August 18, 2010...Can't wait for the MAGICal Mediterranean!!!

[MinnieDiva]

Will do. Just sent an inquiry email.

 

[MinnieDiva]

PM me email addresses and I'll forward the reply I received (considering that it is 9 hours later, I'm impressed that I got a response so soon!)
kim

 

[mindelmouse]

Just wanted to let you know my husband called Disney and they expect to post the excursions for our cruise in the Dec/Jan timeframe....not that we're doing so badly on our own...many thanks to Kim. At least it will give us something to gage the prices against.

 

[MinnieDiva]

Thanks for that info Mindy (and Rabid Disnoid...).

Do we want to venture forth with discussing Naples or La Spezia? My over all impression was that while Rome was pretty well unanimouse rolleyes1 pun intended), other ports are going to be a little more specific as to what each of us want to do and see.

For example: Sean and I have zero desire, after spending a very intense day in Rome, then getting up and spending about 2 hours one way on a bus to Florence. Pisa doesn't interest us much. We've done some online looking and think we may take a 7-minute train ride from La Spezia to the 1st town of Cinque Terre and just start walking. And walking. From town to town until we get hungry. Then find some hole in the wall and eat and drink wine until we walk some more. This is going to be the day DD gets to stay on the ship.

I think in Naples we'd be interested in some sort of tour of Pompeii/Vesuvius/Herculaneum. Hopefully with the cameo place that was inserted last time left out.

How about you all?

Kim

 

[mindelmouse]

Thanks for that info Mindy (and Rabid Disnoid...).

Do we want to venture forth with discussing Naples or La Spezia? My over all impression was that while Rome was pretty well unanimouse rolleyes1 pun intended), other ports are going to be a little more specific as to what each of us want to do and see.

For example: Sean and I have zero desire, after spending a very intense day in Rome, then getting up and spending about 2 hours one way on a bus to Florence. Pisa doesn't interest us much. We've done some online looking and think we may take a 7-minute train ride from La Spezia to the 1st town of Cinque Terre and just start walking. And walking. From town to town until we get hungry. Then find some hole in the wall and eat and drink wine until we walk some more. This is going to be the day DD gets to stay on the ship.

I think in Naples we'd be interested in some sort of tour of Pompeii/Vesuvius/Herculaneum. Hopefully with the cameo place that was inserted last time left out.

How about you all?

Kim

I still haven't put together my trip to orlando which is in two weeks. I mean I have hotel, car and airfare done...but nothing else. WE;re staying at our timeshare in Marriot Harbour Lake and we're not really going to disney except the halloween party on halloween. We just go down there and relax...can you believe that going to orlando to relax.

I haven't even thought about what I wanted to do on the cruise but I liked what you did for the Rome tour. I know my son likes all the historical aspects of Italy and I think he wanted to go to Pisa.

But here's my problem....we haven't told the kids about the cruise. I'm going to tell them we're going to Barcelona when it gets closer. When we get to the ship, they're going to be so excited ....so I'm hoping to keep the secret. It's funny, I talk about it all the time with friends around them and they haven't realized what I was talking about yet....so I have a hard time asking them what they want to do. Since my son has a penpal in Italy...I ask him what parts he wants to see.....

But I am interested in hearing about any information that you find out....

Thanks for everything you've done.

 

[jel0511]

Hi everyone! I'm putting together a tour of Florence/Pisa with the same company Kim arranged our Rome tour with. We're going to go to Pisa first, go up in the tower, then on to Florence. Let me know if anyone wants to join us!!!!

As for Naples, we are probably just doing an excursion with DCL if we do anything. I really just want to see Sorrento and the Almalfi Coast.

 

[graysm]

Hi everyone! I'm putting together a tour of Florence/Pisa with the same company Kim arranged our Rome tour with. We're going to go to Pisa first, go up in the tower, then on to Florence. Let me know if anyone wants to join us!!!!

As for Naples, we are probably just doing an excursion with DCL if we do anything. I really just want to see Sorrento and the Almalfi Coast.

Hi Jel0511,

My son and I would be interested in joining you on the tour of Florence / Pisa. Count us in and please let me know if you need me to do anything.

For Naples, we're planning on seeing Pompeii "on our own" by taking the train out of the Napoli Garibaldi station. It should be an adventure!

Thanks!

 

[jel0511]

Hi Jel0511,

My son and I would be interested in joining you on the tour of Florence / Pisa. Count us in and please let me know if you need me to do anything.

For Naples, we're planning on seeing Pompeii "on our own" by taking the train out of the Napoli Garibaldi station. It should be an adventure!

Thanks!

Hi Stacey -

email me at jelbnl@gmail.com and I'll forward all the specifics to you.

Lori

 

[MinnieDiva]

300 days!

Remember when we were at like 660?

 

[MinnieDiva]

For Naples, we're planning on seeing Pompeii "on our own" by taking the train out of the Napoli Garibaldi station. It should be an adventure!

Thanks!

Have you done any research on this yet? How long/difficult to get to is the train?
Kim

 

[graysm]

Hi Kim - Here's some information I received from someone on Cruise Critic.

