If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Shore excursions in Mditerranean ports?
Would like to hear your comments and suggestions for private shore
expeditions in Mediterranean ports, especially: Montecarlo, Livorno, Civitavecchia and Kusadasi. Also Valencia & Cadix. We are not looking to rent a car for 2, but perhaps if you know of a resonably priced alternative to ship shore ex. we could possibly get one or two other couples to join us. We are plannining on taking a HOHO in Lisbon & Barcelona. would you also suggest that for Rome? Has anyone stayed in Livorno for the day and did you find it interesting? All and any suggestions and tips welcome. TIA |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Shore excursions in Mditerranean ports?
On Feb 3, 1:49*pm, bonvoyage wrote:
Would like to hear your comments and suggestions for private shore expeditions in Mediterranean ports, especially: Montecarlo, Livorno, Civitavecchia and Kusadasi. Civitavecchia is an easy train ride to Rome ... 15 minute walk to the station ... We've been to Rome 3 times for about 11 days total ... and that's not enough ... Just plan on St. Peter's Vatican museum ( a train stop) ... or something else ... but you'll only get a small taste of Rome ... Livorno is for Florence Pisa or Lucca ... we did all three but just touching on Pisa and Florence (planning a trip back to Florence to spend a few days in Florence some other day ...) Pisa was too touristy and not that exciting ...(we did not climb the tower..) We loved Lucca ... great place to just walk around in ... We just hired taxis for these ... The cab drivers are as good as the guides ... except for their English ... In fact ... they are more inclined to show you the real Italy ... rather than just the typical tourist areas ... Kusadasi we hired a car and driver ... (got a guide too) ... very economically ...like $300 for the day ... Visited Mary's house (religious) ... Ephus(ruins) ... and Sirince (rural Turkish life) ... and some other nearby sites... I can get the website that we got this from ... Save your shopping for Sirince ... amazing bargains in authentic home made items ... |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Shore excursions in Mediterranean ports?
Dear Mr. Coulter,
Thanks ever so much for your answer. I forgot to mention that we'll be in Livorno on April 25 when almost everything in Italy seems to be shut down or else working on Sunday hours. Have actually been In Pisa and Florence a few times but was hoping to be able to go to Siena or Volterra but cannot seem to find which transport is available on that day. By the way, what is Lucca? I must admit my ignorance on that one. Thanks for the train trip re Rome. Have also been there, so will limit my visit. Would actually like to go into the countryside but am afraid of those Italian drivers. I do appreciate that you, a travel agent, took some of your time to answer someone who is not a client. It goeas above and beyond. Your clients must be lucky to have you as an advisor. On Feb 3, 3:05*pm, Joseph Coulter wrote: bonvoyage wrote in news:ab3401df-7015-4f6a- : We are not looking to rent a car for 2, but perhaps if you know of a resonably priced alternative to ship shore ex. we could possibly get one or two other couples to join us. We are plannining on taking a HOHO in Lisbon & Barcelona. would you also suggest that for Rome? Has anyone stayed in Livorno for the day and did you find it interesting? All and any suggestions and tips welcome. TIA A day in Livorno with Lucca, Pisa and Florence only a short train ride away? Do you need to do laundry? maybe then, otherwise you will not find much in Livorno. Rome can be done on one's own with planning. thik about what you want to see and then plan for it. The train from Civitavecchia includes the subway *you take the regional train as opposed to the nonstop which costs more and doesn't give the (BRA something BRAG IIRC) rate. The folks at the station will know what you want say round trip with metro included. There is a lot of walking if you do it yourself and you won't see everything - but that is difficult even with a guide. Choose your battles and go. Kusadasi, I think a shore ex is worth the cost just remember that when they stop at a rug factory/shop the tour is over, look for the ship and walk away. -- Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacationswww.josephcoulter.com 877 832 2021 904 631 8863 cell |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Shore excursions in Mediterranean ports?
