24butterfly

We will be in Villefranche on May 9, 2017 and appreciate knowing this information. Thanks!

Just keep in mind also that you can take the train to Nice and Cannes from the train station here...

Thanks guys; may be worth the ships tour after all.

I am a DIY, but in this case, we took the ship's tour. Let them worry about us.

I understand your frustration. Piraeus is only a place to leave for something else.

I strongly disagree with your statement that there is nothing to do after seeing the Acropolis , Temple of Zeus. I have been to Athens three times and always found lots to see in the city.

 

The New Acropolis Museum is wonderful and one could easily spend 3-4 hours there.

Also, the Archaeological Museum is fantastic. There is more to see in Athens, just check things to do in Athens on TripAdvisor.

 

If you run out of things to do in Athens, there is the Temple of Poseidon south of Piraeus as well as the Corinth Canal.

And the Archaeoligical museum.

Or get lost in the Plaka area.

We did take a hydrofoil to one of the surrounding islands....yes, there was a transport strike, but the hydrofoils were running. Would have loved to go to Hydra, but on;y had a day in Piraeus.

Hello all,

 

I was checking all my boxes on my itinerary last night and realized I haven't figured out how we are getting from our cruise to hotel Tiber.

 

The train is not an option as we are traveling with my elderly mother in law.

 

Should I book with Rome limousines before leaving, or can I get a taxi at the port?

 

 

I only ask because I have had terrible luck with booking transfers ahead of time for all the cruises I have been on. (No joke. Problems every time!)

There are NO taxi's at the port. Every time we've gone, and it's been plenty, we've pre-arranged transpo back. That's your best bet.

What you

need to do is go to the Purser's Desk a night or 2 before debarkation, and ask for early debarkation. They're used to this---you shouldn't have a problem.

Itinerary. Always itinerary.

Is there a "formal" night on the 3 day to Ensenada?

What have you seen for the dress code for men?

Thanks in advance--I know I can count on you folks for help.

Haven't been on Carnival in awhile, so--what is the situation with Wifi? We're going on the Inspiration. Thank you!

Any recommendations where to stay near the termini. Need to get the train in the morning for the airport

We always stay, and I always recommend, Hotel Quirinale on Via ****onale. venere.com or octopus travel.com---one of those. AND, you get breakfast as well....Nice European hotel, a/c, good concierge, nice beds and bathrooms....

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/09/travel/tourists-arrested-rome-colosseum/index.html

 

What jerks. I hope they have to pay a lot of money. (The article goes on to report that a Russian tourist was fined 20K euro for carving his name into the Colosseum.) I hope the Italians hold these idiots in jail until they pay up.

Idiots. Maybe they'll be thrown to the lions.

I have found that the Turks would rather have euros or US dollars instead of their own $. Also, some shops will charge you extra if you use a credit card, so ask (it's the %age they lose, so you make it up)....Also, in regards to bargaining--they're used to people bargaining with them by now--especially tourists. If you go in high season, the prices will be higher than if you go when the tourists are not there....

Hi everyone,

 

I'm looking over my options for my one day in the Port of Naples. I'm wondering if I should pick a tour for Pompeii, Positano and Sorrento

OR

Museum of Naples, Pompeii and Positano.

 

I've been to Naples before but will be traveling with my mom who is a first timer to the region. Went to Pompeii without a guided tour, which was a big mistake. This time around I will go with a private guide.

 

I was thinking of going to the Museum of Naples because it houses many of the treasures, frescoes, mosaics and statues from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Has anyone gone there before? Do you think going there for about 2hrs is enough time to experience it? Is it worth going there and sacrificing Sorrento?

 

What about picking Positano over Sorrento? I've been to both before. I leaned towards Positano because I enjoyed the beautiful cliff side views there, and really liked shopping there last time. I was hoping the tour could organize a cliff side lunch with a view at Positano, as they include it in other tours. I liked Sorrento too, but I felt that you need more time to explore there and it would be nice to take a ferry ride from there, which we won't have time to do.

That is a really hectic day. At least 2 hours for the Naples Museum--it is well worth a day--get yourself a "10 best Things to See and Do in Naples"--it lists the Naples Museum and the 10 best sculptures/statues to see at the museum. To me, it is well worth the sacrifice having been to Sorrento and Positano. However, each town has it's charm. Sorrento is cute, and good for leather goods. Positano--you just walk down from the top to the bottom, and there are LOTS of little "stores" along the way. In any case, you have to factor in travel time and back, as the roads get very crowded to Positano; and it's at least an hour from the ship to Sorrento. Hope this helps.....

I haven't been hit with fees. There is no FOREX fee on the Plat card. And I haven't been upcharged anywhere where I use my Plat card. So, I'm rather confused when you say Cruisemom and I are incorrect about fees. A local merchant has the ability to add a "fee", but I haven't run into that anywhere. I check my bills and I haven't seen a "person used AMEX instead of VISA" fee...

I never said you were incorrect about fees. Sorry you are confused. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.

With regard to AMEX: It is my go-to card (I have an AMEX Plat). I have my one VISA if I happen on a place that doesn't take AMEX. NEITHER of my cards have forex fees. There are many different permutations of AMEX cards, just like permutations of VISA or MasterCard. So, you cannot make a blanket statement about cards and forex fees.

 

There is a department store in Rome (La Rinascente), but I wouldn't go there for jewelry, just as I don't go to Macy's for Jewelry. Like cruisemom said, around Via dei Condotti you will find some stores. Italy is also known for their gold jewelry (as well as leather and ceramics), but just not in Rome.

If you use AmEx overseas, you will be hit by fees, and they ain't cheap. Learned by experience. Suit yourself. I'd rather spend my $ on other things. We have a Platinum card.

Read the post by llarsen a few posts down titled: "Anyone been to St. Tropez?"

No response in 5 years to other post-please-help! We would like a private tour for 5 of us to see Saint Tropez, Ramatuelle, Gassin, Grimaud, Antibes, Cogolin. Moulims de Paillas-any suggestions PLEASE. We are going to be there July 1, 2015. Thank you!

That is really alot to do in one day. St. Tropez is not located that close to Antibes. (It's somewhat in the area--- but with driving time and traffic...) You are really not allowing for driving times as well, stopping, traffic, and seeing whatever it is you'd like to see. If you really must do all of this in 1 day, and get back to the ship, I would look into renting a car and DIY.... Also, why not just pick 3 and spend more time there? You really will not be giving yourselves any time--just a pass through....Hope this helps...

Thanks for the information. We will need this for our February cruise. We did a land tour of Turkey last year, but this time we will DIY our time in Istanbul.

I would also suggest getting a good guide book--I always recommend EyeWitness (Knopf) Guides as they have pictures in them. Don't know how long you're in Istanbul for, but maybe "10 Best Things to See in Istanbul"....Absolutely love the city...Very exotic....

I know this is very subjective and varies to the quality of service. However, we have booked a lot of private excursions and I would like to know what percentage is the norm that you would tip in Europe for a job well done for the private tours. Thanks for any suggestions. Also, is there difference between the amounts for France, Greece, Spain, Italy, & Turkey.

There's really no set percentage or norm--tip according to your comfort level, the level and quality of service. Don't over-tip--it's not like in America--20%-- ....A few euro per person fpr a 5 hour tour, all day , I'd say about $25 or so for 2 people.

Has anyone got any recommends for a quality traditional Italian restaurant nearish to the Via Veneto. We would be prepared to take a short taxi ride. It is for a special occasion and we do not want dinner suit formal but fabulous memorable food in a casual setting. We are prepared to pay for something special if anyone knows somewhere. We have looked on TA but there thousands and its hard to narrow down. Any advice would be appreciated.

I can't remember the website, but there are some rooftop dinner venues in ROme. Try googling it. Also, the Hotel Excedra right off the Piazza Republica is pretty good as well...

