4/24/2010 Med cruise: Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your Ears

[shushh]

Thank you Becky!

 

[auntlynne]

...
I spent last night looking at Rome - we're trying to keep our spending down (famous last words ) so I was looking at what you can see just walking around. I think we have enough to keep us occupied for a few hours and take in some of the major sights. I may visit our library and have a look at guide books (I'm not going to buy one for a few day trips). I may purchase a map or see if I can find a detailed one on line.

You must have had clear skies over Europe to see southern Italy from Northampton.

My niece, Karen (c. 17), and I are planning on taking the Regionale Train into Rome from the port on a day ticket to include Rome city transportation. Have you found a better way?

I think we are doing the Rome on the cheap, also. She doesn't seem much interested in the Vatican. But I think I am going to be able to get her to Florence - I promised her I wouldn't linger over the artwork. Considered skipping Florence, but what if I never got back there? It's taken over half my life to get there the first time.

- Lynne

 

[auntlynne]

Your banners are "proportionately" better now.

 

[auntlynne]

Here are some back-to-back designs:

and I do notice the change in red behind the scroll and ship design.

 

[grlzmom]

The Amalfi coast drive is scenic and not stressful. Some Rome tours can be a lot of walking and the tour we took in Florence that guide was an Olympic walk racer at the speed she covered ground. Most everyone spoke English if not well enough to converse easily. Hope this helped.

Would love to here more about Florence as we keep debating on where to spend our time.

I do know from experience that "rigorous" excursions mean different things. I am flashing back to a zip line experience that was about a 4 hour hike in the mountains. I was thinking more just sliding down, they did not mention that you had to hike up. I survived but about 1/3 quit half way through. I knew I was in trouble when you had to rock climb up about half way through the trip.

Sounds like a zip line we did in Costa Rica. When we got out of the canyon we were filthy and our jeans had holes in them and our knees were all bloody and scraped. And, we looked better than some did Now I know to stick to the really touristy ones and not the ones the locals love.

After all the banter about Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook, I started playing yesterday. Got the 25k, 50k, and 100k medals, then right back to a 17k round. I will master that game.

Off to work on a B2B logo for shirts, magnets, whatever.

Any requests - round, rectangular, really big for the front/back? a pocket size design?

Lynne

The designs are always great, not picky here.

Ok, you will have to find us on Facebook so we can Bejewel as a team. Me, Belinda and Julie all play and farm together lol.

You must have had clear skies over Europe to see southern Italy from Northampton.

My niece, Karen (c. 17), and I are planning on taking the Regionale Train into Rome from the port on a day ticket to include Rome city transportation. Have you found a better way?

I think we are doing the Rome on the cheap, also. She doesn't seem much interested in the Vatican.

- Lynne

We currently have a private tour booked, a tour through DCL booked and plans to do Rome on our own via the train and honestly can't decide.

My kids much prefer the colliseum and quick touristy stops (spanish steps, Trevi, eating, taking pictures, shopping, etc.) over the Vatican where I have made great plans to tour the museum and Sistine Chapel with a private guide.

I think the day ticket is a great option. There are lots of reviews for doing it on your own and boy it is so much cheaper but with still having little ones to drag around, for me not sure the do it on our own option is best.

Probably for me the Vatican Museum is best saved for a trip to Rome where I have more time to enjoy it rather than try to rush through and see a couple rooms and the Sistine Chapel.

Need to decide something soon and it is so frustrating!

 

[Brooklyn]

Lynne,

Try this one...

 

[Becx N Gav]

You must have had clear skies over Europe to see southern Italy from Northampton.

My niece, Karen (c. 17), and I are planning on taking the Regionale Train into Rome from the port on a day ticket to include Rome city transportation. Have you found a better way?

I think we are doing the Rome on the cheap, also. She doesn't seem much interested in the Vatican. But I think I am going to be able to get her to Florence - I promised her I wouldn't linger over the artwork. Considered skipping Florence, but what if I never got back there? It's taken over half my life to get there the first time.

- Lynne

We live in a sky scraper - only joking Although I never thought about it but I could have had a quick look on Google Earth

I have a link to this guide which looks fairly simple.
I'm not bothered about seeing the Vatican (neither is DH) - I guess for us if we want to it's a long weekend trip rather than trans-atlantic. I would suggest you make the most of the time you have here.
On the La Spezia day we are going with DCL and seeing Pisa (I am NOT climbing the tower, I don't do well with heights)

Here are some back-to-back designs:

and I do notice the change in red behind the scroll and ship design.

I can see the difference in the red's but it's not very noticable on my screen - may be different when printed though.

