DavietheScot

On 6/5/2021 at 8:53 PM, MDTrip said:

Loved the free walking tour.

Always find these are very good way to get a feel for a city and to ID places you want to explore in more detail.  

Copenhagen booked again for next year fingers crossed I get to refresh my memories and update my recommendations. 

http://happytravellingwithdavie.blogspot.com/2020/11/review-of-celebrity-transatlantic.html

My personal blog about a great Transatlantic cruise we enjoyed from Barcelona to Buenos Aires.  

Here is a review of a Western Mediterranean Cruise we did on Celebrity Reflection.  

Hope it is of help to you. 

http://happytravellingwithdavie.blogspot.com/2020/12/review-of-western-mediterranean-cruise.html

On 6/26/2021 at 4:32 PM, edinburgher said:

Have spent two full days in Velencia on cruises and thoroughly enjoyed both of them, to the extent that we are thinking we might return for a few days on a land trip as there are also  nearby towns which are easily visited.

 

It is a city which we thought had a good ratio of locals to tourists (and local businesses to tourist businesses) so it didn't feel overwhelmingly touristy.   And  because of the same mix of working town/tourist town, it wasn't overly expensive either.

 

So much to see here that for a one day stop you will need to plan your day quite carefully, but I  think you will enjoy whatever you decide to do.

Agree with you it is a great city to visit for a few days, we have done that and enjoyed it. Also it is a good base to explore the wider Valencia region.  

On 7/12/2021 at 2:23 PM, SailAwayTom said:

Thanks again really helpful info for our research into a future cruise. 

Good glad it was of help to you. 

On 7/11/2021 at 1:52 PM, Palms2Pines2Sea said:

Davie, thank you so very much for this excellent overview of Seville.

 

Thanks glad you liked it. 

No issue with small ships and yes it's obvious they can dock in smaller ports and access more places than the larger vessels but it takes all kinds to be honest I enjoy the amenities on the larger ships its good that there is choice out there at least on the larger ships you don't need to be stuck in someone's company you may have zero in common with !! All for choice and accept that all sizes of ships and all lines have something to offer a wide array of passengers.  Its good we are not all the same. 

16 hours ago, Heartfelttraveler said:

I got pricing from Gus.  The only drawback is that he has a sedan and we are four adults.  One of us would have to sit in the middle of the back seat.

First time we used him there were 6 of us I would ask him if he could hire a larger vehicle for the time he did that for us but therecis a extra cost. 

25 minutes ago, Heartfelttraveler said:

 

Did Gus act as just the driver, or did he actually accompany you on the tours?

Yes he went with us, and ensured we were safe plus gave great personal commentary on what you were seeing and experiencing he also got us priority tickets at Sugar Loaf and Christ the Redeemer. 

On top of all that he was also able to secure us bookings at a Samba Show and then a fantastic Brazilian restaurant right on Copacabana Beach. He is a one stop shop for Rio and really will go the extra mile to ensure you have a wonderful visit. Can't recommend him enough.  

11 minutes ago, Mrs f. said:

I was just going to also recommend Gus. Cannot say enough great things about him. We had him for 2 days in  Rio. He is wonderful. We have heard from him during the pandrmic. Things are really rough there.

 

Miriam 

Yes Miriam they have been and like you I have been in contact with him during this horrible time, thankfully last time we spoke a month or so back he was seeing some more positive news and outlook for himself.  

But as we both agree if anyone is visiting Rio in the coming years he really is a brilliant guide and ensures you have a wonderful trip. 

9 minutes ago, 4774Papa said:

We avoided Brazil in the past because a few years ago they had a terrible visa policy toward USA citizens. That has changed and we would like to go to Brazil, Rio, Sao Paulo and perhaps the Amazon basis.

Sounds great we will return to Brazi. and Rio as we had such a interesting and fun time on our last visit it really has wetted our appetite to see and experience more. Enjoy you trip whenever it is you get there.

I can highly recommend a personal guide who will take care of everything for you, we have used him twice in Rio and he really was excellent. You can find all his details in the Rio section of TripAdvisor under Gus the Guide 

However his e mail is    gusguide@hotmail.com

If you have a read at this review of one of our trips there it will give you a idea of what he can provide,  the trip below was like you after we flew there from Buenos Aires 

http://happytravellingwithdavie.blogspot.com/2020/10/rio-de-janeiro-carnival-city.html

4 hours ago, SailAwayTom said:

Again thanks Davie good info here, can I ask have you ever been to Montevideo in Uraquay as we are looking for info re there also ?

Sorry Tom Uraquay is a place I have still to visit. 

3 hours ago, 4774Papa said:

So you went back to Brazil, did you take a tour?

Yes Papa we did, we went to Iquazu Falls for a few days after Buenos Aires,  we toured the falls on both the Argentinian and Brazilian sides before spending a day in Paraguay just because we could not really much to see there but the falls are themselves are brilliant and we'll worth seeing . Then we flew from there back to Rio where we met the guide I mentioned in the review ( Gus the Guide who comes highly recommended) and with his help over the next few days saw much more of Rio and its surrounding area. We had a truly great time there so much so we are determined to go back once this current situation stabilises and we are able to. 

