Greece, Turkey & Malta - Here we come - Med July 2013

[Cousin Orville]

Newfoundland Sailor, those are quite the time changes on your flight! My goodness! I sure hope they don't send you back through Toronto, but I guess anything is possible at this point? I hope they don't change again on you. That Brussels stop sounded cool!

Thank you so much for all the tips for the first timers to Europe. I will be printing those out. I had no idea about the money for the bathroom. I know in Mexico they do that , but had no idea in Europe. All your other tips are so very helpful. I can't say thank you enough for sharing them!

We contacted Arianna and friends and have the cooking lesson all set up. When I originally contacted her, it was just our family, but now we are joining up with another family which made the price cheaper (Yeah and thank you to that family) and I was wondering if it was someone on here who booked with her as well. My daughter has dreams of going to culinary school after college and her dream was to take an Italian cooking class. Thanks to your help, we can!

I don't have the tickets purchased yet for the tower, our daughter 18 wants to climb and our son 14 does too. Not sure about my husband and myself. Would the kids be allowed to climb without us? If not, I guess we will work out a little harder and make the climb too!

I think we figured out the rest of our excursions last night, now I just hope they are available on April 14.

Thanks again for all of your help and if you don't mind, I may have more questions as we get closer!

I think that family is ours. We just booked yesterday. We have some younger kids 8 and 3. Hope that's ok. I think my oldest son and I will be making the climb in Pisa. Any idea what we're cooking?

 

[disfreaks]

I have trouble posting with the quotes, but we are happy to being sharing this with you! My daughter is 18 and my son is 15. They both love younger kids and are really looking forward to this. Are your kids girls or boys?
We would love to make pasta for sure, beyond that we are pretty flexible! What are you looking forward to making? We live a ferry ride away from Seattle. So excited to meet you ahead of time!

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

I think that family is ours. We just booked yesterday. We have some younger kids 8 and 3. Hope that's ok. I think my oldest son and I will be making the climb in Pisa. Any idea what we're cooking?

Disfreaks & Cousin Orville - I think that it is fabulous that you guys are cooking together. Are you cooking first and then the tower?

Can't wait until afterwards to hear all about it- hopefully we'll meet up at the Tower or on the tender and compare our days

That's why I love these boards - we can all share everything we know, read and heard about - and end up making everyone elses and your own vacation that much better. Love it!!!

My brother was reading through the boards today and said "its an overload of information"! I could only laugh. He did say he found my pre-trip report (by accident) while reading other posts....Ooops, did I forget to tell him I am writing about him every day????

 

[Cousin Orville]

I have trouble posting with the quotes, but we are happy to being sharing this with you! My daughter is 18 and my son is 15. They both love younger kids and are really looking forward to this. Are your kids girls or boys?
We would love to make pasta for sure, beyond that we are pretty flexible! What are you looking forward to making? We live a ferry ride away from Seattle. So excited to meet you ahead of time!

We have boys. I think they'll really enjoy the cooking. We also have newborn girl who we may take with us as well. Risotto or Ravioli sound good. As long as there's wine and pasta, we're happy. Are you on Bainbridge?

NS - yes we're cooking followed by Pisa. She suggested making reservations to climb at 3:00pm. Having been to Pisa before but never climbed the tower, I'd like to do it this year if I can secure the tickets.

 

[disfreaks]

Cousin Orville, sounds great! I think we will all climb the tower as well. We are so excited about the cooking class! Yeah! This will be so much fun!
We are in Poulsbo actually. How did you know about Bainbridge? It would just be too crazy if you knew someone there!

 

[Cousin Orville]

My aunt and uncle live on Bainbridge. I've only been to Seattle once, but it's lovely.

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

It has been a crazy week at work this week and even crazier at home, so I haven't had much time to think about the upcoming week or organize anything else. However, there is no better way to end a crazy week than to participate in some retail therapy.

I bought the boys their welcome gift today from the Disney Store (UK version). I found the cutest Donald Duck ever.

Look at Gladiator Donald -my 3 (soon to be 4) year old is going to love it Personalised on his foot with the year and his name.

Added to that order is a Mickey Mouse Rubber Watch for my 12 year old. And an "I am four" Mickey Mouse t-shirt for my youngest to wear at his Disney Birthday the first night.

Now of course, no purchase at the Disney Store would be complete without some coupon shopping....I found a free shipping, 20% off total order and 50% off personalization -- all coupons worked together and I saved a ton

I can't wait to hide them on the bed when we get into our suites the first day without them knowing.

Well it is the long Easter weekend here - so I should have plenty of opportunity to continue my pre-trip escapades....let the planning go on....

PS - I introduced my brother and SIL to the DIS last week....they are regular lurkers now. It's shocking how much information they have gathered in such a short span of time. Next task - get them to login

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Gladiator Donald is so cute!!!!!!

