August 28, 2010 Pirates of the Barbary Coast - 11 nights in the Mediterranean

[CustardTart]

Your itinerary sounds great! St. Tropez might be nice. Maybe one last day at the beach.

It's the only downside of these non-Port Canaveral cruises - no Castaway Cay!!!

 

[eva]

It's the only downside of these non-Port Canaveral cruises - no Castaway Cay!!!

I'm going to miss CC too! I'm not sure if the beaches on the French Riviera will be quite the same.

 

[CustardTart]

I'm going to miss CC too! I'm not sure if the beaches on the French Riviera will be quite the same.

OMG no!!! Usually they're quite crowded (but we may be out of season lucky), you pay for your loungers, there are definitely no Konk Koolers and many ladies (who really, really shouldn't be ) are topless... I remember going to the beach in Monte Carlo as a child and the sand there was made of crushed marble... I imagine a day pass at a beachfront hotel would be the best thing - it was one of my original ideas for Malta and Corsica... More research required!!!

 

[eva]

OMG no!!! Usually they're quite crowded (but we may be out of season lucky), you pay for your loungers, there are definitely no Konk Koolers and many ladies (who really, really shouldn't be ) are topless... I remember going to the beach in Monte Carlo as a child and the sand there was made of crushed marble... I imagine a day pass at a beachfront hotel would be the best thing - it was one of my original ideas for Malta and Corsica... More research required!!!

Well after a bit more research, we may opt to just stay in Villefranche. I found a number of articles that stated:

Villefranche is a wonderfully French village offering its visitors a unique opportunity to experience everything French. Unless you have not seen Monte Carlo, Eze, Nice and Cannes, (and want to experience them) you will not want to wander any further than this quaint fishing village. Villefranche resides on a steep hillside that surrounds the beautiful bay that Villefranche resides upon. While walking can be steep at times, the walkways that penetrate Villefranche's parks, old section and village are simply breathtaking.

If you are looking for the perfect place to relax on the beach, have a wonderful lunch in a beachfront French cafe, enjoy a bottle of French wine and simply enjoy a perfect French day, this is the spot! The beach at Villefranche is much nicer than the beaches in Nice and offers soft fine sand on most of it.

Sounds like a great place to wander around, soak up the sun, drink a bit of wine at a cafe, etc. Before heading back to reality, I think we need a day of relaxation, food, and wine.

 

[CustardTart]

...Sounds like a great place to wander around, soak up the sun, drink a bit of wine at a cafe, etc. Before heading back to reality, I think we need a day of relaxation, food, and wine.

It sounds gorgeous, Eva!!! Actually, our server in Palo recommended just chilling in Villefranche - she said it was beautiful...

 

[eva]

It sounds gorgeous, Eva!!! Actually, our server in Palo recommended just chilling in Villefranche - she said it was beautiful...

Another great thing about staying in Villefranche is that it saves me the cost of another excursion. Now we are down to only 3 excursions.

I can spend all that money on wine!

 

[eva]

Karen, I hope you are haing a wonderful time in Paris!

I think that I am unable to do much more planning for the cruise until the flights and excursions come out.

Until the Excursions Come Out:
Saturday Barcelona, Spain - Friday and Saturday Morning tour city by bus
Monday Valletta, Malta - Self Walking Tour of Valletta
Tuesday Tunis, Tunisia - Excursion of Carthage
Wed Naples (Pompeii) - Excursion Amalfi Coast drive and Pompeii
Thursday Civitavecchia - Rome on our own
Saturday La Spezia - Touring Cinque Terre (Maybe on an Excursion)
Sunday Ajaccio, Corsica - Excursion Wining Tasting
Monday Villefranche - Explore the Town and Beach on Our Own

I think that the flights will start coming out over the next couple weeks. But now I need to get busy planning our WDW trip for May.

 

[CustardTart]

Another great thing about staying in Villefranche is that it saves me the cost of another excursion. Now we are down to only 3 excursions.

I can spend all that money on wine!

Karen, I hope you are haing a wonderful time in Paris!

I think that I am unable to do much more planning for the cruise until the flights and excursions come out.

