June 29, 2011-10 "MAGICAL" nights in the Mediterranean

[thinkoflaura]

Just a reminder - If you are interested in purchasing Euros, keep an eye on the exchange rates. I think it's down by about 5 cents from where it was recently. That could mean a significant savings.

I was just going to post about the same thing --

About a month ago you could get 500 euro for $740. Today, according to this, 500 is $711.

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

xo

 

[MissReeRee]

The exchange rate is killing me right now! Its better this week than last week for sure... One nice thing about pulling euro out of ATM's over here is that it gives you the exchange rate that they will be charging your bank, so you know how much you are getting in dollars and euro...

 

[thinkoflaura]

The exchange rate is killing me right now! Its better this week than last week for sure... One nice thing about pulling euro out of ATM's over here is that it gives you the exchange rate that they will be charging your bank, so you know how much you are getting in dollars and euro...

confused -- is your bank a US bank? If so can you walk me through the charges/fees that apply to ATM withdrawals?

Also -we have 4 digit pins over here... will that work at ATMs in Europe?

-- on a side note, did you feel the earthquake in Spain the other day? hope it wasn't too scary!

 

[deplion]

confused -- is your bank a US bank? If so can you walk me through the charges/fees that apply to ATM withdrawals?

Also -we have 4 digit pins over here... will that work at ATMs in Europe?

-- on a side note, did you feel the earthquake in Spain the other day? hope it wasn't too scary!

U.S. cards will work in ATMs in Europe. That is our main source for Euros when we travel there.

One tip I was given was to always try to use an ATM when the bank is open in case it "eats" your card and you need to retrieve it.

 

[sinnika]

I've been pricing out airfare FOREVER on Kayak. Finally found fare that we can live with! Under $1100 pp including all taxes. That's out of Houston, in case anyone from the area is still looking. We are flying out June 26th and coming back July 11th. Next, its hotels on Hotwire. Looks like we'll have to spring for 2 rooms in most places!

 

[thinkoflaura]

I've been pricing out airfare FOREVER on Kayak. Finally found fare that we can live with! Under $1100 pp including all taxes. That's out of Houston, in case anyone from the area is still looking. We are flying out June 26th and coming back July 11th. Next, its hotels on Hotwire. Looks like we'll have to spring for 2 rooms in most places!

congrats! that's a great fare!
and yeah - we are a party of 5 (4 adults, 1 kid) and we had to book 2 rooms everywhere we're going.

 

[grizbuzz]

Here's a thread that should answer lots of your Cinque Terre questions. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2715893
Its about a 20 min walk and train tickets are available at the train station. There is also an office at the train station that sells the different Cinque Terre tickets which include the walk between towns. Make sure to get your tickets validated (you get them stamped in these yellow boxes at the train station). We've seldom run into anyone that checked our tickets, but if they do come around and check them and you don't have them or you did not validate them, there is a fine. The trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola is the easiest one (Via Del Amore) and is mostly flat ground and takes about 20 min. Will be perfect for your 6 to 8 year old boys.

Thanks

 

[MissReeRee]

confused -- is your bank a US bank? If so can you walk me through the charges/fees that apply to ATM withdrawals?

Also -we have 4 digit pins over here... will that work at ATMs in Europe?

-- on a side note, did you feel the earthquake in Spain the other day? hope it wasn't too scary!

Yes I use a US bank, your ATM card will work just the same as stateside. Use the same precautions as in the states when using it. I prefer to only use an ATM attached to a bank because I feel like these are less likely to be tampered with. I'm even trying to think if the ATMs I've used in Europe charge a fee like in the states to withdraw, and I don't think I've ever had it happen!

As far as bank charges, I would call your bank and see what they charge for international ATM withdrawals. One of my banks reimburses for ATM fees and doesn't charge me for pulling money out internationally. The other charges a foreign ATM fee PLUS an international transaction fee! MANY times the ATMs give an equal or better exchange rate than if you went and changed money somewhere. The exchange rates you see posted online aren't what you will get, they have to make some money on the deal as well!

And no we didn't feel the earthquake, although a couple of my pictures were crooked I don't know if I can blame it on the earthquake or my kids! We are in southwestern Spain so it was a few hours from us....

 

[DCLShel]

So, the cruise is getting closer and closer each day - and my anxiety level is getting higher and higher each day. Is it just me? Anyone else feeling a little anxious?! I've done tons of research but it still doesn't feel like its enough. I just want everyone to enjoy this trip and get as much out of it as possible.

 

[deplion]

I'm feeling some stress, but not too bad.

