western Med on Independence leaving 12th Sept 2009

[rannoch]

Trying to work out an itinerary for each port of call, and really need some advice of the best way to use our time.

 

Gibraltar

Would like to see the area plus do some shopping as it seems to be tax free. Looking at booking the Upper Rock Walking Tour, and (if possible) doing some shopping then returning to the ship ourselves.

Is this tour better than the Fortress Gibraltar one?

Is the shopping area a distance from the ship?

 

Sardinia

Can't see any tour worth taking. Might just be a wander round Cagliari.

Any thoughts?

 

Florence

We have been here before, but that tour didn't allow visits to any galleries, or museums, etc. There are two tours which seem to suit. The "Florence On Your Own is 9 hours, and gives 5 hours of free time. The "A Taste of Florence" is 9.5 hours starts with a 2.5 hour walking tour, and then allows 4.25 hours on your own. This one hopefully will give us our bearings, and then allow visits to cathedral, Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio.

 

Cannes/Nice/Monte Carlo

We went to the casino a couple of years ago, but didn't get in as we didn't have our passports. So, would like to go back to the casino. but also see Nice. I've looked at maps of the area, but can't see where the railway stations are in relation to the tender landing (Cannes), or the prom (Nice). Is it practical to get the train from Cannes to Nice, a quick look around - including a walk along the prom, then get the train from Nice to Monaco for casino, and then get back to Cannes.

 

Barcelona

We have had a coach trip round Barcelona (lasted a couple of hours before going to airport), and a short walking time to see cathedral.

Don't want to duplicate the previous coach tour. Any advise appreciated.

 

Malaga

I think this will be a walk around the town, and back to ship.

 

Lisbon

Perhaps the walking tour.

 

Vigo

Can't see anything.

 

As you can see a number of places with nothing planned, or considered. Any advise, suggestions will be very welcome.

 

Thanks

[rollie]

You might want to check out the Ports of Call board. There's a lot of information there.

 

Rollie

[motocat]

Hi

We are on the same cruise ( first timers)

We were unsure about what excursions to book - but after having a look on this site we decided to book the Florence and Pisa and also Monaco/Monte Carlo - These were the two Ports we wanted to try and see as much as possible.

We will probabaly use the hop on hop off buses in Barcelona and Lisbon

Taxi in Gibralter and then a chill out wander around the other ports.

Debbie

 

quote=rannoch;21038798]Trying to work out an itinerary for each port of call, and really need some advice of the best way to use our time.

 

Gibraltar

Would like to see the area plus do some shopping as it seems to be tax free. Looking at booking the Upper Rock Walking Tour, and (if possible) doing some shopping then returning to the ship ourselves.

Is this tour better than the Fortress Gibraltar one?

Is the shopping area a distance from the ship?

 

Sardinia

Can't see any tour worth taking. Might just be a wander round Cagliari.

Any thoughts?

 

Florence

We have been here before, but that tour didn't allow visits to any galleries, or museums, etc. There are two tours which seem to suit. The "Florence On Your Own is 9 hours, and gives 5 hours of free time. The "A Taste of Florence" is 9.5 hours starts with a 2.5 hour walking tour, and then allows 4.25 hours on your own. This one hopefully will give us our bearings, and then allow visits to cathedral, Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio.

 

Cannes/Nice/Monte Carlo

We went to the casino a couple of years ago, but didn't get in as we didn't have our passports. So, would like to go back to the casino. but also see Nice. I've looked at maps of the area, but can't see where the railway stations are in relation to the tender landing (Cannes), or the prom (Nice). Is it practical to get the train from Cannes to Nice, a quick look around - including a walk along the prom, then get the train from Nice to Monaco for casino, and then get back to Cannes.

 

Barcelona

We have had a coach trip round Barcelona (lasted a couple of hours before going to airport), and a short walking time to see cathedral.

Don't want to duplicate the previous coach tour. Any advise appreciated.

 

Malaga

I think this will be a walk around the town, and back to ship.

 

Lisbon

Perhaps the walking tour.

 

Vigo

Can't see anything.

 

As you can see a number of places with nothing planned, or considered. Any advise, suggestions will be very welcome.

 

Thanks

[Iceman's Mum]

Vigo - walk around the town. It's lovely.

 

Cagliari - there is an open top bus tour. Worth it.

 

Barcelona - take a walk over the bridge and along to where the bus tours stop (about 15-20 minutes). There are four different tours. Check out which one you want to go on if you want to avoid the Cathedral. We did the Gaudi, harbour and Olympic stadium one. It was very interesting.

 

Malaga - open top bus tour available here too. Worth going to get a flavour of the city.

 

Hope that helps - Alison

[rannoch]

A lot of good information.

Couldn't see any real interest in Sardinia, but the open top bus tour sounds good. Where do you get the bus?

Now Malaga and Vigo are taken care of as well.

Thanks.