Until the Excursions Come Out:
Saturday Barcelona, Spain - Friday and Saturday Morning tour city by bus
Monday Valletta, Malta - Self Walking Tour of Valletta
Tuesday Tunis, Tunisia - Excursion of Carthage
Wed Naples (Pompeii) - Excursion Amalfi Coast drive and Pompeii
Thursday Civitavecchia - Rome on our own
Saturday La Spezia - Touring Cinque Terre (Maybe on an Excursion)
Sunday Ajaccio, Corsica - Excursion Wining Tasting
Monday Villefranche - Explore the Town and Beach on Our Own

I think that the flights will start coming out over the next couple weeks. But now I need to get busy planning our WDW trip for May.

IKWYM, Eva! We're rather left twiddling our thumbs until DCL release their excursion details...

 

[eva]

IKWYM, Eva! We're rather left twiddling our thumbs until DCL release their excursion details...

Hey Karen! Are you back home or still living it up in Paris?

I just made reservations for our May trip. We decided to stay at the YC instead of the GF. Not only did we get an extra day, but DGD does loves SAB. Flight prices look pretty good. I probably better buy soon. Right now Delta and Airtran are showing flights for $148 roundtrip.

While at Barnes and Noble yesterday I read quite a bit about Villefranche and Cinque Terre. I am a bit concerned about staying at Villefranche now. One of the books says that it is a great place to visit as long as the fleet isn't anchored there. I guess the navy anchors a lot in the bay there and give shore leave to the sailors. So I might make a backup plan, just in case.

At La Spezia I think we will stick to a day in Cinque Terre. It looks fabulous. I think that we will do a bit of hiking between a couple of the towns. Then after lunch we will explore the villages by boat or train. You can go between each of the small towns by train for only 1.3€. That includes a 5 hour ticket that allows you to go between all 5 towns. The ferries are a bit more expensive. It is more like 20€ for the day. I've seen some videos on You Tube. The hikes between towns looks a bit strenuous and run along some steep cliffs, so I am not sure I want to do too much of that.

I also looked at Frommer's book on Barcelona. The hotel that we chose is the number one recommended for people taking Med cruises. So I guess we lucked out there. I think that we are going to use "25 Best" books for both Barcelona and Rome. They have great maps in the back and highlight the top 25 attractions in a city . They are small and will fit great in a purse or small pack.

I'm getting anxious to see the excursions that DCL will offer. Does anyone have an idea when they will release those?

 

[CustardTart]

Hey Karen! Are you back home or still living it up in Paris?

I just made reservations for our May trip. We decided to stay at the YC instead of the GF. Not only did we get an extra day, but DGD does loves SAB. Flight prices look pretty good. I probably better buy soon. Right now Delta and Airtran are showing flights for $148 roundtrip...

Sadly I'm back in miserable London - and back at University for my second year! So I'm trying desperately to crank my creaky old brain back into action...

Don't know about living it up, it was a long overdue visit as we had to sort out our poor neglected apartment. Most of my weekend was spent decluttering, cleaning and rearranging, whilst Richard concentrated on dismantling the enormous, ancient sofa that we hated!!! It was too huge to remove ourselves (we're on the 4th floor with a tiny lift) and we'd been quoted a gazillion euros by a removal company so he set to with a couple of hacksaws!!! Anyway, it's almost out of our lives...

I think you made a great choice, Eva! Extra day, fab resort and not to mention a relaxed stroll to the World Showcase (it should be the Flower & Garden festival then, I think) where maybe you can do the Kidcot activities with your DGD...

While at Barnes and Noble yesterday I read quite a bit about Villefranche and Cinque Terre. I am a bit concerned about staying at Villefranche now. One of the books says that it is a great place to visit as long as the fleet isn't anchored there. I guess the navy anchors a lot in the bay there and give shore leave to the sailors. So I might make a backup plan, just in case...

Whose fleet - did it say? As far as I recall, the French are based in Marseilles in the south... I'm sure Villefranche will be lovely - everything I've read makes me think we'll probably stick there and not fuss about St. Tropez...

...At La Spezia I think we will stick to a day in Cinque Terre. It looks fabulous. I think that we will do a bit of hiking between a couple of the towns. Then after lunch we will explore the villages by boat or train. You can go between each of the small towns by train for only 1.3€. That includes a 5 hour ticket that allows you to go between all 5 towns. The ferries are a bit more expensive. It is more like 20€ for the day. I've seen some videos on You Tube. The hikes between towns looks a bit strenuous and run along some steep cliffs, so I am not sure I want to do too much of that.

Sounds fab! Stop scaring me with that H-word, tho'!!!

