Trips

[brummie 223]

Tickets arrived im so excited, dont know what trips to book, or shall we do our own thing?

[ekco]

Tickets arrived im so excited, dont know what trips to book, or shall we do our own thing?

 

Could you give us some idea of where your starting point is and if you've been to any of the places before?:):)

 

Jan

[brummie 223]

No never cruised before flying to tenerife then onto ship, any advice would be a bonus

[ekco]

You won't have much time to explore on your first day. Depending on what time your flight back is you would probably be better to do an excursion on your last day if you've got time. Santa cruz is a big town so plan any walks carefully with a good map or you will walk for miles for nothing. We walked to the bus station and got a bus to Puerta de la Cruz and spent the day at the Lido but you won't have time to do that.

 

Gran Canaria, a good place to DIY in Las Palmas. A 10 minute walk out of the port will find a shopping mall on the right with MacDonalds etc. On the left near the main road you can get a sightseeing bus, we thought it a bit expensive so straight ahead across the main roads go down any of the roads ahead and about 10 minutes walk you will find a nice sandy beach with sunbeds etc.

 

La Palma, pretty island like a mini Madeira. Free shuttle bus to port gates and the town is right there. Nice place to explore or take a trip as there is no time to DIY out of town but be very careful not to be late back as the ship leaves at around 15.00pm. Someone on our cruise nearly missed the departure, they were very lucky not to be stranded on a Sunday.

 

Madeira, we love it here. If you don't like walking get a taxi into town or a 15 minute walk will get you there. As you reach the main road a turn to the left and 10-15 minute walk will bring you to the tourist hotels and the lido. Walk to the right and you are in the town. About half way round the bay and a bit inland you can get the cable car up to Monte and the botanical gardens, nearby are the wicker sledges if you want to hurtle back down. We didn't, if like me you don't like heights travel with you back to the rise and face the sea both ways and it's not too bad. You can pay for a trip from Thomson but it's easy to DIY. Trips into the mountains are spectacular here or just explore Funchal as it's very interesting. You've got plenty of time here, the yellow buses are local and frequent and you can get one to the lido if you want. The grey buses go into the mountains and are best taken early in the day, probably better if you are staying on a hotel holiday.

 

Agadir, stay on board, get a taxi to the beach or go on a trip.

 

Lanzarote, if you've never been here before take the excursion to the national park and the active volcano, not to be missed. Otherwise you can get the organized bus to Puerto del Carmen and the beach, about 12 euros each I think. The shuttle bus into Arrecife from the port is well worth paying for as it's a long walk from the ship and you don't have time to waste but find a landmark so you can find the bus back. Plenty of shops here and a market on the harbour. If you follow the sea front to the left you will find a sandy beach with a park beyond. The bus terminus is here as well.

 

I think that's about it from me. Everyone has their own ideas and pocket travels guides by the AA are a nice size and pretty cheap.

 

This is just my personal experiences. On the whole if you're a bit unsure because you've never been before go on a Thomsons trip or explore near to. We have been many times to the Canaries and Madeira so we know our way around and have no fear.

 

Hope this helps a bit.:):)

 

Jan

[brummie 223]

Thanks Jan so much for your time, you have been a great help:)

[ekco]

Thanks Jan so much for your time, you have been a great help:)

 

You're very welcome. Any other questions just ask away.:):)

 

Jan

[Carlykins]

You won't have much time to explore on your first day. Depending on what time your flight back is you would probably be better to do an excursion on your last day if you've got time. Santa cruz is a big town so plan any walks carefully with a good map or you will walk for miles for nothing. We walked to the bus station and got a bus to Puerta de la Cruz and spent the day at the Lido but you won't have time to do that.

 

Gran Canaria, a good place to DIY in Las Palmas. A 10 minute walk out of the port will find a shopping mall on the right with MacDonalds etc. On the left near the main road you can get a sightseeing bus, we thought it a bit expensive so straight ahead across the main roads go down any of the roads ahead and about 10 minutes walk you will find a nice sandy beach with sunbeds etc.

 

La Palma, pretty island like a mini Madeira. Free shuttle bus to port gates and the town is right there. Nice place to explore or take a trip as there is no time to DIY out of town but be very careful not to be late back as the ship leaves at around 15.00pm. Someone on our cruise nearly missed the departure, they were very lucky not to be stranded on a Sunday.

 

Madeira, we love it here. If you don't like walking get a taxi into town or a 15 minute walk will get you there. As you reach the main road a turn to the left and 10-15 minute walk will bring you to the tourist hotels and the lido. Walk to the right and you are in the town. About half way round the bay and a bit inland you can get the cable car up to Monte and the botanical gardens, nearby are the wicker sledges if you want to hurtle back down. We didn't, if like me you don't like heights travel with you back to the rise and face the sea both ways and it's not too bad. You can pay for a trip from Thomson but it's easy to DIY. Trips into the mountains are spectacular here or just explore Funchal as it's very interesting. You've got plenty of time here, the yellow buses are local and frequent and you can get one to the lido if you want. The grey buses go into the mountains and are best taken early in the day, probably better if you are staying on a hotel holiday.

 

Agadir, stay on board, get a taxi to the beach or go on a trip.

 

Lanzarote, if you've never been here before take the excursion to the national park and the active volcano, not to be missed. Otherwise you can get the organized bus to Puerto del Carmen and the beach, about 12 euros each I think. The shuttle bus into Arrecife from the port is well worth paying for as it's a long walk from the ship and you don't have time to waste but find a landmark so you can find the bus back. Plenty of shops here and a market on the harbour. If you follow the sea front to the left you will find a sandy beach with a park beyond. The bus terminus is here as well.

 

I think that's about it from me. Everyone has their own ideas and pocket travels guides by the AA are a nice size and pretty cheap.

 

This is just my personal experiences. On the whole if you're a bit unsure because you've never been before go on a Thomsons trip or explore near to. We have been many times to the Canaries and Madeira so we know our way around and have no fear.

 

Hope this helps a bit.:):)

 

Jan

Thanks Jan .. really helpful info ... Going to try to print off this thread ready for our holiday

[ekco]

Thanks Jan .. really helpful info ... Going to try to print off this thread ready for our holiday

 

You're welcome.:):) Just to add that if anyone has never been to Tenerife before go on the Mount Teide trip if you can, it's fantastic up there and not too cold. It's amazing looking down on the clouds as if you are in a plane and still be on dry land.:):)

 

Also, you can organize your trips on the website. Go to Cruises, Ports of Call tab near the top, your chosen port and you will find the excursions down the page.

 

Jan