All things GREECE and TURKEY port excursions - Page 3 - The DIS Discussion Forums

JimmyJackJunior · 02-02-2013, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadakath

Interesting thoughts. I think I like the idea of a private car with guide meeting us at the port, getting us to the Panathenaic stadium, the Acropolis, doing the New Acropolis Museum. Then maybe giving us some time alone to wander before getting us back to port. Lots of things to think about...my overplanning tendencies have already got me starting a spreadsheet to compare the options...what a way to spend a Friday night, but DH is already in bed so he can go to work at 4:30 in the morning!

I did the same thing with Ephasus and a spreadsheet because I had three good quotes from suppliers. Don't think that is is overplanning at all.

ejw · 02-02-2013, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyJackJunior

Right now

Athens - we are planning to do it by ourselves. Take the train to the National Archeological Museum, then head for some lunch and then on to the Acropolis. Evidently, giudes are easy to pick up at the sites. If the transit system continues to have intermittent strikes we may get a tour. The Rick Steeves book recommends going to the museum first as most cruise ship passengers go to the Acropolis first and the Acropolis tends to empty out after lunch.

Wouldn't the Acropolis be too hot to do in the afternoon?

ellen

ejw · 02-02-2013, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyJackJunior

I did the same thing with Ephasus and a spreadsheet because I had three good quotes from suppliers. Don't think that is is overplanning at all.

Hi JimmyJackJunior, going to a totally unrelated topic, I just read that British Columbia is eliminating the penny. I think that's pretty interesting. Why are they doing that?

ellen

bellelinus · 02-02-2013, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejw

Wouldn't the Acropolis be too hot to do in the afternoon?

ellen

That's exactly what I was about to post - it seems to me that going to the Acropolis first thing and then into the museum makes more sense in terms of the heat, if not the crowds!

canadakath · 02-02-2013, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejw

Hi JimmyJackJunior, going to a totally unrelated topic, I just read that British Columbia is eliminating the penny. I think that's pretty interesting. Why are they doing that?

ellen

The penny currently costs more to make than it is worth! Basically they aren't making any more but they will be accepted as currency while still in circulation. Electronic funds will still be to the nearest cent, but cash funds will now be rounded to the nearest nickel (at least I think that is how it will work). This is similar to a lot of places in Europe when I lived there (before the Euro).

Our bigger issue right now is they made the $20 and $50 bills out of a polymer blend, to make them more durable and harder to counterfeit. Problem is no machines can accept them!!!

tajz90 · 02-02-2013, 09:31 AM

Just joining so I don't miss anything I need to know for this summer

rossjen2 · 02-02-2013, 06:14 PM

..and looking forward to learning more about our Greece/Turkey options.

Thanks for the great info about doing Athens on our own. I think that is what we are going to do because none of the port adventures really seemed to speak to me.

While folks are discussing Athens, I'm curious about getting from the ship to the to the metro station in Piraeus. It sounds like it could potential be a long hot walk. It sounds like some cruise lines provide buses to get you closer to the station. Just wondering if anyone knows if DCL will provide buses? Is it possible to take a taxi? I don't think we'd mind but don't want to exhaust our 4yr old son before we even get to the Acropolis.... Thanks!

Also just curious if anyone is familiar with the Athen's Happy Train (http://www.athenshappytrain.com/). Sounds like a cheap, easy, and toddler friendly way to get around the sights in Athens.

Thanks,
jen

JimmyJackJunior · 02-02-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejw

Wouldn't the Acropolis be too hot to do in the afternoon?

ellen

Well yes it will. But it will also be hot by 10:30. I would rather beat the crowds than the heat. We will pack our platypuses. Errr what is the plural of platypus anyway? Is it playtipy? We will gave plenty of water, sunscreen, hats etc.

AmyAnne · 02-03-2013, 03:24 PM

For Athens, I am thinking about doing the Acropolis/other Athens highlights first thing, then a drive out to Corinth. I have found a few private tour companies, recommended on cruisecritic, who advertise this.

Anyone here ever been to Corinth? Do you think it would be overload? (Kids are older teens, who do like history/ruins.)

ldo · 02-03-2013, 05:49 PM

there used to be a HO-HO bus that picked up at the port and dropped off right at the Acropolis (plus other points). IMHO, from Aug. 2011, the walking area around the Acropolis seemed very safe and pleasant. The Platka is at one end. I would do Acropolis in the AM and then walk to the museum (5 minutes). There is a nice cafe at the museum where you can get a soda, food, etc. and cool off, then you can walk to the Platka for more food/souvenirs, etc. You can also cross the street at the Platka and go over the the park (myabe called Temple of Zeus??). Your ticket is good for this park, as well.
Athens is definitely a place I would save $$ and DIY, as it's so easy. I would then spend the $$ for a good tour of Ephesus.

