Do It Yourself Ports

[zoncom]

Get European Cruise Ports books from library or purchase. Fodors, Frommers, Lonely Planet all good.Eyewitness Guides good visual books. They also have web sites. I look at them all. Also just Google port name for even more info .The more informed you are the better your experience.

[buggins0402]

Google Tom's Port Guides. He does a very good job with logistics of getting to sites...maps of ports, pictures of public transportation ticket machines, prices, maps for walking tours, etc. The ports he covers are limited to where he has been and you should always cross check to make sure things haven't changed since he wrote up the port.

Edited April 7, 2016 by buggins0402

[cruisemom42]

Rome trains go on strike at the drop of a hat. Last time I was there they stopped at 3 pm and many people missed the ship.

 

The trains do not go on strike "at the drop of a hat". Strikes are scheduled in advance (and many are called off before they actually happen). I'm curious how many people checked the scheduled strikes listed online....?

 

Also, when there are strikes, certain trains are still guaranteed to run. Failing that, if they had left themselves enough time, they could easily have gotten a taxi back to the port -- expensive, yes, but they wouldn't have missed the ship.

 

Like anything else, if you are going to DIY, you should do the research.

[KirkNC]

Google Tom's Port Guides. He does a very good job with logistics of getting to sites...maps of ports, pictures of public transportation ticket machines, prices, maps for walking tours, etc. The ports he covers are limited to where he has been and you should always cross check to make sure things haven't changed since he wrote up the port.

 

He really does a great job on his guides. We have used them as a starting point many times.

[ollienbertsmum]

I think the golden rules for DIY are

 

1. have copies of travel documents with you.

2. have local currency for emergency.

3. try to leave the ship as early as possible

4. if you are stopping at several places go to the furthest place first so you get nearer to port towards the end of the day

5. when looking at public transport always make sure that there are two trains after the one that you are aiming for.

6. only go DIY if you can guarantee that everyone in your group understands that time keeping is important

7. Do your homework and don't rely on the maps they give you on the ship. I think they are designed to make sure that you get lost

8. you relax and enjoy the wonderful places you are visiting.

 

I don't DIY if I think the local public transport or ship schedule wont let me enjoy the trip. e.g. I went on a ship tour from Livorno to Cinque Terre because i was too busy to sort out the transport. I am about to go on a cruise that goes to Marseilles for only 9 hours. I want to go to Avignon and really do not want to be looking at my watch all of the time so I am going on a ship tour.

 

I suppose that you can get lost on a ship tour.

[buggins0402]

From Marseille you could easily get to Aix en Provence by train or bus. I would put that in the moderately easy DIY category.

[ollienbertsmum]

From Marseille you could easily get to Aix en Provence by train or bus. I would put that in the moderately easy DIY category.

 

 

I have just looked at that journey - it is so quick by train!!! We went to Aix from Toulon on a previous cruise and I could not work out a DIY journey so had to pay about £50 each for a tour. We did love it though.

 

This time I really do want to go to Avignon and it is just too far for me to go on a day that we sail away at 4 pm. This time I will let NCL take me.

 

Another time in Marseille I am sure I will take the train to Aix.

[UKBayern]

Thank you. I would not attempt to arrange my own port tours. Mainly asking what ports can we walk off the ship and explore on our own? I kind of want a balance of cruise line tours and exploring the real Europe on foot. I know Rome and Florence are out. I will do the excursions there. So far, it seems like Venice, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Mykonos and Barcelona will be good for self exploration. Probably Rome, Venice, Athens and Marseille are excursions. Question is, what will I miss by going those ports alone?

Thank you so much.

 

For Athens you dock in Piraeus. You could walk to the subway, but it is a long walk. The Hoho-bus is excellent, even if you only use it to get to the centre. It stops right at the exit of the port building, and stops in front of the Acropolis and a number of other places. No need for an expensive tour.

 

The south of France has excellent rail connections. You could do Marseille and/or surrounding area by yourself.

