Never been to Med - What is best time, weather, less crowds? Advice needed please

[Pat.bz]

We went in late Oct (last cruise ship of the year) from Citavecchia to Citavecchia for 14 days. Ports were Mykonos, Rhodes, Athens, Santorini, Epshesus, Istanbul. We flew in 5 days early to Rome (spent 2 nites in class C tourist hotel near Colisseum and 3 nites in Rome suburbs at Anne's Place). We took trains from airport to Rome and Rome to port. We used Hop On Hop Off buses in Rome and Ipod self-tours for Vatican, St.Peters, Forum, Colisseum. Used private tours at Anne's (Pompeii, Monte Casino, Assisi).Hotels ran $100 a nite and included breakfast. The weather was great for entire trip except Istanbul (didn't "dampen" experience) and crowds were non-existent. Cruise with OV ran $200 a nite and we took no ship's tours. The way we did it isn't for everyone but we really saw Italy, etc and would (will) repeat it in a heartbeat.

[true45]

Husband's family is from Montecassino -- very interesting. Thanks for the help

[Oceangoer2]

We went in late Oct (last cruise ship of the year) from Citavecchia to Citavecchia for 14 days. Ports were Mykonos, Rhodes, Athens, Santorini, Epshesus, Istanbul. We flew in 5 days early to Rome (spent 2 nites in class C tourist hotel near Colisseum and 3 nites in Rome suburbs at Anne's Place). We took trains from airport to Rome and Rome to port. We used Hop On Hop Off buses in Rome and Ipod self-tours for Vatican, St.Peters, Forum, Colisseum. Used private tours at Anne's (Pompeii, Monte Casino, Assisi).Hotels ran $100 a nite and included breakfast. The weather was great for entire trip except Istanbul (didn't "dampen" experience) and crowds were non-existent. Cruise with OV ran $200 a nite and we took no ship's tours. The way we did it isn't for everyone but we really saw Italy, etc and would (will) repeat it in a heartbeat.

Quite a coincidence I read your post. You mentioned a tour to Monte Casino. We're planning a cruise in the near future out of Rome with a prior 2 day stay in Italy. My husband's father was a war victim at Monte Casino and as he's never visited his father's grave, we'd like to travel there. Looking into the best travel route, etc. To the point...how did you book your tour to MC, how long was it, and would there be an opportunity to visit the Canadian war dead cemetary at Montecchio near Pesaro? You may not know all this, but do you have a contact I could email to fill in the blanks for us? We initially planned to have 2 days to travel there, spend an overnight, then back to pick up the cruise next day.

[Onessa]

We done Med cruises the past three years - each time last week in November. We had previously done a Med cruise and several land trips in this area - always early spring (late-April to early May) or November.

 

At these times, some of the more northerly areas can be a bit "chilly" (but since we live in Wisconsin, Florence's "chilly" is quite balmy in comparison to our home temps :D) but have generally had temps in the high 50s to low 70s. Mainly sunny (one soggy day in Florence a few years back) but no more bad weather than one could expect statistically any time of the year. And definately none of the unbearably hot stuff. Since we are not "beach people" we've never had any complaints about the weather.

 

As to "crowds" - the early spring or late autumn dates were ideal. We were generally the only (or at most one of two) ships in port and there were fewer non-cruise tourists as well. I showed my DH and DD several uncropped photos I had taken in Oia on Santorini and asked what was "odd" about the photos -- there was NO people in the shots (and Oia is normally VERY, VERY crowded!). We did not encounter any issues with any attractions having been shut for the season, and particularly with the November trips found the shop keepers very willing to bargin (being the last ship in several of the ports for the season was very beneficial). Less competition for taxi/tour drivers also translated into some opportunities for some price breaks (for example 70E round trip to Olympia for three of us in a taxi versus the 90-100E others had paid - and the driver was willing to extend our time an extra hour -- because, as he put it, if he showed up at home, his wife would have him out picking olives!)

[Keith1010]

We have only cruised the Caribbean & Bermuda but would love to try Europe to celebrate retirement perhaps in October 2011. We are on a budget so we are looking at 7-day itineraries. Any opinions welcome.

 

Could anyone give us an idea of prices and opinions of shore excursions so that we can plan?

 

We are so far looking at the Equinox & Constellation. Loved the Solstice and have an Eclipse Carib planned but we love all the ships. It is the ports that we have NO knowledge of -- haven't flown anywhere in years.

 

Thanks.

 

October and April are great times to sail the Med. It is far less crowded and the weather is far less hot than the summer months.

 

Keith

[woodofpine]

I think if you compare the per diems that the longer cruises are better value than the 7 day when you consider that you're going to absorb transatlantic air either way.

 

If you are set on Celebrity as your line then you've narrowed the task considerably. I've done a 2 week Med on Princess and recently a 7 day on MSC (r/t Venice) in late March. I lived in Europe for a year once and October is pretty nice generally.

 

Celebrity Equinox does a cruise from Rome in Oct.'11 that includes Istanbul (a fantastic destination, easy exotic). Celeb does one out of the UK then that isn't really a Med cruise per se (includes Atlantic ports) but has Venice which is another fantastic destination.

 

Keep doing your homework and you'll find the right fit; the Med is a geat cruise (Barcelona too is impressive). As others suggested, try to lay over to and fro. I think that really heightens the experience. Constellation's cruise from Istanbul to Barcelona is a nice itinerary if the split airfare doesn't cost kill. The Equinox cruise r/t Rome would be great with say a week or so rental car prior to drive up to Venice via Tuscany/Florence. However you plans shape up, good luck - enjoy!:)

[true45]

Thank you all very much

Linda

[Pat.bz]

We stayed at a wonderful B&B in Rome suburbs run by a Brit and his Irish wife; here's the website: http://www.byanne.com/ and they run their own tours with a min of 4 people at very reasonable rates. I can't say enough about these people or their wonderful place.