"Joseph Coulter" wrote in message TIA Kusadasi, I think a shore ex is worth the cost just remember that when they stop at a rug factory/shop the tour is over, look for the ship and walk away. That stop at the rug factory is a killer...too much pressure to buy and a lot of time wasted unless you really want to buy a rug... I would hire a cab driver (after setting a price with him first and it helps if you have another couple to share the fare) who will take you to Ephesus to see the ruins and meet you on the other side and then take you to visit where St. John took the Virgin Mary after the crucifixion and St. John's Basilica and his burial site, if that is something that might interest you. We have been there twice and would go a third time; it was that interesting...Allow yourself at least 2-3 hours for the ruins ... Beware of anyone who suddenly "attaches" to you seeking to be your guide and expecting you to pay them...Choose a qualified guide if you go that route, who really knows the history of the ruins. Also the cab drivers right at the port do not always charge the best rate as the ones further into the city...Be ready to bargain and have fun! http://www.ephesustours.biz/ephesusmap.htm You might check sites like the one below, also. http://www.ephesustours.biz/ephesust...tailormade.htm --Jean |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Shore excursions in Mediterranean ports?
"Jean O'Boyle" wrote in
: Beware of anyone who suddenly "attaches" to you seeking to be your guide and expecting you to pay them...Choose a qualified guide if you go that route, who really knows the history of the ruins. Also the cab drivers right at the port do not always charge the best rate as the ones further into the city...Be ready to bargain and have fun! this is why I felt OK about the ship's tour. I have trouble figuring out who I can trust in Turkey as everyone seems resolute about getting into my pocket and not coming up for air unitll my bank accounts are dry. No is for some reason absolutely non translatable for Turks. It seems to be a concept that eludes them at every turn. -- Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacations www.josephcoulter.com 877 832 2021 904 631 8863 cell |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Shore excursions in Mediterranean ports?
"Joseph Coulter" wrote in message . 97.136... "Jean O'Boyle" wrote in : Beware of anyone who suddenly "attaches" to you seeking to be your guide and expecting you to pay them...Choose a qualified guide if you go that route, who really knows the history of the ruins. Also the cab drivers right at the port do not always charge the best rate as the ones further into the city...Be ready to bargain and have fun! this is why I felt OK about the ship's tour. I have trouble figuring out who I can trust in Turkey as everyone seems resolute about getting into my pocket and not coming up for air unitll my bank accounts are dry. No is for some reason absolutely non translatable for Turks. It seems to be a concept that eludes them at every turn. Did you go into the tent city market not far from the pier? There whole families descend upon you insisting you NEED something they are selling in their stalls! ;-D --Jean |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Shore excursions in Mediterranean ports?
"Jean O'Boyle" wrote in
: "Joseph Coulter" wrote in message . 97.136... "Jean O'Boyle" wrote in : Beware of anyone who suddenly "attaches" to you seeking to be your guide and expecting you to pay them...Choose a qualified guide if you go that route, who really knows the history of the ruins. Also the cab drivers right at the port do not always charge the best rate as the ones further into the city...Be ready to bargain and have fun! this is why I felt OK about the ship's tour. I have trouble figuring out who I can trust in Turkey as everyone seems resolute about getting into my pocket and not coming up for air unitll my bank accounts are dry. No is for some reason absolutely non translatable for Turks. It seems to be a concept that eludes them at every turn. Did you go into the tent city market not far from the pier? There whole families descend upon you insisting you NEED something they are selling in their stalls! ;-D --Jean No, but when I told them I already bought a silk carpet, in Rhodes, they were ready to avenge Turkish honor! (we did go into the old town section that is all shops) -- Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacations www.josephcoulter.com 877 832 2021 904 631 8863 cell |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Shore excursions in Mediterranean ports?
