Barely A Live from Escape May16-26 2024 Trieste (Venice) to Barcelona/10-Day Mediterranean: Italy Croatia Greece France Spain

[Sugar Magnolia]

Yes, the title of this thread has a double entendre.

 

I disembarked from the Prima on Sunday in Southampton UK along with Cruise Critic luminaries @mking8288 and @Travelicious. As always, there were pros and cons on that 15-day transatlantic sailing from New York, but being able to finally meet CC friends in person and forging new friendships with the solo group members tipped the scale more to the pro side. There were many late nights at the Prima Club, Syd Norman’s and the Local (aka new O’Sheehans), so my body never quite adjusted to the new time zone and felt like it never left New York. Nevertheless, for the past few days, I endeavored to force myself to acclimate to the local time and managed to wake up this morning at 6:00am to exercise, eat breakfast and catch the train from Venezia Mestre to Trieste. I am dragging, though, and feeling barely alive.

 

This will be a first for me…first time on the Escape, first time embarking from Trieste and first time starting a “Live” on CC. Please be kind. 

 

Tomorrow I will embark on the Escape from Trieste and 10 days later disembark in Barcelona. It will be a port intensive sailing with early morning arrivals and excursions, so I am unsure whether I will be in a proper state of mind to post my daily ramblings at the end of the day. Thus, this thread might barely be a live thread.

 

Here is the itinerary:

 

 

[KEG21552]

Very interested and following.  We will be doing somewhat the reverse in August.  We do have 1 sea day at the end, so hoping for some time to become human again before our 3 days post cruise in Venice

[Sugar Magnolia]

After disembarking from the Prima on Sunday, I stayed at the Moxy Southampton for one night. The next morning, I took the 5:55am National Express coach from Southampton and arrived Heathrow Terminal 5 at around 7:40am. Scheduled arrival was 7:20am but we ran into Monday morning traffic when the coach approached the Greater London area. Coach ticket was £27.30.

 

As my British Airways flight to Venice was not departing until 11:50am, I was hoping to hop on the earlier flight at 8:55am. A nice BA representative directed me to the special BA line to inquire, even though I am not special. However, I was informed that I would have to make it through security in 4 minutes in order to catch that earlier flight. Since I left my superpowers home, I had to stick with my scheduled flight.

 

After dropping off my luggage, I proceeded to the electronic gate where I first scanned my boarding pass, walked through first gate, had my picture taken, then walked through second gate. Since TSA pre-check does me no good in the UK, I joined the ranks of the traveling masses and had to actually take my laptop out of my knapsack when going through security screening. How dare they.

 

With a few hours to pass and thanks to my Platinum AmEx benefits, I headed to the Plaza Premium Lounge to relax and be away from the crowds...but not so fast. When I checked in at the lounge, I was told to return at 9:10am…2 hours before boarding time 11:10am. I guess this was a fair way to control the flow into the lounge, giving everyone an opportunity to use the lounge in a limited space.

 

The Plaza Premium Lounge at Heathrow's Terminal 5 was bare bones when compared to the ones in Asia. However, there was plenty of coffee and that is all I really need in the mornings, unless I am in Portugal and then I need my pasteis de nata fix.

 

The two hour flight to Venice was uneventful. Passengers who sat on the right side of the plane were treated to a fabulous aerial view of Venice and the easily recognizable St. Mark’s Bell Tower. I was not one of those lucky passengers.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

2 minutes ago, KEG21552 said:

Very interested and following.  We will be doing somewhat the reverse in August.  We do have 1 sea day at the end, so hoping for some time to become human again before our 3 days post cruise in Venice

 

No sea days on my sailing so forgive me if I drop off on occasion to regain my strength and sanity.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

It was a stress free flight to Venice Marco Polo Airport and a civilized baggage claim experience. I prepaid €10 on the GetYourGuide app for a bus transfer from Venice Airport to Venezia Mestre Train Station, a short walk to my hotel. As soon as I walked out of the airport terminal, I spotted a bus with a sign that said Mestre Train Station, confirmed with the bus driver and another passenger that the bus was headed to Mestre Train Station, then hopped on board. There were no luggage racks or any place to store luggage and thought that was odd. When the bus started to make multiple stops, I realized that I was not on the express bus from the airport to the train station, but on the local city bus. I later found out that it was the same price for either bus. Since the city bus makes more stops without charging more money, I convinced myself that it was a bonus for me. Yay?