I suggest you just tell yourself before you leave that you CAN'T do it all or see it all. There will always be unexpected delays and interruptions that occur from time to time.

Plan ahead as best you can, but try not to be disappointed if you don't get to do everything on your list because it almost never happens.

I always try to look at those items as something I will do "next time".

 

[DCLShel]

I'm feeling some stress, but not too bad.

I suggest you just tell yourself before you leave that you CAN'T do it all or see it all. There will always be unexpected delays and interruptions that occur from time to time.

Plan ahead as best you can, but try not to be disappointed if you don't get to do everything on your list because it almost never happens.

I always try to look at those items as something I will do "next time".

THANKS!

 

[grizbuzz]

So, the cruise is getting closer and closer each day - and my anxiety level is getting higher and higher each day. Is it just me? Anyone else feeling a little anxious?! I've done tons of research but it still doesn't feel like its enough. I just want everyone to enjoy this trip and get as much out of it as possible.

Oh no! Don't be stressed. As long as you have the major pieces in place: passports, airlines, hotels, money, meds, travel insurance, well then the rest will all work out. It is a vacation, remember. I only have excursions worked out (partially) for a couple of the days. I have no idea about Malta or Corsica yet and I haven't started thinking about packing. It looks like you are a seasoned cruiser, so I'm sure you've got planning and packing all under control. Maybe it's time to work on something just fun, like getting a new outfit. I'm sure you will have a wonderful vacation!!

 

[MissReeRee]

So, the cruise is getting closer and closer each day - and my anxiety level is getting higher and higher each day. Is it just me? Anyone else feeling a little anxious?! I've done tons of research but it still doesn't feel like its enough. I just want everyone to enjoy this trip and get as much out of it as possible.

I totally understand what you mean! This trip is a huge undertaking and there are SO many options for each port. As far as the researching goes I had to pick some ports where I really had a plan and then figured everything out to the tiniest detail, and then other ports like Corsica we just hit up the beach, wandered around the market, and ate plenty of gelato. It was perfect.


Hey Grizbuzz, where are you from in the SF bay area? I am from Walnut Creek!

 

[DorothyDamato]

Because I am a control freak, I keep telling myself that I have to be flexible and take whatever comes my way. Some of the fun will be the the things you DONT expect or plan - Right!? I keep telling myself that, because I am mentally done and don't want to look at anything else.

SHELLY - you have to take the advice you gave me for the FE's - 'just have fun' ...gotta apply that to the cruize!! WAHOO!

Miss ReeRee - I just LOVE the goofy picture with your family! SOOOO cute!

Speaking of Controlling....have been checking for the coliseum tickets night and day!

 

[TPBChick]

Is anyone going on any of the Disney excursions? I know that everyone recommends doing the ports on your own. However, it is only my son and I and we decided together on some of the Disney excursions.

Palermo- Village of Cefalu
Naples- Amalfi by Boat and the Splendor of Sorrento
Civitavecchia- Jumping Back into Eternal Rome
La Spezia - Florence on Your Own
Villefranche- Nice and Eze With Wine and Cheese

 

[kmc33]

So, the cruise is getting closer and closer each day - and my anxiety level is getting higher and higher each day. Is it just me? Anyone else feeling a little anxious?! I've done tons of research but it still doesn't feel like its enough. I just want everyone to enjoy this trip and get as much out of it as possible.

YES! I feel like I am cramming for final exams Just last night I saw another mom from my son's school who happens to be taking the same trip however they are going on June 18th. She asked me if I am all ready and I said no. But then as we talked I realized by all ready she meant more in terms of reservations and the key things that need to be in place. I took a step back and realized that I need to relax a little and keep the big picture in mind... And have FUN!

I totally understand what you mean! This trip is a huge undertaking and there are SO many options for each port. As far as the researching goes I had to pick some ports where I really had a plan and then figured everything out to the tiniest detail, and then other ports like Corsica we just hit up the beach, wandered around the market, and ate plenty of gelato. It was perfect.

That's what I am thinking for the Corsica plan. Hopefully we are doing a good combination of planning details at some ports and taking it easy with others -- combined with a couple of DCL excursions too.

Is anyone going on any of the Disney excursions? I know that everyone recommends doing the ports on your own. However, it is only my son and I and we decided together on some of the Disney excursions.

Palermo- Village of Cefalu
Naples- Amalfi by Boat and the Splendor of Sorrento
Civitavecchia- Jumping Back into Eternal Rome
La Spezia - Florence on Your Own
Villefranche- Nice and Eze With Wine and Cheese

We are doing the Nice and Eze with Wine and Cheese too. The other DCL tour I scheduled is the Day at the Farm in Palermo.

