Bringing Home the Magic - Part 2 - 8/18/07 - 9/01/07- list of cruisers on page 1

[Bmwdsny]

had to bump this up since this was getting buried!!

Hey everyone!! the dates are getting closer before we sail!!!: Getting excited!! goodvibes

 

[DenverVal]

If anyone is getting to Barcelona early like us, or just doesn't want to do the Disney tours, I have been doing some research about Montserrat, and wanted to share what I've learned:

Tourist package tickets are available at:
Plaça Espanya TI (Tourist Information) or
FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat) La Molina office next to Plaça Catalunya Tues-Sat 11:00-14:00 and 16:30-20:30, office closed Sunday.

The Trans Montserrat ticket includes:
Train (round-trip)
Underground (connections to Placa Espanya)
Rack train (round trip) - currently suspended due to a rock slide but should be back in operation long before our visit
Funiculars (unlimited, one to the top of the mountain, one to the sacred cave)
Audiovisual show (virtual tour)

The Tot Montserrat ticket includes all of the above, plus:
Museum
Lunch (counter service)

You can spend as much or as little time as you wish. Trains run until late in the afternoon.
* FGC trains to Montserrat depart from Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station every hour from 08.36.
* The R5 (Barcelona - Manresa) line also links up with the Montserrat cable car and rack railway stations.

Cable car to the monastery, Montserrat-Aeri stop:
up - 9:24-13:25 and 14:20-18:15
* 4 per hour
* Departures at :15 past the hour make the Barcelona-bound trains leaving at :37 past the hour.
* The last efficient departure is at 18:15; there is one later, but you will wait another 45 minutes for the train. (-Rick Steves, Spain 2006)

Cremallera Rack Railway to the monastery, Monistrol de Montserrat stop:
* 3 per hour from 9:38 to 20:06
* Departures at :06 past the hour make the Barcelona-bound trains departing at :33 past the hour. (-Rick Steves, Spain 2006)

Links:
Montserrat: http://www.abadiamontserrat.net/angles/index.htm
Ticket prices: http://www.fgc.net/accesible/eng/viatjar/oci.php
Tot Monserrat brochure: http://www.montserratvisita.com/archivos/4078-180-document/tottransr.pdf
Timetables, rack railway: http://www.cremallerademontserrat.com/pdf/horariscrem06.pdf
Fares, rack railway: http://www.cremallerademontserrat.com/pdf/tarifescrem.pdf
Timetables & fares, aeri and a decent map: http://www.aeridemontserrat.com/op_b2.htm
Links with FGC trains: http://www.montserratvisita.com/?go=P4HuNzmNtYEqpRDXvODPmwpMYFFlbtprxeRAAkSghn4MgEe0mGkBOfCBqHWZnw==

 

[eye R.N.]

Thanks Val.

I have got to get used to miliatry time.

 

[Scratch42]

Thanks Val!

Will probably do that on Sunday as shops are closed and only have Saturday to find that dress!

 

[Bmwdsny]

WOW val, you gave alot of info!! Thanks!!
I am not sure what i am going to do in Barcelona!

 

[DavidMtl]

Thanks Scratch! I was looking also for AirTransat since they offer two flights each day from Montreal. Zoom is another one I was looking into but since they don't fly often I'm a little worried. (BTW, I worry way too much!)

Thank you Val for all that info! I didn't even start looking into activities to do at ports of call yet. They all seem interesting.

David

 

[Scratch42]

Thanks Scratch! I was looking also for AirTransat since they offer two flights each day from Montreal. Zoom is another one I was looking into but since they don't fly often I'm a little worried. (BTW, I worry way too much!)


David

You Are Welcome!

I had promised my DD that we would fly First Class and this was the only airline that I could afford!

Plus with AirTransat, have had issues in the past and DD has seen the documentary of that one particular flight........and she hates flying......

So we are gonna give ZOOM a try!

j

 

[piglet33]

You Are Welcome!

I had promised my DD that we would fly First Class and this was the only airline that I could afford!

Plus with AirTransat, have had issues in the past and DD has seen the documentary of that one particular flight........and she hates flying......

So we are gonna give ZOOM a try!

j

Hi Janet,

I would love to fly first class, but that isn't going to happen any time soon unless I get a free upgrade.

Reneé

 

[Scratch42]

Hi Janet,

I would love to fly first class, but that isn't going to happen any time soon unless I get a free upgrade.

