Help with shore excursion in the Mediterranean
Nov 4th, 2003, 01:36 AM
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Help with shore excursion in the Mediterranean
I'm planning a Mediterranean cruise in March 2004, in conjunction with an Egypt and Barcelona stay. Browsing through the various shores excursions from the ship, in Livorno the are options to visit Florence, Pisa, Portofino and Cinque Terre. I had visited Pisa and Florence on a previous trip, but need your recommendations on which to choose: Portofino or Cinque Terre. The same decision when in Villafranche; Monaco or Nice and Monte Carlo? Will appreciate your recommendations and insight on these places.
Thanks
Thanks
Nov 4th, 2003, 03:53 AM
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I'm not sure how assessable Portofino or Cinque Terre is from Livorno. Are you planning on taking the ship sponsored excursion? You may be spending a great deal of your time going to and from, depending upon train schedules. I'd check that out first. People on the Europe Board could probably help you.
In Villafranche, you tender in to the port. It is a short walk to the train station. You can either go South to Nice, or North to Monaco/Monte Carlo. We opted for Monaco/Monte Carlo. Lots to do -- visit the palace and watch the changing of the guard. Have lunch by the seaport. Visit the Casino (be sure to bring your passport to get into the casino -- no shorts, sandals or tennis shoes).
In Villafranche, you tender in to the port. It is a short walk to the train station. You can either go South to Nice, or North to Monaco/Monte Carlo. We opted for Monaco/Monte Carlo. Lots to do -- visit the palace and watch the changing of the guard. Have lunch by the seaport. Visit the Casino (be sure to bring your passport to get into the casino -- no shorts, sandals or tennis shoes).
Nov 4th, 2003, 10:30 AM
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At Livorno, a nice option is the lovely walled city of Lucca, very doable from there. Get to the train station by bus, (very long walk) and ask about best way to get to Lucca. Either thru Pisa or Viareggio.
Nov 25th, 2003, 06:29 AM
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Gilawi,
We were on a Med Cruise in Sept 02 and Sept 03 and docked at Livorno and Villefranche both times.
We took a ship tour to Lucca the first trip and were disappointed, as the tour was cut short so that the bus could return people early that had booked another tour.
The last time we had reserved a private guide for 4 of us. However, he didn't turn up! That was the first time we had been disappointed like that. And he did have an email waiting for me at home telling me that he was sorry but that it was a situation beyond his control.
Anyway, we were with a nice British couple who suggested that we hire a car - Avis was parked right at the dock. We did and simply drove to the destinations that we had chosen. We went to Lucca again - a charming city - then we drove up to Colodi (Pinnochio) and were going to Vinci but it was rainy and decided to go up the mountain. We did - had a great meal - saw beautiful sites. By the way, our original guide had suggested that we NOT go to Cinque Terre - because of the weather etc. I am not familiar with Portofino and can't help you there.
Villefranche is a wonderful port. The first year we took a tour with Silvie and she took us literally everywhere. I recommend her without a qualm. She will take 2,4,6,8 - the more people the less money you pay of course.
This year we just walked up to the bus stop and took a bus to Nice as we wanted more time there. Be sure to enjoy the flower market, the vegetable and fruit markets, the churches, etc etc. We could spend several days in Nice. We took the bus back to the port . The bus ride took about 10 minutes! There is a train available but it doesn't run as often.
Have a great trip.
We were on a Med Cruise in Sept 02 and Sept 03 and docked at Livorno and Villefranche both times.
We took a ship tour to Lucca the first trip and were disappointed, as the tour was cut short so that the bus could return people early that had booked another tour.
The last time we had reserved a private guide for 4 of us. However, he didn't turn up! That was the first time we had been disappointed like that. And he did have an email waiting for me at home telling me that he was sorry but that it was a situation beyond his control.