Yensidfan · 02-04-2013, 12:11 AM

subscribing

bellelinus · 02-04-2013, 02:51 PM

This is a helpful (and really beautiful) post of how to do Mykonos on your own:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1749395

nzdisneymom · 02-04-2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellelinus

This is a helpful (and really beautiful) post of how to do Mykonos on your own:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1749395

Ah yes - I saw that the other day - he has several other posts from other ports as well. We are planning to do Mykonos on our own, so it was nice to see a bit more of where we'll be. I do want to see the windmills.

ejw · 02-04-2013, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadakath

The penny currently costs more to make than it is worth! Basically they aren't making any more but they will be accepted as currency while still in circulation. Electronic funds will still be to the nearest cent, but cash funds will now be rounded to the nearest nickel (at least I think that is how it will work). This is similar to a lot of places in Europe when I lived there (before the Euro).

Our bigger issue right now is they made the $20 and $50 bills out of a polymer blend, to make them more durable and harder to counterfeit. Problem is no machines can accept them!!!

Hi canadakath, thanks for the explanation.

We're actually going to be in Ottawa a couple of weeks from now for winterlude. Looking forward to skating on the canal and eating poutine and beaver tails. Keeping our fingers crossed that it stays cold enough.

ellen

MoonDaughter23 · 02-15-2013, 08:55 PM

Just subscribed.

What an awesome thread! And having debsters41's inside scoop is invaluable.

02-02-2013, 06:14 PM	#37
rossjen2 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Colorado Posts: 78	subscribing... ..and looking forward to learning more about our Greece/Turkey options. Thanks for the great info about doing Athens on our own. I think that is what we are going to do because none of the port adventures really seemed to speak to me. While folks are discussing Athens, I'm curious about getting from the ship to the to the metro station in Piraeus. It sounds like it could potential be a long hot walk. It sounds like some cruise lines provide buses to get you closer to the station. Just wondering if anyone knows if DCL will provide buses? Is it possible to take a taxi? I don't think we'd mind but don't want to exhaust our 4yr old son before we even get to the Acropolis.... Thanks! Also just curious if anyone is familiar with the Athen's Happy Train (http://www.athenshappytrain.com/). Sounds like a cheap, easy, and toddler friendly way to get around the sights in Athens. Thanks, jen

02-04-2013, 12:11 AM	#41
Yensidfan Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 237	subscribing __________________ http://www.bluemoondesignco.com/images/cruiselogo4.jpg[IMG]

02-04-2013, 02:51 PM	#42
bellelinus You have liberally applied fluff as filler as well Let's not forget to feed our hearts and minds as well I wish you -- and your yellow underwear -- the best Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 7,160	This is a helpful (and really beautiful) post of how to do Mykonos on your own: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1749395 __________________ --Julie

02-15-2013, 08:55 PM	#45
MoonDaughter23 Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 147	Just subscribed. What an awesome thread! And having debsters41's inside scoop is invaluable. __________________ My Disney Adventures Disney Fantasy: December 29, 2012 Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Epcot: December 25, 2012 Disneyland/California Adventure: June 2012 (Opening week of Cars Land and Mad T Party) Disneyland/California Adventure: March 2012 Became DVC Member: December 28, 2011, First Disney Cruise: December 24, 2011, Magic Magic Kingdom and Epcot: January 2011 Disneyland/California Adventure: June 2007 My Daughter’s first trip to Disneyland: December 31, 2001 Animal Kingdom: August 1999 Epcot: June 1997 Disneyland: July 1994 Disneyland: June 1991 Disneyland: April 1987 First trip to Disneyland: November 29, 1986

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02-02-2013, 09:31 AM	#36
tajz90 Mama D Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,384	Just joining so I don't miss anything I need to know for this summer

02-03-2013, 03:24 PM	#39
AmyAnne Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 88	For Athens, I am thinking about doing the Acropolis/other Athens highlights first thing, then a drive out to Corinth. I have found a few private tour companies, recommended on cruisecritic, who advertise this. Anyone here ever been to Corinth? Do you think it would be overload? (Kids are older teens, who do like history/ruins.)

02-03-2013, 05:49 PM	#40
ldo DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,678	there used to be a HO-HO bus that picked up at the port and dropped off right at the Acropolis (plus other points). IMHO, from Aug. 2011, the walking area around the Acropolis seemed very safe and pleasant. The Platka is at one end. I would do Acropolis in the AM and then walk to the museum (5 minutes). There is a nice cafe at the museum where you can get a soda, food, etc. and cool off, then you can walk to the Platka for more food/souvenirs, etc. You can also cross the street at the Platka and go over the the park (myabe called Temple of Zeus??). Your ticket is good for this park, as well. Athens is definitely a place I would save $$ and DIY, as it's so easy. I would then spend the $$ for a good tour of Ephesus.