Barcelona to Venice (14-Day Voyage)

[Italy52]

Just received my 2005 brochure and fell in love with the Barcelona to Venice itinerary. Has this route sailed in 2004? If so, did you enjoy it? My husband and I are looking for a special cruise for our 25th anniversary. We did a Rome to Venice on Renaissance and loved the ship and the experience. I know the line has changed, but enjoyed the feeling of a smaller ship and appreciated the ports it was able to get into that larger ships were not. Anxiously awaiting your comments.

[ClaudiaF]

Yes, we took it in May. The ports are wonderful. Esp. liked that we got so much of the Italian riviera that cruise. Great ports.

[Italy52]

Thanks for the response, glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise. If you don't mind, I would like to ask a couple of questions:

Which ports did you use a tender?
For Corsica, Sorrento/Capri, Amalfi/Positano, Provence/Marseille, and Monte Carlo, did you have to travel a distance to get to the cities like we did when we went from dock (Livorno) to Florence?

What hotel would you recommend pre-cruise in Barcelona, Spain?

Thank you so much for your kind response to my questions.

[ClaudiaF]

The only that come to mind that we tendered in were Monaco and Amalfi.
For Barcelona hotels there are many great ones so it would depend on what you want to spend. We have been there many times and always stay at "The Arts Hotel " ( it is a 5 star)
( which is a Ritz Carlton property- really excellent) it is on the water.
Many people from this board highly recommend the Colon hotel which is on the Ramblas. We have never stayed there. I think it is 3 star?
Here is a good website with lots of Barcelona info and links to all the hotels.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/index.html

[Italy52]

Thanks so much for all your help, it's appreciated very much.

[zebra]

ClaudiaF.... if one stays at the Arts how close are you to Las Ramblas and Bari Gothic? Are you walking distance or do we need to take a taxi? Two months ago we stayed at Le Meridien - it seems to have the same facilities... marble bathrooms etc, just not on the water. The upside is that it is within walking distance of almost everything! We would like to try another hotel and are interested in the Arts, this 2005 trip we would like to explore Bari Gothic. Please give me more info on the hotel. Thanks.

[ClaudiaF]

ClaudiaF.... if one stays at the Arts how close are you to Las Ramblas and Bari Gothic? Are you walking distance or do we need to take a taxi? Two months ago we stayed at Le Meridien - it seems to have the same facilities... marble bathrooms etc, just not on the water. The upside is that it is within walking distance of almost everything! We would like to try another hotel and are interested in the Arts, this 2005 trip we would like to explore Bari Gothic. Please give me more info on the hotel. Thanks.

It is about a 15 minute walk ( about) to Las Ramblas. Not far at all really and it's pretty there. Lots of great seafood restaurants all around. If you want you can grab the Bus -turistic.. (tourist bus - double decker) that you can take and hop on and off at all the sights. Le Meridien is in a good area for Las Ramblas.. it's just a completely different thing. I happen to like being on the water ;-)
Here is that website for the hop on bus ..
http://www.barcelona-on-line.es/eng/reserves/bus_turistic.htm

[ClaudiaF]

Thanks so much for all your help, it's appreciated very much.
You are very welcome!