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

My task today is to figure out a game plan for Barcelona, I have a few ideas floating around in my head - a self-guided walking tour with audio, without audio, a bicycle tour....or maybe just a chocolate factory workshop. On my travels I came across this great cheatsheet for understanding the fares for the Barcelona Metro system.

The T-10 or the T-Familiar look like great options for our family (as they can be shared by different people on the same trip).

* * * * * *


Metro Timetables:
Monday to Thursday, Sunday & Holidays: 5:00 - 24:00 h
Friday, Saturday & Holiday eve’s: 5:00 - 2:00 h

Printable metro maps: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/maps/barcelona-metro-map.html

Full Transportation maps for Barcelona: http://www.fgc.es/eng/planol.asp

Ticket - Price - Trips - Validity
Single - €2.00 - 1 - single use
T-10 - €9.80 - 10 - unlimited (can be shared)***
T-Día - €7.25 - unlimited - 1 day
T-Mes - €52.75 - unlimited - 30 days
T-50/30 - €39.20 - 50 - 30 days***
T-Familiar - €54.90 - 70 - 30 days (can be shared)***
T-Jove - €105.00 - unlimited - 90 days
T-Trimestre - €142.00 - unlimited - 90 days


Prices are for one zone - as of March 2013

***Good for transfer to different transporation methods up to 1 hr 15 min since original validation (can not re-enter metro system though if you leave through the turnstyles instead of transfering underground - but you can use a bus)


All above tickets can be purchased from ticket offices and vending machines inside Metro stops. The T-10 and T-50/30 can also be purchased from newsagent’s kiosks.

The single ticket may be used for one underground or TMB bus journey only.

All other above tickets may be used for any means of public transport.

T-Familiar: can be used by more than one person during the same trip.
T-Jove: under 21 years of age.

Tourist and leisure tickets:

• Tickets can be purchased from Metro ticket offices or Barcelona Tourist Information Offices.
• Valid for unlimited number of Metro, TMB Bus and FGC urban line journeys.

2-Days: €14.40
3-Days: €19.20
4-Days: €24.40
5-Days: €39.00

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

I am researching Barcelona beaches this afternoon - and I have some great information coming together....but in the meantime I found a great little company that specializes in kids walking tours of Barcelona - and I have to share:

http://www.runnerbeantours.com/barcelona-tours/walking-tour-kids-y-family/7

The description is: A fun walking tour for all the family filled with activities for the children, stories, games and songs that will keep your kids begging you to bring them back to Barcelona. Recommended especially for ages 4-12.

The same company also offers free Gaudi and Old City Walking tours everyday (sometime twice a day)

Another bonus is that their tripadvisor reviews are really good too.

 

[darjohn]

I am researching Barcelona beaches this afternoon - and I have some great information coming together....but in the meantime I found a great little company that specializes in kids walking tours of Barcelona - and I have to share:

http://www.runnerbeantours.com/barcelona-tours/walking-tour-kids-y-family/7

The description is: A fun walking tour for all the family filled with activities for the children, stories, games and songs that will keep your kids begging you to bring them back to Barcelona. Recommended especially for ages 4-12.

The same company also offers free Gaudi and Old City Walking tours everyday (sometime twice a day)

Another bonus is that their tripadvisor reviews are really good too.

Looks like an excellent website - 2 tours are "free" (donations only), but there are 3 listed with routes, points of interest, etc that you could just follow on your own if you wished.
John

 

[calihannah]

Whoever called you the Fairy Godmother of pre-trip reports is SOOOOO RIGHT!!! Wow, Heather, this is fabulous Wish I had found it a few weeks ago!

We are booked for the DCL Tuscany Cooking trip for La Spezia day, but I just contacted Arianna in case there may still be a chance for something that day. The Disney trip is adults-only, and we might want to have our kids (6 and 2.5) with us that day -- it's my birthday!

Re: Valletta, how do you plan to get to the Playmobil Factory/Funpark? That does sound really cool

Thanks again for sharing this wealth of knowledge with the DIS community

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

Well it has been a couple of crazy weeks – my DH just finished writing his Journeyman’s exam so he has been study-study-studying, we have a had quite a few last minute out-of-town guests at the house and of course the usually Springtime preparations (concerts, outdoors clean-up, etc).

The only thing I have been able to complete in the past few weeks is that I was able to find and order an Octonaut cake and cupcakes for my youngest son for his England Birthday (while on the farm). I still have to order the decorations – but there is no rush on that.

