellagio where there are quite a few decent hotels in different price ranges...so much would depend on your budget.  One fun thing about staying in Bellagio was driving (we always have a rental or leased car in Italy) was driving the very windy narrow road along the lake from just north of Como all the way to Bellagio.   That SP583 route does offer some nice views, but the drive is certainly a challenge.  When we made the return drive we opted for the much better (but boring) inland route.  The advantage to being in Bellagio is the multiple eating venues.  If you isolate yourself somewhere along the Lake far from a city your eating options shrink or you are stuck having to drive back aftr dinner (not my style since I prefer to drink wine with dinner without worrying about DUI).

 

Hank

Thank you, Hank. I appreciate your informative response. We do plan to rent a car and tour the area, and I look forward to seeing Bellagio.

On 3/23/2021 at 11:35 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

Have a liking for

https://www.grandhotelmenaggio.com/en/index

it’s just a nice place to stay

Never known of it before my company booked it for business.  But liked it so much, have stayed there for private holidays.

 

 

Thank you, very much, for providing the link. It looks like a lovely hotel. 

We are planning a pre-cruise visit to several areas in Italy prior to our cruise in June 2022.

We would like to spend a few days at Lake Como.

I am hoping some of you seasoned travelers can recommend a hotel at Lake Como. 

Thank you!

Incredible photos, scubacruisersx2. Wow!!

I did not know HAL has gift cards! I would have purchased some, but not if it's that big of a hassle!

I purchase Princess gift cards online using a link on their website. So easy! (screen shot attached)

It seems like HAL could do the same, I wonder why they don't?

As was mentioned in post #15, if you booked your cruise through that wholesale corporation, they use Bottomline Technologies.

Just curious...

Is there a reason for the cryptic description, big box hot dog place? Is it against the rules to mention the wholesale corporation, by name?

Photo of Yum Yum Man

Hi Jacqui!

We will be on the Zaandam - January 9, 2020, 22-days South America/Antarctica.

First time on Zaandam, first time to this part of the world. Very excited.

This cruise would be better if you and Jose were sailing with us!

Cheers!

Bobbie and Jimmy

This is a fun memory from our one and only cruise on the Prinsendam (Celtic Explorer 2018.) Photo taken from our balcony, we could watch Captain Dag bringing the Elegant Explorer into Antwerp. He saw me taking photos and waved. 

On 6/25/2019 at 9:41 PM, bobalink said:

Hi scubacruiserx2,

I'm reading your posts and enjoying your amazing photography. We are going to be on the Zaandam for South America/Antarctica in January 2020. I am interested in the many private tours you took. Would you share the contact information for Top Private Tours? I tried to Google it, but I could not find a specific tour operator with that name. If you prefer, you can email (in signature) me. THANKS! 

I actually found the website for Top Private Tours. https://www.*****.com/chile-shore-excursions

THANKS for all of the beneficial information and your excellent photos and videos. 

On 2/15/2019 at 8:42 AM, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

There were many bright colors like in the Caribbean and we had good light . A group of about 10 people from CC went together on the next 2 tours with Top Private Tours . 

 

We really liked our balcony . It was so nice to have food and a private bathroom only a couple of steps away .

 

Hi scubacruiserx2,

I'm reading your posts and enjoying your amazing photography. We are going to be on the Zaandam for South America/Antarctica in January 2020. I am interested in the many private tours you took. Would you share the contact information for Top Private Tours? I tried to Google it, but I could not find a specific tour operator with that name. If you prefer, you can email (in signature) me. THANKS! 

Incredible, Jacqui! Your photos and descriptions are great. I'm so glad you got to experience this amazing itinerary on your favorite ship. Thanks for sharing and allowing us to travel along with you. 

Bobbie

Incredible scenery and photos, Jacqui! Your fabulous vacation photos are causing me to keep adding to my bucket list. Keep them coming. 😊 

Jacqui - you are a gracious hostess!

Love the photos and all of your interesting descriptions.

While in Lisbon, we ate at Time Out. So many amazing choices! So, so good! 

I loved Porto, and discovered how delicious Port wine is. OMG, the train station is unbelievably beautiful. My neck was sore from looking up. Again, your photos are excellent!

Thanks, Jacqui, for all the time and effort you put into this thread. I'm enjoying traveling along with you!

1 hour ago, kazu said:

We were still on our Malaga tour (sorry there will be a bit more food porn in a smidge).

 

Along the walk:

 

Loved the stained glass:

 

 

 

 

 

See the men in costume?  They are music students at the university and perform on the streets like buskers to earn money.  They also had a CD to sell.

 

 

They even posed for us 😄 

 

When we are on a Douro River cruise, a group like this came onboard and performed for us. The university students music group is called a "tuna."  They are very talented and we had a lot of fun watching them.

Jacqui - your photos are amazing! Love traveling along with you.

I noticed Jose is holding a Pikolinos shopping bag. That's my favorite shoe, I have 6 pairs in my closet!

The Tapas Tour looks so fun and delicious. Savor the flavor!

Hi Jacqui,

How exciting! I will be following along and wishing I were onboard with you!

I'm so glad I was able to sail on the Prinsendam with you last year. I will always be grateful for your efforts in organizing excursions and answering all my questions pre-cruise.

I look forward to seeing photos as you savor the flavor in Lisbon and throughout your adventure.

Safe travels and enjoy every moment on your beloved Elegant Explorer. 

Blessings to you!

17 minutes ago, Mc2nicho said:

Thank you bobalink!  Just looked at the reviews and website earlier today and sent an email to the hotel with a question.  Made my reservation tonight.  Seems like a great place.  Thanks for the recommendation.

You're welcome! I think you will be happy there. It's location is very central and everything is in walking distance. it's so easy to do a walking tour in Florence. I recommend getting the (free) Rick Steves Audio Europe App and use your iPhone for "do it yourself" guided tours. My daughter thought it was a terrific way to explore.  Enjoy!

Thanks, so much, cruisemom42. I have followed your advice several times over the years and you have always been a great help to me! I will relay this info for Sina Palazzo Sant'Angelo to my friends who are planning their visit to Venice. Thanks for the link.

We stayed at Locanda Orseolo in 2011 and 2015. It was such a great place with incredible staff. Sorry they were forced to close down due to losing their lease. I know they have a sister hotel, Al Ponte Antico, we went there for a drink, but have not stayed there.

We were very happy with our room at:

Hotel accommodations in Florence:

Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco

https://ilguelfobianco.it/

Trip Advisor: 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187895-d232975-Reviews-Il_Guelfo_Bianco-Florence_Tuscany.html

I just saw this about Locanda Orseolo closing down. I was trying (unsuccessfully) to find the website for the hotel because I recommended it to a friend. 

cruisemom42 - do you have other hotel recommendations for Venice?

Fabulous photos and balanced review!

Thanks for taking the time and effort to provide this for all of us.

We're booked for January 2020 on the Zaandam for a South America & Antartica cruise.

Well that was fast! I got my Brazilian visa already. It comes as a PDF, which you have to print out and carry with you at all times.

 

Super easy process!

THANK YOU very much for the detailed information. Your helpful post has provided the information I needed.