Excursions Funchal,Casablanca, Malaga, Cartagena and Mallorca [Archive]

RachelG

July 30th, 2011, 09:22 PM

Only one of these ports that I have been to is Malaga. And that was pre-included excursions. We TRIED to rent a car from Avis and go to Ronda, but the car died on us on the freeway about 5 miles outside of town. Fortunately I speak enough Spanish to communicate. We were able to get to the Avis agency in the town where we broke down. They towed the car, and we took a taxi back to Malaga. Not the great day we had planned.
But it actually turned out fine as Malaga is a great city for walking. We explored on our own. The Picasso museum was closed as it was a Monday, unfortunately. We went up to the castle then down by the old bullring. Had lunch in town. There is some pretty good shopping in town also.
There is an excursion to Granada including the Alhambra on offer for an extra charge. It is an all day thing. We had been to Granada before so didn't consider it. But the Alhambra is really wonderful, and I would say that if you had never been there before, it would be a great excursion. The people who did it on our trip seemed to enjoy it even though it makes for a very long day.

ChatKat in Ca.

July 31st, 2011, 03:00 AM

For Funchal, we took a taxi tour from the dock with a man named John who spoke perfect English. We stopped and did the sled ride in Monte, and we stopped at a view point, rode the tram from the botanical gardens and he took us by a number of monuments.

Casablanca was very disappointing. We hired a private guide and went to the Hassan II mosque which was interesting to take the tour; We stopped in the town to go to a souk but left - we did not feel comfortable there and our driver took us up to the Casbah. Our driver drove past some large homes and kept saying "Beverly Hills".

HotRoot

July 31st, 2011, 11:12 AM

I agree with the opinion on Casablanca. We went on a ship's tour to the Mosque and city. If we ever go back, I will not get off the ship.

TedC

July 31st, 2011, 11:46 AM

In Funchal we did a four-wheel drive excursion up to mountains etc - pretty scenery and fun.

In Casablanca we went to exotic Marakesh - interesting and glad we went but once was enough - it was VERY HOT

Hambagahle

July 31st, 2011, 12:01 PM

Wow TedC - I am amazed. Marrakech from Casa in one day? I drove down there some years ago and it was easily 3 hours. Did you fly?

Judy - to list some excursions in some of the ports we will go to:

Funchal - we did the "Mountains of Madeira" excursion a couple of years ago. Did not like it at all. Much time was spent having coffee and dubious cake in a dirty hotel; the roads up to the mountain are hair-raising to say the least (and we live in the Alps and are used to mountain roads!!) and it was freezing and foggy at the top so we hardly had any views.

Casablanca - the medina or old town is worth wandering around. I haven't been there with Regent - I was there on business a few years ago and walked through it on my own.

Malaga - several super tours: Trip to Granada, if you have not done it, is a MUST. It was a full day but we loved every minute. And the included lunch was good too. Then a visit to the Picasso Museum. Very very nice, small place with lots of excellent paintings.

Palma - We took the old town and cathedral tour. First part was OK - went ot a fortress wtih a great view. But the guide who took us around the cathedral was deadly dull and we left the group, wandered around on our own a bit and went back to the ship. This time (March) I think we will just go and play golf somewhere!!

we haven't yet been to Cartagena but apparently it has excellent Roman ruins. Can't wait to see those.

Ka Honu

July 31st, 2011, 12:15 PM

Let's see what I can remember (the short version)...

Funchal - Small Villages and Spectacular Views. Lots of bus time with some great views and interesting stops. Could have done without the stop for a taste of (bad) Madeira. In town, make it a point to see the market (especially the seafood hall). People who took the basket sledges seemed to have enjoyed them.

Casablanca - Took the highlights tour. It was a Sunday so the souk was largely wasted time but the palace and mosque (both exterior-only tours) were worth the effort. Had the bus driver drop us at Rick's Cafe for lunch on the way back to the ship and took a cab from there.

Malaga - Marbella and Puerto Banus tour. We really liked old-town Marbella but the rest of the tour was not really worth the effort. A lot of bus time and mediocre stops to go through for an hour in Marbella - I'd skip the rest of it somehow. Walked around the city as far as Picasso's birthplace in the afternoon - good fun.

Cartagena - Bullas Wine Route. Driver got lost on the way to the bodega and, truth be told, once you've seen one small winery, you've pretty much seen them all. The old quarter was pretty cool but only a short stop while the museum was well done and very interesting.

Mallorca - Taste of the Past. The pearl factory wasn't really worth the effort but the estate and castle were both excellent. Also enjoyed walking around the old city in the afternoon.

