My mother who is 82 and I (54) have a cruised booked in October on the Freedom. Mom has her heart set on a gondola ride. I am thinking of booking the Murano, St. George's Island and Gondola Tour. One is available on Friday at 2:30 and the other on Saturday at 8:45. The ship does not arrive until around 2 on Friday. The tours are 4.5 hours and I would assume the one on Friday might not be complete before it becomes dark. Mom is able to walk, but not fast, and I'm a little concerned about safety at night. However,I thought if she is able we might try on the full day (Saturday) to go back in to Venice. Any advice?

Is there a wonderful land excursion in Naples, Dubrovnik, Messina-Sicily,, Barcelona, Cannes, or Livorno that should not be missed. She and I would really love to see some beautiful scenery as she is not that much into art. I have heard Tuscany is beautiful and thought about the "beautiful Tuscany tour" and wondered about Capri & Amalfi Coast or Amalfi Coast & Sorrento? Any suggestions? Thanks!!

Spoke with someone who did this cruise (since the wife and I will be on board june 3) high remarks regarding the "Country home " tour in Croatia.  So far I've booked the Country home in Croatia, FC Barcelona in Spain, In the Godfathers footsteps tour in Messina (I think), florence and Pisa, and the Murano tour, still deciding on a Naples and Cannes tour!  It was Highley recommended to get a Mask in Venice for the Masqurade (sp) ball on the ship!

hI BIG PUN.......JUST HAD TO ADD A REMARK WHEN YOU MENTIONED ABOUT BUYING A MASK IN VENICE. THEY REALLY PUSH THIS ON THE CRUISE FOR YOU TO BUY ONE. THERE ARE TONS OF STANDS THAT SELL THESE IN VENICE,IT'S JUST HARD TO DECIDE ON WHAT STYLE AND WHAT PRICE. tHEN LEAVING vENICE THERE IS A BIG SAIL-A-WAY PARTY WITH MUSIC,DANCING AND A PARADE BY THE BIG SCREEN OUTSIDE. NOT EVERYONE HAD A MASK, BUT I'M GLAD WE DID AND JOINED IN ON ALL THE FUN EVEN IF WE ARE SENIOR-CITIZENS. iT'S A UNIQUE SOUVENIER TO BRING HOME. HAPPY SAILING........

how was your trip going in july and have lots of questions about tours

which ones did you go on and which ones did you like

sam from jersey

scaponegro@twpunionschools.org

Has anyone noticed that there has been an increase in the tour prices???????????? I've been shopping trying to decide what tours I wanted to take and now that I narrowed it down all the prices have gone up..........Yikes

NO, I have not checked prices since about a month ago.  I suppose the rising gas prices have something to do with it since so many of the excursions involve motorcoach rides of at least an hour each way.  guess I better check it out.

We are going on Carnival FREEDOM on 9/18.  We are having the hardest time deciding on tours in Naples.  My husband and I are traveling with another couple and neither of us have been to Italy before. We are pretty sure we want to go on the 10-hour Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri; however, I am concerned tht Capri will be a disappointment due to crowds (it's a Saturday).  Pompeii is non-negotiable for sure.  Accepting any feedback?

 We have been to Greece and want to take the Mycenea excursion,n but the timing would prevent us from stepping foot on the Acropolis again. Who'd have thought we would get back there again?  But the excursion to Corinth and beyond keeps calling!

Originally I was gungho to go to Rhodes from Marmaris.  After reading the descripiton of the pastoral Marmaris outing I am having second thoughts.  Again, any experience there? 

We plan to utilize public transport in Livorno and do our own thing in Florence.  if it were up to me, I would do the Tuscan countryside and leave Florence for a trip we hope to make to Tuscany where we will also see Venice and maybe Bologna.  My husband can't fathom not going to Florence! 

ny feedback on seeing Capri no matter what? Rhodes vs Marmaris

Firenze?

Go to Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri we went last year and this was far by best the best excursion to pick from.

Skip Leaning tower of Pisa.  Very disappointed and too many vendors.

Pompeii was very interesting take your camera.

Sorrento was quaint and I loved the lunch that was provided.

Capri was absolutely beautiful.

You wont be disappointed ~ take the excursion.

 Take her to the Gondola ride itwill cost from 80- 120 euros. Don't take excursion at 2:30,by the time that you are out of the ship,you will loose your money. I didn't go to the murano glass factory but one of the passengers did go and "they push them to buy very a expensive glass piece. Doing the gondola ride and seeing the San marcos square is just magical in Venice. They also had the best in dividual thin pizza with different toppins.

 Barcelona visit the Sagarada Familia church from the out side, paying 9-10 euros for seeing the inside is not worth it. The Guell Park is free and is amazing,but hte best thing is to eat in The Ramblas street,was the best food and the less expensive one in all Europe.

 Livorno ,you will need to see Florence and Pisa if you never been there but there is a lot of walking in Florence. Preferly go to one wine vinar that includes a meal.

Dubronik is like croacia,don't take a excursion the ship docks right in town.Cannes,we did a  bus trip to see Nice and Monte Carlo. No much walking. I sugest you take a wheel chair for your Mom. Every place in Europe where you want to sit you have to pay a fee to sit in any table just to have a drink. Also you have to pay for every bathroom unless you are eating in a restaurant.  Hope this will help