Mediterranean Millenium cruise

[Ralph P]

We have 2 families of 4 people that are going on Millenium's July 13th cruise of the Mediterranean. I am interested if anyone has reccomendations for independent shore excursions in Venice,Athens,Naples,Rome,Florence, Villefranche(Nice) and Barcelona. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Ralph

Edit: Moved to Europe Port Chat. RF

[NancyN]

Ralph,
Tom Ogg recently returned from a Med cruise on the Millenium and provided some interesting special reports on touring those ports independently via public rail for our sister site PortReviews. There are also additional reviews of some of those ports describing other independent shore excursions. Check them out here:
http://www.europeportreviews.com . Just use the left hand navigational bar to link to your specific ports. Tom's special reports are located near the bottom of each page.

Hope this helps -
Nancy

[Oggy Boy]

Ralph, check out the special reports as Nancy suggests and let me know if you have any questions. BTW, welcome to Cruise-Chat.com

Tom

[Graham of Norwich]

Originally posted by Ralph P:
We have 2 families of 4 people that are going on Millenium's July 13th cruise of the Mediterranean. I am interested if anyone has reccomendations for independent shore excursions in Venice,Athens,Naples,Rome,Florence, Villefranche(Nice) and Barcelona. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Ralph

Edit: Moved to Europe Port Chat. RF

For Athens I would suggest you take the train from Piraeus to Monastariki station (on the smae line) at a cost of 75EU cents round trip (Oct./05). On leaving turn right, and look up. That's where you're heading! The Acropolis will be in view at the top of the hill. Just keep walking up (there are a few signs to keep you on the right path) Once there, you will find a ticket office to enter the site, toilets, etc. Entry cost is reasonable and you will have a wonderful time looking at the ruins and taking in the fantastic views over the city from such a high viewpoint. When you've seen enough, retrace your steps for some time in the Plaka below. Shoppers paradise and massive selection of cafes, retaraunts and tavernas to sit in and watch the world go by. Allow around 20 mins. to walk from your ship to the station in Piraeous. Its a lovely walk around the edge of the docks. You will pass the berths used by the ferries that serve the greek islands. Nobody hassles you. It's a nice place. You will be touted by the taxi drivers as you leave the dock gates but when you say 'I am using the metro' they will shrug their shoulders in defeat knowing that improvements of the metro for the Olympics did them no favours whatsoever. If it's your first time in Athens the acropolis is the place to go!