[insanemagnet]

For Athens you dock in Piraeus. You could walk to the subway, but it is a long walk. The Hoho-bus is excellent

 

Much cheaper than a HoHo tour bus is the X80 that goes from immediately outside the Piraeus cruise terminal to the centre of town.

 

Another equally cheap alternative is to use an Uber.

[TLCOhio]

We are going to: Venice, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Athens, Mykonos, Naples, Rome, Florence, Provence and Barcelona. Which of these ports are we justified in skipping the excursion and exploring on our own?

 

We are ten out of ten in having visiting ALL of these great locations. In seven of these locations, we have had multiple days and/or times being there. Other very smart CC Board veterans have offer many excellent suggestions to consider. Am I correct that you are starting in Venice and finishing your cruise in Barcelona? That helps as both of these ports are super and hopefully you will have added time in each before starting and after finishing this cruise. How

 

Tell us more about your exact personal interests, budget flexibilities, ages, past Europe travel experience, etc. How much are you interested in history? Countrysides vs. cities? Museums, food, wine, art, music, shopping, architecture, culture, etc.? How much of it in a leisurely-style versus fast-paced?

 

Your challenge? In most of these ports and/or nearby, your options in each of these areas are so many and totally wonderfully. Good news!! In many cases, however, a ship tour and/or private tour can help your "logistics" and save time, making things more efficient to see and do more. In areas such as Florence, Rome and Naples, you could spend two or three days there and not be able to do it "ALL"!! That's part of the "bad news"!! Research and plan ahead about your personal priorities and rank your interests carefully. Unlike some areas in the Caribbean, where it does not take that much time to see everything, you will have to pick and choose wisely for your Med choices.

 

Below are both a few of my visuals to help get you excited about this trip, plus other links to see more of my visuals and other options to consider in your planning.

 

Another thought to consider is that YES you can do lots DIY in many of these areas. Maybe save some money. BUT, if you do not prepare properly in advance, know what you are seeing and why it is of importance, etc., etc., then the "value" and/or "savings" will not be as significant as you could hope. Most regular travelers are not superstars on history and culture as is true with cruisemom42 and some others on these boards.

 

For those who have not yet visited Greece and Athens, the good news is that the wonderful Plaka is right handy and next door to the famed Acropolis area. That makes things so much easier. On going up the hill, be careful as the stone steps can be slick in areas. And you will be looking up and forgetting to watch where and how you are stepping. It's well worth the effort getting there to the top. It is amazing history and architecture!! Also, we had a private guide to help us on this spectacular site. It's not cheap, but it was well worth it to know more on what you are seeing and why it is so important.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 211,227 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

For Venice, look at this posting for many options and visual samples in this city that is so great for "walking around", personally seeing its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 58,746 views.

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

 

Super loved Dubrovnik!!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

 

Wonderful Kotor and nearby Montenegro?

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

 

ForAthens and nearby:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

 

 

Here’s a sampling of the narrow, flowered street in Mykonos in the Greek Isles with its many shops. The streets were made so narrow in order to fend off pirate attackers. It is an island with lots of history and legend dating back thousands of years, including connections to ancient Greek mythology. Ionians settled on Mykonos in the early part of the 11th century BC. As Delos developed as a sacred center, Mykonos was under the influences of the different people, including Phoenicians, Macedonians and Athenians. With the rise of Alexander the Great, the fate of Mykonos became a commercial center for agriculture and maritime trade. Mykonos flourished with enormous wealth during Roman occupation during the reign of Augustus Caesar. During the Middle Ages, Mykonos fell under the Venetians and later were victimized by the Saracens and latter the Turks. Starting in the 1950’s, its unique architecture, seclusion and hospitality have made it a haven for the rich and famous.:

 

 

 

Looking downhill towards the library and other ruins from when Ephesus, along the Turkish Coast, was Rome's capital of Asia Minor. The history here is real and totally amazing! This Library of Celsus was built in honor of a Roman Senator and completed in 135 AD by his son, a Roman Consul and powerful official. The library was built to store 12,000 scrolls and to serve as a tomb for his father. The interior of the library and all its books were destroyed by fire in an earthquake in 262 AD. Only the facade survived, but was later destroyed by another earthquake. In a restoration during the 1960's and 1970's, the front was restored and serves as a key example of Roman public architecture.:

