Best Travel Tips » Europe

More Mediterranean Itinerary Trip

Jackie — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:57:17 +0000

In Venice the cruise stayed the night and it was still not enough time. Venice is indeed a one of a kind city, like a fantasy world you have never seen before. No cars, you walk everywhere or travel on the canals in a vaporetto (water bus) or if you want to feel special, take a gondola. We splurged and took a gondola ride and were even serenaded. The unique shops have local crafts like glass and lace or you can go to the island of Murano to visit the glass crafters in action or Burano where the ladies are making their lace creations. There is so much to see; the Grand Canal, St. Marks Square, Doge’s Palace, Accademia-just to name a few. I hated to leave Venice with so much more to see.
Dubrovnik, Croatia is a medieval fortress with stone walls up to twenty feet thick and these walls encircle the old town. There is only pedestrian traffic in this fascinating city. You can climb many steps to the top of the wall and walk around the entire city, which we did. The views from the wall were amazing, one way overlooking the ocean and the other way the city. We walked through the cobble stoned streets and marble-paved squares while seeing fountains and sculptures and beautiful churches.

Mediterranean Trip 1

Jackie — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:39:50 +0000

Mediterranean Trip -
We started our trip with 2 wonderful days in Rome. We walked from our hotel to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. It was like being in a movie. Both were so marvelous that we didn’t even mind the crowds of people, especially at night with the lights that made it look doubly spectacular. The Colosseum was so impressive-for its elegant, enduring bulk, and its disturbing former function as a theater of slaughter. And one wonders how all of this was built A.D 72-80; how amazing. Of all we saw, the Pantheon, Roman Forum, Vatican; St Peter’s Basilica was by far the most impressive to me. The marble and gold that cover every surface and the masterpieces of Michaelangelo and others were breathtaking. I was kidded for taking so many pictures of ceilings, but it was so beautiful I couldn’t stop.

After we left Rome we boarded the Carnival Freedom for a 12 day cruise. It was wonderful to be able to see so many different areas and not have to pack and unpack every day-our bedroom just moved with us.

Our first stop was Naples where we had a tour guide who took us through one of the most scenic drives in the Mediterranean, with its cliff-clinging roads and spectacular views, the Amalfi coast. The seaside towns of Sorrento and Positano lie along this enchanting stretch of coast and we were able to stop and visit each of these. Sometimes we would gasp as we went around another curve just on the edge overlooking the bay and little towns below. After some shopping in these quaint little towns we arrived at Pompeii. Everyone reads and sees pictures of Pompeii, but being there is indescribable. We spent 2 very short hours there with a guide who had an unbelievable knowledge of every detail.
More to come on our trip…

Skiing Vacations– Italy

Jackie — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:46:57 +0000

Italy Ski Vacations

If you will be in Italy, you should definitely visit
Limone. Limone is one of Italy’s oldest ski areas,
and it is a very old village with a twelfth century
church and many other old buildings. The town is
located near the French border, and is only about
thirty miles from Nice.

At Limone, you will experience a real taste of old
Italy. The nightlife has a lot to offer, and the gourmet food is out of this world! Food and skiing are everything here – with more than fifty restaurants, and 46 ski runs. The top elevation is 6689 with a vertical drop of 3033 feet. Most of the runs are best suited to intermediate skiers, with a few that are suitable for beginners and experts. There are twenty seven lifts, including seven chair lifts and twenty surface lifts.

Remember that the village is very old – and the
locales like it that way. If you prefer high technology and modern buildings, Limone probably isn’t for you.
But if you want to truly experience Italy, Limone
must be on your list of places to visit in Italy.

Mediterranean Honeymoon Cruise

Jackie — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:57:41 +0000

Q: I am going on a Mediterranean cruise for my honeymoon, do you have any suggestions that we may not have thought for packing or for first time cruisers?

A: What a wonderful honeymoon you are going to have. And for your first cruise to be going to the Mediterranean, you are in for a treat. I would recommend that you pack less than you think you will need for clothes. You always end up bringing clothes home that you never wear. Take things you can mix and match. Some very seasoned travelers I know only take 3 colors and make sure all of the colors go together. It makes your wardrobe go twice as far. Most all cruises have hairdryers in your cabin, and irons and ironing boards available. Make sure you look into travel insurance as you never know what will come up, flight delay, lost luggage, etc. On the days at sea while on your cruise, if you honeymooners want to find a nice quiet romantic place, go to the place that is hopping at night, but go there during the day. On most cruise ships, the bars and dance clubs are very quiet during the day and have nice music and you can be alone watch the scenery go by. I am not sure what ports of call you are going to but if you go to Naples make sure you see Pompeii and pay extra for the guide or you will walk right by amazing things and not know what your are looking at. Cruise travel is a great way to see a new country for the first time because you only have to pack and unpack once and yet you experience so much. Please let me know if you have any more specific questions on cruising.