...I also looked at Frommer's book on Barcelona. The hotel that we chose is the number one recommended for people taking Med cruises. So I guess we lucked out there... I'm getting anxious to see the excursions that DCL will offer. Does anyone have an idea when they will release those?

I'm delighted with the hotel - it looks lovely and comfortable... I think I read somewhere that the excursions will most probably be released in December. They'd better hurry up as the 1st Med cruises start in May!!!

 

[jhryb]

I hope that we aren't scaring Jennifer off with all our recent chatter!

Not scared at all - infact I enjoy reading all of your chatter You both seem so knowledgeable. I'm making note of all of your suggestions. The last time I was in Barcelona was 18 years ago when I stayed in a hostel with my backpack, loaf of bread and cheap wine. We travelled through 10 countries on less than $20/day each. My friends and I had a great trip but I'm looking forward to seeing Europe in style this time.
Karen your logo looks great - very classy.

 

[eva]

Sadly I'm back in miserable London - and back at University for my second year! So I'm trying desperately to crank my creaky old brain back into action...

Karen, I don't know how you do it. I can barely get myself up to get to work every day. And I work from home a couple days a week!

Don't know about living it up, it was a long overdue visit as we had to sort out our poor neglected apartment. Most of my weekend was spent decluttering, cleaning and rearranging, whilst Richard concentrated on dismantling the enormous, ancient sofa that we hated!!! It was too huge to remove ourselves (we're on the 4th floor with a tiny lift) and we'd been quoted a gazillion euros by a removal company so he set to with a couple of hacksaws!!! Anyway, it's almost out of our lives...

Too bad you didn't get a break while in Paris. I am trying to picture you and Richard sawing a sofa up with hacksaws.

I think you made a great choice, Eva! Extra day, fab resort and not to mention a relaxed stroll to the World Showcase (it should be the Flower & Garden festival then, I think) where maybe you can do the Kidcot activities with your DGD...

I think so too. I love EPCOT. And Lexy will finally be able to ride all the rides there. She is finally over 40" tall. I think that she will love Soarin and Test Track. We will be spending quite a bit of time at MK too. But with the money that we are saving at YC, we can take taxis to MK every day if we want to.

Whose fleet - did it say? As far as I recall, the French are based in Marseilles in the south... I'm sure Villefranche will be lovely - everything I've read makes me think we'll probably stick there and not fuss about St. Tropez...

US Navy. I also Googled - Villefranche Navy - and found a number of articles with the same information. But I don't think it happens daily. I think that it it more like once or twice a month. So maybe we will be fine.

I'm delighted with the hotel - it looks lovely and comfortable... I think I read somewhere that the excursions will most probably be released in December. They'd better hurry up as the 1st Med cruises start in May!!!

December! Yikes! How will I hold out that long!

 

[eva]

Not scared at all - infact I enjoy reading all of your chatter You both seem so knowledgeable. I'm making note of all of your suggestions. The last time I was in Barcelona was 18 years ago when I stayed in a hostel with my backpack, loaf of bread and cheap wine. We travelled through 10 countries on less than $20/day each. My friends and I had a great trip but I'm looking forward to seeing Europe in style this time.
Karen your logo looks great - very classy.

Jennifer, from your signature it appears that you are a DVC member too. Karen and I are too! You're one up on me. I've never been to Barcelona. What sights do you feel are must sees? We are just coming in the day before and won't have much time.

 

[jhryb]

Jennifer, from your signature it appears that you are a DVC member too. Karen and I are too! You're one up on me. I've never been to Barcelona. What sights do you feel are must sees? We are just coming in the day before and won't have much time.

We probably spent around 2 days in Barcelona and I have no idea what I saw there. I kept a journal of my trip so perhaps I should dig it up. The Olympics were a couple of months away and I remember climbing and climbing to get up to the Olympic village. I also remember lying on the beach (this is very unlike me but we were topless because everyone else was - or so I remember). I think I remember a central square with lots of Spanish dancing and festivities in the evening. Almost everything I did was free because I just finished University and I had no job. My recollection of Florence, Cannes and Nice are equally as blurred. All of the other Ports will be new to me. I am far from a reliable source when it comes to recommending sights.

 

[CustardTart]

Too bad you didn't get a break while in Paris. I am trying to picture you and Richard sawing a sofa up with hacksaws...

