quote:

Originally posted by Cazsim:
Hi Again,

Forgot to mention that we got our travel documents and all seems well. Only thing is that they changed the hotels we are staying in at the following places:

Sorrento is now Parco Sel Sole Hotel and not Grand Hotel La Pace (Down grade to first class traditional and no water veiws).

Rome is now Ciecerone Hotel and not the Grand Beverly Hills (Bonus superior first class very close to St. Peters).

Florence is now Villa Gabriele D'Annunzio and not Lorenzo Il Magnifico Hotel (Scenic instead of central).

Venice is now Biasutti Hotel and not Cavalletto E Doge (Bonus I now have Air Conditioning).

Nice is now Boscolo Park Hotel and not Radisson (Traditional first class not modern superior but next to the old city outdoor markets cafes and Angels Bay).

They all see ok still at first glance and I can't change it so there is no point worrying about it.

Our ship is the Aquamarine and the optionals are as listed on the site.

Caroline

In Nice, I have stayed at the Radisson which had large rooms with balconies, however it was too noisy to stay out on the balcony because of the traffic. It is not central either although they have a shuttle. We walked back and it was a very long walk.
I would much have preferred the Boscolo(which was listed as a second choice on our tour) because of its location although I have never stayed there. I have stayed at another hotel close to the Boscolo and enjoyed being so close to the centre.

Caroline

Your hotels are the same as ours. I am disappointed about the Venice one not being on the main part but I know the Lido is awesome too.

Jen 18 sleeps

Hi Jen
On the aquamarine our cabin was M115 on the main deck just near the tour desk. I think there was a dryer. Look up Louis cruise lines for the Aquamarine that should give a deck plan.
The hotels we stayed in were all out of town the only one that was in town and you walk was the Astoria in Luzerne.
In Sorrento we stayed at the La Sole after dinner we went out near the pool area and there was a band playing we sat relaxed and drank some vino with the locals very enjoyable night.
In Rome we never saw the spanish steps, would have better if closer to town.
I wish it was us going away again instead I am on my back after major back surgery.
Jan

Cazsim
Have just read your posts, and want to assure you like the others that you have some wonderful hotel. Ciccerone in Rome is really in a good position, very comfortable, not large, but great beds too. Breakfast was good too. Rome is so so busy there isnt much time for anything else. Its so close to all the tourist things it saves time.

Florence Gabrielle was divine. Oh how I would love to go back there, such beautiful grounds and the loby has this wonderful nude painting leading into a lovely breakfast room. Our rooms were lovely, not small and we overlooked their pool. Its very yummie.

Biasutti is in Lido, a boat ride from Venice, sometimes we did it in a speedboat, fun, but the island is great, has a lovely shopping centre with heaps of eateries, we had an insight meal there and it was good, the other night we had a pizza (the best) by the canal on the corner from the hotel, try if you can. We could have sat there for ages. There is a department store Don bought a couple of shirts, we had such hot weather we werent prepared for it. It was May this year and the heat really got to us in Venice. Room was air cond. no views but very boutiquey, verandahs with geraniums to have drinks in, and they even gave a welcome apparitif as we booked in.

Boscolo in Nice aaahhh, we had a front room and 4th floor, such a wonderful fantastic view of the blue water and park in front. Again great location better than the other hotel mentioned. Street behind is full of places to eat and shops and we found the Boulevarde had such atmosphere, we sat and drinks late each night. Like a fantastic Gold Coast but better.

The Aquaramarine was as everyone has said comfortable not modern. Very small shower and single beds but really ok. We could see the sunrise and they were pink and orange and there was noise at night of the engines but we slept. The waiters entertained us in the Aquaramarine lounge at night and we got right into the cruise thing. They gave you info about the days activities and history which was good. Buy water before going on and keep buying it. We bought 6 bottles in a little in Mykonos rather cheap. Look out.

Jen you must be so so excited, have a wonderful time. What date do you leave? Wish I could come again. I get such a thrill everytime I show my photos to anyone. It was all that good. All of it.

mmmmmmmmmm ahhhhh DebraJ

Jan
Was wonderful how you were, on your back after surgery, emailing, must be a challenge. Hope it all went well for you, time will tell ah.
I will email you later.

I know how you felt when we went and you had gone and wanted to go again. Its awful. Its all such a great time, not one thing was my favourite, would go back everywhere again, except that stupid hotel Astoria Lucerne.

