Who's in for GREECE and TURKEY, June 15 2003????

[Mineu]

Sorry-I must not have added our family to the spreadsheet correctly-it will be myself (Anne), DH (Richard), DS 16(Ben), and DD 14(Katherine). Thanks!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Sorry-I must not have added our family to the spreadsheet correctly-it will be myself (Anne), DH (Richard), DS 16(Ben), and DD 14(Katherine). Thanks!

Got you added to the list - everyone is adding themselves to the spreadsheet - this list is just a quick "at a glance" for now. I try to add folks when I see them joining but missed y'all. No worries though - just don't miss the ship!

 

[Mineu]

Thanks!

 

[2PrincesseInTow]

DH and I visited Athens in September of 2010. It was after some of the violent rioting and while we were there there were some minor planned traffic jam type protesting. We did not feel unsafe just inconvenienced in traffic type ups.

Our hotel was right on the square that I saw on the news last night where the violent protest was. We walked to the Arcopolis from there but it was a bit of a hike.

One thing I may do differently in Athens is take a DCL excursion instead of a private tour (our preference). That way if DCL cancels the port at the last minute I don't have to worry about deposits or fees with a private tour company. DH and I actually hired an amazing guide (licensed) right at the Acropolis when we walked up and after that tour she took us to the Acropolis museum (down the hill and very interesting). She did a great job in both venues. We only had an hour for the museum so she was able to take us to the most important exhibits in an hour. I remember reading on Cruise Critic in 2010 during the violent rioting serveral cruise lines skipped Athens and then were right back after it was over.

At this time I'm not at all worried about Mykonos and Ephesus. I would describe Mykonos (the area around the port where we were) as very low key. Cute shops, restaurants, beachy, what you think of when you think of a Greek island. Ephesus is away from the port city and I don't remember much of a city around it.

Hopefully June 2013 will be a peaceful time in the area

Sara

 

[pxlbarrel]

Wow.... just... wow.

 

[nzdisneymom]

So I was reading in the Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports guide in the section about Florence and noted that he lists the Accademia where the David statute is as being closed on Mondays. We'll be in La Spezia on Monday. Something to keep in mind.

For us, it's ok because we're planning to go into Florence on the next cruise and just do something in port area or maybe Cinque Terre for that day.

 

[mindelmouse]

So I was reading in the Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports guide in the section about Florence and noted that he lists the Accademia where the David statute is as being closed on Mondays. We'll be in La Spezia on Monday. Something to keep in mind.

For us, it's ok because we're planning to go into Florence on the next cruise and just do something in port area or maybe Cinque Terre for that day.

We went to Florence on our last trip and just some other things to think about...there's a pretty good replica statute of David in Florence...it's at this really high lookout point, so you may want to go there just for the view. Also, last time we did Pisa and Florence. It took us an hour to get to Pisa and then another hour from there to get to Florence. I don't know if we'll do Florence again this time around, only because the traveling will take 4 hours round trip.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We went to Florence on our last trip and just some other things to think about...there's a pretty good replica statute of David in Florence...it's at this really high lookout point, so you may want to go there just for the view. Also, last time we did Pisa and Florence. It took us an hour to get to Pisa and then another hour from there to get to Florence. I don't know if we'll do Florence again this time around, only because the traveling will take 4 hours round trip.

We saw a replica of David in Copenhagen - they moved him out of the city center to the harbor area because they thought he was "obscene" - it was a funny tale they told us on our tour.

We went to Pisa in 2007 so won't go back there - and whenever we do go to Florence, that's all we plan to do in the day. It's really set up where you can do one or the other without exhausting yourself. And the thing to remember, too, is that we have Rome the next day!

 

[mehaul]

So I was reading in the Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports guide in the section about Florence and noted that he lists the Accademia where the David statute is as being closed on Mondays. We'll be in La Spezia on Monday. Something to keep in mind.

For us, it's ok because we're planning to go into Florence on the next cruise and just do something in port area or maybe Cinque Terre for that day.

Good pickup. Actually most of the museums in Florence are closed on Mondays, including Uffizi Gallery

 

[abayaflowers]

One thing I may do differently in Athens is take a DCL excursion instead of a private tour (our preference). That way if DCL cancels the port at the last minute I don't have to worry about deposits or fees with a private tour company. DH and I actually hired an amazing guide (licensed) right at the Acropolis when we walked up and after that tour she took us to the Acropolis museum (down the hill and very interesting). She did a great job in both venues. We only had an hour for the museum so she was able to take us to the most important exhibits in an hour. I remember reading on Cruise Critic in 2010 during the violent rioting serveral cruise lines skipped Athens and then were right back after it was over.