No sawing for me - I mainly put the pared down pieces into refuse bags and observed from afar!!! I do wish I'd taken a few photos tho' - it was certainly a spectacle to behold!!!

...I love EPCOT. And Lexy will finally be able to ride all the rides there. She is finally over 40" tall. I think that she will love Soarin and Test Track. We will be spending quite a bit of time at MK too. But with the money that we are saving at YC, we can take taxis to MK every day if we want to...

...US Navy. I also Googled - Villefranche Navy - and found a number of articles with the same information. But I don't think it happens daily. I think that it it more like once or twice a month. So maybe we will be fine...

Jennifer, from your signature it appears that you are a DVC member too. Karen and I are too! You're one up on me. I've never been to Barcelona. What sights do you feel are must sees? We are just coming in the day before and won't have much time.

What she said!!!

 

[CustardTart]

We probably spent around 2 days in Barcelona and I have no idea what I saw there. I kept a journal of my trip so perhaps I should dig it up. The Olympics were a couple of months away and I remember climbing and climbing to get up to the Olympic village. I also remember lying on the beach (this is very unlike me but we were topless because everyone else was - or so I remember). I think I remember a central square with lots of Spanish dancing and festivities in the evening. Almost everything I did was free because I just finished University and I had no job. My recollection of Florence, Cannes and Nice are equally as blurred. All of the other Ports will be new to me. I am far from a reliable source when it comes to recommending sights.

Sounds about right!!! I remember us taking our big kids to South of France when they were about 8 and 6 (so circa 1990) and all the sun worshippers, from young mademoiselles to old mesdames, were topless. And the kids just ran around naked... In fact, I saw a lot of it when we were in Southern Spain this summer!!! Maybe I shouldn't say this on a family board BUT I always worry about their nipples - such a sensitive area of the bod...

 

[eva]

Not scared at all - infact I enjoy reading all of your chatter You both seem so knowledgeable. I'm making note of all of your suggestions. The last time I was in Barcelona was 18 years ago when I stayed in a hostel with my backpack, loaf of bread and cheap wine. We travelled through 10 countries on less than $20/day each. My friends and I had a great trip but I'm looking forward to seeing Europe in style this time.
Karen your logo looks great - very classy.

That trip sounds amazing. I wish I had done something so wild when I was young. I married a year after graduating high school. So by the time that I graduated from college I was married with two small children. But I must admit, we are having a blast now that we are empty nesters.

 

[CustardTart]

That trip sounds amazing. I wish I had done something so wild when I was young. I married a year after graduating high school. So by the time that I graduated from college I was married with two small children. But I must admit, we are having a blast now that we are empty nesters.

Richard and I managed to squeeze in a trip backpacking across Europe in the summer of 1981 after leaving high school at 18. We travelled overland and visited France, Germany, Austria, Italy, the then Yugoslavia and Greece before ending up in Cyprus where I have family... I remember so much of that trip very clearly, it was wonderful... A year later, we were married and expecting our first child...

I agree with Eva - 28 years on and we're having the best time!!! We're not quite empty nesters as youngest DS Samuel is 16 but not long to go now...

 

[eva]

Richard and I managed to squeeze in a trip backpacking across Europe in the summer of 1981 after leaving high school at 18. We travelled overland and visited France, Germany, Austria, Italy, the then Yugoslavia and Greece before ending up in Cyprus where I have family... I remember so much of that trip very clearly, it was wonderful... A year later, we were married and expecting our first child...

I agree with Eva - 28 years on and we're having the best time!!! We're not quite empty nesters as youngest DS Samuel is 16 but not long to go now...

Sounds like you had a great trip hiking (oops, I said that word again) across Europe too. Steve and I did have a great month long trip to Texas prior to getting married. Hmmm, less than one year later we were married expecting our first child too.

 

[CustardTart]

...I agree with Eva - 28 years on and we're having the best time!!! ...

EEEK!!! Famous last words!!! Ten minutes after I wrote that last night, my DH managed to annoy be beyond belief and I could happily swapped him for a pair of over-knee boots!!!!

Sounds like you had a great trip hiking (oops, I said that word again) across Europe too. Steve and I did have a great month long trip to Texas prior to getting married. Hmmm, less than one year later we were married expecting our first child too.

So is your eldest daughter aged circa 26, Eva??? My Sophie will be 27 on December 23rd... I thought we were making progress thinking about a wedding venue/setting a date but she's not mentioned it for a couple of months now...