We are going on a Mediterranean cruise in May for our honeymoon. I was hoping someone could help me with what type of clothes to bring, what to see, what to do, etc. Just general or specific information. We will be leaving Barcelona and traveling to Naples, Rome, Florence, Pisa, and Sur de la Mer. Thanks for your help!

Here's some of the things that come to mind.<BR><BR>A On clothes:<BR><BR>1. Put whatever you think you may need on the bed, and then put half away.<BR><BR>2. If you need more than 1 bag, and you cannot lift it, put more away.<BR><BR>3. You need not match shoes, purse, and belt with every outfit. Few will ever notice.<BR><BR>4. Spring in the Med can be very much like New York...warmer days with some cool nights. You must have one jacket, and a raincoat or umbrella.<BR><BR>5. Daytime wear will be causual--shorts/slacks and knit tops with comfortable walking shoes. Evening, except for formal, will be resort casual. If you plan to visit the Vatican, you will need a head covering.<BR><BR>6. Most ships have self service laundries, so no need to pack everything. If your ship does not have such, sink washing usully surfice. <BR><BR>B. On what to see. See everything, but stay with a tour. Those areas are rife with pick pockets. Take special care when you see a woman and a child begging, for most likely there is an accomplice nearby who will help you make a donation you had not planned to make.<BR><BR>Naples is a tough town. Stay with a tour. See Pompeii if a tour is offered, and buy one of the flip-chart type of books with a picture of what the ruin looks like now, and then flip an acetate overlay and see what it looked like before the eruption. <BR><BR>Rome is so big you will be lost in a minute without a guide. One time I became so lost I had to hire a cab to get back to my hotel, which turned out to be around the corner.<BR><BR>The standard tours in Pisa and Florence will take you to the spots of interest, such as the leaning tower, David, the doors. The main square in Florence usually is full of art students--mainly from NY--selling their wares. Florence is the home of Pinnochio and there will be puppets for sale everywhere.<BR><BR>Even though I lived in France for 5 years, I have no knowledge of what/where Sur de la Mer [on the sea] is.<BR><BR>Hope this over-view helps. If you have specific questions, holler.<BR><BR>

#5 Have never needed a head covering to get into the Vatican on my two visits. No shorts, and do cover the shoulders to enter St. Peter's Church, though.<BR> Yes, those acetate over-lays are great. Buy one of the Colosseum and other Rome sites as well!!

Jessica - we have been to all of the places you're going (assuming Sur de la Mer is close to Villefrance) in May and we experienced very warm weather with temps in the 80's and 90's every day.<BR><BR>I would agree with most of the suggestions on this thread except the excursions. We researched and took all of our excursions on our own. We are a family of four with two teenage girls. The ship excursions are exceptionally expensive compared to those in the Caribbean. We took trains, designed walking tours of Florence, Rome and Monte Carlo, took the hydrofoil over to Capri in Naples and hired a taxi for the afternoon in Barcelona. I would conservatively estimate that we saved the price of the cruise by doing these on our own. It was perfectly safe, like any US big city, you have to be careful, people were helpful and we saw and did what WE wanted and not what the twenty other people wanted. It turned out to be a delightful adventure.<BR><BR>There are those that will try to scare you with missing the ship or life threatening exposures, etc. Its like anything else - you can do it yourself if you do the research and prepare.

Hi,<BR><BR>Spent 3 weeks in Rome about 2 years ago on a land vacation.<BR><BR>Be very careful about the gypsies in Rome. While I was there, I saw several steal purses and wallets. I definitely would keep your money in one of those money holders that you wear under your shirt. Considering the short amount of time in Rome, I would definitely go with a tour to see as much as you can.<BR><BR>Florence is an easy city to do on your own. Most everything is within walking distance from each other. Definitely see David at the Academy. This is a very beautiful city.<BR><BR>I thought Naples was very dirty - it is definitely an industrial city. I went to Capri and enjoyed that visit. Very beautiful views. <BR><BR>Pisa - there isn't much to see but the leaning tower. When we were there, you couldn't go up in it but I hear you can now.