7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 4

[Celestine]

FEs are good the girls thoroughly enjoyed them on the PC repo, but I ended up taking the FE down early as they started running to check it & Lauren (8) always won so Hermione (3) would throw a strop. Lauren then decided to try taking the top off her finger by swinging around the door! This time we'll be less restricted in our gifts (not just because of numbers) but because we don't have to fly anywhere!

If anyone wants a bit of checking out done on potential London hotels, happy to help. My job has led me to some lovely ones (Millenium Gloucester Road), some OK (Thistel, Euston) & if I really have to stay (Strand Palace). As a Londoner for 20 odd years I may be able (along with others) to add some local knowledge!

Have started a bit of research for shore excursions - I fance the HOHO in Tallinn as it means you see quite a bit in a short time & we've never done the London one (much to my girls disappointment) as I know what is where already!!!

Celestine

 

[RJAYL]

FEs are good the girls thoroughly enjoyed them on the PC repo, but I ended up taking the FE down early as they started running to check it & Lauren (8) always won so Hermione (3) would throw a strop. Lauren then decided to try taking the top off her finger by swinging around the door! This time we'll be less restricted in our gifts (not just because of numbers) but because we don't have to fly anywhere!

If anyone wants a bit of checking out done on potential London hotels, happy to help. My job has led me to some lovely ones (Millenium Gloucester Road), some OK (Thistel, Euston) & if I really have to stay (Strand Palace). As a Londoner for 20 odd years I may be able (along with others) to add some local knowledge!

Have started a bit of research for shore excursions - I fance the HOHO in Tallinn as it means you see quite a bit in a short time & we've never done the London one (much to my girls disappointment) as I know what is where already!!!

Celestine

What is a HOHO

 

[bellelinus]

What is a HOHO

A Hop On Hop Off bus -- we have them in NYC too . . . you buy a pass and can jump on and off whenever you want for the day and they go on around regular tourist areas . . .

 

[jilljill]

What is a HOHO

You really must get out more often and learn the acronyms.

 

[jilljill]

We are home after a couple of very busy days, but also very productive. Even after our flight delay Sunday night, we manage to almost empty the garage of everything that needed to go into the house. We decided to keep moving things in, starting at 11:30pm, since it wasn't raining. We finished up just before 2:00am. Found new carpet we liked for most of the house and master bedroom and had the rooms measured and that has been ordered, rooms organized, curtains hung, lists made of what else needs to be taken down or bought or done. So it's now looking like a home rather than just rooms.
While hanging curtains last night we were watching Wishes from MK, good thing the rain had stopped by then.


Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Have fun Andrew!

We want a trip report!

Sounds wonderful!Too bad it is just imaginary today! Lucky Andrew!

Well we had a great time, at the airport now waiting for our flight on BA. Slightly better WiFi connection.

The previous ones were going down in tandem with the Disbaords going slow so lost posts.

First few days very very hot 31c last day windy and cooler, but no rain.

Did all of the main sites, walked around a lot, went on the water buswes, they were crowded but at least 75% of the time we got an outside seat.

Food is ok in Venice but very very expensive, thats before the poor Euro rate.

The food is generally poor the closer you get to St Marks sq, bar the Hard rock cafe, recently opened, looks straight onto a canal with Gondala station.

Service good, I think it recently opened.

Best food is at Lido the beach island of Venice, you can get there on the water bus. Food is better and chepaer there so we went accross a couple of times to eat.

Crowded all the times from 9am to 8pm, we walked around St Marks last night at 10pm, and that wasnt too busy.

Great views clear skys we can see the mountains of the Alps with snow on them,

Hotel was ok, a 5 min walk to anything, typical old Italian style, good breakfast.

Had a water taxi there and back Airport to Venice, and thats a great way to enter, its aobut 40 mins by taxi, and 1.15 by boat.