Our window opened up for my parents and my DCL stuff. I got brunch for us four (will try and add my brother & wife when on the ship). I also got Palo dinner reservations (which I’ll fix up when on the ship as well). I booked the Exotic Rasul….after reading the thread here on the DIS how could you not??? Anyway, I haven’t told the DH yet….he thinks I have couples massages booked. I can deal with that in June 

I also booked Delos for 3 adults during the day in Mykonos (the 7:15 slot). My father really wanted to go until he read how a lot of people get seasick in the ride over. Now he doesn’t think he should go. DCL didn’t warn of seasickness on their Excursion page (like they do with other excursions) so I am wondering if perhaps it isn’t that bad. My father has been in Europe on business so I haven’t had a good chance to talk to him – so we’ll see this coming week.

Well – I am ready to get back at my planning.

I have a couple of things I need to sort out.

- Book an afternoon tour for my parents in Malta
- Finish off my FE gifts
- Book my Brother’s families DCL stuff (Palo, nursery, etc)
- Pre-order b-day cakes, wine packages and beer mugs
- Confirm Delos excursion (or not)
- Reconfirm all private excursions

I have been keeping track of those excursions which have sold out on our trip – to help out the first time DCL bookers (so they aren’t surprised or disappointed when their window opens up). It seems like the same excursions are always the first ones to be booked in some of the locales. In case others are interested….he is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=48099557&postcount=1210

I have been diligently working on my FE. As we have three cabins on this cruise, and two are participating, I have been trying to organize two distinct gifts. Thank goodness our list has been limited to 25 cabins as I don’t think I could handle anymore. All the graphics and printing takes a lot of time.

The 24 cabins (if you take out ours) equals 80 people - 20 men, 29 women, 4 young adults, 8 boys (youngest is 9 yr), 19 girls (only 4 girls under 9 yr). A majority of the kids are in their teens so I find that this makes things a little more challenging. When my FE gets to a point of completion I will share

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

Whoever called you the Fairy Godmother of pre-trip reports is SOOOOO RIGHT!!! Wow, Heather, this is fabulous Wish I had found it a few weeks ago!

We are booked for the DCL Tuscany Cooking trip for La Spezia day, but I just contacted Arianna in case there may still be a chance for something that day. The Disney trip is adults-only, and we might want to have our kids (6 and 2.5) with us that day -- it's my birthday!

Re: Valletta, how do you plan to get to the Playmobil Factory/Funpark? That does sound really cool

Thanks again for sharing this wealth of knowledge with the DIS community

Hey thanks for the great compliment. Sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner.

To get to the Playmobil Factory - I have contacted several different car services (the airport ones) by email - for a mini-bus for 10 of us it was only 20 Euros each way. Here is a great site (that I used) that explains taxis in Malta and lists all the official ones:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g190311-c79481/Malta:Taxis.In.Malta.html


** Let me know how did you make out with your cooking excursion?

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

I mentioned before that I was working on my Fish Extender gifts. Well, last time we had a lot of girls under 10, so I was going to try my hand at Princess Hair Ribbons this time around. But as I mentioned - there are not many kids under 10 this time round.

So I have to share the patterns for the Princess Hair Ribbons in case anyone out there wanted to give it a try. They look so cute. This is when you wish you had girls, just to dress them up in a different one everyday

Disney Ribbon Patterns

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.hu/2012/09/grosgrain-disney-ribbon-sculpture-giveaway.html

http://entirelysmitten.typepad.com/entirelysmitten/2011/07/ribbon-princess-hair-clips.html

http://ilikebigbows.blogspot.ca/2011/06/tinkerbell-hair-clip-tutorial.html

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

Well, I have taken a break from my Med planning....but the countdown is on. Only 6 weeks until we leave!!!

* * * * *

I have to share this great link for anyone going into Villefranche-sur-mer:

http://www.frenchrivieracruiseclub.com/excursions/item/71

Self-Excursions to everywhere nearby including Monaco, Eze, Nice, Cannes and all the small places in between! Well worth the visit if you are doing Villefranche on your own!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Well, I have taken a break from my Med planning....but the countdown is on. Only 6 weeks until we leave!!!

* * * * *

I have to share this great link for anyone going into Villefranche-sur-mer:

http://www.frenchrivieracruiseclub.com/excursions/item/71

Self-Excursions to everywhere nearby including Monaco, Eze, Nice, Cannes and all the small places in between! Well worth the visit if you are doing Villefranche on your own!

I hope you don't mind, but I just gave your link to the folks on the Magic next week. It's a great link!

 

[Newfoundland Sailor]

I hope you don't mind, but I just gave your link to the folks on the Magic next week. It's a great link!

Please do share - the more information everyone can have the better their trip will be! Enjoy your trip next week!

53 days until I'm boarding at the Port - I can't wait.

 

[bcanterbury]

Thanks for all the info...I have been on your thread all night...very helpful indeed...I have a question for you...When you mentioned appropriate dress for Turkey, can you tell me what you believe that would include and what you would definitely advise against wearing off the boat...I am trying to finalize what I will be bringing and this is the one port call I am unsure of?

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[thymed]

Anxious to hear about the trip!!!!