Travel advice wanted!

This time next week, I'll be in Venice. I'm in disbelief about it still, having been prepared to give a limb for years to go to Europe, and I'll finally be doing it. My grandparents are being incredibly generous for their 50th wedding anniversary, getting a bunch of family together for a Royal Caribbean cruise in the Mediterranean.

So my question is... has anyone been to any of the following places: Venice, Athens, Corfu, Myknonos, or Olympia/Katakolon? Any tips/advice would be appreciated, as I'm researching this trip. It is a cruise, so trips too far off of the beaten path are impossible, but any sites, etc. you liked/didn't... :bounce: :D :bounce:

:hi:

Edit to add: Split, Croatia.

Oh, what a wonderful trip you will have!

I have no tips but I know you'll have a ball!

Please take LOTS of pics, OK?

:bounce: :bounce:

I'll have a huge amount of photos to sort through when I get back. :D :bounce:

If you do digital, and I think you do...

Take your laptop, and upload each day's pics. That way, you can label them while it's still fresh in your mind...

That's what I did on my last trip abroad...

Then I would erase them out of the camera, in time for the next day...

Just a thought!


Oh, and if you get seasick? Mobic is great for that! It works fast. One side effect is drowsiness, but it's not too bad...

Have a ball!

:D

But my laptop is getting repaired in Chicago, and it won't be with me in time. But, I could upload them to my grandfather's laptop. :D

And... luckily, I'm OK on boats, especially on a ship this big, I'd imagine. :D Thank you for the advice, I'll write that med down in case someone needs it. :hi: :D

both of them from a cruise....my suggestion - take the cruise organized tours. You can wander solo once you get to the destination, but as long as there are a bunch of you cruisers together, you can safely assume the ship won't leave without you :P

We rented mopeds on Mykonos - IIRC there were some great windmills there too.

Enjoy your trip lelapin! :hi:

I'm not sure yet if my grandparents signed up for the organized tours, but at this point, I have so many maps, information, etc. that I feel confident in getting around if we don't. :P

And I'll definitely check out the mopeds. That would be amazing. :D :hi:

:(


I have this little obligation called "work"...

You could listen with me as she complains about the heat. :P

Anyone?

Believe me, you don't want to end up like Amanda Knox.

But who is that? :shrug: :hi:

Well, I don't have a roommate to stab, so I think I'll be good. :scared: :P

And the great thing about Rick Steves' guidebooks (my reading of choice this time around) is that he cultivates a friendly, culturally open attitude to any place, and reiterates how Americans should be careful how they come across.

(with a "B".) So if you have an "optional tour"...!
http://nature.wallpaperme.com/3182-2/Burano_+Venice_+Italy.jpg

Also: Besides the requisite gondola ride, if you hop on a regular "bus" (boat), you can make the Grand Canal circuit.

An authentic Venetian mask is my souvenir of choice, as well as gold jewelry. :)
http://www.venicemaskshop.com/commedia.html


MUST go inside the Doge's Palace.

And if you can sit outside on St. Mark's Square at night before going back to the ship, it's a wonderful last view of it.

I've been hoping to get a good mask, even if it's smaller... and I'd love to see Burano. Hopefully, there might be time. And I'm definitely planning to see the Doge's Palazzio. :D :hi:

make sure to do some off the beaten track stuff and not just the ship tours if you have time - I think sometimes tours only give you one perspective.


I would love to see Venice, but I've read so many Donna Leon mysteries where the protagonist complains endlessly about the tourists... that it's colored my view of the city! :rofl: The novels give excellent city descriptions, though. So if you are in a cafe, a grappa is the way to go.

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/wines/grappa.asp

How about Murano on a nearby island - where they make glass?


http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/murano_the_glass_island.htm

She flies out to my parents' house tomorrow. :(

But I travelled a bit rougher, sleeping on beaches. I even slept in the old Olympic stadium. I was with a Swedish sheila who wanted to save money. Anyway, it was part of the adventure.

If you click on my profile, then homepage, you'll be taken to my vlog. Scroll down to the Acropolis. I made a video from my photos. It starts off on Pelikas Beach, Corfu.

Enjoy your trip!

It's nice to see it from a non-tourist website angle. :P :hi:

The one who's going. :P

I hope you have a great trip. :)

Hopefully I'll make it to Europe someday. :)

They leave early tomorrow morning. Sigh...

:(

most of the world has a clue
just in case, you can get this:

The American Traveler International Apology Shirt.
http://www.cafepress.com/americanapology


"The American Traveler International Apology." on the front and "I'm sorry my president's an idiot. I didn't vote for him." on the back, all in the six official UN languages (Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, English, French).

and needed for only about 6 more months!:woohoo:

other than: ENJOY!! :bounce: