Private Tour Guide Recommendations for Rome, Marseille, Monte Carlo, and Tangier

[LL]

We just returned from a back to back Windsurf cruise in the Mediterranean. I researched quite a bit before going to find private guides, since we don't like groups or ship tours. I would like to recommend the below guides for anyone that is in these areas in search of guides. They were all fantastic.

 

In Rome, we had a guided walking tour of all the normal sights in Rome as well as the Vatican and Sistine Chapel with Mauro arranged through Sandra at: Errichetti@yahoo.it

 

In Monte Carlo, we had a guide that arranged a tour around Monte Carlo, Monaco, Ez, Nice, and Villafrance. She will work around any request you have and can be contacted at:

Sylvie.di.cristo@wanadoo.fr

 

In Marseille, we had a guide that will arrange a tour to suit your requests. She took us to Aix, Cassis, Calanques, and Bandol. She can be contacted at:

Tour.designer@provence-travel.com

 

In Tangier, we got off the ship and were very lucky to get a guide with a driver that took us to all the sights, shopping, around the city and a Morrocan lunch. He doesn't have a website, but can be contacted by phone. His name is Ahmed Sieed (sp) Temsamani. His cell phone number is 061170810.

[laughoutloud]

Welcome back, LL! I'm glad you had a good time. We'll be on the Windsurf next year Lisbon-Barcelona.

I'm stuck re: Tangier. Don't want a large group but I'm not sure if we'll feel comfortable with just a guide/ driver. Can you tell me a little more about your tour? Did the others enjoy the ship tour as well?

 

Thanks for the info.

Maryann

[LL]

Maryann--

 

Most people were very nervous about going into Tangier. We were too, because you hear of all kinds of bad things. We don't like ship tours, because there are usually too many people. I think that tour was $49 or $79 per person and we did actually think about it. We met 2 couples on the ship and decided that if we went together into town we would be okay. When we got off the ship, there were several men in their robes (I forget what you call them) with name tags on. One approached me about a tour. He charged $20 per person for the day (about 9am-2 or 3pm). He took us through town, showed us the sights, talked about the history, we stopped for camel rides (additional 1E pp), went to the market with all the fish, produce, meat, olives, etc., walked around in the old part of town, went into some shops, and went to a nice Morrocan restaurant (90E for 7 people including wine & water). They served us a variety of different Morrocan dishes since we couldn't decide what to have. The guide kept all the locals from trying to sell us junk as we walked along. He spoke great English. It would have been tough just walking to town ourselves too, since the ship ports out in an industrial and fishing area.....not something I would walk. Several of the poeple on the ship thought the tour was fine. They basically did the same thing we did only in a big group and for more money. The buses pulled in places we stopped just as we were leaving. They didn't stop for lunch though.

[Shystermom]

We used Driver in Rome 2 weeks ago. Wonderful experience!

[laughoutloud]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully we can hook up with another couple. I can't imagine getting my husband to eat a Morrocan lunch...

 

LL, I have a few more questions, if you don't mind. On Ibiza, did you do anything at night? I don't want to go to the clubs... maybe the Casino? Or a nice bar you can recommend?

 

And which day was the on-deck BBQ? We don't want to miss that!

[General Max]

We booked a Rome transfer / tour with Paolo Apolloni; http://www.drivinguide.com for 10-22-05. Check his rates because he spells out the 10% VAT tax added and the 3% fee for using a credit card.

[fmax]

Here's a link to a thread on private drivers

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=70375&page=2&pp=25&highlight=driverinrome

 

 

Frances

[Queenk2]

LL by any chance do you have the E mail adress of the guide in Tangier... I really cannot call Morocco!

Karen Queenk2@aol.com

[LL]

Laughoutloud--

 

In Ibiza, we went back into town and had a nice dinner at a quaint little Spanish restaurant. I don't know the name of it. It was up inside the walled off part of the village and we went to a few of the shops that were open in the evening.

 

The deck BBQ featuring lobster is on Saturday. We missed it the first week, but caught it the second....very nice.

[laughoutloud]

Laughoutloud--In Ibiza, we went back into town and had a nice dinner at a quaint little Spanish restaurant. I don't know the name of it. It was up inside the walled off part of the village and we went to a few of the shops that were open in the evening.The deck BBQ featuring lobster is on Saturday. We missed it the first week, but caught it the second....very nice.

 

Thanks, LL. It's hard to find good info on "other" ports...

Welcome home.

[willy paul]

Catherine at provance-travel was great. It was the highlight off the cruise for my wife who made the reservations ( first time she tried it herself and she struck gold) from the tour of Aix, to the country lunch, to the wine tasting and the tours of the hilltowns, the tour was a bargain. We did it with two other couples and had a great time. six peole in a van opposed to 40 people in a bus. Stay where you want as long as you want, can't beat it.

 

Was I impressed - absolutely!

[Turtle Derf]

From the port of Ciitacecchia (Rome) we used Stefano Costantini and he was the best! He got us reserved tickets (in advance) for the Colosseum and the Vatican and his van got us right up to the front door so to speak, no lines to wait in! Very knowledgable and gave a great tour. He can be contacted at: romecabs@yahoo.com His mobile phone is 39(For Itlaly) 339-3525028. The cost for four of us was about the same as the bus tour off the ship.

[Dbedros]

We recently returned from the August 25th sailing of Oceania's Insignia and also used Stefano. I agree with everything that you had to say and would like to add that if you have been to Rome before Stefano has some unusual cites that are great. I suggested that he do a tour called the Other Unique and Unusual Rome. He knows his city and is passionate about it. I can not stress enough that he is not just a driver. He is also a gentleman. Try him and you will not go wrong.