June 27, 2013 - Magic in the Med (Venice)

[jel0511]

Just a note to all of you... I wanted to let you know the BEST tour we went on in 2010 was an excursion through DCL. If they offer it again I highly recommend it. It was far and above better than the private experiences we heard about. It's called Flavors of Sorrento and timeless Pompeii. I'd do that over a private excursion. We had the BEST meal EVER!!!

 

[MrsScooby]

We might be interested in joining you! We also have never been to the Med. before, and it looks like our children are of the same ages. It would be my DH, myself, DS (which will turn 20 that June) and DS (16). Both boys are very much into gaming. What are your children interested in? We haven't researched any excursions as of yet, but would probably want to see the touristy highlights. I would need some time to look into this option and discuss it with my family. Unfortunately, my oldest just moved back to college. I will plan on researching it this weekend and will get back to you. Thanks for the invite!

My DS just started college. Thankfully he is only 15 minutes away
He is the serious gamer in the family. My DD's interests are a bit more varied (reading, softball and guitar) but she does consult her brother on strategy when she games

Just did a quick peek at the excursions, and it looks as if there are a few in each city. Could you please give me the exact names of the ones you are looking to do? THANKS!

I picked highlights of Rome, then Florence/Pisa (short stop at the tower in the morning and then on to Florence), then the Pompeii/Sorrento/ Positano tour out of Naples. Analannie (that's her DIS name) did a trip report on these tours and they sounded fantastic. this page has a link to her blog:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2871334

Just a note to all of you... I wanted to let you know the BEST tour we went on in 2010 was an excursion through DCL. If they offer it again I highly recommend it. It was far and above better than the private experiences we heard about. It's called Flavors of Sorrento and timeless Pompeii. I'd do that over a private excursion. We had the BEST meal EVER!!!

I remember you describing this before and it sounded fantastic.
Do you remember how much it cost? My biggest problem with DCL tours in the past has been price and the size of the groups. The tours they do have that are really special are usually out of my price range

 

[jel0511]

I remember you describing this before and it sounded fantastic.
Do you remember how much it cost? My biggest problem with DCL tours in the past has been price and the size of the groups. The tours they do have that are really special are usually out of my price range

$150 per adult, forget the kids price, but it was probably 20-30 less...... TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!!!!

 

[jel0511]

forgot to add, it was helpful to have the guided tour of Pompeii, with a private tour, you'd have to book a professional guide as an additional cost for that service......

 

[tajz90]

Did y'all know you can hike Mount Vesuvius? We did last year. We were on a private tour, but I swear I recall seeing a hop on hop off bus there. I can't find the info for any bus that goes there though. Might be interesting to look into if your into that sort of stuff. We had already been to Pompeii and the Herculeum so we were looking for something different.

 

[jel0511]

Did y'all know you can hike Mount Vesuvius? We did last year. We were on a private tour, but I swear I recall seeing a hop on hop off bus there. I can't find the info for any bus that goes there though. Might be interesting to look into if your into that sort of stuff. We had already been to Pompeii and the Herculeum so we were looking for something different.

I knew you could hike Vesuvius. DCL actually has a tour to do it. People who did the DCL tour enjoyed it immensely. We plan on doing a private or DCL tour which goes to Sorrento, Postitano and the Almafi Coast. That area is so beautiful, only got to spend 1/2 the day before and it deserves more time than that!!!!!!

 

[tajz90]

I guess I didn't notice the tour thru DCL the last time. I can't remember paying anything to do it but if we did the cost is minimal. The only thing you have to do is get there. There is a tour guide waiting at the top . It was great and we were happy we did it.

 

[carpenta]

Just a note to all of you... I wanted to let you know the BEST tour we went on in 2010 was an excursion through DCL. If they offer it again I highly recommend it. It was far and above better than the private experiences we heard about. It's called Flavors of Sorrento and timeless Pompeii. I'd do that over a private excursion. We had the BEST meal EVER!!!

We did that excursion in 2007 and then it was GREAT. El dolce vida to be sure. Tempted to do it again for the farm was like a Disney set. Wonderful.

 

[MrsScooby]

We are currently planning to do several of the ports on our own (no DCL excursion or private company, probably public transportation of some sort)...Villefranche, Venice, Malta and Dubrovnik.