At this time I'm not at all worried about Mykonos and Ephesus. I would describe Mykonos (the area around the port where we were) as very low key. Cute shops, restaurants, beachy, what you think of when you think of a Greek island. Ephesus is away from the port city and I don't remember much of a city around it.

Hopefully June 2013 will be a peaceful time in the area

Sara

Thanks for the tips, Sara!

I appreciate it! I will do some more research once I finish paying the final balance on the cruise. Our family cannot wait.

 

[abayaflowers]

So I was reading in the Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports guide in the section about Florence and noted that he lists the Accademia where the David statute is as being closed on Mondays. We'll be in La Spezia on Monday. Something to keep in mind.

For us, it's ok because we're planning to go into Florence on the next cruise and just do something in port area or maybe Cinque Terre for that day.

On February 18th & 19th, Rick Steves is planning to speak a the Travel Expo here in Santa Clara, CA. I bought his book on the Med Cruise Ports. Our family will be going to hear him speak on the Mediterranean Ports.

That's good to know about the Statue of David. I will let you all know if there's any worthwhile ideas.

Thanks for the information.

 

[TDC Nala]

There's a replica David right in the Piazza della Signoria, outside the Palazzo Vecchio (the town hall). The real one used to stand there.

 

[mindelmouse]

There's a replica David right in the Piazza della Signoria, outside the Palazzo Vecchio (the town hall). The real one used to stand there.

That's where I was trying to describe...couldn't remember the name...thanks!

 

[MinnieDiva]

So I was reading in the Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports guide in the section about Florence and noted that he lists the Accademia where the David statute is as being closed on Mondays. We'll be in La Spezia on Monday. Something to keep in mind.

For us, it's ok because we're planning to go into Florence on the next cruise and just do something in port area or maybe Cinque Terre for that day.

oooooo....good catch! Haven't gotten that far in the book yet!

Love love love Cinque Terre. Hopefully they'll be able to clean up and rebuild the damaged areas!

 

[nzdisneymom]

On February 18th & 19th, Rick Steves is planning to speak a the Travel Expo here in Santa Clara, CA. I bought his book on the Med Cruise Ports. Our family will be going to hear him speak on the Mediterranean Ports.

That's good to know about the Statue of David. I will let you all know if there's any worthwhile ideas.

Thanks for the information.

Have fun - that would be so exciting! I am really enjoying reading through his book. I've read a lot of travel books in my day and find this one easy to read and follow. He addresses lots of things that I wonder about. Definitely worth checking at the library to see if they have it if you don't buy one for yourself.

Abaya, I'd take mine to get autographed!

 

[abayaflowers]

Have fun - that would be so exciting! I am really enjoying reading through his book. I've read a lot of travel books in my day and find this one easy to read and follow. He addresses lots of things that I wonder about. Definitely worth checking at the library to see if they have it if you don't buy one for yourself.

Abaya, I'd take mine to get autographed!

Yes! I am so excited. I feel that I gained so much from this disboards and the Rick Steve travel books.

It should be fun!

Geri

 

[wrabitdad]

Hi All,

We're in for Greece (B2B with Venice).

We'll check in from time to time but concentrating on 2012 cruises now!

Bob & Dale (& Gordy)

 

[SueTGGR]

On February 18th & 19th, Rick Steves is planning to speak a the Travel Expo here in Santa Clara, CA. I bought his book on the Med Cruise Ports. Our family will be going to hear him speak on the Mediterranean Ports.

That's good to know about the Statue of David. I will let you all know if there's any worthwhile ideas.

Thanks for the information.

If I didn't have to work all weekend, I would have joined you! I will have to get onto his website and keep myself updated.
My husband keeps shaking his head with all the info I have for him and we are so far away from the actual cruise.
Later,
Sue

 

[MinnieDiva]

Hi All,

We're in for Greece (B2B with Venice).

We'll check in from time to time but concentrating on 2012 cruises now!

Bob & Dale (& Gordy)

Welcome, and good gravy that's quite the list of cruises you've been on!

 

[DL1957]

Hi All,

We're in for Greece (B2B with Venice).

We'll check in from time to time but concentrating on 2012 cruises now!

Bob & Dale (& Gordy)

Welcome.... we have been on a few of the 1st cruises with you folks. Great to sail with you again. Enjoy your 2012 cruises we only have 1 from NY to Canada. Sue