okoshi2002

What would be the best way to reach Valldemossa if we are in Marjorca for a day on a cruise ? Thank you !

humptynumpty

What are your time scales in Mallorca?

okoshi2002

We arrive at 9AM and leave at 6PM

Wondering whether just a leisurely day in Palma is better than a rushed outing to Valldemossa.

Lifeman

With 7 or 8 hours on land (allowing for getting on or off a cruise ship), you'll have plenty of time to get to see Valdemossa.

It's only 12 miles from Palma and the easiest way is to take a cab for a 25 minute drive. It won't be rushed and you'll probably have seen it by just after lunchtime, including the Chopin memorabilia. A further 12 miles waway is Soller, a nice town where the famous Soller railway starts and finishes and you could take the train back to Palma for a great day out.

okoshi2002

There's 8 of us. I wonder whether there will be a van cab large enough to carry us ?

Lifeman I saw an older post where you mentioned using BarbaraGuide in Naples to see Pompeii. Did this go well and would you recommend it ?

Thanks.

humptynumpty

Lifeman's is a great suggestion (he beat me to it!)

The weather can be much colder in the mountains, maybe pack some warmer clothes. we love the old train between Palma and Soller.

Okoshi : what are your other cruise stops?

Eric : have you been away this summer?

okoshi2002

We also stop in Barcelona, Naples, Palma , and maybe Tunis (we hope).
If you have ideas about those stops also I welcome them !

Lifeman

humptynumpty..yes, we've been lucky enough to get away several times so far. Barcelona in March, Fuerteventura in May, Pollenca in June, London last month. Still to arrange a couple of breaks before the end of the year I hope. It's been very wet here at home, apart from that brief summer, so it makes you want to get away. How's Scotland?

okoshi, you might struggle to find a taxi that large, and I've always found that hiring a minibus and driver can be quite expensive, maybe into several hundred euros. If that's within your budget (and if you're splitting the bill among four couples) then fine. You might find a taxi that large at the cruise port in which case take it, but if not, two cabs will still be cheaper than minibus hire. Remember to negotiate your fares before you leave the dock.

humptynumpty

Hi Eric

We have spent a lot of time in Lytham this summer. Scotland has been our "holiday" home this year. Business (Lytham) is a nightmare. Very busy but the summer staff we usually employ have been awful this year. Am I getting old or are the young getting worse? We have had to run lessons in basic human etiquette for 17 year olds with a private education.

Fuerteventura is somewhere we have pondered over for next winter. The temps seem good in February and it will cost a fraction of our usual break to The Bahamas where the winter weather is becoming decidedly ropey.

I love Pollenca, particularly out of season. We stayed in a townhouse last February and had great weather. Probably end up retiring between there and The Bahamas.

We have just come back from Sardinia which was a fairly "tense" place. Business is 50% down and there were quite a few locals who were showing the effects of a falling income. Still counted 39 boats in Cala Di Volpe bay which were all worth in excess of £50m. We were on the beach, the day Carlos Tevez was negotiating with Inter Milan one of those boats.

I first visited the Costa Smeralda 10 years ago and thought it was an exciting place where those who worked hard, partied hard. Having aged a little, I now probably think it is fairly shallow with many sad individuals on show. Still has the most stunning sea scenery I have seen in the Med.

Okoshi

We have spent time in Tunisia. Generally, very friendly people. We haven't been to Tunis but the whole country is very "un" Western and should provide a great contrast to the other stops.

Mallorca is lovely, many Brits treat it as their second physical or spiritual home. It is fairly untouched by international tourists who are not from the UK or Germany. many miss out as it isn't on the "European Grand Tour". The old quarter of Palma has been well restored and the shopping is excellent.

The best food I have ever tasted was in a small Galician restaurant just north of the cathedral. I will try to find the name. Fish broth was incredible.

Lifeman

okoshi...Barcelona speaks for itself and there's loads of info on Fodors for the City. If you're in there for a just a day, you won't get the chance to see much, depending on docking and sailing times. However, if this is where you are starting and finishing, it's a great chance to see the city with an extension at either end. I've got a "things to see" document for Barcelona that might interest you and if so, send me an e-mail and I'll forward it to you.

Mark, fortunately I can't employ kids due to needing qualifications to be let loose on the public, so I don't have the problem. Glad to hear that you've been busy, I thought that the weather may have adversely affected you. Who knows what retirement may bring, I'm too busy seeing clients!

okoshi2002

Thanks for the advice about Mallorca. It sounds simple enough . We can only hope that everybody else on the ship elect to remain on board !