 

[sinnika]

YES! I feel like I am cramming for final exams Just last night I saw another mom from my son's school who happens to be taking the same trip however they are going on June 18th. She asked me if I am all ready and I said no. But then as we talked I realized by all ready she meant more in terms of reservations and the key things that need to be in place. I took a step back and realized that I need to relax a little and keep the big picture in mind... And have FUN!

Since we did this cruise last year, planning is a bit easier this time around. Although I have to admit I am going to be cramming these next few weeks! We just booked airfare 2 days ago, and I still haven't decided on hotel. Now that we know we have 2 nights in Barcelona before and 2 nights after the cruise, deciding our best options, and whether or not to take any side trips outside of Barcelona after the cruise. This trip is so port intensive and you do have to plan some fun time otherwise you will be "museum'ed out" . My DS 14 asked if we were going to all of those museums again. We did a pre-cruise trip last year and went to alot of museums in Paris too. We are planning a few this time too (the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel), but want to include more fun things. Some of our best memories were non-museums: Cinque Terre, a lovely beach in Corsica where we took a bus to get there. If the weather is nice in Corsica, we plan to go to the beach again.

 

[thinkoflaura]

Since we did this cruise last year, planning is a bit easier this time around. Although I have to admit I am going to be cramming these next few weeks! We just booked airfare 2 days ago, and I still haven't decided on hotel. Now that we know we have 2 nights in Barcelona before and 2 nights after the cruise, deciding our best options, and whether or not to take any side trips outside of Barcelona after the cruise. This trip is so port intensive and you do have to plan some fun time otherwise you will be "museum'ed out" . My DS 14 asked if we were going to all of those museums again. We did a pre-cruise trip last year and went to alot of museums in Paris too. We are planning a few this time too (the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel), but want to include more fun things. Some of our best memories were non-museums: Cinque Terre, a lovely beach in Corsica where we took a bus to get there. If the weather is nice in Corsica, we plan to go to the beach again.

we are staying 2 nights post cruise in Sitges, a beach town about 30 mins outside Barcelona. We are not really museum people at all, so although i heard amazing things about Barcelona, I figured, it would be nice to just decompress in a sleepier town (although I hear Sitges does get pretty wild certain times of the year).

RE: STRESS -- it comes and goes. i have 3 other events in the next 6 weeks - a PTA auction event next weekend, a Memorial Day weekend in Vegas and DD6's birthday party June 12. i think those other tasks are keeping me from obsessing about the trip. It doesn't help thought when DH asks me stuff like, "so what's the plan about luggage?" and "i think Bella (DD) needs new sneakers." I'm like, "sure honey, let me add those things to the list!"

 

[MissReeRee]

Since we did this cruise last year, planning is a bit easier this time around. Although I have to admit I am going to be cramming these next few weeks! We just booked airfare 2 days ago, and I still haven't decided on hotel. Now that we know we have 2 nights in Barcelona before and 2 nights after the cruise, deciding our best options, and whether or not to take any side trips outside of Barcelona after the cruise. This trip is so port intensive and you do have to plan some fun time otherwise you will be "museum'ed out" . My DS 14 asked if we were going to all of those museums again. We did a pre-cruise trip last year and went to alot of museums in Paris too. We are planning a few this time too (the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel), but want to include more fun things. Some of our best memories were non-museums: Cinque Terre, a lovely beach in Corsica where we took a bus to get there. If the weather is nice in Corsica, we plan to go to the beach again.

What beach did you go to? We just walked to the beach past the fort. It was pretty quiet only a few other people there and it was *almost* sandy, really small little rocks. It was a pretty walk there and back...

 

[sinnika]

What beach did you go to? We just walked to the beach past the fort. It was pretty quiet only a few other people there and it was *almost* sandy, really small little rocks. It was a pretty walk there and back...

It was Marinella beach, about a 20 min bus ride away. It was very nice sandy beach, not crowded and you could rent umbrellas and chairs. There were also restrooms (pretty primitive one) and a restaurant was there as well (we brought snacks with us so I can't rate the food). We met up with our tablemates, and there were also other dis'ers that we saw there.
A taxi was 15 euro to get there - we opted for the bus for 1 euro pp (I think it was bus 51). The water was beautiful but COLD!!! I have pics on FB looking out into the water and DS being buried in the sand and a group photo of my DS and DD and our tablemates 3 girls. Just friend me if you want to see them (Taina Po). Or can someone tell me how to post photos here on this site? Could you rent chairs and umbrellas at the beach you went to? DH is very fair and needs shade! Oh, and just FYI to everyone, there were a few topless sunbathers. Its normal for Europe.