 

In any case, I think I made good time even on the slower city bus. After the plane landed at 3:10pm, I went through passport control, visited the loo, collected my luggage, mistakenly hopped on the city bus and arrived at my hotel by 4:40pm.

 

In case you need to know in the future, this is the ATVO express bus from the Venice airport to the Mestre train station.

 

 

And this is the ACTV city bus from the Venice airport to the Mestre train station. It was just sitting there begging me to board.

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

As I have been to Venice a few times, this time I chose to stay in Mestre for 2 nights and in Trieste for 1 night for the: (1) cheaper hotel rates and (2) convenience. 

 

I stayed at and recommend the Best Western Plus Hotel Bologna in Mestre, which is located directly across the street from the main entrance of the Mestre train station where you can catch a direct train to Trieste. If you stay in Venice, you would have to take the train from Venezia Santa Lucia to Mestre, then transfer at Mestre for the train to Trieste. From Mestre, you can easily visit Venice for the day by taking a 10 minute train ride to Santa Lucia, which is what I did yesterday.

 

The city bus from the airport stopped right in front of the train station so all I had to do was walk across the street. Best Westerns in Europe are much nicer than the Best Westerns in the U.S., so fear not. I do not recall booking a room for 3 people but I was assigned to a room for 3 people. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incidentally, the Best Western Tritone is about two blocks away which also seems popular.

 

When I mentioned to a friend, who had lived in Venice for a number of years, that I would be staying in Mestre, she warned me against it because there were too many ladies of the night in the area. I told her that there were ladies of the night in the finest hotels; they are just better dressed. Reminds me…I need to report back to my friend that I did not notice any ladies of the night anywhere while in Mestre.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

After checking into my hotel in Mestre, I relaxed a little bit but fought hard not to fall asleep. It was a tough fight as my day started at 4:30am but I managed to win this battle. I took a short walk around the area and then returned to the hotel for an early dinner at the hotel restaurant Da Tura.

 

 

The spaghetti was a nice chewy al dente with a creamy texture and the clams were fresh and tender.

 

 

The sweet strawberry sorbet and the tart lemon sorbet brought great joy to my senses.

 

 

The bill was €30 which included a large bottle of sparkling water and the Italian coperto (cover charge).

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

After a slow starting Tuesday morning, I booked a roundtrip train ticket (€2.90) on the Trenitalia app from Venezia Mestre to Venezia Santa Lucia to visit Venice for the day. The tickets are timed for a particular train and can only be used for that train. Next time, I will not book the return until I am ready, as I missed the one I had booked. There goes €1.45 down the drain.

 

It was a quick 10 minute ride to Santa Lucia and I could see the excitement on the faces of the first time visitors.

 

On my first visit to Venice many years ago, I anticipated a crowded city filled with tourists and tchotchkes, and yes, there were plenty. However, I surprised myself and enjoyed Venice more than I thought. Perhaps the absence of vehicles enhanced the experience, especially when you walk out of the train terminal and are greeted with this wondrous view…slightly more impressive than walking out of Penn Station New York.

 

 

 

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Although it is only about a 30 minute walk from the train station to San Marco, I was meandering for about 2+ hours because how could I possibly not stop at every few feet to admire and take photos of this beautiful city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mking8288]

Nice 🙂 thank you, madam Sylvia... promised to be kind, nice and empathetic; being #2 to check in here to follow, this is something that we might consider ahead - 2025, perhaps. 

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Meals are always a feast in Italy...even if a simple small feast.

 

 

I savored a prosciutto, mozzarella and arugula sandwich on perfect focaccia with a side of cannoli and a pistachio cream delight. Double espresso completed the meal.

 

 

But wait...gelato store is right next door...I haven't lived until I tasted this walnut and fig heavenly concoction.

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Energized from my small but tasty feast, I continued onward toward San Marco.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lepidoptera]

Loving the review and am excited to follow along. Beautiful pics and writing! Makes me remember my sister’s and my trip to Venice although we did a Greek Isle cruise. 