Wendy The Wanderer

July 31st, 2011, 12:32 PM

I concur that you should try to make it to the Alhambra in Granada, from Malaga, if you haven't been there. It is a long bus ride, so probably the ship's tour is in order--we took a private tour in the days before included excursions, and it was great to be in a small group of friends, but what with traffic coming back, I was a bit nervous about missing the ship--no need to worry about that if you're on a ship's tour. And frankly our driver was just that--he did not guide us around the Alhambra, and claimed he wasn't licensed to take us down into the city itself.

If the tour offers some time in Granada itself, try to do that--it's a beautiful old city.

I remember Marbella from 1970/71, strangely enough I lived there for about 6 weeks. I know it would be vastly changed, but the little old town centre is probably still very pretty.

Sachmo

July 31st, 2011, 01:01 PM

Thanks for all the advice - now I will start to read about the Regent tours
Judy

poss

July 31st, 2011, 01:24 PM

Haven't been to any of those places with Regent, but know some of them from other trips.
Main thing I want to say (cause it hasn't been said yet) is that if you happen to like caves (we love them), two of your stops have as fine caves as we've seen anywhere on the planet. We loved the caves in Nerja, just a short distance from Malaga: absolutely spectacular. (Though I agree that Grenada/Alhambra should be seen if possible.)
We liked Mallorca a lot, and one of the main reasons, again, is that the caves there are so remarkable. My memory is that there are actually several splendid caves on the island, one toured by boat, which sounds hokey or disneyish, but was not. Palma we found just "ok," but the scenery around the island-- all those cliffs and the gorgeous coves below-- we found wonderful.
Casablanca we didn't like at all.
These memories are 20-30 years old; not sure what's what now. But sounds like some nifty ports.

wripro

July 31st, 2011, 03:04 PM

Depending on how late the ship stays in Casablanca I would get the heck out of Dodge. If you're docked till 8Pm or later go to Marrakech. It's a several hour drive each way but so worth it because of it's beauty. If Regent doesn't offer a tour there do it on your own, far better anyway. Of course, if the ship departs at 6PM you're stuck in Casablanca which has little to recommend it.

poss

July 31st, 2011, 03:16 PM

When we were in Marrakech and looking forward to strolling in the bazaar (as we so loved doing same in Istanbul), locals kept coming up to us (men and boys) and trying to push their "escort services" on us. We VERY politely declined, as we much prefer unguided ramblings. I cannot tell you how many times those men and boys followed after us, often menacingly, yelling, "Dir-ty Chews! Dir-ty Chews!" We're not Jewish, in fact, but that experience killed Marrakech for us. (This was 30 or so years ago; not sure what climate is like these days.)

lrmorris

July 31st, 2011, 05:20 PM

Wipro, the ship leaves Casablanca at 4PM so Marrakesh isn't really an option. We're "stuck" in Casablanca. Linda & Larry in NJ

wripro

August 1st, 2011, 02:08 PM

lrmorris,

It appears you are "stuck" in Casablanca. Personally I'd go see the Hassan Mosque and spend the rest of the day enjoying the ship.

As for Marrakech it's not what it was thirty years ago. It depends too much on tourism.

cruiseluv

August 1st, 2011, 03:02 PM

I guess if the mosque in Casablanca is an included excursion that would be my suggestion there. I went and paid for an excursion in the pre-inclusion days. Didn't care for it. IMO, its a gaudy and ostentatious recently built mosque. Interesting bathroom situation which I shudder to think about. As previously mentioned, Casablanca is a big nothing. In Malaga I suggest the Alhambra.

Sachmo

August 1st, 2011, 08:03 PM

Thank you all for your suggestions
Judy

AWED23

August 2nd, 2011, 10:59 AM

My memory has faded but I need to ask in case someone really knows the answer....Palma de Mallorca, is this by any chance the Island that Chopin and George Sand retired to just prior to Chopins' death?...I do not see any mention of it so my memory is most likely wrong again....Too much Gin...:D

lrmorris

August 2nd, 2011, 11:35 AM

AWED23, yes it is. It is also mentioned in one of the excursions...a hotel where they went to help with his TB and at which he wrote. Check out the excursions for Mallorca. Linda & Larry in NJ

tombo

August 2nd, 2011, 11:58 AM

In Funchal, I'd recommend taking the cable car to the top of he hill and doing your own thing. You can watch them launching the sleds, although it seemed a bit hokey and nobody tells you that they don't bring you back to the top of the hill or, for that matter, to the bottom. You'll wind up trying to find a taxi to take you back to the ship.

