Dis / Dreams Viking Sea Cruise around Italy 3/24 - 3/31/2018

[DisneyKevin]

I follow a website that I enjoy very much. It's called Italian Talks.

Here's the link

https://www.italiantalks.com

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm curious about the transportation to and from the ship too. I've only been there once to board the Magic, and we had to take a water taxi with luggage and kids. It's very far to walk. There may be a vaporetto stop.

There is a vaporetto stop right next to the ship dock. (I'm assuming we will be using the same dock area as RCL does) Depending on where you are staying there might be a stop nearby. We're at the Luna Baglioni and there is a vaporetto stop right behind it.

ETA - oops I see @DisneyKevin already responded with the same info. Sorry for the repeat.

 

[Cousin Orville]

So looking at our Cruise on the Viking website, it looks like we are 15 days away from being able to book excursions.

We are going to want to leverage the included ones where we can but wondering what other ones people are thinking of that might get to some "must see/do" things, or just neat sounding things, that the included tours don't cover?

Two that caught our eye were the Winery one in Crotone and the Island & the Abbey in Venice

The winery in Crotone interests us as well. We're considering Herculaneum in Naples (we've done Pompeii). We're looking at Taormina in Sicily. We're also considering doing a private tour to combine Taormina with a winery visit for lunch near Mt Etna.

For Bari, maybe going to Alberobello. That looks interesting. In Croatia, visiting Trogir seems to be what's recommended by others.

There is a vaporetto stop right next to the ship dock. (I'm assuming we will be using the same dock area as RCL does) Depending on where you are staying there might be a stop nearby. We're at the Luna Baglioni and there is a vaporetto stop right behind it.

ETA - oops I see @DisneyKevin already responded with the same info. Sorry for the repeat.

Good to know about the Luna Baglioni stop. That's where we're staying as well. Have you used the vaporetto with luggage? Trying to decide how chaotic that is particularly after disembarking with lots of passengers. We used a water taxi - navigating 3 kids and a caravan of luggage (couple of yrs ago) on the water bus would have been a nightmare. Another option if anyone is interested is sharing a water taxi.

 

[OKW Lover]

Have you used the vaporetto with luggage?

No, we didn't do it with luggage. Thinking about the experience though its going to be a bit tricky but not impossible. Its a fairly easy roll (I'm assuming your luggage has wheels) from the ship to the vaporetto stop. The ramp down to the loading area might be a bit bumpy. I think you'll need to lift your luggage onto the boat though. Memory is fuzzy about that.

 

[WDWGeek1971]

We were able to book our shore excursions last week, and did so. It was very easy keeping everything in your Wishlist then linking direct to each excursion and booking it. Once you add it to your cart, you then need to check out and pay with a CC. The good news is you can check out for all excursions in one fell swoop. The only unexpected encounter was that even if you have your CC card information on-line for on-ship charging, you have to enter the information again when you check out.

 

[LizzieBG]

This is the same time frame we are looking at...heading down around hotel check-out at 1100.

My husband and I are doing the early Vatican tour that morning and would be interested in sharing a ride to the port as well.

 

[travelinjenn]

Which airline are you on? We also get into to Rome at 10:30 on the 23rd coming from dublin (we are on Aerlingus)

And welcome!

Thank you! GOOD to be here. We're also flying Aerlingus. Looks like we're sharing a plane!

 

[met19]

My Wish list:
Naples: 1) Pompeii (never been) 1a) if 1 is sold out: Herculaneum
Sicily: 1) Mt Etna/Tamora or 2) ride thru villages
Crotone 1) winery 2) either national or archeologic park
Bari: 1) puglias white cities which includes Alberobello if not just 2) Alberobello/Truli
Crotia:interested in Trogir. its part of two shore excursions and i haven't decided yet between the historic towns or the trogir and village heritage
Venice: Included tour plus the extension. and maybe some opera!

Hopefully will check out glass blowing i've heard of an amazing store ABD goes to from @OKW Lover.