Anyway, we were with a nice British couple who suggested that we hire a car - Avis was parked right at the dock. We did and simply drove to the destinations that we had chosen. We went to Lucca again - a charming city - then we drove up to Colodi (Pinnochio) and were going to Vinci but it was rainy and decided to go up the mountain. We did - had a great meal - saw beautiful sites. By the way, our original guide had suggested that we NOT go to Cinque Terre - because of the weather etc. I am not familiar with Portofino and can't help you there.
Villefranche is a wonderful port. The first year we took a tour with Silvie and she took us literally everywhere. I recommend her without a qualm. She will take 2,4,6,8 - the more people the less money you pay of course.
This year we just walked up to the bus stop and took a bus to Nice as we wanted more time there. Be sure to enjoy the flower market, the vegetable and fruit markets, the churches, etc etc. We could spend several days in Nice. We took the bus back to the port . The bus ride took about 10 minutes! There is a train available but it doesn't run as often.
Have a great trip.
Nov 25th, 2003, 08:14 AM
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Gilawi=
Portofino is not an option from Livorno- WAY WAY too far away..It is a port unto itself...We stopped at Portofino 2 years ago on a Med cruise and loved it..
Everytime we stop in LIVORNO, we go into FLORENCE..2 hr drive- LOVE Florence..there is never enough time to see the city AND shop...
If you want to do Portofino and the Cinque Terre, you may want to look into Windstar cruise line and specifically the WINDSURF ship..That is the one we took to see the entire ITALIAN Riviera And St Tropez and Monte Carlo and Nice..
We love this cruise line as it is upscale casual and you do NOT need to pack a coat and tie... Also March is way early for the Med...it normally starts the end of April.....and weather can be iffy even into May..ie. rain.
Portofino is not an option from Livorno- WAY WAY too far away..It is a port unto itself...We stopped at Portofino 2 years ago on a Med cruise and loved it..
Everytime we stop in LIVORNO, we go into FLORENCE..2 hr drive- LOVE Florence..there is never enough time to see the city AND shop...
If you want to do Portofino and the Cinque Terre, you may want to look into Windstar cruise line and specifically the WINDSURF ship..That is the one we took to see the entire ITALIAN Riviera And St Tropez and Monte Carlo and Nice..
We love this cruise line as it is upscale casual and you do NOT need to pack a coat and tie... Also March is way early for the Med...it normally starts the end of April.....and weather can be iffy even into May..ie. rain.
Dec 5th, 2003, 06:30 PM
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Have you thought about taking the local train to Florence from Livorno. I have on two occasions. The cost is about $15 round trip vs. the $70 the cruise ship wanted to charge us. The Livorno train station is about 10-15 minutes by cab from the pier. Lots of cabs are waiting. The train ride is about 1-1/2.
Of course last year, someone jumped in front of our returning train and we all had an adventure that we would not like to repeat. PS Someone called the ship's agent and buses was waiting for
us at the Livorno train stop. We got to the ship 10 minutes before the sailing time.
When we went to Rome, a few of us hired a cab for the day that was at the port and were driven around all the high spots of town. We at lunch at what looked like a tourist trap across from the Coliseum. The driver recommended it to us. if we could have, we would have liked the plates. It was such a neat day (in spite of the rain) that instead of giving him $35 per person, we gave him $50 and all of it thought it was well spent.
Porto Fino is great, but far from Livorno.
Villefranche is a charming town. It's near Antibes. I think Monte Carlo is ugly and Nice is busy. So little time. So much to see.
Of course last year, someone jumped in front of our returning train and we all had an adventure that we would not like to repeat. PS Someone called the ship's agent and buses was waiting for
us at the Livorno train stop. We got to the ship 10 minutes before the sailing time.
When we went to Rome, a few of us hired a cab for the day that was at the port and were driven around all the high spots of town. We at lunch at what looked like a tourist trap across from the Coliseum. The driver recommended it to us. if we could have, we would have liked the plates. It was such a neat day (in spite of the rain) that instead of giving him $35 per person, we gave him $50 and all of it thought it was well spent.
Porto Fino is great, but far from Livorno.
Villefranche is a charming town. It's near Antibes. I think Monte Carlo is ugly and Nice is busy. So little time. So much to see.
