Excursions: 01/04 Barcelona to Istanbul

[2fromTO]

Elinor and I just signed on to the April 1/05 cruise Barcelona to Istanbul.
We are interested in joining other groups who have arranged private shore excursions and/or finding others who would like to share excursions with us. We are most interested in: Bonifacio, Naples, Valleta, Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos and Kusadasi.

Ciao, Lois

PS: This is our first cruise so any helpful advice would be welcomed!

[jfb128]

In Mykonos you can easily do your own thing.It was very easy to walk around and find most everything.

In Rhodes we used Nick at the website listed below. Good half day tour with flexibility. We shared the tour with one other couple. This included a trip to Lindos and stops in Old Town and where the Colossus at Rhodes once stood.

http://www.greecetravel.com/rhodes/privatetours/

In Santorini, be sure to see Oia and Fira. The rest was non descript.

[turkishtourguide]

For istanbul and kusadasi tours I can suggest to take a look to that web site
www.istanbultours.info

[StanandJim]

Elinor & Lois-
We have a group of 5 on that cruise. Welcome!
I wanted to check two things with you....
#1, have you signed up for the Oceania sponsored cocktail party yet? You can find the web sight at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OceanaCruiser/?yguid=168490910

There is also a group specifically for our cruise, which can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oceania_Insignia_4-1-2005/?yguid=168490910

#2. What type of excursion were you thinking of doing in Bonafacio? We haven't planned a thing there yet...
Again, it's great to meet "new" passengers!
Best Regards-
Stan & Jim

[2fromTO]

Hi Stan and Jim!

We have not yet signed up to Yahoo but will do so today.

As to Bonifacio, we are interested in getting a general feel for the area rather than visiting any particular monuments or tourist sites. According to the Lonely Planet, Corsica has a distinct culture and unique landscape...waterfalls, secret coves, forest, desert and, away, from the main tourist areas, quiet fishing villages and deserted beaches. What do you think?

I am also looking to join a group to visit Rome (just me, not Elinor).

Ciao,
Lois & Elinor

PS: We are from Toronto and looking forward to spring time in the Mediterranean!

[jcocchiarella]

We thought we would take the train to Florence, but then I ran across this website which looked fairly reasonable for a transfer to Florence or Rome for a van of eight.

I hesitate to book anything without knowing others would join us. I don't want to be in the position of shanghai ing people from the pier.


www.prestigerent.com

[2fromTO]

We are having second thoughts about going into Florence. We will there on a Monday and the galleries are closed. We are now thinking of a tour through the Tuscan countryside, perhaps including Sienna, especially if the trees/flowers are in bloom.

As for Rome... when my sister was on the Barcelona-Lisbon cruise last November, a group of six of them took the train into Rome and did their own thing. She said it was very easy.

Meanwhile I will check out the website you found.

Lois

[jcocchiarella]

Interesting to learn that the galleries are closed on Monday.

Sienna is indeed interesting, probably a better choice.
Joanna