kestrel

There was no line in the morning when we rode the cable car up. However, the line was extremely long at the time of returning. So we simply walked down.

We have been to all those places during a land tour:

Postojna Cave: It has wonderful cave formations, but the visit requires some walking. Therefore, it may not be suitable for people who have walking problems.

Lake Bled: This is a very scenic place. I highly recommend it. When you are there, take a boat ride, and also try the famous cream cake.

Ljubljana: This is another beautiful European city for you to stroll around, but it won't take long for you to see the major sites.

We have done a 2-week land tour to Croatia and Slovenia. Both are wonderful countries with excellent views and kind people. We rented a car and drove around. We never needed to worry about safety issues.

On the other hand, Portugal is also a wonderful country. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

We were in Dubrovnik in early September several years ago. The weather was warm but not hot. We were told that it rained the last couple days before we arrived. So, you never know.

If August is the only time you can travel, so be it. Don't worry too much about the weather. We took our Mediterranean cruise in August many years ago, also because that's the only time we could go. Yes, the weather was hot, but we still enjoyed the trip very much.

You can get Kuna from ATMs. Some places may take Euro but not all. It's more convenient to have some local currency.

We have spent 2 days in Porto during a land trip to Portugal. The following are the places we've visited:

* Clerigos Church and Tower

* San Bento Station (for the azulejos)

* Lello & Irmao bookstore (amazing interior)

* Stock Exchange Building (beautiful Arab room)

* Cathedral

* Sao Francisco Church

* Ribeira and Duoro River 6-bridge cruise (excellent view)

* Wine Tasting

If you just have a day, you won't be able to do all the above. However, since Porto is small and most attractions are close by, you will still be able to see a lot.

We visited Plitvice during a land tour, so I can only answer some of your questions.

Plitvice Lakes NP is absolutely beautiful! We spent a day and a night there. We spent many hours hiking both lower and upper lakes and took a boat ride. The hiking was pretty easy.

I am not sure whether you will have enough time to do an excursion from Zadar. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to see the entire park.

WHY? Used to Caribbean so real curious... Thanks

Google "bacvice beach split croatia" and check the photos. It is okay. But if you have been to Hawaii or to Caribbean (as you've mentioned), you won't be impressed.

You definitely have enough time to explore the palace and to spend some time relaxing at the beach. However, don't set your expectation too high.

Definitely get the Oslo Pass. We got ours at the TI near the port with discount!

We DIY in all except for St. Petersburg. I used Rick Steves' guidebook; it's very useful.

Zadar is actually a very nice small port. It does not have a lot of see compared with other ports such as Dubrovnik. However, you will have some wonderful time there.

In addition to suggestions by cruisemom42, there are also ruins (with Venetian lion symbol). My favorite site of Zadar is the Sea Organ at waterfront. The Sea Organ consists of many organ pipes "powered" by the sea waves. There are stairs for you to sit down, watch the sea, and listen to the fantastic music. It is truly amazing.

Zadar also has many excellent restaurants. We had a wonderful dinner there with delicious seafood and pasta.

Anyone know what beach that is?

Thanks

Marcy

Bacvice is the closest beach. There are a couple more small beaches down the roads as well. They are all within walking distance. However, I am really not impressed with beaches at Split.

Krka waterfalls are indeed impressive, and I do think you have time to visit both. We have been to both, and I will give you a bit more information here.

Krka: There are plenty of paid parking spaces at Skradin. I don't remember how much we paid for the parking, but it was not expensive. Skradin is the boat entrance to Krka. You need to purchase boat tickets and wait for the boat ride (about every hour or so). The boat ride itself is quite fun, but it does take time. The great waterfalls are very close to the boat stop; you can actually see the waterfalls from the boat. There are trails. You can easily spend a couple hours at the park.

Palace: It is within walking distance to the port. This is not your "usual" European palace that you purchase entrance tickets and tour around. It is actually a "living ruin" with many stores, restaurants and houses. You don't need tickets to see the palace even though tickets are needed to visit certain special sites there.

Split doesn't have good beaches (they are only okay). So I won't bother.

Both options are good. I only included the ports I have been below. Take a look of excursion options and pick your favorite. I think you will enjoy either.

Mykonos: Delos (ruins) and Mykonos old town.