We had a season ticket for the water buses so we enjoyed going up and down on al lthe bus routes

Went to Murano to see the glass factory, we planned ot go and knew that it was hard sell, they got us a private water taxi to go there, and we made a small purchase.

Great time.

 

[bellelinus]

We are home after a couple of very busy days, but also very productive. Even after our flight delay Sunday night, we manage to almost empty the garage of everything that needed to go into the house. We decided to keep moving things in, starting at 11:30pm, since it wasn't raining. We finished up just before 2:00am. Found new carpet we liked for most of the house and master bedroom and had the rooms measured and that has been ordered, rooms organized, curtains hung, lists made of what else needs to be taken down or bought or done. So it's now looking like a home rather than just rooms.
While hanging curtains last night we were watching Wishes from MK, good thing the rain had stopped by then.


Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend.

Sounds like you got a lot done!

Well we had a great time, at the airport now waiting for our flight on BA. Slightly better WiFi connection.

The previous ones were going down in tandem with the Disbaords going slow so lost posts.

First few days very very hot 31c last day windy and cooler, but no rain.

Did all of the main sites, walked around a lot, went on the water buswes, they were crowded but at least 75% of the time we got an outside seat.

Food is ok in Venice but very very expensive, thats before the poor Euro rate.

The food is generally poor the closer you get to St Marks sq, bar the Hard rock cafe, recently opened, looks straight onto a canal with Gondala station.

Service good, I think it recently opened.

Best food is at Lido the beach island of Venice, you can get there on the water bus. Food is better and chepaer there so we went accross a couple of times to eat.

Crowded all the times from 9am to 8pm, we walked around St Marks last night at 10pm, and that wasnt too busy.

Great views clear skys we can see the mountains of the Alps with snow on them,

Hotel was ok, a 5 min walk to anything, typical old Italian style, good breakfast.

Had a water taxi there and back Airport to Venice, and thats a great way to enter, its aobut 40 mins by taxi, and 1.15 by boat.

We had a season ticket for the water buses so we enjoyed going up and down on al lthe bus routes

Went to Murano to see the glass factory, we planned ot go and knew that it was hard sell, they got us a private water taxi to go there, and we made a small purchase.

Great time.

Fantastic! Which hotel? Did your kids enjoy it? Have a safe flight back.

 

[RJAYL]

Well we had a great time, at the airport now waiting for our flight on BA. Slightly better WiFi connection.

The previous ones were going down in tandem with the Disbaords going slow so lost posts.

First few days very very hot 31c last day windy and cooler, but no rain.

Did all of the main sites, walked around a lot, went on the water buswes, they were crowded but at least 75% of the time we got an outside seat.

Food is ok in Venice but very very expensive, thats before the poor Euro rate.

The food is generally poor the closer you get to St Marks sq, bar the Hard rock cafe, recently opened, looks straight onto a canal with Gondala station.

Service good, I think it recently opened.

Best food is at Lido the beach island of Venice, you can get there on the water bus. Food is better and chepaer there so we went accross a couple of times to eat.

Crowded all the times from 9am to 8pm, we walked around St Marks last night at 10pm, and that wasnt too busy.

Great views clear skys we can see the mountains of the Alps with snow on them,

Hotel was ok, a 5 min walk to anything, typical old Italian style, good breakfast.

Had a water taxi there and back Airport to Venice, and thats a great way to enter, its aobut 40 mins by taxi, and 1.15 by boat.

We had a season ticket for the water buses so we enjoyed going up and down on al lthe bus routes

Went to Murano to see the glass factory, we planned ot go and knew that it was hard sell, they got us a private water taxi to go there, and we made a small purchase.

Great time.

Sounds like you had a GOOD TIME!

 

[RJAYL]

Good Morning All

 

[Marla Hellwig]

morning all

Andrew - cool trip report thanks

have a great weekend everyone

 

[jlawall]

Thx for the report, Andrew!!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Sounds like you got a lot done!