4 hours ago, SailAwayTom said:

Thanks for this we are looking at a similar itinerary for 2023 and this gives us a idea of what to expect never did a Transatlantic before and did wonder about the sea days. 

You will love it, sea days are great the ship puts on extra events to keep you as busy as you want or you can simply lie back and relax, glad you liked the review it seems so long ago now but still great memories. 

On 5/23/2021 at 5:11 PM, cruisemom42 said:

Often people are unaware of Lisbon's Roman past. There is a lovely museum up on the hill in the Alfama district (oldest part of Lisbon) that includes some of the remains of the amphitheatre (more can be visited across the street):

 

https://www.golisbon.com/sight-seeing/roman-theater.html

 

Also, it is worth doing the Cloisters tour of the lovely old Se Cathedral for the cost of a couple euros, which also has some late Roman remains in addition to medieval ones:

 

https://www.lisbon.net/lisbon-cathedral

 

Finally, the archaeological museum, in Belem, is also very good -- not huge but has some quite nice pieces from the Roman past (as well as prehistoric Portugal....):

 

http://www.museunacionalarqueologia.gov.pt/?cat=70

 

 

Some good ideas there also. 

On 10/30/2020 at 11:06 PM, Hlitner said:

What to do on Mykonos on a nice sun filled day?  You do what most visitors (who stay on the island) do.  If the weather is good (which is the norm during the spring/summer/fall season) you go to a beach!  When DW and I have had port days on Mykonos we usually take a local bus out to Paradise Beach (and sometimes catch a boat from there over to nearby Super Paradise) and spend a few hours in rented beach loungers with a few dips in the sea.  We later head back into Mykonos Town where we might shop and ultimately go to one of the outdoor cafes that overlook the harbor.  It is then time for more drink and some food before we head back to the port (we sometimes walk, sometimes find a shuttle bus, and once we grabbed a taxi).

 

Another option is to rent a car and drive the island.  But we have never been overwhelmed by touring Mykonos as we only see it as a place with beaches, resorts, small hotels, and a small/decent town.

 

Hank

Each to there own Hank but it offers a little bit more than simply beaches. 

Yes nice videos. 

On 6/22/2021 at 10:24 PM, gnome12 said:

Actually, another possibility is Highland Experience Tours, which are at 1 Parliament Square at the Royal Mile. I did an 8 day land tour with them of Orkney, Skye and the Far North.

Noted there a new one on me but highlights there are a few companies offering tours and plenty of choice to suit most requirements. 

On 6/1/2021 at 7:18 PM, Onelung said:

Another vote for the Rosenborg Castle, very interesting with lovely gardens and easy to get to on the HoHo bus.

 

Yes we did the bus but missed the castle tour so will give it a look if and when we return. 

On 6/2/2021 at 2:22 PM, Hlitner said:

An excellent overview with which we completely agree :).  DW and I have long enjoyed our time in Singapore (looking to go back in 2023).  We also appreciate it is among the safest large cities in the world where tourists can walk the streets anytime day or night.  Singapore also has an amazing reputation for having the safest food/drink in the world.   Taking advantage of the various "hawker" sites is a lot of fun and the food is often off the charts good.  Many years ago when we first went to Singapore there were areas of town full of sidewalk vendors.  The government, as part of their efforts to keep the city spotless, forced most of those street stands into various market/hawker sites which often have outdoor tables, bathrooms, etc.  A great idea and it makes it easy to sit down at one of those places and sample a huge variety of food (from the many stands).  For those who prefer Fine Dining there are plenty of world class restaurants in the city.

 

Hank

Thanks Hank glad you liked the blog and as you say the hawker sites are great. 

On 6/8/2021 at 12:08 AM, Hlitner said:

One of our best moments in Buenos Aires happened by accident.  DW and I were walking around town on a beautiful day and wondered into the La Boca area (where the Tango is rumored to have its roots).  Walking down a narrow street we came upon a nice looking outdoor cafe and stopped for some lunch.  Along came this beautiful couple (probably in their 20s) and they stopped near the cafe where the man turned on a "boom box" which started playing tango music.  The couple then performed the best Tango we have ever seen (better then what we have seen in some BA tango shows).  After about 15 minutes they did pass the hat (and did quite well).  One of those special moments that you can never plan.

 

Hank

Great memory it's those that make travelling so special.

On 6/18/2021 at 4:47 PM, gnome12 said:

I think that you might mean Mercat Tours, which are located at the mercat cross on the Royal Mile.

I would agree from the description given it would be Mercat Tours they have a base there. They specialise in walking tours and tours of Edinburgh but do offer others. 

On 6/10/2021 at 8:46 PM, Heartfelttraveler said:

Galleria’s Pacifico Mall in the Modero area for leather goods.  Our favorite shop was El Boyer.  We are hoping to spend a night or two in Buenos Aires again in January 2022 and I am bringing an empty duffle bag to buy leather goods.

 

the Mall itself if a treasure.  Really beautiful.

 

http://www.galeriaspacifico.com.ar/eng/

Good to know.