Phil, if it's still possible to get Ronald, I think that would be more fun. (Bob didn't ask my opinion before posting). I imagine with the Equinox being so big, excursions are going to be more congested. I like the idea of a smaller group and I really am not worried about Ronald getting us back to the ship in plenty of time.
Sharon, Bob and I just got back from a cruise "around the Horn" on the Radiance of the Seas. It was FABULOUS! I'm very envious of you and I wouldn't mind taking a cruise to South America again. I'd particularly like to start in Valparaiso and go north. That part of the country is gorgeous. We had some wonderful private excursions along the way from Sao Paulo.
Garry, if it's worth anything, you have my vote. Much as I would like to try the 4X4 tour, I doubt that I could convince Ed that it would be fun getting into one again after all of his years out of the Corps. I haven't been able to find a website for Ronald, though, have you?
Phil, if it's still possible to get Ronald, I think that would be more fun. (Bob didn't ask my opinion before posting). I imagine with the Equinox being so big, excursions are going to be more congested. I like the idea of a smaller group and I really am not worried about Ronald getting us back to the ship in plenty of time.
Sharon, Bob and I just got back from a cruise "around the Horn" on the Radiance of the Seas. It was FABULOUS! I'm very envious of you and I wouldn't mind taking a cruise to South America again. I'd particularly like to start in Valparaiso and go north. That part of the country is gorgeous. We had some wonderful private excursions along the way from Sao Paulo.
Garry
Garry,
I read that you were on Radiance -- we were originally booked on her for the end of March (and had thought about coming back to Europe on MSC Opera from Brazil, but hesitated chancing it with MSC again after our fiasco several years ago), but ended up doing something totally different as you've been reading. This time we booked the Buenos Aires-Antarctic-Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires - Valparaiso, Valparaiso - Ft. Lauderdale (via the Panama Canal). Let's see if we make it this time!!
Susan,
I'll try calling Ronnie tomorrow, since I don't know why his website is no longer functioning (I also just tried it). I know that Elayne K (on the other board) spoke with him and then sent a mail to him at info@masca.eu Haven't yet heard if she had a reply to her mail. From our experience (DH used to do some of his local hiking tours with him - Hugo went on them, didn't lead them), Ronnie is very reliable. His wife, Rosa, is from Spain, and the two of them are really nice hard-working people and they do speak english.
We expect to be back in Florida after the Equinox crossing and will be spending some time in Naples and Ft. Lauderdale and, naturally, in Orlando (maybe even a month or so there). Hope we can get together again -- wouldn't miss it!!
Take good care of yourself and love to you and Bob!
BTW -- looked into joining you on your Panama crossing in September, but it wouldn't work with our coming back over in November. But, while aboard Jewel, we booked B2B2B on Infinity for South America 2011 -- our longest yet, 42 days altogether. See if we actually make it this time. Who's going to join us???
Sharon, when you know specific dates we can plan to get together again... also hope Arlene and Chuck and Kathy & Bill will all be available, too.
2011 sounds so far away! It's a good thing you have other travels to anticipate in the meantime.
Phil, if it's still possible to get Ronald, I think that would be more fun. (Bob didn't ask my opinion before posting). I imagine with the Equinox being so big, excursions are going to be more congested. I like the idea of a smaller group and I really am not worried about Ronald getting us back to the ship in plenty of time.
Garry, one of the reasons this tour appeals is that you are in a small six seater vehicle (albeit following in convoy) and I think it will give a better view of the countryside. Having done the Pink Jeep Tour in Sedona I think it's more fun with the wind in your hair rather than on a bus. I don't think this tour will be as exciting as the Pink Jeep Tour, but sounds fun.
Bob, I haven't booked it yet, but take onboard what Char said and will have another ponder and let you know what I've done sooner rather than later. It would of course be a lot of fun to have others along too.
Would the proposed tour in Tenerife include the pyramids at Guimar by chance? I have two reasons for wanting to make a visit to that area during the day.
If you answered me before, I can't find it. Are any of your group (I think there are 6 of you?) interested in the tour I have set up in Barcelona? Patrick (same fellow who took us to Montseratt last year) will be taking us to another area out in the countryside. The cost (depending on final numbers) will be about €50-55 p/p. Here is his description. While there is no winery in that area, he did tell me that he knew of a nice wine shop where we can stop.
The destination I am proposing is Sant Cugat del Valles, an upper middle-class residential town in the outskirts of Barcelona. 1 hr. drive from the Port, part of which is a scenic drive. St.Cugat is located right behind the hills that surround Barcelona, so the scenic drives will be the crossing of those hills (1,500 ft). On the way, we stop at Tibidabo, where there is a beautiful church and an impressive view point over the city at 1500 ft. elevation.
Sant Cugat has a beautiful and big medieval monastery. This is not an active monastery (except its church, which is St. Cugat main parish) so we get to visit everything. It is exceptionally complete and well maintained. (Not visited by mass tourism groups yet; mostly local school groups). This would cover the "cultural aspect".
Most of central Sant Cugat is a pedestrian only area. On a Saturday morning a nice opportunity to witness the daily life and feel of the locals, unspoilt yet by the tourist industry. Quite different from central Barcelona.
This would cover the "human aspect".
Lunch: again an important feature of the excursion. I will arrange lunch at a nice non tourist oriented restaurant. Prices similar to this year, maybe a little higher as we'll be closer to the "big city".
After lunch, we drive back to the Port.
Let me know if any of you are interested.
This is also open to anyone else here that may be interested. I have room for about 10-12 people.
If you answered me before, I can't find it. Are any of your group (I think there are 6 of you?) interested in the tour I have set up in Barcelona?
Yes. I replied affirmatively for all 6. Prior to that, I think you had room for only 4, but that opened up shortly afterwards. Looking forward to traveling with Patrick again.
And this year, I doubt that we'll be taking any wine from the shops with us. Last year, we packed what we got in Barcelona into our suitcases since it was our point of embarkation. Not so this year! And you know how they can be about carry-on from a port stop. So I wouldn't worry much about hitting a wine shop unless there's time left for a really serious party before we get back on the ship
I like his idea for a new spot to visit. I'll no doubt also have time to sign the log for the geocache right there at the monastery.
UPDATE - Tenerife tour -- we reached Ronald Bauer on the phone yesterday, but he was doing an airport transfer, so it was near impossible to understand each other. We arranged to call him again tomorrow and I'll post after I've spoken with him.
Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers
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Equinox Transatlantic, Nov. 5, 2009
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