Can someone please tell us if the jewelry in Rome is of good quality & can you bargain? Are there shops near the Vatican? We are going to be renewing our wedding vows , May 2015. Any advise would be greatly appreciated

Robert & Debra

Whether it's 14k or 18k--that's the quality. Also, why would you buy such an expensive item overseas when you don't know what you are getting? Prices depend largely on the price of gold at the time, and also the euro. Additionally, there are no stores (department) such as Bloomindale's type stores in Rome to buy such things. I do not really remember any jewellery stores in Rome (probably wasn't looking). If you happen to be in Florence, there's the Ponte Vecchio, but be prepared to pay mega $$$$....Italy is for leather.....Lastly, get yourself a CapotalOne credit card for overseas. They don't charge a fee--but in no case use American Express. It is a charge card and boy do they charge you in overseas fees. Make sure you always look at the bill and that it is written in Euros, and not dollars.....

Hi

We are thinking of doing the Amalfi Coast Tour thru Blue Grotto Tours. It covers Sorrento, Positano, Ravello & Amalfi Coast . This is a private tour with a private guide. Has anyone ever tried this tour & used this company? If so, please tell us more.

Thank you

Robert & Debra

I've never tried this company, but I can tell you that this is an exceptionally full day. Maybe you are driving the Amalfi Coast and stopping in Sorrento (great for leather), otherwise it's really a stopping point for Capri, but it's ok to walk around in; Positano's charm is really at night, but walking down the winding road to the bottom is what you do, and Ravello is absolutely the best. It is very quaint, and boy, you can smell the $$$ that lives there....We visited Ravello 1st thing in the a.m. when nobody was awake--I'll bet it would have been better later on. It has a very famous ceramic shop there, and of course the lemons....There are other (popular) cities on the Amalfi coast, such as Amalfi, it's seaside, and has a main shopping drag (street). Also, Sorrento "closes up" (shuts down ) for lunch from 2-4 p.m.. When we were in Positano, we went to La Tagliatello or something like that, which was 3/4 of the way to heaven (waaaaay up the mountain) for lunch. They just brought food. I'm sure your driver will know of it.... Hope this helps...

First - is your hairdryer dual-voltage? If it isn't, leave it at home and buy a new one. If it isn't dual-voltage, then you also need to pack a converter. Not worth it.

Second - your dual-voltage hairdryer will need just the standard US/Canada to EU adapter. You can find them online at Amazon.com, REI.com, or any number of sites. Or, go to your local WalMart or Radio Shack.

Totally agree. We used an adapter, and got alot less power. Not only that, when we got home, we had to buy a new blower b/c it didn't work....Maybe the hotel has a blower?

I found the lines checking in at the airport slow and multi-step. Although plenty of agents were open to accept luggage, while in line ATN was weighing and measuring every piece of hand luggage. Once I dropped off the big luggage, I then had to proceed to stand in another line outside a closed door, and one-by-one, we were allowed to enter to pay for the extra luggage, have our paperwork reviewed, and luckily my rusty French got me through a bit faster than others. From there, we headed to another entry point, did the security check, and waited in a lounge. About a half hour later, a small group of premium shops opened to grab our last bit of money on things I really didn't need. ;)

 

We boarded our flights in a very organized process, by seat number and class, walking onto the air strip and up the steps. This was the 11:50 PM flight; we were glad we headed to the airport with 3 hours to go through this process. Flight back to the US are large planes.

 

Why not take the night flight and spend an extra full day in Tahiti, possibly doing a tour or renting a car to get around the island?

 

Darcy

There's a difference of about $1000 to leave in the a.m.

It depends. If you're on the 10 day cruise round trip Papeete then the answer is yes. You will actually dock in Papeete the evening before departure. We took the air France flight which left early in the morning...maybe the one you want to take and we were fine. You can leave as early as you want. Here's the caution...there will not be any cabs for the early disembarkation. So make prior arrangements for the drive to the airport by prearranging a cab.

 

If you are docking in the morning (6am or so) then you probably will miss the flight.

 

Double check your itinerary for the arrival day and time into Papeete.

Good point about the cab situation. Also, the itin says docked at 6am. I'll cal Princess anyway and hope they know what they're talking about...I did find on E-Z air (somehow) that Princess booked the 11pm flight....Thanks to all....I just wanted to know asap b/c it was too late to call Princess.......

My experience is that most of the flights are much later in the day. I've read here on this forum that Princess will often allow passengers with later flights to stay on board, after leaving their cabin of course,for quite some time.

There's an 8:40am and an 11:59pm. That's it.