Fantastic! Which hotel? Did your kids enjoy it? Have a safe flight back.

My hotel was Hotel Centauro a small familiy run one, in Campo Manin. nice room, good breakfast easy walk to everythnig, quite location away from the 'bells''

Sounds like you had a GOOD TIME!

morning all

Andrew - cool trip report thanks

have a great weekend everyone

Thx for the report, Andrew!!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gallerie dell Accademia- venetian paintings
• Museo Correr on St Marks (san marco) square main museum
• Palazzo Ducale- political hub inc bridge of sighs
• Rialto and bridge and area
• San Giogio and bell tower
• Basilica San Marco and Campanile

 

[Celestine]

Andrew

I hate to lower the tone, but does Venice smell or is that one of those urban myths?

Back to cruise related things, those that met us on the EB Repo may remember that DH is a transport manager in Central London. Should anyone be requiring transport pre or post cruise he has numerous contacts from chauffeur pick ups to full size coaches & will be happy to help anyone out. Rates should be highly competitive as he'll be going for corporate rates because of the level of business/retainers etc. he has with some of these. He gets no benefit or commission or anything so there is no ulterior motive behind the offer. If anyone is interested, please PM me

Celestine

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

SOME RANDOM PHOTOS

HOUSE MOVE

 

[RJAYL]

Andrew

I hate to lower the tone, but does Venice smell or is that one of those urban myths?

Cannot get any lower!

Back to cruise related things, those that met us on the EB Repo may remember that DH is a transport manager in Central London. Should anyone be requiring transport pre or post cruise he has numerous contacts from chauffeur pick ups to full size coaches & will be happy to help anyone out. Rates should be highly competitive as he'll be going for corporate rates because of the level of business/retainers etc. he has with some of these. He gets no benefit or commission or anything so there is no ulterior motive behind the offer. If anyone is interested, please PM me

Celestine

Might be interested once we get everything sorted out!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Andrew

I hate to lower the tone, but does Venice smell or is that one of those urban myths?

Back to cruise related things, those that met us on the EB Repo may remember that DH is a transport manager in Central London. Should anyone be requiring transport pre or post cruise he has numerous contacts from chauffeur pick ups to full size coaches & will be happy to help anyone out. Rates should be highly competitive as he'll be going for corporate rates because of the level of business/retainers etc. he has with some of these. He gets no benefit or commission or anything so there is no ulterior motive behind the offer. If anyone is interested, please PM me

Celestine

Bit's do, but overall its not too bad. The Sea of course has tides, and through the Islands like Lido area there are gaps that let the sea in and out, so it ( can I say this?) Flushs it out.

There are a few Canals/(Rivers?) that have dead ends or small width and in the hot weather a smell can come up.

We noticed it in one or two places, plus what I would call a 'Southend on sea' type smell when the tide is out.

There is a lot of seaweed around, and with the tides that drys out and a sea smell comes up.

We were up early often and they clear the streets very well, its all bagged up and taken off in specail barges down the rivers.

 

[RJAYL]

SOME RANDOM PHOTOS

HOUSE MOVE

Nice shots Andrew where did you get all the height shots?

Not tempted to throw anyone over the edge?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Cannot get any lower!


Might be interested once we get everything sorted out!

LIMBO time, how low can you go?

 

[RJAYL]

LIMBO time, how low can you go?

On this thread Australia comes to mind!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Nice shots Andrew where did you get all the height shots?

Not tempted to throw anyone over the edge?

These were taken from two of the bell towers one in San Marco, one accross on the next island of Venice.

Got to say thats the first time I have seen them, these were taken by my son, some a little out of focus re ship movement, so sorry about that, but its one place everyone should go sometime.


We were in the Hard Rock Café in Venice and the table next to us, a guy got on one knee and proposed, now I thought if you went to all of the trouble of going to Venice you would propose on a Gondola, but, Hard Rock it is nowadays, she was on the mobile cell phone telling everyone after-wards!