Zadar: Nice sea front small city with Roman ruins, "sea organ," and solar panel on the ground. Good restaurants.

Koper: Excursions to Lake Bled, Ljubljana or one of the famous underground caves.

Corfu: Beautiful old town and forts.

Katakolon: Olympia (ruins)

Dubrovnik: Beautiful old town with magnificent town walls (UNESCO Heritage site). You should definitely walk the walls -- lots of excellent views. There are beaches close by too.

Split: The popular Palace of Diocletian is within walking distance. You can also select to go to Krka NP (waterfalls) or Trogir (UNESCO Heritage site).

Congratulations on your anniversary.

The most popular excursion in Split is the Palace of Diocletian, which is within walking distance of the port, and you can certainly DIY.

Krka will be the most scenic option, but you will need a car to get there. We took the boat entrance to Krka. It was fun and relaxing, but it also took a long time. We did it during a land tour, and therefore time is not an issue. I am not sure how much time you have. Also, it was pretty crowded at the park when we visited (in September).

Other options include Solin and Trogir, which you can reach using public transportation though it is more convenient to have a car.

See if this works. Discloser...I am not a TA

Thanks so much! This is exactly what I have been waiting for.

I will vote for 2 cruises with inside cabins. Balconies are nice to have; however, they have never been the highlight of any of my cruises.

Since you have a lot of luggage and passengers with mobility issue, I think ship transfer is easier for you.

I also prefer Dubrovnik. I feel that there's more to see and to do in Dubrovnik.

However, if you have 4 or 5 days, why just pick one? You can actually visit both places.

Here is the online guide of Pula from Frommer's:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/pula#sthash.PfuM0hPZ.dpbs

It's a lovely place!

I fully concur, it doesn't make a bit of difference. In fact, you should consider saving a bunch of money and booking an inside cabin. All Baltic cruises are very port intensive, meaning that you are ashore a lot more than on the ship. In just about every port you will enter, except for Stockholm, there is nothing much to see from a balcony on either side. If you dock in Stockholm, you will be sailing in and out thru the Archipelago and that is a sure 'can't miss'. But realistically, it should be seen from on deck so you are not limited to just a one side view. On one of the top decks, you have a 360 degree view and it is truly worthwhile. But, if you are insistent on a balcony, either side works as well as the other.

 

Cheers

 

Len

This is excellent advice! I completely agree.

We DIY in Oslo, Copenhagen, Tallinn and Helsinki. Yes, Rick Steves' guide has been very useful.

Oslo: We bought Oslo Pass at the TI at port with a discount (not sure whether they still give discount now). Oslo Pass covers public transportation including ferries. We visited Fram, Kon-Tiki, Viking Ship Museum, Vigeland Park and National Gallery, all on our own.

Copenhagen: This was where we disembarked. We took taxi to the hotel. Activities we did in Copenhagen included canal cruise, Stroget and Tivoli Garden.

Tallinn: The old town was only a short walk away. There are lots of sightseeing and shopping opportunities.

Helsinki: We bought the Tourist Tickets (from the bus driver) for all public transportation. We visited the Lutheran Cathedral and Temppeliaukio ("Church in the Rock"), Sibeluis Monument and Suomenlinna Fortress.

My family of 5 will be in those ports in June. I had the kids pick what interests them most in each place, so we are doing Pompeii in Naples, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Florence, and the Pantheon/Trevi Fountain in Rome. My kids are a bit older than yours (16, 14, and 10) but I still don't want to overdo it and wear everyone out. I always book ship excursions for peace of mind, quick private walk off the ship, and having the tickets in our cabins when we board. They really don't cost that much more, I have priced them out against several private companies. The convenience and peace of mind are worth the extra money for me. Also FYI Rome is an hour and a half away from the port each direction (without traffic), something to keep in mind unless you are looking at taking a train or something.

My kids were about the same ages as yours when we took our Med cruise. We basically picked the same attractions :) However, I'd like to let you know that Pantheon/Trevi Fountain together will probably take you no more than 1.5 hrs. You may want to add additional places in Rome. Colosseum was a big hit for my kids.

We are staying a few nights after a cruise, and wondering if electric converters (from USA) are still needed in Europe? Thanks for the responses!

Yes.

I have also used booking.com for our last several trips to Europe. I highly recommend the site.