ollienbertsmum

I have been on two eastern med cruises, lots in the western med. i like cruise 2 best. I would stay two nights in Venice pre cruise because Venice deserves it, but Trieste, nice as it is, is a couple of hours away by bus or train. You can also overnight in Athens to make the most of a beautiful and interesting city. You still get to visit Istanbul. I have been on several November cruises - loved the off-season calmness. One year we got caught in a storm that meant a cancellation of our port stop in Naples. It is a risk, we did not feel that it spoilt our cruise, but of course we had been to Naples before. I cannot recall sunset being an issue for us, really it is Santorini that has the big sunset ‘thing’. I think that it is overrated, sunsets can be beautiful everywhere. One of the problems of an early sunset in Santorini is that you have to get back to the ship after dark. The steps are dangerous in the dark. We shared a tender back with a lady who found this out to her cost. She avoided the cable car because she was scared of heights and ended up with a nasty break to her leg when she slipped. Crowds will not be an issue in November though. So at the end of the day I think it is about the ports you embark/disembark. You might need to watch some youtubes or read some blogs about the ports. happy planning

Thanks. I (reluctantly) took a couple to my daughter who needs building up after a wisdom tooth removal. She messaged me to say she enjoyed them (actually that is big praise). I read the recipe again and I realized I should have added the starch. I’m doing them again for sure

I finally got around to making latkes. I think mine are bigger than yours but the recipe said 1/4 cup for each one. I had to adapt slightly but I want to eat the whole plate ! The fifth one did not get to the photo

They look so good. I’m doggy sitting my grandog tonight. Tomorrow I’m going home to make them. Happy Hanukkah. I must get a dreidel too.

I have to agree with posters about using taxis with luggage. DH and I once tried to get from train station to our hotel which was right outside a metro station. It was my idea, and I have to say it was one of my worst! We travel fairly lightly in terms of luggage AND we are used to walking. The small amount of loose change saved did not compensate for the stress on the metro.

Graham - I still have Iona aft envy. I am sure you know I was booked on my *first ever* aft balcony on Iona in June 2020. Even though youngest went with me to Tromso in Feb this year I still regret not taking an amazing cruise.

Hang on, are they not the same word?

In the middle of summer the tourist sites are packed and it is soooo hot. I would have thought that the shoulder seasons might be more comfortable. I would have thought that travelling to Rome by a coach tour would be easier. There is a board “Disabled cruise travel” that might offer insight.

First congratulations on your 25th. You have chosen a good itinerary. Your first “must do” is visit the places with You tube and via blogs. This is the way you will find out which sites would interest you most in these cities. Then you can start joining the dots in terms of transport options. At this point you should come back and ask more specific questions. If you have a good time I am sure that you will return.

I would certainly think that staying overnight in Rome or Athens is a treat and would make a lovely change to Barcelona.

Lovely as Malaga is, +1 You may have to change trains in Madrid. It is not a big issue.

I saw Graham’s post and turned on my tv. Oh how scary it all looks. Horrible and chaotic scenes. Stay safe Dani, praying for peace in the region

Using the mixer in the sink. Brilliant. I have cooked with so many kids and never thought of that.

Bonjour. I loved Ajaccio. We have been twice. So lovely to go to those ports where you just walk off the ships and you are ‘there’.

I have given up worrying. I have a friend who travels a lot. She has had Covid 5 times. Apparently none of these bouts have been more than a nuisance for her. She shares her house with her family, they including her Pilot husband have not caught it. no rhyme or reason

The chair looks great. I love the idea of ilevel. So important. Keep doing those 360 degree twirls.

Can you explain what the people are waiting for. In Gibraltar when storms are predicted we usually cancel appointments and take in the washing.

As someone who lives in the Med area I agree. If you intend to visit towns and cities avoid the summer months. However you do need to take a waterproof jacket and waterproof shoes - much better than an umbrella when you are trying to walk around.

I agree with Princeton about needing to know about your hotel. If it is not yet booked, then you are probably best to select the hotel with accessibility in mind. Also I might be harsh, but you might also pack with mobility in mind. We used the train to get to Trieste (from Bologna) and the Flixbus to get to VCE airport. We costed the return journey in an ordinary taxi - it would have been around 250 euro for the two of us (we were debating what would happen if we missed the bus). For a group of 6 a pre booked private car would be a reasonable rate pp. However…. to get from taxi to the hotel, I recall when in Venice in September 2019 that there were porters with big trolleys that passed us when going over the bridges. I don’t recall where you accessed these.

That front and back is amazing. I never had a cake at my wedding. Next year it will be 35 years. I think I need cake.

I thought of you and Pauline at church this morning. I am staying with my aged parents and was trying out my father’s car for the first time. I was out in their village at 9:30 this morning to do the bottle recycling run. I chose a time when there would be few people - but some were clearly on their way to church. My father’s car is very old, dodgy clutch and me having to drive on the wrong side of the road. I managed - and I thought about Grapau and Pauline. The rest of the day at about 27 C was great for me for gardening. Every time I come to England the weather is great.

Sorry I usually type with a keyboard. Today I am stuck with my finger. So tourists do use the number 1 - but are still charged £18 to go in the nature reserve. It would then be a long and strenuous walk uphill to see the other sites. Actually I used to do this weekly with DH before we married. I lost about 25 pounds in the first year I lived here. Even though using the bus gets you to the Upper Rock faster, it does not avoid steps and inclines. if have missed any info please ask.

I get annoyed when guides do not inspire tourists. The stories around the WWII tunnels should keep visitors engaged. I am too old to eretrain as a tour guide. so I went to the tourist office. I got information about the IZI travel app that has ‘old town heritage trail’. I am not at home so cannot try it. Looks interesting though. I talked with the tourist guide about the cost of the Nature reserve. It does not really relate to cruise visitors, but I feel it s hard to market Gibraltar as a weekend destination and Charge per day for the upper rock. If you visit for a couple of days I think it makes sense for the se cond day to be much cheaper so then y might visit the Med Steps or the old town coupled with the Tower of Homage. the cost of the Nature Reserve is £18 whether you walk, go in a taxi or ride the cable car. The taxi tour is recommended as £40 person. The taxi drivers can charge more if they don’t have a full taxi. If they are charging you more you don’t have to tip. As long as you get off the ship promptly there will be taxi availability - the drivers will fill up the cars. The longer (7hr ) tours will cost moreCarl Mesilio’s Inside Out tour is always popular. I was told about John Lopez and Rocky Monkey Tours. I’m not sure about costs but longer tours cost more. As to the number 1 bus

I’m away from home but promise to get back to this thread. I went into the tourist office on Thursday and got some helpful info. I need to share.

Not sure where in the port you need to go. It must be reasonably obvious. You cannot wander around the port so I cannot recce it for you. The taxi drivers sort out filling up the cars with the random people. I always thought it was 8 per taxi - and it might be more than 2 hours if you are off a ship when there is a lot of traffic up the rock. The taxi drivers act as your guide along the route. They can be quite interesting. The route the taxis have misses out the WWII tunnels and the Tower of Homage, I always think that is a shame). I think that if you have plenty of time and energy left you could ask to be dropped off at the Tunnels (I think that they are now open again) and then walk down to the Tower of Homage. It is a further walk down through the old town (there are steps and signs but as long as you are going down you are going in the right direction) and back to Main Street. From the North end of Main Street it is a flat 1 km walk to where the ship is docked.