Jewels of the med

[DICKER]

My wife and I are doing a cruise and stay on Destiny in August, would like some advice on excursions from the ship, are they expensive and are they worth the money, we have been to Rome so are not bothered about that but what about Cannes, Corsica, Sicily, Barcelona, are they walking distance from the various ports or do we need to take the local bus, would appreciate any advice and help, thanks. Dicker

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Hi Dicker

Barcelona - you can get the shuttle bus into the City. I think they drop you by Las Ramblas. We made the mistake of thinking we could walk round the city, but it is HUGE. If we went again we would get the tourist bus.

Civitavechia itself is very pleasant. You can just get off and walk into the to town. We just sat at a bar and watched the world go by:D

Don't know about the other ports, but somebody on here will:)

Linda

[Bushbaby23]

We are doing Jewels of the Med later this month so will let you know when we get back! We are not going to Rome though - thought it would be the same itinerary in August.

[DICKER]

thanks for both your replies, we visited Barcelona about 25 years ago and we got well and truly lost but we eventually found our way back to the coach absolutley knackered. Instead of going to Rome we will do as you suggested and stay in the port, thanks, Dicker.

[rosiebee]

How can you go to Rome and stay in the port? It's a port!!!!
Go into Rome on the Thomson bus, it drops you off at the Vatican. On the other side of the road, pick up one of the red tour buses, go up stairs for a great view of Rome's attractions and hop on and off as you want to. We sat at a lovely pavement cafe with something to look at!!, walked down to the Coliseum, didn't go in, had a bottle of wine on the way to the Trevi Fountain, nodded at the Parthenon, and strolled back to the Vatican pick-up point along the river. Then had time for a good walk around St Peter's square before returning with some lovely memories and loads of great photographs. We're returning on the Dream in August and will probably repeat the experience. Port / City of Rome ?? No contest. PLEASE don't miss this wonderful city!!!!!!!!!:cool:

[DICKER]

Hi Rosiebee, I take your point about visiting Rome, I didn't realise you could get the Thomson bus into Rome without booking the excursion which I don't want, where are the pickups for going back to the ship and the times, we have been to Rome 4 years ago when we were staying in Sorrento but it was a 3 hour trip each way and it was very tiring, but, I might just do what you did, thanks. Dicker.

[davecttr]

The Thomson bus into rome is called Rome on Your Own and costs £37.

This is still expensive but at least you guarantee not missing the ship, as long as you get the bus back that is :)

[Beckyfaye-2008]

I understand Rome is also easy to do by train from Civitavechia and, the cheapest way to get there. Just give yourself plenty of time to get back.

[budgie1]

Do Rome by Train. Its only 9 euro each return. Takes about an hour. Train station is just outside the harbour. Shuttle bus takes you to the harbour entrance. Iam to get the 2.30 train home. Give you plenty of time to laze about. U wont have time to que up for the Vatican but you can just relax in Vatican Square and just people watch. Not bad for 9 euro each. Oh 2 train stops in Rome. 1st one is for the Vatican. Jump back on and go to Terminie for the rest of the sites. Or just get the open top bus from the Vatican. Dead easy and cheaper than Thompson's.
Have fun:)

[Huddersfieldtourist]

The best site in Rome that no one mentions is by far the Santa Maria Maggiore church - there is never a queue and the inside is superb. The painted ceilings and cupolas are excellent and I am not a fan of this sort of thing.

If you go by train our walking route is :- get of at San Pietro station for the Vatican,from there Walk to Piazza Navona, then to the Pantheon then to the Trevi Fountain and then to the Spanish Steps. From there you walk for 20 mins to the Santa Maria Maggiore ( allow yourself 15 mins to have a good look round ).From there it is 10 mins walk to the Termini railway station or you can walk on to the Colisseum and Roman Forum in the opposite direction which takes about 15 mins or so and then back to the Termini after the Colisseum.

If you miss this church you have missed the best free admission site in Rome other than the key ones mentioned above

Doing it all on foot is a long walk and in the time you will have in Rome you will not be able to walk to both the Spanish Steps and the Colisseum - you will have to pick one or the other. If you want to go in the Colisseum then there will be not enough time to go to all the sites.

[DICKER]

Thanks for all your very informative replies, just got to make our minds up now. Dicker.

[Ceabea]

we're doing jewels of the med in August too - our cruise is not going to Civitavechia! med renaissance cruise does rome and florence stops.

Ajaccio is very nice and no need for an excursion there, just walk off the ship and enjoy! nice beach too.
barcelona - again there are easy ways to get round the city - taking the cable car is on our list this time. I would not recommend to anyone to go to barcelona from palamos on med ren cruise.
No idea about the other ports as its a first time for us in each - but I dont think I can pass up the chance to do pompeii and vesuvius from naples :D