"Very easy to see Pompeii on your own – From Naples, take a bus/taxi or walk to the Napoli Garibaldi station. Find the Circumvesuviana ticket windows and buy a ticket to Pompeii Scavi, you can also buy your Pompeii Scavi to Sorrento ticket at the same time. Remember to stamp your ticket for Napoli Garibaldi to Pompeii Scavi before getting on the train. It will take about 30-40 minutes to get to the Pompeii Scavi stop. Its just a few minutes walk to the Pompeii entrance from there. When you are done at Pompeii just return to the train station and take the next train to Sorrento, remember to stamp your ticket, the ride takes about half an hour. From Sorrento you have the option of taking the train back to Naples or a ferry, depends on when you will be there as to which is more convenient, high season has a larger number of ferry times. The ferry piers in Naples are not far at all from the cruise terminal."

It seems relatively simple.

 

[mindelmouse]

300 days!

Remember when we were at like 660?

Can you believe it's coming so soon? I would think more would have joined the board by now....what happened to Amy and some of the others too...it seems like it's mostly the 4 us now. You, me Stacey and Lori.

 

[MinnieDiva]

No kidding. I guess maybe we spend too much time on the boards (I'm sure DH thinks I do...)? I don't know.

I got a "Rome for Dummies" book from the library today . I'm going to take our itinerary and read about what's on it.

Have you done any more planning for your trip next week, Mindy?

 

[mindelmouse]

No kidding. I guess maybe we spend too much time on the boards (I'm sure DH thinks I do...)? I don't know.

I got a "Rome for Dummies" book from the library today . I'm going to take our itinerary and read about what's on it.

Have you done any more planning for your trip next week, Mindy?

It should be a pretty easy trip though. We're staying at our Marriott timeshare and unless the weather doesn't hold up will be there most of the time. I have tickets for the Halloween party and dinner reservations for that night. The rest will have to wait for this weekend, when I have some free time. If I get through this week at work, things should start getting better as far as time.

You all set for your upcoming trip?

 

[MinnieDiva]

You all set for your upcoming trip?

Pretty much. We got all the stuff in the mail and I've bought and printed the MVMCP tix. I've made a few ADR's. This is the 1st time we're not doing the dining plan, so it's kinda strange not being obsessive about getting ressies. We're staying Concierge, so breakfast and snacks are done; I got 2 character meals (Chef Mickey's and 100 Park Fare), as well as Tusker House for Lunch (which had the Nemo and friends deal I'd forgotten about) and Chefs de France (bring on the steak...YUM!). Other than that, we're going to wing it.
I also got some pins for trading off e-bay for Ashleigh. 10 for $15. Not bad and one or 2 are keepers! I also created her an autograph book. Last time she expressed interest, so I personalized one and had it bound. Turned out cute!
We haven't told her and are keeping it a surprise, so I can't even pull clothes aside for packing. We're going to drive down the night before as we have an early flight and just tell her that we're going to spend the day in Seattle as the next day is a holiday (Vet's day).

Mindy and Lori....pics? Stacy and I emailed out some pics...I figure if we're doing all this stuff together, it's time to get to know each other!!!

Kim

 

[jel0511]

I never got any Kim... I've just been busy trying to figure out how to get all of our stuff together. We're leaving in a little more weeks for a week on St. John at our timeshare there. The only planning I need to do is pack, which is nice, the island is so relaxing and not really crowded during this time.

I think with all of our planning and booking things, we've scared everyone away!!!!

 

[MinnieDiva]

Just re-emailed the pics to Lori and Mindy.

St. John's? Sounds delightful!

And I certainly hope no one is scared off......all are welcome!! I think maybe the 4 of us are a little obsessive-compulsive with planning? I like to think of my compulsion as "organized". Or "detail-oriented".

I know so little about the non-Italy/France locations....can't wait to see info for those!

Kim

 

[jel0511]

Did you guys see this one ...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2314910
It makes me want to do all my excursions "Disney Style" regardless of cost..... I know we're definately doing the Tunisia one......

 

[MinnieDiva]

Did you guys see this one ...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2314910
It makes me want to do all my excursions "Disney Style" regardless of cost..... I know we're definately doing the Tunisia one......

I dis see that! But I still think we've made the right choice with Rome. Too much to so as a big group. And I agree, Tunis should be interesting. Was it you, Lori, that wanted a gold birdcage.

Got home from work to a pretty sick kiddo. Today sucked.

Kim

 

[mindelmouse]

I dis see that! But I still think we've made the right choice with Rome. Too much to so as a big group. And I agree, Tunis should be interesting. Was it you, Lori, that wanted a gold birdcage.

Got home from work to a pretty sick kiddo. Today sucked.

Kim

Kim,

I'm sorry to hear that she's seem to have gotten worse. Hopefully she will make a pretty quick recovery...with my luck, I expect mine to come down with something this week...someone always gets sick whenever we have a vacation planned.

Those disney tours sound amazing...can't wait to see what they are....probably going to cost a lot....I think this is going to be our most expensive vacation every...staying in a top of the line cabin and all...hopefully we'll have a vacation of a lifetime...as long as the kids do.