On our first visit there, we thought we'd return to the ship and have a glass of Madeira. Alas, they don't stock Madeira wines on Regent vessels, even when they are stopping in Madeira.

Hambagahle

August 2nd, 2011, 12:00 PM

Re the tour to Granada - DO take the ship's tour. Here's why - last time we were there, and on the Regent tour, which as I said was excellent, some people from the ship rented a car and drove up to Granada. At the ticket booth for the Alhambra they were told "very sorry but no more tickets for sale for today" - you don't risk this problem with the ship's tour.

For Casa - Rabat which is an interesting place is only 60km from Casa. So if you really don't want to do any of the ship's tours and would like to see Rabat, rent a car and drive up there. The drive to Marrakech takes 3 hours from the airport and is rather boring. And anyway if we are sailing at 4pm we shall need to be on board at 3.30pm!

Wendy The Wanderer

August 2nd, 2011, 01:14 PM

Re the tour to Granada ... At the ticket booth for the Alhambra they were told "very sorry but no more tickets for sale for today" - you don't risk this problem with the ship's tour.

But if you're determined to do an independent tour, or hire a driver, tickets can be purchased in advance (our driver did it for us, not sure about buying tickets from N.A.)

RachelG

August 2nd, 2011, 01:58 PM

You can buy Alhambra tickets in advance online, but I would also just rec doing the ships tour. I vowed never again to rent a car in southern Spain after our breakdown experience.

Sachmo

August 2nd, 2011, 03:19 PM

This is great!!! keep these suggestions coming!
Thanks
Judy

AWED23

August 2nd, 2011, 04:10 PM

AWED23, yes it is. It is also mentioned in one of the excursions...a hotel where they went to help with his TB and at which he wrote. Check out the excursions for Mallorca. Linda & Larry in NJ
Then in that case I am not nuts....My wife will definately be wanting to visit that hotel as she still plays a large part of his work....Now I'll start Googling Mallorca etc.....The movie had Merle Oberon as George Sand (I think) and ??? as Chopin. I am pretty sure that Arthur Rubenstein played the music. This really made my day. Thank You for your reply.... See you aboard, Rob.:cool:

lrmorris

August 2nd, 2011, 05:15 PM

Rob, check out this excursion in Mallorca. http://www.rssc.com/cruises/MAR120318/PMI/PMI-004/portsexcursions.aspx#Excursion
Linda & Larry in NJ

AWED23

August 2nd, 2011, 05:37 PM

Rob, check out this excursion in Mallorca. http://www.rssc.com/cruises/MAR120318/PMI/PMI-004/portsexcursions.aspx#Excursion
Linda & Larry in NJ
Thanks Larry.....Also, the movie was a Song to Remeber starring Paul Muni, Merle Oberon as Sand and Cornel Wilde as Chopin....The pianist was not Rubenstein but rather the Argetino Jose Iturbi who played in many MGM musicals of the fortys and fiftys.I will be checking out the tour. Rob

act1966

August 6th, 2011, 06:30 PM

DO NOT miss the basket toboggan ride in Funchal! A lot of fun!

Casablanca was depressing and dirty. We wouldn't go back.

With all the Spanish ports, watch out for siesta as the shops close down - if you want to shop, you need to get out there in the morning.

The Cartagena amphitheater tour was INCREDIBLE. But I'm a theater and museum buff so this may not be for everyone.

Malaga city - did a walking tour of the city - very vibrant and alive - great just to walk around and soak it all up. Had a great lunch on an outdoor patio and just people watched.

Palma de Mallorca - We were stunned that the tour took us to an outlet mall on the outskirts to see fake pearls being made. What? Back in the city, the cathedral tour was wonderful and the city and people watching was vibrant and fun. Avoid the insane fake pearl tour though.

lrmorris

August 7th, 2011, 11:11 AM

Act1966, it seems as if the fake pearl factory tour is on almost all of the tours. Thanks for your input, though, on the other ports. We need to decide by September 20th and this is helpful. Linda & Larry in NJ

Hambagahle

August 7th, 2011, 11:23 AM

Act1966 -
Thanks for the comment about the ampitheatre in Cartagena. Will defintely put that tour on our list, even more so since we missed the Greek Theatre in Taormina a couple of years ago and would like to have seen it!!

(We have a nice little Roman ampitheatre right here in Martigny - seats 6000 and we use it for cow fights. Will never be on a ship's tour though as we are 4 hours from the nearest port!!)

ChatKat in Ca.

August 7th, 2011, 12:16 PM

When we went to the Alhambra, our driver got tickets for us ahead of time. We did a private tour.

