May 26, 2010--5/26/2010 10 Night Mediterranean

[Eeyore77]

OK today was a big day. I finally booked our flights. The best part is I was able to get a flight outta West Palm Beach instead of having to drive an hour and a half to fly out of Miami and it was the same price. It was a miracle because it is always a fortune outta WPB. So we will be flying on USAirways out of West Palm Beach on Tuesday and will arrive at 8:35 AM at BCN on Wednesday. The flight was only 856 a person so I think we did pretty good. The trip back will have multiple stops but that will be OK. For the price I think we can handle it. I also got our hotel room booked at the Hilton Diagonal Mar. My DH travels alot for work so we had tons of Hilton Honors points to spare. What is the best way to get from the Hotel to the Airport?

 

[NHdisneylover]

Happy Friday evening to everybody (or Saturday a.m. to our friends across the pond!),

Both Taina and I are starting to get requests to list the groups for the FE program, so I am officially listing them here. These groups are based on ages of the kids. Right now, we have 3 groups of 9 families, and 1 group of 4. I assume that eventually, the 4th group will fill up.

Since this is a public thread, I will only post the Disboard monikers here. I will send personal messages later to provide more detailed info:

Group A:
Marlower
Traceyjayne
jocjarmom
KLS Georgia
DEAdea
BSH
ARG73
NHDisneylover
Mustravel2day

Group B:
Tahiti2go - Cabin 1
MKJEcruisers
speakupjc
Aussiechick
Bewitched00
pookinandpiglet
Nicsmom1500
Kansasdisneymom
Momtomari

Group C:
threebritts
Family #1 - no Disboard moniker
Family #2 - no Disboard moniker
Wrennies
Connieosci
NHDisneylover
Juliethecruisedirector
inGreece
tahiti2go - Cabin 2

Group D: (At the moment, this group is entirely made of adults, but new families will be added to this group...)
Bill3549
Eeyore77
Tahiti2go - Cabin 3
Dgentrys

I have also posted this on the Facebook page. I will also try to send PMs to folks in the next day or so with names of family members, cabin #s (if I have them), kids & ages, and assignments. If you see a duplicate name on more than one group, that is at the request of the family.

Hope you are all happy with it!

Karen

Karen--thanks so much for all of your hard work on this

 

[Kiss-im-mee2]

We signed up for the Carthage and Sidi Bou Said tour in Tunisia. Everywhere else we are doing it on our own.
Riding the trains in Italy can be fun and easy. Here is a great link on using the trains in Italy.

http://www.ftroute.com/ItalianTrains.htm
__________________

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I also was up at midnight booking excursions. We only had one disney excursion and we got it!!! Yeah!!! (Turkish Schooner in malta - Is anyone else doing this?)
I really wanted a Palo brunch - they were all booked at 12:03!!! We did not want to do a dinner because we are really big on the "family thing" and the family dinners are something that I am really looking forward to! I do not know the last time that we had 2 weeks of dinners where we were all together!

We're doing the Turkish Schooner excursion. There were no Palo brunches when we booked last month. I hope we get the group ones scheduled.

 

[360RED]

Hi, we are travelling on this cruise, we are from England and have never been on a Disney Cruise before. I think my kids, 2 boys aged 9 & 7 and our baby girl 18 months would love it. Not quite sure what to do but we would love to join in. Wendy

 

[jocjarmom]

Hi, we are travelling on this cruise, we are from England and have never been on a Disney Cruise before. I think my kids, 2 boys aged 9 & 7 and our baby girl 18 months would love it. Not quite sure what to do but we would love to join in. Wendy

Hi Wendy,

Glad to see you aboard! Your kids might really enjoy our Fish Extender program. Here is a link which explains the program. http://muchomagico.weebly.com/fe.html If you think you'd like to participate, then shoot me a message at joceysjewels@gmail.com and we'll get you signed up!

Karen

 

[ingreece]

Anyone interested in Tarquinia instead of Rome?
I'm looking for someone who has already been to Rome to take a train with me in the opposite direction to tour Tarquinia. It looks like a wonderful place!
I read that the train ride there is less than 5 Euros.

Main sights in Tarquinia:

The Vitelleschi Palace, home to the National Museum of Tarquinia. (closed on Monday though) The Etruscan necropolises, with some 6,000 tombs, 60 of which include wall paintings.
The National Museum, with a large collection of archaeological findings. It is housed in the Renaissance Palazzo Vitelleschi, begun in 1436 and completed around 1480-1490
Church of Santa Maria di Castello (1121-1208), with Lombard and Cosmatesque influences. The façade has a small bell-tower and three entrances. The interior has a nave and two aisles, divided by massive pilasters with palaeo-christian capitals and friezes. Noteworthy are also the rose-window in the nave and the several marble works by Roman masters.