Of course that could change once we see what DCL has to offer.

Anyone else with plans to do these on their own as well?
What about those of you who are repeat Med cruisers?

When we did Estonia on our Baltic cruise back in 2010, someone found a walking tour on the internet that had everything layed out beautifully. Kind of hoping we have the same kind of experience with these ports.

 

[elm95376]

We are currently planning to do several of the ports on our own (no DCL excursion or private company, probably public transportation of some sort)...Villefranche, Venice, Malta and Dubrovnik.

Of course that could change once we see what DCL has to offer.

Anyone else with plans to do these on their own as well?
What about those of you who are repeat Med cruisers?

When we did Estonia on our Baltic cruise back in 2010, someone found a walking tour on the internet that had everything layed out beautifully. Kind of hoping we have the same kind of experience with these ports.

Hi Laurie,

We also are hoping to do these ports on our own. We have never been to Europe so everything will be new to us. Let me know if you find out anything useful for those of us doing it on our own. I have been trying to weed through the many posts to find out what are the must see's in the various ports.

Janet

 

[carpenta]

We are currently planning to do several of the ports on our own (no DCL excursion or private company, probably public transportation of some sort)...Villefranche, Venice, Malta and Dubrovnik.

Of course that could change once we see what DCL has to offer.

Anyone else with plans to do these on their own as well?
What about those of you who are repeat Med cruisers?

When we did Estonia on our Baltic cruise back in 2010, someone found a walking tour on the internet that had everything layed out beautifully. Kind of hoping we have the same kind of experience with these ports.

Villefranche you tender and get off right in the middle of the town. There is a free shuttle to Nice which is on the other side of the hill. It is a really nice town to walk around and check out the stores and bakeries. There usually is a little flea market with unusual items right in the spot by the water. Good place to bring back wine and goodies to the ship.Eze is a hill side town that is like a time machine town back to the 14th century but is a ways outside Villefranche but is absolutely beautiful IMHO. Malta you also dock pretty close to the old walled town and an easy walk to St. John's Cathedral and the capital buildings. Really full of history and be sure to visit the President's palace. Dubrovnik you also dock downtown (much like Split) and the tour of the walled ramparts is really nice. They are not on the Euro so you can get local currency at a number of places. Venice of course it is just the next"island" that connects by water taxi and I've been told you can walk it but I don't know about that. Doge (sp?) palace and St. Marks are a definate while just to wander around the canals is a wonderful adventure. Gondola ride about $110 Euro for 3 of us BUT it is something you just have to do. Rick Steves has great books on these ports and small places not to miss.

 

[MrsScooby]

Hi Laurie,

We also are hoping to do these ports on our own. We have never been to Europe so everything will be new to us. Let me know if you find out anything useful for those of us doing it on our own. I have been trying to weed through the many posts to find out what are the must see's in the various ports.

Janet

When I first booked back in January I was having fun reading all the trip reports and searching the internet for sites on the ports. I had to stop the research because I had to focus on this summer's trips. Now I'm trying to start up again.
Interesting to see the different opinions from the different trip reports.
What's somewhat hard for me is trying to anticipate what my family will like as none of them want to help me plan

Villefranche you tender and get off right in the middle of the town. There is a free shuttle to Nice which is on the other side of the hill. It is a really nice town to walk around and check out the stores and bakeries. There usually is a little flea market with unusual items right in the spot by the water. Good place to bring back wine and goodies to the ship.Eze is a hill side town that is like a time machine town back to the 14th century but is a ways outside Villefranche but is absolutely beautiful IMHO. Malta you also dock pretty close to the old walled town and an easy walk to St. John's Cathedral and the capital buildings. Really full of history and be sure to visit the President's palace. Dubrovnik you also dock downtown (much like Split) and the tour of the walled ramparts is really nice. They are not on the Euro so you can get local currency at a number of places. Venice of course it is just the next"island" that connects by water taxi and I've been told you can walk it but I don't know about that. Doge (sp?) palace and St. Marks are a definate while just to wander around the canals is a wonderful adventure. Gondola ride about $110 Euro for 3 of us BUT it is something you just have to do. Rick Steves has great books on these ports and small places not to miss.