Threechicks

August 7th, 2011, 02:16 PM

Hambagahle

August 8th, 2011, 03:47 AM

Yes, Elsie! Cow fights!

The local breed of cow, going back before Roman times, is the Hérens. These are fiesty beasts and they fight each other, spontaneously, on the alps in the summer. The lock horns and push and shove. At the end of the summer the dominant cow (note - no bulls involved nor needed anymore in the herds!!) is teh "Queen Cow" and when they come down from the pastures she wears a lovely garland in her horns.

We have cow fights on a cantonal basis, starting in the spring. The cantonal championship draws crowds of 15000 or more. And the October final to the year is always in the Roman amphitheatre!! Note that the cows rarely if ever hurt themselves, they love to fight, and only sometimes does a cowherd get injured - usually when he or she has had too much of our lovely local wine!!

Come and see them!! (The cow fights I mean, not the drunks!)
Gerry

TheSeaAroundUs

August 8th, 2011, 03:57 AM

Hambagahle, I was super curious about the cow fights but I figured somebody else would draw you out on the subject!...

As long as they don't hurt themselves, I would come to watch the cow fights ... and the drunks also!!!

But I think my next meal afterwards might be vegetarian....

MrMojoRisin

August 8th, 2011, 05:05 AM

In Mallorca I would reallly recommend doing the train trip from Palma to Soller, depending on how long you are in port. I can supply more details if that is of interest.

Funchal is a great place just to wander around and definitely a visit to the market (flowers, produce and fish). The cable car to Monte is also a great experience.

Threechicks

August 8th, 2011, 08:36 AM

Gerry, thanks for the explanation about the cow fights. I feel better now that I know that no humans are sticking them with swords. If the cows want to fight on their own that's fine with me. Sounds like fun.

RachelG

August 9th, 2011, 09:51 AM

Having a ranch, I can attest that cows do spontaneously fight on their own, not just this breed. And there is definitely a dominate cow in each herd. My husband calls her the boss cow. We had one who was pretty smart and could figure out how to open just about any gate unless it had an actual lock on it.

Sachmo

August 9th, 2011, 01:39 PM

Irmorris - lots of choices for tours - In looking over the various tours for Mallorca - they all seem to have fake pearl tours. Palma City Highlights seems to have the cathedral and time to people watch. What do you think??
Marbella and Puerto Banus Tour seems very relaxing - the yachts, etc.
Sounds like I have 2 down and still a few to go
Judy

lrmorris

August 9th, 2011, 03:36 PM

Good for you, Judy. We are still a ways off on selecting our excursions for the March TA. Decisions, decisions!!!!! Linda & Larry in NJ

Hambagahle

August 9th, 2011, 03:54 PM

It is extremely rare for a cow to be hurt. Of course there is a vet standing by if necessary. The points of their horns are filed down. And they love the fights! So do we... no need to become vegetarian before, during or after. No blood, no gore. Just happy, happy cows!! (and as I said, sometimes handlers...)

Sachmo

August 9th, 2011, 04:56 PM

mr mojorisin - tell me more about the cable car to monte. How does one get down? is there another way other than the sleds?

tombo

August 9th, 2011, 06:00 PM

mr mojorisin - tell me more about the cable car to monte. How does one get down? is there another way other than the sleds?

You can take the cable car back down too. The sleds don't get you anywhere near to the main part of town.

MrMojoRisin

August 10th, 2011, 04:58 AM

mr mojorisin - tell me more about the cable car to monte. How does one get down? is there another way other than the sleds?

As has already been said, you can get the cable car back down - you don't have to go on the sleds. But, if you go for a wander around the gardens in Monte (recommended) when you reach the edge of the gardens you can look over the wall and watch the people going down on the sleds. Its quite amusing to watch their expressions, especially if there is a lorry coming up the hill towards them!

Sachmo

August 11th, 2011, 08:12 AM

Is Monte near the pier?

ChatKat in Ca.

August 11th, 2011, 09:59 AM

Monte is not near the pier. It's also up a very steep hill.
You can take a cab up.

I think we did a 4-5 hour cab tour for $100 - drive the whole island, Monte, Botanical Gardens. he waited while we did the sled and picked us up at the bottom.

Hambagahle

August 11th, 2011, 10:26 AM

Easiest way to get to Monte (and very scenic too!) is to walk from the dock area to teh cable car and take it up. Takes around 15mins to walk (as best I can recall - it certainly wasn't long) and then about a 7 or 8 min ride up. Nice views over Funchal and the bay.