The Cathedral, once in Romanesque-Gothic style but rebuilt after the 1643 fire, has maintained from the original edifice the 16th century frescoes in presbitery, by Antonio del Massaro.
Church of San Giacomo and Santissima Annunziata, showing different Arab and Byzantine influences.
The small church of San Martino (12th century).
The church of St. John the Baptist (12th century), with an elegant rose-window in the simple façade.
The Communal Palace, in Romanesque style, begun in the 13th century and restored in the 16th.
The numerous medieval towers, including that of Dante Alighieri.
The Palazzo dei Priori. The façade, remade in Baroque times, has a massive external staircase. The interior has a fresco cycle from 1429.
The Gothic-Romanesque church of San Pancrazio.

 

[Kiss-im-mee2]

Jennifer, We went to Tarqunia last year and it is easier to take the bus. The train doesn't let you off near the old town. Here is the part of my review from last May on Tarqunia.


Thursday May 28, Greetings everyone from Civitavecchia, Italy. This is the town where most people go to Rome from. Since we have been to Rome twice and it’s a long ride there we decided to go to the walled town of Tarquinia. We took the local bus to the walled city whose claim to fame is it’s painted Etruscan tombs. We took the free port shuttle to the port exit and crossed the street to the McDonalds. We continued past the McD to the next road where there is a newspaper stand. This is where we purchased our tickets. The bus was 2euros each way. We bought the return ticket also. A little further down the road across the street from the Church of Santa Fransisco is the bus stop. We caught the 10:04 bus which was right on time. It was an enjoyable 30 minute bus ride to the town where we stopped in at the IT just inside the wall to get a map. We first visited the Archaeological Museum which is in an old palace. The museum was 6 euros but in combination with the necropolis it is 8 euros. We then walked up the street to the plaza and turned right to exit the wall to get to the necropolis. About a half mile outside the wall is the Necropolis where there are about 20 tombs open underground to look at. The tombs have paintings on the walls that date back to 500BC. After seeing several of the tombs we walked back to town. We just missed the 1:30 bus so we explored the town a little and caught the 2:50 bus which was 5 minutes early. It was lucky we missed the 1:30 bus because walking around the town was very nice. There was a park on the far side with beautiful views of the valley. Both the museum and the necropolis have clean bathrooms.


here are the pictures of Tarqunia:

http://cid-1e98e90214e77bf9.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Med cruise May 09/P1020157.jpg

 

[jocjarmom]

Jennifer, We went to Tarqunia last year and it is easier to take the bus. The train doesn't let you off near the old town. Here is the part of my review from last May on Tarqunia.


Thursday May 28, Greetings everyone from Civitavecchia, Italy. This is the town where most people go to Rome from. Since we have been to Rome twice and it’s a long ride there we decided to go to the walled town of Tarquinia. We took the local bus to the walled city whose claim to fame is it’s painted Etruscan tombs. We took the free port shuttle to the port exit and crossed the street to the McDonalds. We continued past the McD to the next road where there is a newspaper stand. This is where we purchased our tickets. The bus was 2euros each way. We bought the return ticket also. A little further down the road across the street from the Church of Santa Fransisco is the bus stop. We caught the 10:04 bus which was right on time. It was an enjoyable 30 minute bus ride to the town where we stopped in at the IT just inside the wall to get a map. We first visited the Archaeological Museum which is in an old palace. The museum was 6 euros but in combination with the necropolis it is 8 euros. We then walked up the street to the plaza and turned right to exit the wall to get to the necropolis. About a half mile outside the wall is the Necropolis where there are about 20 tombs open underground to look at. The tombs have paintings on the walls that date back to 500BC. After seeing several of the tombs we walked back to town. We just missed the 1:30 bus so we explored the town a little and caught the 2:50 bus which was 5 minutes early. It was lucky we missed the 1:30 bus because walking around the town was very nice. There was a park on the far side with beautiful views of the valley. Both the museum and the necropolis have clean bathrooms.


here are the pictures of Tarqunia:

http://cid-1e98e90214e77bf9.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Med cruise May 09/P1020157.jpg

Eileen, you've got half our FB group heading to Cinque Terra, and now you'll get everybody going to Tarquinia!

 

[sinnika]

Eileen, you've got half our FB group heading to Cinque Terra, and now you'll get everybody going to Tarquinia!

Now I'm re-considering our Florence plans for Cinque Terre too! No, really, it looks so beautiful there!

 

[Dgentrysim]

jocjarmom.......I'll second the motion.....thanks for all the work you put into getting the groups assembled for the fish extenders! We really appreciate it!

DisneyDeb

 

[Dgentrysim]

Kissim-mee2.....We are also staying a couple days after the cruise in Barcelona. Since you have been there before, what would you suggest would be the "must-do's" there if you only have 2 days? I'm glad we are staying a couple of days there....would hate to say I've been to Barcelona but only saw where our ship sailed out of!!! lol

 

[jocjarmom]

jocjarmom.......I'll second the motion.....thanks for all the work you put into getting the groups assembled for the fish extenders! We really appreciate it!

DisneyDeb

Deb,

It's my pleasure. Your group is starting to fill up... I think we're up to 6 families. Will fill "Group D" in once I have all the info.

 

[Kiss-im-mee2]

Kissim-mee2.....We are also staying a couple days after the cruise in Barcelona. Since you have been there before, what would you suggest would be the "must-do's" there if you only have 2 days? I'm glad we are staying a couple of days there....would hate to say I've been to Barcelona but only saw where our ship sailed out of!!! lol

Barcelona is a great city. We really enjoyed Park Greul, seeing the outside of Sagrada Familia, the Bari Gothic with the Catherdrel, Montjuic, walking down La Rambles, and going to the beach. This time we are going to Monserat which will take all day.

 

[ingreece]

Jennifer, We went to Tarqunia last year and it is easier to take the bus. The train doesn't let you off near the old town. Here is the part of my review from last May on Tarqunia.


Thursday May 28, Greetings everyone from Civitavecchia, Italy. This is the town where most people go to Rome from. Since we have been to Rome twice and it’s a long ride there we decided to go to the walled town of Tarquinia. We took the local bus to the walled city whose claim to fame is it’s painted Etruscan tombs. We took the free port shuttle to the port exit and crossed the street to the McDonalds. We continued past the McD to the next road where there is a newspaper stand. This is where we purchased our tickets. The bus was 2euros each way. We bought the return ticket also. A little further down the road across the street from the Church of Santa Fransisco is the bus stop. We caught the 10:04 bus which was right on time. It was an enjoyable 30 minute bus ride to the town where we stopped in at the IT just inside the wall to get a map. We first visited the Archaeological Museum which is in an old palace. The museum was 6 euros but in combination with the necropolis it is 8 euros. We then walked up the street to the plaza and turned right to exit the wall to get to the necropolis. About a half mile outside the wall is the Necropolis where there are about 20 tombs open underground to look at. The tombs have paintings on the walls that date back to 500BC. After seeing several of the tombs we walked back to town. We just missed the 1:30 bus so we explored the town a little and caught the 2:50 bus which was 5 minutes early. It was lucky we missed the 1:30 bus because walking around the town was very nice. There was a park on the far side with beautiful views of the valley. Both the museum and the necropolis have clean bathrooms.


here are the pictures of Tarqunia:

http://cid-1e98e90214e77bf9.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Med cruise May 09/P1020157.jpg

Thanks Eileen! It really helps to have your experience. I enjoyed the photos too. The museums will probably be closed since we're there on a Monday. Is the town still worth seeing if I can't go to the museums? Jennifer

 

[ingreece]

Barcelona is a great city. We really enjoyed Park Greul, seeing the outside of Sagrada Familia, the Bari Gothic with the Catherdrel, Montjuic, walking down La Rambles, and going to the beach. This time we are going to Monserat which will take all day.

We just had houseguests here who said that the Barcelona Aquarium is wonderful! We're going in April and will hopefully be able to check it out.
Jennifer

 

[360RED]

I am new to all this and I have just deleted some private messages, so i'm really sorry if I didn't reply. Can anybody tell me how I can get to this discussion easily without having to go through all the community every time. Thanks everybody, sorry to be a pest

 

[marlower]

I am new to all this and I have just deleted some private messages, so i'm really sorry if I didn't reply. Can anybody tell me how I can get to this discussion easily without having to go through all the community every time. Thanks everybody, sorry to be a pest

You can do a couple of things that I am aware of and perhaps there is even an easier way.
1. Click on User CP on the top horizontal bar when you open up Disboards
2. Go to Settings and Option on left vertical bar and then click on Edit Options.
3.Go to Messaging and Notifications in middle of screen and then go to Default Thread Subscription Mode and click to receive instant email notification from the drop down menu.
This will allow you to receive an email when someone posts on the threads you have subscribed to.

OR
1.Once you have subscribed to a particular thread (May 26th cruise for this purpose) then click on User CP again
2.Scroll down to Subscribed Threads
3. Click on List Subscriptions
4. Then click on May 26th thread

I hope that helps. There may be a much easier way so if anyone knows, I would love to know too!

 

[sinnika]

You can do a couple of things that I am aware of and perhaps there is even an easier way.
1. Click on User CP on the top horizontal bar when you open up Disboards
2. Go to Settings and Option on left vertical bar and then click on Edit Options.
3.Go to Messaging and Notifications in middle of screen and then go to Default Thread Subscription Mode and click to receive instant email notification from the drop down menu.
This will allow you to receive an email when someone posts on the threads you have subscribed to.

OR
1.Once you have subscribed to a particular thread (May 26th cruise for this purpose) then click on User CP again
2.Scroll down to Subscribed Threads
3. Click on List Subscriptions
4. Then click on May 26th thread

I hope that helps. There may be a much easier way so if anyone knows, I would love to know too!

Or once you are logged on to the thread, just save it to your favorites. It will put you at where you left off, or you could save it from the beginning if you are on page 1. Hope that makes sense.

 

[marlower]

Or once you are logged on to the thread, just save it to your favorites. It will put you at where you left off, or you could save it from the beginning if you are on page 1. Hope that makes sense.

Much easier!