A lot

Jen,

I agree with babs. The cost of cruise excursions is very expensive. We normally DIY unless where we want to go is a far distance from the port or is difficult to get to.

If you look at the top of the cruise forum there are hints on what to see, or even let us know what ports you are calling at and I am sure that someone will be along to put you right.

Thanks Peter for your reply

the ports we are calling at are

VALENCIA

CIVITAVECCHIA - for ROME

LIVORNO -- for FLORENCE

AJACCION - Corsica

Maybe some one could come back and let me know if it is possible to DIY at these ports, especially Florence / Rome ( And again rough prices of trains etc )

Thanks

Jen

jenni,

Looking at it from 2 X young 60's and a 80+ mum in tow.

Livorno,

Depends what you want to do. Both Florence and Pisa are quite a distance from the port. So, I would suggest a tour, next question is what would you prefer to see, Florence or Pisa. I would not suggest both, too long a day. For our visit we opted for Pisa. There was a wide choice of tours, we went for the Easy Pisa tour. This is a half day tour, we went in the morning, with all afternoon on board ship.

After a coach trip to the town we transferred to a trolley and were taken to the Field of Miracles. After a small comfort stop in a local restaurant we had a tour of the square stopping for some commentary from our guide. We were then left to do our own thing for about 1 ½ hours. We had a stroll around the area, visiting the Cathedral, tickets from the museum, and looked through the many stalls selling the normal tourist stuff. A short walk back to our meeting place, the restaurant where we had a nice cold drink, and then boarded our trolley for a tour of the town of Pisa. If anyone is thinking of a tour I can really recommend this one. Coach to Pisa, picked up by Trolley and taken to the field of Miracles, some time on your own, back on the trolley for a small tour of the town, back to the coach and then back to the ship. If you are thinking about this, also go for the morning tour, back on board by 1 pm and all afternoon to relax.

Rome

Again, because of distance and we had my mother with us, we decided on a tour. However, I believe the train is a very easy DIY.

If your cruise offers it can I suggest booking a very early breakfast to your cabin. this excellent advice was given to us and I would recommend the same to anyone, we asked for 6:30 - 7 am delivery and breakfast was delivered at 6:30 prompt. That gave us time to get ready at our pace, ensuring we had everything and after docking slightly late we disembarked at 7:40 for our Glories of the Gladiators tour. This covered, Coliseum, the Roman Forum, Monument to Vittro Emmanuelle II for a photo opportunity and the Piazza Navona. A lot of walking but well worth it.

The whole of the afternoon was free, so from the Piazza,we strolled through the side streets to the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.

Warning, the journey from port to Rome takes 1 ½ hrs with a comfort stop on route, if you have forgotten to bring water the price is €2.30 here. , ice cream outside the Coliseum was €5 each. Another warning we watched a couple and their children ask one of the many people dressed as roman soldiers if they could have a photograph taken, after the photograph, using their own camera, the Roman soldier charged them €20 for the privilege, a little steep.

For lunch, we found a lovely little restaurant in one of the side streets, the Pizza meal at €12 each, brochette with fresh tomato and Basil, Margarita Pizza with a small side salad and a small bottle of water each, reasonably priced we thought.

Valencia

What a beautiful city, and an easy DIY with lots to see. The shuttle drops you off near the Torres de Serranos, you need the shuttle, it is a good 30 mins by coach, from ship to city. It is then short walk down one street to the centre coming out near the Cathedral. Most of the main sites are within 10 - 15 mins of the Cathedral. Can I recommend a visit to the market, massive with a very ornate ceiling and so much fresh fruit, veg, meat and fish. The side streets are full of small shops selling some nice stuff at reasonable prices. There are two HOHO buses, Red and Blue routes with the red route going from Placa de la Reina near the Cathedral. For those who like shopping there are 8 Corte Inglas and some great boutiques.

We had planned to visit the Oceanographic centre, but the city was so full of places to see we did not get around to it.

Hope this helps.

INFORMATION AND TIPS ON MED DIY HERE

luci