Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Part I: Review of Naples/Athens/Kusadasi/Istanbul and Mykonos

Denverite

Recommended Posts

barb61s

barb61s

Posted
Posted
To Lost at Sea 23: Here is the review I wrote for our 2006 trip to the Tuscany and Umbria area. If you have any specific questions, let me know.

 

Rome:

We had been to Rome before and wanted to do something different pre-cruise this time. We decided we wanted to spend a couple of days in the Tuscany area and a day in the Umbria area post-cruise to maximum our time. So while this review is not cruise-related, if you have been to Rome before and are looking for something else to do before or after your cruise, this may interest you.

 

We arrived at the Rome airport at 5:25 pm and Stefano of Romecabs was right on time meeting us as we exited from baggage. We had arranged for airport pickup and a short nighttime tour of Rome before heading to our hotel. Stefano drove us through the unbelievable Rome traffic to see some of the sights we had missed on our previous trip. He had a surprise for us—he took us by the Trevi Fountain to once again throw a coin in to ensure we will return to Rome. He then recommended a great restaurant near our hotel for dinner. As we were walking back to our hotel after dinner, we passed a church and heard music. We went in the church and they were having a concert of music from West Side Story. We stayed at the Hotel Diplomatic (a few short blocks from the Vatican). This is a small hotel but very comfortable and a really nice breakfast room. We talked with some other people staying there (some business people) and they said they always stay there and it is usually booked up. We booked through one of the on-line booking sites and got a great rate (although remember we were there the end of October and not in prime tourist season).

 

The next morning Stefano picked us up for our trip into the Tuscany area. While it is true that you can rent a car or take the train, we really wanted a no-hassle trip with someone explaining some history and recommending good restaurants. We stopped at Monteriggioni (atop a hill as all the small towns are) with wonderful views of vineyards and olive trees below. Next stop was Siena—the highlight is the Duomo—unbelievable floors and frescoes. We had lunch at a little restaurant recommend by Stefano—the pasta with wild boar was wonderful! Next stop: San Gimignano, our stop for the night. We stayed in the Hotel Cistern within the city walls. The rooms were nice (some larger than others) and unbelievable views from the balconies—you could see for miles around, again vineyards, olive trees, red tiled roofs. Once again Stefano recommended a first-class restaurant, the Trattoria Chiribiri—try the beef in chianti sauce, and the bill for 5 of us was only 60 euros. The city was magical at night—no tourists, only us and the locals. The streets are very narrow (like maybe one car width if that) and Stefano was unbelievable navigating those streets. You can drive to the hotel to drop off your luggage, but then you have to park the car far away.

 

The next morning we had breakfast at the Hotel Cistern (included in the price) in a breakfast room with, yes once again views of the vineyards, olive trees, red-tiled roofs. Think “Under the Tuscan Sun”…

 

We left San Gimiginano to see Tarquinia and Tuscania before Stefano dropped us off at the ship in Civitivecchia. Stefano really knows Etruscan history and it was interesting to see and hear about the people who settled before the Romans. We also worked in a quick wine tasting at a local farm. We were onboard the Golden Princess by 3:30pm. Note: If you are looking for a quick tour prior to boarding the ship, Tarquinia and Tuscania are very near the port (about half an hour away). Tuscania has two very old churches and a very good restaurant. Tarquinia has the Etruscan necropolis and museum. I thought the museum was quite interesting and I am not a big museum person. For information on Tuscania, see: http://www.romeartlover.it/Tuscania.html and for Tarquinia see: http://www.romeartlover.it/Maremma1.html and http://mysteriousetruscans.com/tarchna.html

 

At the end of the cruise, we again booked Stefano for a tour through the Umbria area since we couldn’t get a flight out until the next day. If I thought the Tuscany area was beautiful, the Umbria area also had its own uniqueness and charm. If you do nothing else, visit Assisi. The basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (where St. Francis is buried) is the most amazing church I have ever seen (and I have been in Notre Dame in Paris, the Vatican in Rome, and many other churches). The frescoes are amazing. It is a very special place and one I will remember always. We also visited Perugia briefly (had to buy chocolate) and Orvieto. Once again, there is an amazing Duomo in Orvieto—the outside is being renovated but it is truly incredible. I am running out of adjectives. Stefano then dropped us off at the Rome Airport Hilton (about 7:30pm) and we searched for a place for dinner. We were looking for something light but alas could find nothing so we walked over to the airport (via their covered walkway) and found some fruit.

