Bon Voyage to Richchap!

[Lottie A]

Hi Richard,

 

Just got back from Vegas and I am very jet lagged, but wanted to wish you and Nancy a wonderful cruise on Quest.

 

After all your anticipation I hope you both have a great time and please say Hi to Russ and Philip for me.

 

Xx

 

Lottie

[richchap]

My sincere apology for not having gotten back to you sooner regarding our trip in October. I just realized that you wrote me. The cruise was wonderful with beautiful weather to boot. Your suggestions were all outstanding. The only agenda item not accomplished was visiting Lucca. My sister in law was ill until about 11:00 am and thus a large portion of the day was lost. We hired a car and driver for an afternoon in Pisa. We enjoyed it. Lucca's on the list.

 

I just booked another cruise on Quest departing Nice to Southampton on May,30. Stops are Barcelona,Gibraltar,Seville,Lisbon and St. Peter's Port. I am not familiar with Lisbon,Hornfleur or St. Peter's Port. Any thoughts on these would as always be appreciated. We spend nights in Barcelona and Seville. I'm weak on Seville having spent only a few days there in the past. With respect to Hornfleur and what's around...the Normandy beaches seem popular. Nancy and I have been. What about Deauville? I'll be arriving Nice the day before sailing and I booked a hotel in Villefranche.

 

I'm considering visiting a friend in Liverpool at the end of the cruise. Is the best way from Southampton to Liverpool via train? Any thoughts? Can't thank you enough for all of your advise. Your taste level is appreciated and doesn't go unnoticed.

 

How did your trip to Vegas go? Hopefully you left the $'s with the stores and not the casinos. Any scheduled cruises in your future? Azamara cruises? Have you any information on Quest's refit?

[Lottie A]

Hi Richard,

I'm so glad you enjoyed your Azamara cruise last year and are back for another one. Nice itinerary too....We were thinking about this cruise, but we have decided on a land holiday to Italy in May instead and I have an Oceania and two Silversea cruises booked. I'm sure I will manage to fit in an Azamara cruise too. :)

Lisbon is a lovely city and the sail in up the Tagus river ( pronounced Teju) is spectacular. My recommendations would be the historic and peaceful Geronimos Convent, now with a fascinating museum, The Monument of the Discoveries and Belem Tower. All these are within walking distance of each other on the banks of the river. Try the typical Pasteis custard tarts of Lisbon...they are delicious. Take a tram ride around the city and visit the historic Alfama old town. If you feel like going outside the city then Cascais is a pretty little beach town.

 

Honfleur is just the cutest little Normandy town and I would spend a peaceful day here exploring the town and perhaps walking the tow path along the river where the river cruise boats tie up. Seafood is great, you can buy apple cider and Calvados at very good prices. It's a very pretty little French town.

 

St Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey, one of our British Channel Islands and again is a very picturesque little town. Great seafood restaurants on the quayside, cream teas in the town square and lots of boutique shops for Nancy! You can get the local bus around the island which will take about two hours and goes to some marvellous beaches. Just to warn you though that St Peter's Port is one of the most missed ports in the world as there are some fierce cross currents in the bay and it's not always safe to tender here. I have been three times and we made it in each time, but I think that's quite unusual.

 

Seville ....Quest can sail right up the river into the heart of this fascinating city. So much to see and do and even in May it is likely to be very hot....Seville is the hottest city in Spain.

 

Villefranche is small but charming. You can get the local bus which runs from Nice to Monte Carlo and has the best views of any bus route in Europe, with perhaps the possible exception of The Amalfi Coast Drive. There is a little White Train that goes from just opposite the tender berth and takes you around Villefranche and to the pretty neighbouring town of Beaulieu sur Mer. You can visit the Rothschild villa, gardens and museum on the peninsula near Villefranche. Personally I would be going into Nice ....it would be the Flower Market in the morning for cafe creme and fresh croissants, Auer for marvellous chocolates, then shopping in Galeries Lafayette and lunch with Kir Royale and more shopping, then cocktails at The Negresco later! I know someone will be reading that with a big smile on their face and saying "oh Yes she would be doing exactly that!"

 

I'm not going to talk about Gibraltar because I hate the place....I never get off the ship there and have a spa day instead.

 

Barcelona I probably know better than any city in the world except my own but I know I have given you lots of options there before.

 

If you want to get the train from Southampton Central to Liverpool Lime Street it takes about four and a half hours and usually involves one change of train or sometimes two, depending on the time you go. If I were you I would look into flying from Southampton airport to Liverpool John Lennon Airport....and it might even be less expensive!

 

Hope my "tour guide" info helps a bit with your planning. I think I would like to be a tour guide when I retire from my proper job. :)

 

Lovely to talk to you again Richard and please give my best regards to Nancy. I hope we meet up on an Azamara cruise again one day.

[upwarduk]

If you want to get the train from Southampton Central to Liverpool Lime Street it takes about four and a half hours and usually involves one change of train or sometimes two, depending on the time you go. If I were you I would look into flying from Southampton airport to Liverpool John Lennon Airport....and it might even be less expensive!

 

Please be aware that the flight probably won't leave until later in the day; the flight to Manchester is at 5.30 pm on Fly Be. It also means that your weight restriction for your case will be limited.

If you do decide to fly, you could visit Winchester during the day. We did it in 2012, but we were restricted on entry into the Cathedral, they wouldn't let us leave our cases in the ticket office, or any where else. We ended up going into the museum individually.

[IsanTom]

Bon Voyage Richap! I don't know you, but maybe you'll be on board the Quest for

November 2017 TA! Just wanted to say. Here in Thailand it's very hot, so looking forward to the rainy season in June!

[excitedofharpenden]

Rich, enjoy Quest. I was going to book that 30th May cruise too, but decided on Journey leaving a week earlier and a warmer route. Have a great time!:cool:

 

Phil

[richchap]

I always seem to be thanking you for your wonderful advice. However that's because you always seem to enjoy sharing your vast knowledge with me and anyone else who beckons. Thank you again.

 

I'll be traveling alone on this trip. Nancy unfortunately has to work. Have a ball on your upcoming cruises. They all sound great. Land tour in Italy also sounds like an exciting eating and drinking adventure. As I recall your rather fond of Italy. Enjoy.

 

I want to thank you and Upwarduk for your suggestions on Manchester. Your right about the times and costs. Cheaper to fly than rail. Perhaps I'll spend a day in the area and visit Winchester as suggested. Catch a plane the next day. That's all up in the air right now.

 

Isantom perhaps next November we meet on the T/A. I've never done one and have always been interested. By the way it's about 85 here in Dallas.

 

Excitedofharpenden thanks for the hello and sorry I'll miss you but your cruise looks equally as nice. Have a wonderful time. Perhaps another time.

[Lottie A]

Happy to share my very small knowledge with you Rich. How sad that Nancy has to work....I hope she can vacation with you later in the year.

 

Hope you have a great cruise anyway and I'm sure you will meet lots of interesting people on Quest.

 

I think it would be a good plan to go to Winchester if you decide to fly to Manchester the next day. It's very near Southampton and a very charming and historic city. Jane Austen was born here and is buried in the Cathedral.

[cpgrneyes]

My two cents on St. Peter Port in Guernsey is to hire a guide. Our original plan was to wander the lovely streets, but we joined a CC roll call tour, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. The history of WWII occupation of the island by the ****s is truly fascinating!

[KirkNC]

Bon voyage!