tommary5858

Tarquinia is an ancient Etruscan city about 15 miles from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. Since we had previously spent time in Rome, we wanted to do something else while our ship was in Civitavecchia, so we decided on Tarquinia and found Luigi Vitale on Internet. We had a great time with him. He met us at the gangway when the ship docked. Passengers on independent tours must use a shuttle bus, provided by the port, to get into town. Luigi knew his way around the shuttle bus and we soon found ourselves in town. Parking is always a problem, so Luigi had arranged for to take the local bus to Tarquinia. Since we really enjoy getting into the local culture, this was a great idea.

We had a fun 20-minute ride to a beautiful little town and the bus lets you out right in the heart of the historical area. Walking is certainly the best way to see and appreciate Tarquinia. We enjoyed the history, buildings and architecture as well as the National Museum. Luigi suggested we go there rather than going to the Necropolis to see the tombs. He said that we would get a much better idea of what the tombs were like because artifacts from the Necropolis, as well as some entire tombs were displayed at the museum. The display was fantastic. We are not really “museum people”, and we told Luigi that. So, he moved us right through the museum, being sure we saw the highlights. We really appreciated the quick museum tour, as it gave us time to visit City Hall and see the beautiful City Council Chamber that has been in use for hundreds of years. With beautiful churches, towers, streets, plazas and most interesting laundry, it is a great little town to visit. Luigi also knew where the best Gelato was made. After a short bus ride back, Luigi showed us many sites around Civitavecchia. It is a working port city, but it has a lot to offer; many beautiful buildings, churches, food and artwork. There is a lot to see within easy walking distance of the shuttle bus to the ship.

As for Luigi himself, he was a lot of fun, very knowledgeable and willing to tailor the tour to meet our wishes. It seemed like he knew almost everyone in town and he did know everyone at the port. It turns out that he is an interpreter for port security. His English is excellent. He also guides tours to Rome and Tuscany. I am pleased to recommend him in glowing terms.

http://tourguide.altervista.org/ vitale.tourguide@gmail.com

Anyone with recent experience docking here for Bruges

Did you have to take a shuttle outside the port gates for taxis or could you get a taxi as you left the ship??

 

Last time we were there the taxi was able to meet us near the ship but I have been reading that they are not allowing the taxis into the port area

 

Just curious so I know what to expect next year...of course it could all change by then ;)

 

Lyn

Hello:

We were very disappointed in Taxi Snel. We were there in April 2014 and wanted to be taken from the port to Brugge. We arranged for Taxi Snel to be picked up at 8:00. At present, pre-booked taxis can not pick up passengers at the ship. NON-prebooked taxis were available at the gangway. STRANGE. There is a free ship shuttle to the port gate.

After 3 confirming e-mails as to the pickup time. The driver STILL had 8:30 shown on his paperwork for the pickup rather than 8:00 as we requested. Compounding that mistake, the driver was 20 minutes later than that. He finally arrived at 8:50.

The dispatch office must take the blame for this rather than the driver. Not only did they mess up the pickup time, they had him making another trip that threw him another 20 minutes late.

I called the dispatch office 3 times beginning at 8:10 and was assured that a taxi would be there within 10 minutes. An obvious untruth.

This company appears to have no regard for travelers that they have trapped at the port gate with few other options.

tom

All

 

Does anyone have any recent contact details for a reliable taxi firm to take us from the port to Bruges? I tried one I found on here but it was from 2010 and I havent had a reply.

 

Any recent taxi info would be appriciated.

 

Thanks

 

Lindsay

Hello: We were very disappointed in Taxi Snel. We were there in April 2014 and wanted to be taken from the port to Brugge. We arranged for Taxi Snel to be picked up at 8:00. Pre-booked taxis can not pick up passengers at the ship. NON-prebooked taxis were available at the gangway. STRANGE. There is a free ship shuttle to the port gate.

After 3 confirming e-mails as to the pickup time. The driver STILL had 8:30 shown on his paperwork for the pickup. Compounding that mistake, the driver was 20 minutes later than that. He finally arrived at 8:50.

The dispatch office must take the blame for this rather than the driver. Not only did they mess up the pickup time, they had him making another trip that threw him another 20 minutes late.

I called the dispatch office 3 times beginning at 8:10 and was assured that a taxi would be there within 10 minutes. An obvious untruth.

This company appears to have no regard for travelers that they have trapped at the port gate with few other options.

tom