thanksm Saw some trip reports with gorgeous pics of Eze and Malta so can't wait to see them for myself.
Forgot Dubrovnik wasn't on the euro. Wondering if I should get the local currency at my home bank to save some time as we are not in that port for very long. I don't want to spend time waiting in line if I can help it

Oh and definitely a gondola ride in Venice
I know I have some Rick Steve's books from when we first booked in January, but now I have to find where I put them away

 

[pacurn]

This is now becoming a big adventure. Looking at total cost, there is no real price difference for us to fly in on 22nd via Iceland and rent an apartment, then to fly in on the 25th and get a hotel. Icelandic air will let you break your trip home in Iceland for no additonal fee, so it looks like a few days in Iceland after the cruise.

As for do it yourself tours, the best single euro I ever spent was for the bus from Villefranchise to Nice. We walked around, got fruit at the farmers market, went to the beach (rocky) ans swam.

This time we plan to take the same bus in the other direction and go to Monaco.

Since we have done the Vatican before (and I expect it will be a zoo since the Pope is speaking the day we are there) we plan to take the train to Rome and do other things.

We have climbed the Pisa belltower, so are skipping it and heading directly to Florence, plan to pre-buy muesum passes.

My boss is allowing me three weeks vacation, in part because she wants something from the glass factory in Venice, so that is now high on the list

 

[carpenta]

In Croatia there are plenty of exchange shops and we found that the rate was pretty close so I would not worry about the money. Plus everything we saw was much les expensive in Croatia compared to the Euro. We got a cappacino and some great danish type cake for 2 dollars (in Croatian money) and gave the waiter a tip. Boy you would think we gave him $100.00. He couldn't do enough for us. As far as Venice we were lucky to get a gondolier that sang. He had a great voice. He was a 3rd generation on the same boat and planned to give the gondola to his eldest son when he retires. Great to speak about the gondola's history and the pride they take in the boat.

 

[nzdisneymom]

When we sailed in the Baltic, there were many different currencies in the various countries we visited. We were able to exchange currency on the ship for a fair exchange.

 

[elm95376]

When I first booked back in January I was having fun reading all the trip reports and searching the internet for sites on the ports. I had to stop the research because I had to focus on this summer's trips. Now I'm trying to start up again.
Interesting to see the different opinions from the different trip reports.
What's somewhat hard for me is trying to anticipate what my family will like as none of them want to help me plan



thanksm Saw some trip reports with gorgeous pics of Eze and Malta so can't wait to see them for myself.
Forgot Dubrovnik wasn't on the euro. Wondering if I should get the local currency at my home bank to save some time as we are not in that port for very long. I don't want to spend time waiting in line if I can help it

Oh and definitely a gondola ride in Venice
I know I have some Rick Steve's books from when we first booked in January, but now I have to find where I put them away

Laurie, I know what you mean. My family also hasn't shown much interest in reading up on the ports. I think they feel it is too far away, but there is so much to do. My good friend is joining us so she and I do the researching and discuss our options.

I have Rick Steve's book on the Mediterranean Ports but it is a lot to digest when all of it is new to me.

Janet

 

[MrsScooby]

This is now becoming a big adventure. Looking at total cost, there is no real price difference for us to fly in on 22nd via Iceland and rent an apartment, then to fly in on the 25th and get a hotel. Icelandic air will let you break your trip home in Iceland for no additonal fee, so it looks like a few days in Iceland after the cruise.

As for do it yourself tours, the best single euro I ever spent was for the bus from Villefranchise to Nice. We walked around, got fruit at the farmers market, went to the beach (rocky) ans swam.

This time we plan to take the same bus in the other direction and go to Monaco.

Since we have done the Vatican before (and I expect it will be a zoo since the Pope is speaking the day we are there) we plan to take the train to Rome and do other things.

We have climbed the Pisa belltower, so are skipping it and heading directly to Florence, plan to pre-buy muesum passes.