 

We couldn’t have been happier about our decision to have Stefano Costantini drive us through Tuscany and Umbria. He is a true gentleman, a delight to be around, and I feel like I have found a friend in Rome. In addition, he knows his history and is a remarkable driver. It also helped to have someone who could speak Italian and interpret menus and make suggestions and know which restaurants to visit. He made the trip very memorable.

 

Thanks for the update

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saga Ruby

Saga Ruby

Posted
Posted

Has anyone done this in a private car? I will be on Prinsendam next year which calls at Kusadasi then sails on to two days in Istanbul.

 

I was in Istanbul for one week a year ago so don't need time there but I want to visit the town of Izmir where the colourful tiles are manufactured out of a special silica sand which gives them a reflective, sparkling quality.

 

I know it takes a bus 10 hours to drive from Kusadasi to Istanbul. A private car should make better time with an easy stop in Izmir along the way north to Istanbul.

 

I have used Ekol Travel in the past with great success, so am confident they can make this itinerary work for me. I can meet up with Prinsendam in Istanbul and miss one night on the ship.

 

Any thoughts or information you may have is appreciated.

 

Ruby

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saga Ruby

Saga Ruby

Posted
Posted
Have you considered an internal flight fom Izmir ti Istanbul

 

In a kismet turn of events, my private tour guide in Istanbul has sent me an email saying Hello. I told him that I will be in Turkey in 2009 and he has offered the same advice as you - fly from Izmir to Istanbul.

 

He is talking about a brief viewing of Efes, a picnic in Dilek National Park, staying in Izmir overnight, then flying on to Istanbul. This all works well for me as I am tired of viewing ruins all over the world - Incas, Aztecs, Pictish, Norse, Viking, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and Turk.

 

My interests are local culture, food, people, stopping at an interesting place on impulse. If you have any other ideas about my trip from Kusadasi to Istanbul, I would appreciate hearing them.

 

Ruby

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cheelsonrm15

cheelsonrm15

Posted
Posted
Denverite or anyone having taken the Metro from Piraeus to city center:

I have read it is about a 20 minute walk from the cruise ship dock to the metro station. Is it difficult to find or is it best to take a taxi to the station?

 

It is a very easy walk but there are taxis available should you need one

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Cruise Cat

Cruise Cat

Posted
Posted

The original post stated,

 

"You need Turkish currency to enter the Terrace Houses, which are located right before the famous library of Ephesus. The cost is about $5 US and well worth the extra time and money"

Is this still the case and where do you exchange for it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...
Joolscruise

Joolscruise

Posted
Posted
The original post stated,

 

"You need Turkish currency to enter the Terrace Houses, which are located right before the famous library of Ephesus. The cost is about $5 US and well worth the extra time and money"

Is this still the case and where do you exchange for it?

 

They accepted euros without any problems

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...
  • 5 weeks later...
  • 5 months later...
CintiPam

CintiPam

Posted
Posted
Anyone else toured with EKOL ?

 

We used Ekol for our day-trip to Ephesus last September. Our roll call was sparse, so we ended up arranging a private tour (our first ever). Nur from Ekol returned all our emails promptly and our guide had a copy of my precise requests with him when he picked us up, and he went over them with us on the drive to Ephesus. (Heavy history/archaeology, focus on Ephesus, including Terrace Houses, St. Johns Basilica, Archaeological Museum in Selcuk, and brief stop at Temple of Artemis. No shopping.) We had a wonderful day. Our guide Ali picked up on our interests and kept with our desired pace. Do not miss the Terrace Houses.

 

Have a great trip!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
endeavourol

endeavourol

Posted
Posted
We used Ekol for our day-trip to Ephesus last September. Our roll call was sparse, so we ended up arranging a private tour (our first ever). Nur from Ekol returned all our emails promptly and our guide had a copy of my precise requests with him when he picked us up, and he went over them with us on the drive to Ephesus. (Heavy history/archaeology, focus on Ephesus, including Terrace Houses, St. Johns Basilica, Archaeological Museum in Selcuk, and brief stop at Temple of Artemis. No shopping.) We had a wonderful day. Our guide Ali picked up on our interests and kept with our desired pace. Do not miss the Terrace Houses.

 

Have a great trip!

 

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...