lyndaedris Posted October 6, 2006 #1 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Hi everyone! My husband and I are sailing from Venice on Oct. 29 on the Splendour of the Seas. Transatlantic. We leave this Monday to fly to Euope and then work our way down to Venice. Any one else on this cruise? Our first stop is Croatia. We have read that "walking the walls" is beautiful and then walk around "old town" What we need to know is how far is the "Pile Gate" the entrance to the walls,from the ship. Can we walk there, or do we need to take a taxi. If a taxi, can anyone remember how much it was? We normally wouldn't care about the cost of the taxi BUT the ships excursion is $38/person and maybe if the taxi is very expensive it would pay to take the ship excursion. Any other "we should be sure to see" stops we should make would be greatly appreciated. Thanks:) Lynda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janazaz Posted October 6, 2006 #2 Share Posted October 6, 2006 We were just there last week and I'd suggest getting a taxi to tour around a little bit. It only took 1-1/2 hrs and we saw some really beautiful sites as our driver explained everything in perfect English, then took us up to Napoleon's Fort high above the city where a tour bus couldn't go. I heard the cost was anywhere from $40-70. You can negotiate these prices. They'll drop you off in Old Town. If you take just the taxi into town it was $10 each way and no, you can't walk it from the pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iwantsun Posted October 6, 2006 #3 Share Posted October 6, 2006 We were also there with Janazaz (Hi!) and took the shuttle bus offered by the ship. The cost was $4/person/way and they dropped us off at the pile gate. There are a few places where you can change your currency into kunas as you arrive in old town. We exchanged 50E and had more than enough for both of us for the entire day (sight seeing, food and a few souvenirs). Most places will accept Euros. Get an audio-guide to walk the walls. You must try the ice cream ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janazaz Posted October 6, 2006 #4 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Hello, Sun! Lyndaedris, one thing I forgot to mention is whatever you do DON'T use the public restroom (WC) outside The Wall where you're dropped off. Even though it was free, this restroom was both men's and women's. Then men's side with urinals didn't even have a door and was totally open! The women's was so dirty and nasty, with no commode. You used it by squatting which totally disgusted me. We later found a great restroom serviced by a restaurant inside Old Town on the square near one of the churches that charged 2 Kunas. This one even had a toilet seat and very clean. It was our first time in Europe and I think the restrooms were my biggest surprise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notmartha Posted October 6, 2006 #5 Share Posted October 6, 2006 I think it depends on where your ship docks. Most docks away from the old town at the cruise terminal, and at least on the carnival there's a shuttle bus for 10 euros roundtrip. The ride takes about 15 minutes. The shuttlebus drops you off near the entrance of the pile gate, where the wall walk entrance is. A couple we met at lunch walked to old town from the dock, and they said it's 45 minutes along the coastline. Some boats anchors off the sea side of old town, and they have tenders to the harbour. From the harbour side it's about an 5-8 minute walk to the pile gate where the main walk begins. I've seen literature that said that there's entrance from the harbour side, but I didn't see it. However, there is an exit at the harbour side so you don't have to walk the entire length of the wall. The walk is scenic going from pile gate towards the harbour (the recommended way) - counter clockwise. We bailed out at the harbour due to lack of time. My dad and brother walked the entire route and said the rest is less scenic, have more towers and more tiring. Dubrovnik is lovely, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyndaedris Posted October 6, 2006 Author #6 Share Posted October 6, 2006 Thank you everyone. The info was soooo helpful that I copied everyones replies. Janazaz, the WC in europe are definitely quite the challenge!!! When I was in Japan, out in the country, that is what they had also. A 5' 10" it is really a challenge. I also learned to carry those little sample toilet paper rolls as you never know. Try one of the WC that are on the street corner for a real challenge. I am use to it now. However, I often pretend that I am a patron of the restaurant and just go in like I know what I am doing and use their restroom. Sometimes this is good sometimes not so good. Were you on the cruise that I am going on? Splendour of the Seas out of Venice Oct. 29th. I checked out someones pictures of Croatia that posted her website for them on this site and it looks just beautiful. I am really excited! Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janazaz Posted October 7, 2006 #7 Share Posted October 7, 2006 Lyndaedris, we were on Brillance of the Sea that left Barcelona on Sept. 20th. It was a 12 night cruise so we just back early this week. I'm still on their time zone too - 9 hrs out. We really enjoyed Croatia and we also have tons of pictures. I think we took over 1000 on this cruise. Have you been on Splendour before? We were looking into RCL's South American cruise for '08 and that's the ship they are using. I'd like to know a little more about the ship if you've sailed her before. Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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