Those designs are fab I like the top one a lot (makes me wish we could do the TA cruise too )

 

[Yvet]

(makes me wish we could do the ta cruise too )

do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[carpenta]

We took a DCL sponsored excursion and it was a downtown Florence walk that took in the Duomo and Vecchio bridge as well as the Piazza della Sigoria.You can climb the bell tower at the Duomo but since we were on vacation I said I'll pass.Explored the old market place and had lunch @ a local resturaunt. The lunch was a seven course meal but we felt went too long and took away from the tour of downtown. We did not get to go to the Uffizi Gallery which houses some of the most beautiful artwork of Florence and the Medici family. It is said if you want to see the gallery that you should purchase your tickets ahead for as we walked by the line was quite long.Much like Venice, Florence is someplace that you could wander around and see remarkable statues by Michelangelo in the square as well as wonderful public art works. One of our group bought a beautiful leather coat which Floence is known. Unfortunatly Florence is about 2 hours from the port so you do need some transportation. Most things do close down from 12 to2 or 3 so it does give you time to wander and purchase.
This excursion took in Pisa and I'm glad we went to see the tower but "been there done that" and we are skipping Pisa this time. In Pisa we were warned about the "street vendors" who appear and disappear selling various wares and sometimes the "kids" help themselves to your belongings. You have to run the gauntlet of vendors on the approach but we had no problems. The ride from the port we took the highway that passed through the Carrara marble pits that you could see and it was cool to see where the marble originates that is shipped all over the world. Hope this helped.

 

[RichC17]

Check this site out hopon-hopoff.com


It is a good way to tour some of the cities. The cost is low.

 

[Leesh77]

Hello all --

Just reading a few posts...(Becx N Gav & Aunt Lynne in particular)

Having been to Rome twice before, you can definitely train it and do Rome on the cheap (unless you consume mass quantities of gelato which is not hard to do seeing how it is on every corner. YUM!) It is a great city to explore on foot (in fact, its subway system leaves a bit to be desired, its easier to walk). There are actually many really cheap walking tours you can do -- or you can go the guide book route and DIY. Things are clearly marked, and Italians are very helpful.

One note -- just be extra cautious by the Rome train station when arriving. I am from NYC, and I even thought it was a little shady. Ha! Nothing bad, just be alert.

As for Florence -- you cannot miss this city! It is truly magical. You can just wander the streets and the piazzas and see the sites at your own pace. I would not miss it. I have been there twice, and I am eager to go back! Also the David is just amazing! It is very easy to take the train to Florence, and the train station is actually just a short walk to the heart of the city.

---Also, once last comment...in a lot of theses cities, there are "gypsies" as they call them, and begging kids on the street (as mentioned previously). Just walk with a purpose, holding your bag in front of you, and you will be fine. Paying no attention is key. Yes, I have training from NYC subways -- but it's not hard. LOL.

Leesh77

 

[shushh]

My kids much prefer the colliseum and quick touristy stops (spanish steps, Trevi, eating, taking pictures, shopping, etc.) over the Vatican where I have made great plans to tour the museum and Sistine Chapel with a private guide.

I think the day ticket is a great option. There are lots of reviews for doing it on your own and boy it is so much cheaper but with still having little ones to drag around, for me not sure the do it on our own option is best.

Probably for me the Vatican Museum is best saved for a trip to Rome where I have more time to enjoy it rather than try to rush through and see a couple rooms and the Sistine Chapel.

Need to decide something soon and it is so frustrating!

Thank you for summarizing my thoughts!

 

[grlzmom]

Thank you for summarizing my thoughts!

Ugh it's frustrating.............

 

[auntlynne]

This one got rid of the "red issue."

 

[Becx N Gav]

do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you two are paying and can get us another 2 weeks off work

 

[auntlynne]

Wasn't too happy with the light blue ring showing. Lost the "porthole" look, now it reminds me of those telescope viewers at tourist locations - for a 3-eyed person. Still don't have the clip art skill to successfully get it into my graphic.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Wasn't too happy with the light blue ring showing. Lost the "porthole" look, now it reminds me of those telescope viewers at tourist locations - for a 3-eyed person. Still don't have the clip art skill to successfully get it into my graphic.

What do you mean - this is fantastic Looks very professional to me.

 

[shushh]

Lynne, you're a perfectionist! I was just about to say that I thought the design looked really cool.

 

[susanowen27]

Wasn't too happy with the light blue ring showing. Lost the "porthole" look, now it reminds me of those telescope viewers at tourist locations - for a 3-eyed person. Still don't have the clip art skill to successfully get it into my graphic.

You'll find this one on my door!! Thanks

 

[auntlynne]

Oh, I do like this latest one. And finally realized what it is that it reminds me of - the machine the optometrist uses to determine what lens you need in your eyeglasses (if you had 3 eyes!). But I do like it - and I have a little perfectionist problem (at times).