Loved the Greek cruise, think that really made the trip. I have been scrapbooking photos during the school hols and havnt left Greece yet. Think its going to take some time. But I already like looking at time and again.

Are you in hospital or home? Take care. DebraJ

Hi Janelle

Sorry to hear about you back operation - I hope you recover very soon. I popped 2 discs a few years ago and the pain was excruciating. You dont relaise how much you use your back until you injure it. Best wishes to you.
Your cabin looked like it was in a good position - I hope we are as lucky.


DebraJ- your description of your tour is excellent- I almost feel like I have been already- but not. We fly oot on Augsut 11th at 3.25pm and land in Athens the morning of the tour ( 12th ) at 7.30 am. I am guessing we wont be able to check in yet...so will probably wander around Athens for a while. Is there anything close by that we can visit?

Jen 17 sleeps

Hi Jen
You really must be getting so excited -
If you arrive around 7.30am, you will have to get to the hotel, guessing with Insight and it will take some time. When you do reach the hotel they should be able to store your luggage if they cannot book you in. We had a couple with their 21 year old son arrive at some ungodly hour like 3am and they put them in a room, think they had to move next day but at least they could have a shower and some sleep.
If its the Metropolitan, watch out for the big fat greek guy, grumpy, you will know him too full of himself. Most were ok. Coffees good in the loby, cakes etc expensive, but they gave us some bikies with the coffee.

Maybe you could catch a bus down to Plaka. Pip did that, lady at the Insight desk will help you. She drew maps for us too. Very helpful. If you go down to Plaka, heaps to wonder and see. Changing of the Evzones - Greek Parliamentry Guards, every hour on the hour 24 hrs a day. Pom poms are cool. And there is a McDonalds and next to it a computer place with free internet access downstairs. We emailed our families that was good. And you can wonder down to Plaka with the all the markets and tavernas. Thats where we found Mythos beer for 2 euros. Best value on the tour!! Food in one of the outdoor tavernas has yellow umbrellas and good food.

Its all so much fun.

Last night watched Tea with Mossellini, and it wsa in Florence, wow, we had walked those streets and they were in San Gimignano, where we had coffee - it was such a thrill to see where we had been.

Why not phone the hotel and see what they can do for you?
DebraJ

Yes - we are all excited and ready to go. I packed proper on the weekend and my suitcase is up to 18 kgs with a few bits and pieces still to throw in. I might just come under- just.
Insight is picking us up at Athens and transporting us to Metropoliton. How long does this process take- through customs and transport? The weather in Athens is very nice at the moment- early 30s and sunny. hmmmm mmmmm!It will be good to get away from this cold for a few weeks. I just have to sort stuff at home now- my niece is coming to babysit the house and cat as my boys have both moved out this last past week They have new jobs in Sydney and Brisbane- good for them but bad timing for us.

Carolyn- has the cruise itinery changed for you guys? We are now missing Rhodes and seeing Santorini and Crete which I am quite happy about as I hear/read Santorini is gorgeous.


Jen: 13 sleeps!

Hi Jen
We arrived in Athens at 7.30 on Singapore airlines after leaving Sydney at 3.25. We were seated at the back of the plane so we were last off.By the time we reached the customs hall 3 other planes had arrived with only 2 gates open it took us 1 hour to get out of customs.Once outside a yellow taxi was waiting for us I cant remember how long it took to get to hotel. I was on a high we were in Greece.
At the hotel our room was ready had a shower and then caught the shuttle into town. You are on the same tour we were on last year, it was hot and sunny every day until Paris, started to rain then.
Jan

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the feed back on the hotels, sounds like I might have gotten a better deal with all the changes.

Jen, our cruise destinations have not changed; the Islands are as originally quoted. I plan to take the optional’s that they offer which I found out about in the cruise ships web page and might even fit in a massage to help get me relaxed.

I have packed all the bits and pieces and toiletries and I am already up to 15kgs thank goodness we are allowed 30kgs on the flight. I have a tendency to over pack and take everything just in case.

Gifts for the relatives have been bought so all I have left to do is sought out my clothes which I am not too worried about. If I don’t have enough it’s an excuse to go shopping in Europe.

Caroline – 18 sleeps till take off

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cazsim,