stacycakes1

Oh, totally agree, DIY is the best, but we have 10 total stops on this itinerary, if you include starting in Rome and ending in Venice, so we’re doing most on our own. I chose to do tours in these 3 ports because everything I want to see is far from the port and we are short on time. I could choose to do a cruise excursion that uses “fear of not getting back to the ship” as a reason to charge ridiculous prices for these port days, or pay less and have my own private driver and car take me wherever I please with a back to ship guarantee. they have a fleet of cars out every day and easily can send another car to get us if anything were to happen. I get you though, nothing like exploring and adventure all on your own.

Hi there! So I forgot to add a stop in my list in Naples. We also have a tour set up there to sorrento and positano with a pizza making class in the middle for lunch. That tour and the two others are all booked through Rome in Limo https://www.romeinlimo.com. We used them last time we were in Italy for our honeymoon and they are FABULOUS! VIP access to everything, we didn’t wait in a single line, even in July. When we went to see the David, the line was 4 hours long with a ticket. We thought we wouldn’t get in. 5 minutes later our driver was escorting us past security through a little side door and bam, there’s the David. It was so cool. Anyway, all of our tours with them were stellar and they have a great deal right now. If you book 3 port excursions with them and pay upfront through zello by end of February, you get a 20% discount. This is great right now also because the euro is down and you can guarantee the price is even with the US dollar. So basically, for my family of 3, we spent less on private luxury tours in a limo sedan (no group and we can change the itinerary to whatever we want) than if I had booked a tour through the ship with 40 others on a bus. Can’t beat that!

Ah yes! Mixed the two up. You are correct 🙂

I think we are on the same cruise! We set sail on Connie July 15th. So far we have the following plans. We are traveling with our 10-year-old and want to see as much as we can, but also want to relax and live "La Vida Dolce" 🙂 We also might throw a beach day in when we are in Split or Dubrovnik as I am finding beautiful choices not far from port. The ports: Florence/Pisa - We have a private tour book with a stop in Pisa (quick trip to the top), Lucca, and a stop at a winery on the way back to port (booked through Rome in Limo) Portofino - We are doing the same as recommended above, a little stroll, shopping and lunch Sicily/Messina - We have a private tour booked that includes a trip to the top of Mt. Etna in a gondola, lunch at a local restaurant and winery, and shopping and sightseeing in Taormina. Brindisi - We will still get off the ship and check things out, but Brindisi seems like a good day for a break. If you are on the same cruise as we are, it is 1/2 way through the itinerary and we are stopping there on a Sunday so a lot will closed that day. Dubrovnik - We plan on a beach day here or in split. You have to walk through the old town to get to them so of course we plan on meandering slowly to and from the beach, but that is our ultimate goal. There are a few that are walking distance so I haven't chosen which one yet. Here is a great link with info if you are also interested 6 Best Dubrovnik Beaches - Jetsetting Fools Kotor - CAT CITY! We are going to the cat museum here, shopping, eating, and petting a few stray cats. Definitely a city where you can be more leisurely about things. Split - We might also go to the beach on this day and walk around the city. There is a fort you can climb up to, not sure we will attempt that, but maybe a little way up for a nice view.

My husband and I had been to Livorno before for our honeymoon, and while Florence was lovely, I completely agree with all of your reasoning as to why you want to mix things up for your kids. We are going back this summer with our 10-year-old and have the same itinerary. We decided to do a tour in Livorno with Rome in Limo to Pisa and Lucca, with a quick stop at a winery on the way back. With Pisa being only 30 minutes from the port and than Lucca only another 30 minutes away, we get so much more time for adventure. The tour includes time to go to the top of the leaning tower also which should be fun.