My boss is allowing me three weeks vacation, in part because she wants something from the glass factory in Venice, so that is now high on the list

What are you planning to bring back from the glass factory?
My DS brought back glass necklaces and bracelets from his trip to Venice back in 2009.
I was thinking I want to get some of the masks in Venice. I love how they look on the wall in Palo. I know I have to do some research on this to make sure I don't get scammed

In Croatia there are plenty of exchange shops and we found that the rate was pretty close so I would not worry about the money. Plus everything we saw was much les expensive in Croatia compared to the Euro. We got a cappacino and some great danish type cake for 2 dollars (in Croatian money) and gave the waiter a tip. Boy you would think we gave him $100.00. He couldn't do enough for us. As far as Venice we were lucky to get a gondolier that sang. He had a great voice. He was a 3rd generation on the same boat and planned to give the gondola to his eldest son when he retires. Great to speak about the gondola's history and the pride they take in the boat.

Good to know that the exchange shops in Croatia are so available
I am so looking forward to the gondola ride. Thinking I might wait until sunset to get one, assuming I have a choice Really thrilled that we have an overnight in Venice. I've been dreaming about visiting there for ages.

When we sailed in the Baltic, there were many different currencies in the various countries we visited. We were able to exchange currency on the ship for a fair exchange.

Our local bank had a decent exchange rate too so we just got what we thought we would need in advance and put it all in separate envelopes. Most of our port shopping was done with our credit card (Capitol One to avoid extra fees) and the cash was just used as needed. The leftover currency at the end of the port day was not much and used to sample the local ice cream (which is way better than what we have in the US).
Which Baltic port was your favorite? I think ours was Tallin, we really liked all of the ports alot.

Laurie, I know what you mean. My family also hasn't shown much interest in reading up on the ports. I think they feel it is too far away, but there is so much to do. My good friend is joining us so she and I do the researching and discuss our options.

I have Rick Steve's book on the Mediterranean Ports but it is a lot to digest when all of it is new to me.

Janet

Good that you have someone to discuss it with. I am going nuts trying to figure it out on my own. I do have a pretty good track record for picking port excursions for my kids. They absolutely loved the zip lines in Puerta Vallarta and the segways in Copenhagen. Things I wouldn't pick if it was just me and my DH going.

I have the same Rick Steves book and I'm highlighting stuff as I go along...taking it with me to places where I know I'll have to wait

 

[emmah16]

Hello Everyone

I am planning things on my own to. This trip is going to be a big surprise for DH and DS. DD will only be 1 at the time so she would not realise what all the fuss was about.
I'm waiting to see what trips DCL is offering on this cruise. We did a couple with them when we did the Med back in 2010 and also the WBTA last year.
I know what I will be doing in Malta though as we have been there several times before.
Can't wait to go back I have really missed not being able to go on Magic this year. Well only just over 9 months to wait

 

[nzdisneymom]

Our local bank had a decent exchange rate too so we just got what we thought we would need in advance and put it all in separate envelopes. Most of our port shopping was done with our credit card (Capitol One to avoid extra fees) and the cash was just used as needed. The leftover currency at the end of the port day was not much and used to sample the local ice cream (which is way better than what we have in the US).
Which Baltic port was your favorite? I think ours was Tallin, we really liked all of the ports alot.

My favorite port ... Well, that's hard to say because there was so much about each that we loved. In Helsinki, my 3rd cousin met us and we spent the day with his family. I loved Copenhagen and want to go back some time. I liked the village at the sea that we visited in Germany. It rained when we were in Oslo. St Petersburg was absolutely amazing.

 

[MrsScooby]

Hello Everyone

I am planning things on my own to. This trip is going to be a big surprise for DH and DS. DD will only be 1 at the time so she would not realise what all the fuss was about.
I'm waiting to see what trips DCL is offering on this cruise. We did a couple with them when we did the Med back in 2010 and also the WBTA last year.
I know what I will be doing in Malta though as we have been there several times before.
Can't wait to go back I have really missed not being able to go on Magic this year. Well only just over 9 months to wait

welcome aboard
I think the DCL excursion are offically published about 4-5 months prior to sail date (maybe more) I think it varies.
Someone posted a link to a previous DCL Med cruise excursion list but I was having trouble reading it (maybe need new reading glasses, I'm getting old)

So what are you doing in Malta
I am having a hard time deciding because there are so many things I want to do there.