On Feb 3, 6:36*pm, Joseph Coulter wrote:
"Jean O'Boyle" wrote t: "Joseph Coulter" wrote in message .97.136... "Jean O'Boyle" wrote in t: Beware of anyone who suddenly "attaches" to you seeking to be your guide and expecting you to pay them...Choose a qualified guide if you go that route, who really knows the history of the ruins. Also the cab drivers right at the port do not always charge the best rate as the ones further into the city...Be ready to bargain and have fun! this is why I felt OK about the ship's tour. I have trouble figuring out who I can trust in Turkey as everyone seems resolute about getting into my pocket and not coming up for air unitll my bank accounts are dry. No is for some reason absolutely non translatable for Turks. It seems to be a concept that eludes them at every turn. Did you go into the tent city market not far from the pier? *There whole families descend upon you insisting you NEED something they are selling in their stalls! ;-D --Jean No, but when I told them I already bought a silk carpet, in Rhodes, they were ready to avenge Turkish honor! (we did go into the old town section that is all shops) -- Joseph Coulter, cruises and vacationswww.josephcoulter.com 877 832 2021 904 631 8863 cell- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Thanks for all the advice re Turkey. Actually, have already been to Ephesus but not on a cruise. We went there on our own and visited quite a bit. did not see the terrace houses however, and did not go to Kusadasi. I was wondering how to get from Kusadisi to Ephesus: should one take a taxi, public transport, or do it the way we travelled around turkey, by communal taxi? Problem is, that was 5 years ago and maybe times have changed. We have visited much of the Mediterranean before, either by rental car, or by public transportation, but never on a cruise where time is very limited and where we aren't exactly sure what to do when we disembark without wasting too much time. Gusss that's the gist of my question. Plus hoping to discover new sites to see (that we missed before), new things to do (that we haven't tried) and new experiences to discover. Still worried about April 25. What does happen on that day in Italy? TIA P.S. We stopped voluntarily in carpet shops when visiting Turkey. We chose a time when we were tired and wanted a rest, always enjoyed a glass of warm apple tea, listened to their spiel and then said "How interesting, Too bad they don't quite fit in with our silk Chinese rugs." They never bothered us after that. We don't have silk Chinese rugs but learned that trick from a friend of ours . |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Shore excursions in Mditerranean ports?
"bonvoyage" wrote in message
... Would like to hear your comments and suggestions for private shore expeditions in Mediterranean ports, especially: Montecarlo, Livorno, Civitavecchia and Kusadasi. Also Valencia & Cadix. We are not looking to rent a car for 2, but perhaps if you know of a resonably priced alternative to ship shore ex. we could possibly get one or two other couples to join us. We are plannining on taking a HOHO in Lisbon & Barcelona. would you also suggest that for Rome? Has anyone stayed in Livorno for the day and did you find it interesting? All and any suggestions and tips welcome. TIA When we were in Kusadasi, rather than take the ship's tour to Ephesus, we just went ashore (as soon as the ship was cleared, to beat the crowds) and took a taxi to Ephesus. It WAS a bit of a hair-raising ride, but the driver took us to the BACK entrance of Ephesus, so that we wouldn't be caught up all day in the mobs coming in the main gate and progressing through the site. The only time we were in crowded conditions was when our path crossed with the guided tours, about 1/2 way through as they worked their way in the opposite direction. The only drawback was having to follow the guidebook backwards! When we were finished, we exited by the main entrance, crossed the road in front and took a local bus back to Kusadasi. It was a great day. Oh, yes, one more advantage: our entire exploration of the Ephesus site was downhill! |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
bike excursions in Scandanvia/Baltic ports | Cathy Kearns | Cruises | 5 | March 27th, 2006 02:57 AM |
Shore Excursions | Services 2 GO | Cruises | 0 | January 13th, 2005 02:26 AM |
Excursions at Baltic Ports? | Traveller | Cruises | 14 | July 30th, 2004 01:09 PM |
Shore excursions vs. on your own | Carolyn Matthews | Cruises | 6 | June 9th, 2004 03:55 AM |
Ports/excursions in Mediterranean | MerriAnn | Cruises | 7 | April 15th, 2004 03:13 PM |