[debenson0723]

Thank you so much for doing this Barely A Live (wonderful title). I cannot wait to follow along. I am currently looking at doing Trieste to Rome in November on the Pearl and this might pull me in the direction of booking it. All of the ports are new to me and the solo inside is very affordable (no need for a balcony since there are no sea days). 

Your pictures are stunning and I love all the detail in your writing. Can't wait to read more. 

And don't forget...when you get back, you will have 21 days to rest before getting on the Joy to Bermuda with me and @graphicguy. Enjoy your cruise!!

[Sugar Magnolia]

Bongiorno!

 

 

 

The Escape is docked right across the street from the Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel.

 

 

 

 

Excuse me…there seems to be a giant cruise ship stuck to your side…

 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

7 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Nice 🙂 thank you, madam Sylvia... promised to be kind, nice and empathetic; being #2 to check in here to follow, this is something that we might consider ahead - 2025, perhaps. 

 

Thank you for your interest and support. 😊

You inspired me!

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

6 hours ago, lepidoptera said:

Loving the review and am excited to follow along. Beautiful pics and writing! Makes me remember my sister’s and my trip to Venice although we did a Greek Isle cruise. 

 

Thank you for your kind words. So happy to hear that this brought back fond memories.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

4 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

Thank you so much for doing this Barely A Live (wonderful title). I cannot wait to follow along. I am currently looking at doing Trieste to Rome in November on the Pearl and this might pull me in the direction of booking it. All of the ports are new to me and the solo inside is very affordable (no need for a balcony since there are no sea days). 

Your pictures are stunning and I love all the detail in your writing. Can't wait to read more. 

 

Thank you. I hope I can be helpful in your planning.

 

4 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

And don't forget...when you get back, you will have 21 days to rest before getting on the Joy to Bermuda with me and @graphicguy. Enjoy your cruise!!

 

So much peer pressure from the CC community. 

 

[Coastalbreezes]

Thank you for taking us along on this wonderful itinerary. Escape is my favorite ship and I'm looking forward to your review as well as more beautiful photos. Have a great time.

[spethstation]

Excited to follow along with your itinerary 🙂 I love the Escape!

[Sugar Magnolia]

I arrived at the port at 11:40am and was able to board the ship before 12:00 noon. Luggage drop-off was easy and there were no extortionate practices involved. 
 

Check-in was also a breeze and as usual, my photo was taken. 
 

Security screening took a little longer because we were required to take out our laptops and open them before passing them through the scanner. Fortunately, there were no embarrassing pics on my screen. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[graphicguy]

Love....LOVE your itinerary.  

 

And, it's nice to take trains that run ON TIME, every time.  

 

I concur about your comment about jaw dropping scenes, and having picture taking scenes every where you look.

 

The food, the smells, the history, the buildings (knowing most are 2X as old as our whole country).

 

Just loving seeing this.  You're not even ½ way through.

 

Thank you!

[Sugar Magnolia]

By 1:00pm there were lines snaking their way to luggage drop, likely when many buses started to arrive at the same time. One of those ATVO buses from the airport sat there taunting me. 
 

 

 

 

The lines dwindled by 3:00pm, two hours prior to our scheduled 5:00pm departure. Some passengers have posted on another social media site that their train to Trieste is delayed so it will be a nail biter…will NCL wait or will we meet those passengers in Croatia tomorrow?
 

Looks like Norwegian installed the canopies to shield oncoming passengers from the rain. I received no such courtesy earlier this morning, but I have been asked no less than half a dozen times whether I checked in with my muster station. They all seemed very concerned for me. 
 

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

16 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

And, it's nice to take trains that run ON TIME, every time

Some folks are reporting that their train to Trieste is running late so am sure they are sweating bullets. 
 

18 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Just loving seeing this.  You're not even ½ way through

I haven’t even started 😅

 

[cruiseny4life]

Oh my! I'm so happy to see this. You've just made my week! Although I'll probably fall silent on the weekend. My Monday morning will be brightened by anything you care to share with us! Remember, enjoyment of your cruise is more important than allowing us to live vicariously through you...but we expect you to post (j/k)! 

 

Also...what a cute gondolier! 😍