Anyone have any thoughts..

JoeyandDavid · November 10, 2005

Hi everyone,

As some of you maybe aware of we are sailing the Mediterranean next October, the Barcelona to Venice run.

I am looking to enhance this cruise with up to 3 nightÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s additional pre cruise stay and one extra night in Venice. Any suggestions as to the Area of town in either city we should be trying to reserve a room?

Hopefully it would have nightlife with restaurants and entertainment venues, metro assessable, and yet still a 20 euro ride by cab to either the pier or the airport.

I am also looking for some observations as to which airline provides the best comforts in Coach when traveling to and from Europe. We prefer to sit in groups of two, instead of 3 seats to a row section.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

Always

hamster92256 · November 10, 2005

Joey when I go to work tonite I will ask a co-worker, she has done 3 cruises in the Med and mentioned it to me recently. I'll let you know before the end of the weekend!!!

JoeyandDavid · November 10, 2005

thanks grandpa

cruisinmama · November 11, 2005

Wish I could help ya, but we only flew from Canuck land to Newcastle..not much help for you..

Don't use Air Canada if you can help it..they SUCK!!! lol..

Good luck planning , it sounds like it will be an awesome Trip..

:smiley:

TheSkipper · November 12, 2005

Hey Guys!

In Venice you want to be in walking distance to St. Mark's Square! That's where it is all happening.

We spent three nights there following a Silver Seas cruise and loved it.

About two years ago we drove in and stayed about an hour out of town and took the train in -- not the same!

You know we get tired walking around shopping and sight seeing and its great to be able to stroll back to your hotel and put your feet up and recharge the batteries once in a while.

Can't help you in Barcelona. Have sailed out of there but not done a pre-cruise stay there. :cool:

KarenUK · November 13, 2005

Hi Joey,

I havn't been to Venice as yet but have done weekend breaks in Barcelona. Barcelona's easy to get round as it has a very good Metro system so it isn't a major problem to get to see all the sights, if you want to be central you need to be staying on/near the Rambles the 3 star and below hotels are very basic so if your used to a little luxury you HAVE to go for 4 star or above.

We stayed in the 4 star Gran Hotel Barcino on Jaume I - one of the side streets off La Ramlas in the Gothic quarter. This was a fairly nice hotel (not that I spent much time in it!!) but any of the H10 group or any 4 star + in the Gothic Quarter/La Ramblas/Catalunya Place or close to Port Vell would see you in a central position for sight seeing.

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia is about 20-30 minutes walk away from most hotels so easiest just to jump on the metro to see that but there is a nice Tapas bar just across the street from the cathederal.

www.barcelona-tourist-guise.com has all of the hotels listed in star order with links to the hotel details.

Hope this helps. :kiss:

Karen

JoeyandDavid · November 13, 2005

It sure does Karen thanks... and let me start my education early.... I need a definition of "Tapas" I see the term alot but dont really know what it means ....

KarenUK · November 13, 2005

BY heck Joey you must have been reading that as I was typing it!! haha glad I can be of assistance.. that should read guide by the way not guise!!

In Barcelona there are lots of little Tapas bars which have counters which display a veriety of food. What you usually do is order either a mix of tapas or a plate of one type. You usually have a nice chilled beer (or whatever your drinking) with a plate of, say for example, Chicken Wings but they have loads of different dishes but most are eaten with fingers - kinda like nibbles (their version of cocktails & canapes - some tapas bars provide olives or cheese as a complimentary tapa) - these bars are busy throughout the day and night as most of the Catalunians tend to eat quite late at night.

Barcelona is quite good for this as a lot of people speak english & can advise you what the particular item is before eating it as they do use a lot of sea food & garlic in their cooking!!