Thread: Has anybody cruised around Italy?

Has anybody cruised around Italy?

I would love to hear what you thought of Rome, Pompeii, and Florence in particular. What was great and what would you not bother seeing if you went again?

I didn't cruise around Italy but I did do a Trafalgar Tour for 10 days. We visited all three cities you mentioned and I loved them all. Pompei was my favorite, only because I'd never seen a city destroyed by volcanic ash before. Fascinating. We were in Rome 3 days so we covered a lot of territory. If you have specific questions, maybe deciding between places to see due to limited time, I'd be glad to answer them. I did Italy summer before last so I can't remember everywhere we toured but I'd remember if you asked. Right now, I remember seeing the Vatican (including Cisteen Chapel), Coliseum, the famous fountain who's name I forget right now (throw the coin in, you'll return to Rome), and a number of other cathedrals who's names escape me. I'll dig through my pictures of Rome, Florence & Pompei to see if I can refresh my memory. (We visited other cities as well like Pisa & Venice so everything kind of runs together) Ask away.

Oh thank you SO much! I am digging up the excursion choices and will write later this morning with some specific questions.

OK, I have my specific questions ready. And thank you again for offering to help. I frubal'd ya!

1) First stop after Monte Carlo is Livorno, for Florence. From there we can do so many things, including these guided tours: Seeing Pisa, Florence and the Accademia, Siena and San Gimignaco, wine tasting, Lucca by bike, Highlights of Lucca, and Villas and Gardens of Lucca...OR we can take the transfer to Florence and do our own thing. Now here are my concerns - there isn't time to do more than one of these choices. We can't see Pisa and Florence both if we take an excursion. I am leaning toward Florence from everything I have heard about it. But is there anything worth seeing in Pisa other than the tower? Anything wonderful enough to miss Florence? And I know very little about Lucca. Same question...is it simply amazing and worth missing Florence for?

2) Rome. There are wonderful excursion options that take you everywhere and explain it all to you. It will be easy to pick one of those all day, see everything choices. BUT if we do that are we going to miss the real "feel" and character of Rome by traveling around by coach with a tour guide? Would we be better off going around the city on our own? And is this logistically possible to do in a day and see it all by walking, renting a car, scooter? The parking alone must be a chore if we rented a car and it seems pretty spread out to walk. Am I right? I have friends who say you simply must do it on your own to appreciate the charm, but the idea of someone taking care of our getting into the Vatican and Coliseum easily and a guide explaining what I am looking at is very appealing.

3) Pompeii, Sicily and Rhodes' excursions are easy choices. But Athens is
not. I can't decide if it's worth going to see the ancient ruins on a coastal drive (wonderful scenery and tons of lesser known ruins) or stay in town and see the museums and the old-town plaza (shopping opportunity we may never have again) or go see the famous Acropolis (THE famous landmark I think of when I think of Athens) and I am not sure if again, this is a place we could do our own thing or if an organized tour would be better. Decisions, decisions!!

Muchas Gracias

1. If you have to choose between Pisa & Florence, see Florence. There is NOTHING in Pisa other than the leaning tower. Florence is beautiful and has so much history. The architecture is glorious.
2. Your first time in Rome, do it with a guide. You will not get the explanations you need without a guide. If you can only do the Vatican & Coliseum, it will be worth it. Yes, I did enjoy my free time in Rome but I was there several days. For one day, I totally recommend a guided tour.
3. IMHO, I'd do the museums & shopping and skip the Acropolis. You don't have time for everything and I'd rather do a few things well than use a whole day to see one famous ruin.

All these answers are based on my personal experience. Others may not agree. I just think you'll be happier with these choices.

I believe we think alike! I appreciate your input.

To be technical, you can't cruise around Italy. The pesky Alps get in the way.........


(sorry, couldn't resist)

hehe...you are so right!!

Excuse me Neal but I did a 14 day back to back by ship around Italy. Started in Rome, went south to Malta, East to Greece, North to Venice. Back south to Amalfi and Sorrento on to Nice, left the ship to fly to Paris for 3 nights. (We started with 3 nights in Rome.)

Now to your questions I agree completely with Pungo! When we went to Livorno for Florence we then came back via Pisa. The Tower and especially the Cathedral are striking. Florence should not be missed....

You will need a guide for the day in Rome just to get into the various places. Whatever you do-don't rent a car and drive in Rome!!!!!I lived there for a few years and I always had a driver. They are NUTS over there.....

You can easily do the Plaka AND the Acropolis in a day (they are right next to each other!) I would save the museums to another time when you go back. YES, YOU WILL GO BACK!!!!!

That last line refers to all of Europe-you will amaze yourself at how easy it is to go to Europe. Going via cruise ship is an excellent way to see all the cultures the first time.

I stand by my statement FIRic, you cheated!!