Reneé

That's the beauty of this airline! It's less than $500.00 per person and they up the luggage allowance and offer free food and drink! Of course they are based out of the UK, so they can offer this! I don't know just how "first class" it is but it does offer the 36" pitch instead of the 31"!

I have people at work that will be flying them in May and I'll report back as to how their flight went!

j

 

[Bmwdsny]

That's the beauty of this airline! It's less than $500.00 per person and they up the luggage allowance and offer free food and drink! Of course they are based out of the UK, so they can offer this! I don't know just how "first class" it is but it does offer the 36" pitch instead of the 31"!

I have people at work that will be flying them in May and I'll report back as to how their flight went!

j

Hey J, ya gonna sing the ZOOM song while on it!!!!

 

[Scratch42]

Hey J, ya gonna sing the ZOOM song while on it!!!!

That's for Mazda!



j

 

[mom_rules]

That's for Mazda!



j

They actually had that CD in the truck when I picked up my Mazda.

 

[Scratch42]

They actually had that CD in the truck when I picked up my Mazda.

That's Too Funny!

j

 

[mississaugamom]

Thanks Scratch! I was looking also for AirTransat since they offer two flights each day from Montreal. Zoom is another one I was looking into but since they don't fly often I'm a little worried. (BTW, I worry way too much!)

Thank you Val for all that info! I didn't even start looking into activities to do at ports of call yet. They all seem interesting.

David

Welcome, David

Another Canadian here! My husband, 11 year old daughter and I will be flying Zoom via Montreal to Paris on August 10. Like Janet, we booked the "Premium" class to have the extra legroom (and luggage weight room!)

The free food and drink are just a bonus!

Our previous experiences on Air Transat have left something to be desired too ... I'd rather give Zoom a chance. One of my colleagues flew to Paris on Zoom in the fall and he raved about the service. He really enjoyed the flights (and he was travelling with an infant too! )

Arlene

 

[DavidMtl]

Now you're making me nervous about AirTransat... I've been flying with them since 2002 to go to Orlando and there never was a glitch. Always on time and everything perfect. Maybe it is different to go to Europe with them.

I will look again at the Zoom flights... a little early with a departure time a 5:30PM (I work on the 15th) but it will give me more time to visit Paris!

I think the luggage weight is not an issue for me (I tend to travel light even though I still think I bring too much!). My biggest weight/quantity limit this time will be for the trainhotel. How do we get on that train group? I tried to read all the messages but with 1700+ messages it is a bit overwhelming.

On another subject, I got the new Passporter yesterday and it gets me more excited about the trip!

David

 

[Scratch42]

I think the luggage weight is not an issue for me (I tend to travel light even though I still think I bring too much!). My biggest weight/quantity limit this time will be for the trainhotel. How do we get on that train group? I tried to read all the messages but with 1700+ messages it is a bit overwhelming.



David

As with most men!LOL

My boss has flown AT and has not complained but this summer he is treating family, so with the substantial price difference, he opted for Zoom!

j

 

[Scratch42]

Helloooooooooooo!

Anybody here?


j

 

[faireygod mother]

I am here. It sure seems quiet. I would have thought that when we hit the 6 month mark things would take off. See what I get for thinking.

I am trying really hard to not stress. I am very nervous about the flight to Spain. I am concerned about not getting there in time. I was thinking about changing my flight, but the expense is prohibitive. Unless someone has a great web site I can check other than expedia,kayak, orbitz. I do not feel like they target ALL the airlines.

I will also be able to plan better after the May repo sails. I wonder if they will let us check in only at certain times or throughtout the night. I wonder if the kids club wil be open the first night in case we want to check o ut the city at night. So many questions, so few answers.

 

[got2travel]

I'm also hoping that the kids clubs will be open. I'd love to check out some of the night life. If not, I'll just drag my son around to see the city at night. I just won't be able to see the clubs.

Airfare - haven't booked yet. I've been using farchase on Yahoo and cheapoair.com. There's some really great prices on cheapoair but I haven't been able to find many reviews about them. Unlike kayak, you book directly with cheapair, so I'm nervous about that.

 

[Bmwdsny]

Helloooooooooooo!

Anybody here?


j

YOO HOO I AM HERE!!!! WAY OVER HERE!!

this is sure a quiet board!! almost too quiet!!