 

 

 

On Athens’ Acropolis hill with our very knowledgeable private guide we lined up at the site, she helped us appreciate all of the history and architectural details there at this famed site going back 700 years before Christ. Having a guide here does involve some added cost, but it made a hugely positive difference for us in understanding so much more about what is up there, why it is important, how these structures were constructed, etc.:

 

 

 

In Dubrovnik, we started with a local cab driver who gave us a “panoramic tour”, including crossing this unique bridge near the main cruise ship docking area. Then we drove up and up through narrow twisting roads to the high point overlooking Dubrovnik and near the cable car high station. From this point, we could also see part of Bosnia and and Montenegro. The “super star” view was down below with this angle of the harbor and walled city. Beautiful!!!:

 

 

 

Inside the Pantheon in Rome, this photo with my 10-20mm wide angle lens shows what is regarded as the best preserved of the ancient buildings in Rome. It is based on the classical Greek temple design and has a hole in the middle of the domed ceiling. It was the Roman “temple of all the gods”. You can see the light shining through the roof to part of interior on the left side.:

 

 

 

Overlooking Positano along the Amalfi Coast, this is the view as we dined, family-style for lunch, at La Tagliata during our private tour for our small group through RomeInLimo. The views here were super and the sun came out in strong force as we enjoyed our three-course lunch with local wine and drinks. Their website is http://www.latagliata.com.:

 

[ollienbertsmum]

 

Below are both a few of my visuals to help get you excited about this trip, plus other links to see more of my visuals and other options to consider in your planning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darn it Terry in Ohio

 

I have got a very busy week at work and I leave for BCN on Saturday and you go and post a wonderful post full of photos that I am desperate to look at. How very dare you:p

 

I am sure anyone would choose the Med over anywhere from looking at your wonderful photos.

 

The Pantheon shows up well. I know that it always is busy but it always surprises me that it is not even more busy. I hope that we will get there next week after we visit Castel Sant'Angelo which has been on my 'to visit' list after my daughter recommended it several years ago.

[TLCOhio]

Darn it Terry in Ohio. I have got a very busy week at work and I leave for BCN on Saturday and you go and post a wonderful post full of photos that I am desperate to look at. How very dare you. I am sure anyone would choose the Med over anywhere from looking at your wonderful photos. The Pantheon shows up well. I know that it always is busy but it always surprises me that it is not even more busy. I hope that we will get there next week after we visit Castel Sant'Angelo which has been on my 'to visit' list after my daughter recommended it several years ago.

 

Yes, I plead "GUILTY" as charged by ollienbertsmum!! Sorry!! Appreciate your kind comments and glad that these visuals have helped build up excitement. Those six photos are only a small portion for what I have in my photo files from these various great ports/towns in the Med. Below are just a few more quick, fun pictures from Mykonos. Love thinking about this charming, interesting Greek island!!

 

BEST NEWS??: The "real thing" is much better-looking and more attractive than what my photos reflect. Good luck with your upcoming trip.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 139,947 views for this posting.

 

 

This harbor view in Mykonos shows one of the charming windmills. From as early as the 16th century, these are one of the most recognized landmarks of Mykonos. The island is 33 square miles in size and has a population of 9,300, mostly in its main village.:

 

 

 

Ladies and generations from a family are departing a church service in main Mykonos on a Sunday morning. It was nice to see the people who live there and not have things too busy from the tourism masses!!:

 

 

 

At the fish docks in Mykonos near many outdoor dining places that overlook the harbor, there are discussions about some of the recent catches being offered to a local resident.:

 

 

 

On the opposite side of the Mykonos village on the island, here's a sampling of the beachside activities. This includes Agrari, Elia and the long sweeping Kalafatis beach that has become famous to wind surfers.: