Mediterranean Excursions

[DadofLostBoys]

Sounds expensive to me! We have hired a car with driver in La Spezia for 4 people for 550 euros . . . this will include taking us to Florence and Pisa and back. We are using Papillion. Other than LaSpezia we will be doing excursions on our own (via foot, train, bus, etc.).

We haven't decided what we are going to do in La Spezia yet. Don't know if we are going to hire a private driver on our own and maybe see Pisa and Lucca (got quote for €480) , or maybe do the DCL Lucca Treasure Hunt. We really only want to see and climb the Pisa Tower, just don't think the boys would be interested in the museums, and Florence is just too far away.

I've booked private vans/drivers for both Civitavecchia/Rome (€470) and Naples/Pompeii (€500).

We're a little closer since my last post!

John

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

We haven't decided what we are going to do in La Spezia yet. Don't know if we are going to hire a private driver on our own and maybe see Pisa and Lucca (got quote for €480) , or maybe do the DCL Lucca Treasure Hunt. We really only want to see and climb the Pisa Tower, just don't think the boys would be interested in the museums, and Florence is just too far away.

I've booked private vans/drivers for both Civitavecchia/Rome (€470) and Naples/Pompeii (€500).

We're a little closer since my last post!

John

Sounds good well done

 

[OurDogCisco]

I've booked private vans/drivers for both Civitavecchia/Rome (€470) and Naples/Pompeii (€500).John

HI John...

I've been looking into private drivers and I just don't see how it is cheaper. Are your quotes including entrance fees to museum, lunch, etc? How many people are included in your quote? I'm assuming it is 5 with 3 kids and 2 adults. Just trying to figure out if I want to go the private driver route. I understand you can see a lot more with a private driver. But everyone always talks about how much cheaper it is use a private driver.

Thanks,
Tina

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

HI John...

I've been looking into private drivers and I just don't see how it is cheaper. Are your quotes including entrance fees to museum, lunch, etc? How many people are included in your quote? I'm assuming it is 5 with 3 kids and 2 adults. Just trying to figure out if I want to go the private driver route. I understand you can see a lot more with a private driver. But everyone always talks about how much cheaper it is use a private driver.

Thanks,
Tina

I have five trips organised all around e500-600 for a familiy of four it works out far cheaper than DCL.

Euro 1.45 to £1 Dollar 1.95 to £1.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Does anyone know how big the private driver cars are? We are a family of 4 and I just think it might be uncomfortable with just 4 of us. I can't imagine the 4 of us stuffed in the back seat of a car. Are people doing bigger groups so they get a van?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Does anyone know how big the private driver cars are? We are a family of 4 and I just think it might be uncomfortable with just 4 of us. I can't imagine the 4 of us stuffed in the back seat of a car. Are people doing bigger groups so they get a van?

I think most of mine take 6/7

 

[OurDogCisco]

I have five trips organised all around e500-600 for a familiy of four it works out far cheaper than DCL.

Euro 1.45 to £1 Dollar 1.95 to £1.

If something costs 500 Euros that is about $633 in US Dollars. Now looking at the Disney site I can do the Amalfi Coast Drive and the Ruins of Pompeii for $500 for 2 adults and 2 children (adults are $145 each and children are $105 each). Maybe I'm missing something???

 

[OurDogCisco]

I think most of mine take 6/7

So are you filling the car with 7 people or is the tour company going to add people to fill the car? Or do you rent the car for your family and you can take up to 7 people?

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

If something costs 500 Euros that is about $633 in US Dollars. Now looking at the Disney site I can do the Amalfi Coast Drive and the Ruins of Pompeii for $500 for 2 adults and 2 children (adults are $145 each and children are $105 each). Maybe I'm missing something???

I see what you mean, it most likley is me thinking sterling euros rather than sterling>dollars>euros seems less complicated!

But to have your own trip and go where you want where you want and get personal service its worth it.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I see what you mean, it most likley is me thinking sterling euros rather than sterling>dollars>euros seems less complicated!

But to have your own trip and go where you want where you want and get personal service its worth it.

I was thinking that might be it.

As it is if I did tours through Disney it is going to cost me $2500 to $3000. I plan to tour in every port. Now, if I change those to private guides that is a lot more money. I understand seeing more but I want to know how much more? I'm still on the fence about it too... Thanks for your responses they are very helpful.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I was thinking that might be it.

As it is if I did tours through Disney it is going to cost me $2500 to $3000. I plan to tour in every port. Now, if I change those to private guides that is a lot more money. I understand seeing more but I want to know how much more? I'm still on the fence about it too... Thanks for your responses they are very helpful.

Yes I am planning on a total budget of euros 3,000 for most with one/two DCL ones. I have addtionally ordered private guides for places such as Rome, for two hours etc.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Yes I am planning on a total budget of euros 3,000 for most with one/two DCL ones. I have addtionally ordered private guides for places such as Rome, for two hours etc.

Wow, I guess, I'm getting sticker shock because I really was under the impression that private guides would be cheaper. I must have must understood. If I spent $3000 Euros on tours that would come to about $4000 in US dollars.

Back to do more research... thanks for the dollar amounts. It helps me out a lot.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Wow, I guess, I'm getting sticker shock because I really was under the impression that private guides would be cheaper. I must have must understood. If I spent $3000 Euros on tours that would come to about $4000 in US dollars.

Back to do more research... thanks for the dollar amounts. It helps me out a lot.

One way or another seven ports and lots to see the shore budget will be far higher than the average seven day carribean trip with say two ports and Casterway cay.

Longer distances to travel and entrance fees.

 

[jrabbit]

Here's a depressing link to a graph of daily exchange rate from Euros to Dollars. You have to do the Math yourself

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes it hasnt gone your way recently.

 

[DadofLostBoys]

HI John...

I've been looking into private drivers and I just don't see how it is cheaper. Are your quotes including entrance fees to museum, lunch, etc? How many people are included in your quote? I'm assuming it is 5 with 3 kids and 2 adults. Just trying to figure out if I want to go the private driver route. I understand you can see a lot more with a private driver. But everyone always talks about how much cheaper it is use a private driver.

Thanks,
Tina

Entrance fees and meals are not included. Yes it is 2 adults and 3 kids, but two my boys are older that 10, so that throws them into the "adult" price scheme for DCL's excursions.

But it is not so much the price, because with the exchange rate as it is, after we add the costs of meals, admissions, guides etc. the prices are very close and maybe the private driver route may be a little more. We may never have a chance to do this again and we are willing to pay the difference so that we can expore and experience more in the time we have.

I know my boys would not be very interested in the museums and such (my DW and I would), but with having a driver, we can make our visit more personable. We can get closer to the sites than the buses can. We can go to the small, quaint places that larger groups have to pass up. It is just more flexible and convenient - when we walk out of the Colosseum, our driver is there to whoosh us off to next place.

When it was time for us to decide between DCL and hiring a private driver, we figured that at most, the private driver would cost the five of us no more than $150 than DCL. We think the extra $150 is worth it. It's a personal preference.

I guess it would be similar to someone asking why we decided to choose sailing the Med on the Magic, when there are much cheaper and probably just as nice (not really!) cruise ships - it's a personal preference.

Another day closer!

John

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Entrance fees and meals are not included. Yes it is 2 adults and 3 kids, but two my boys are older that 10, so that throws them into the "adult" price scheme for DCL's excursions.

But it is not so much the price, because with the exchange rate as it is, after we add the costs of meals, admissions, guides etc. the prices are very close and maybe the private driver route may be a little more. We may never have a chance to do this again and we are willing to pay the difference so that we can expore and experience more in the time we have.

I know my boys would not be very interested in the museums and such (my DW and I would), but with having a driver, we can make our visit more personable. We can get closer to the sites than the buses can. We can go to the small, quaint places that larger groups have to pass up. It is just more flexible and convenient - when we walk out of the Colosseum, our driver is there to whoosh us off to next place.

When it was time for us to decide between DCL and hiring a private driver, we figured that at most, the private driver would cost the five of us no more than $150 than DCL. We think the extra $150 is worth it. It's a personal preference.

I guess it would be similar to someone asking why we decided to choose sailing the Med on the Magic, when there are much cheaper and probably just as nice (not really!) cruise ships - it's a personal preference.

Another day closer!

John

Hope you enjoy yours

 

[bellelinus]

Does anyone know how big the private driver cars are? We are a family of 4 and I just think it might be uncomfortable with just 4 of us. I can't imagine the 4 of us stuffed in the back seat of a car. Are people doing bigger groups so they get a van?

I'm only doing a private driver in La Spezia, but Papillion gave me the option of a Mercedes sedan for the four of us for 550 euro, or a Mercedes van that could hold 8 for 600 euro. If two families of 4 wanted to do the same things, the van could work out to be very cost efficient. I just wanted to do things my own way (as usual for me!) so I went with the sedan. I will sit up front with the driver and have my three girls in the back.

Everyone keep in mind that for most ports you can do excursions on your own using trains, buses, etc. and save a lot of money over either DCL excursions or private drivers -- you just have to be a little more adventurous.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I'm only doing a private driver in La Spezia, but Papillion gave me the option of a Mercedes sedan for the four of us for 550 euro, or a Mercedes van that could hold 8 for 600 euro. If two families of 4 wanted to do the same things, the van could work out to be very cost efficient. I just wanted to do things my own way (as usual for me!) so I went with the sedan. I will sit up front with the driver and have my three girls in the back.

Everyone keep in mind that for most ports you can do excursions on your own using trains, buses, etc. and save a lot of money over either DCL excursions or private drivers -- you just have to be a little more adventurous.

Thats the European traveller in you, remember in La Spezia to tell your tour people its a tender port, i am using Papillon as well so hopfully they know, as we will ahve to get tender tickets there and getting off might take longer.

 

[funnybunny921]

When it was time for us to decide between DCL and hiring a private driver, we figured that at most, the private driver would cost the five of us no more than $150 than DCL. We think the extra $150 is worth it. It's a personal preference.

I guess it would be similar to someone asking why we decided to choose sailing the Med on the Magic, when there are much cheaper and probably just as nice (not really!) cruise ships - it's a personal preference.

Another day closer!

John

We looked into the private driver route but it just doesn't seem affordable for 2 people, and since we are going on one of the least "dis"-attended cruises (6/6) we haven't found anyone to share with. Overall i am ok with either diy or paying disney. the only port that I am at a loss for is Napels (i have decided complaining about la spezia isn't worth my time anymore... think positive ) the naples tours just don't seem to hit everything i want to see, and i know with a driver (if there are any left) i could easily see much more.

Unfortunatly for my trip (and a bit off topic) i haven't been able to do the planning i expected to get done right now because my dh and i have signed a contract on our first home . it is very exciting but in the list of to dos the med cruise keeps dropping to the bottom.