I am staying @ the Westin if people want to share a water taxi.

3 days till booking! And 2.5 months till there

 

[WDWGeek1971]

I am staying @ the Westin if people want to share a water taxi.

We might want to take you up on that! We are at the Westin Europa & Regina, Venice, for one night, post-cruise.

We have reserved:
Naples: Herculaneum
Sicily: Mt. Etna & Taormina
Crotone: Ceraudo Wintery & Calabrian Family Tradition
Bari: Casteana Caves & Polignano a Mare
Sibenik, Croatia: The Krka Waterfalls & Town of Skradin (I believe the waterfalls were one of the "unscripted" Croatian sites featured on the most recent Grand Tour episode on Amazon.)
Venice: (day 1) Exploring Historic Padua; An Evening at the Opera

(day 2 & 3-on our own) Still researching, but definitely Murano, St. Mark's, and the Doge's Palace. Looking for other museums and cultural events--concerts, opera.

 

[corky441]

Venice Vaporetto information:

One way ticket is 7.50 euro
One day pass is 20 euro
Two day pass is 30 euro
Three day pass is 40 euro
Seven day pass is 60 euro

Always remember to validate your ticket at the machine BEFORE boarding, every time you use it.

Think of the vaporetto as the NYC subway system—- my advice is to get a map. Most vaporetto stations handle multiple boats going in various directions, many of which arrive simultaneously

 

[met19]

fodors website just listed 11 great wine bars in Rome.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

fodors website just listed 11 great wine bars in Rome.

Post of the year!

 

[Cousin Orville]

We signed up for ours tonight.

Naples: Herculaneum
Sicily: Enchanting Taormina
Crotone: Ceraudo Wintery & Calabrian Family Tradition
Bari: Puglia’s White Cities
Sibenik: Historic Towns Along the Dalmation Coast (was Split on which Trogir tour to do, pardon the pun. Ended up choosing the one with Split.)
Venice: Master Class in Murano Glassblowing.

 

[met19]

We signed up for ours tonight.

Naples: Herculaneum
Sicily: Enchanting Taormina
Crotone: Ceraudo Wintery & Calabrian Family Tradition
Bari: Puglia’s White Cities
Sibenik: Historic Towns Along the Dalmation Coast (was Split on which Trogir tour to do, pardon the pun. Ended up choosing the one with Split.)
Venice: Master Class in Murano Glassblowing.

Nice choices. I would've done the glass, but never been to Venice (though I guess I have a bunch of time there post cruise too).

 

[Cousin Orville]

Nice choices. I would've done the glass, but never been to Venice (though I guess I have a bunch of time there post cruise too).

Yeah, the glass blowing class gets great reviews on tripadvisor. I normally frown on arts & crafts activities, but this seemed like a pretty unique experience.

I'm considering the opera activity at night, but they also have Vivaldi 4 Seasons performances around. We did that years ago and it was really amazing to hear it performed in an old venetian church. Another possibility is getting tickets at La Fenice opera house which is absolutely gorgeous. But another part of me just wants to hang out a wine bars around Venice... So many choices

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Yeah, the glass blowing class gets great reviews on tripadvisor. I normally frown on arts & crafts activities, but this seemed like a pretty unique experience.

I'm considering the opera activity at night, but they also have Vivaldi 4 Seasons performances around. We did that years ago and it was really amazing to hear it performed in an old venetian church. Another possibility is getting tickets at La Fenice opera house which is absolutely gorgeous. But another part of me just wants to hang out a wine bars around Venice... So many choices

I am sure we could be persuaded to join you at the wine bars

 

[Cousin Orville]

I am sure we could be persuaded to join you at the wine bars

Oh yeah! We're going to create our own wine club on board. Viking doesn't know what's coming!

 

[met19]

Yeah, the glass blowing class gets great reviews on tripadvisor. I normally frown on arts & crafts activities, but this seemed like a pretty unique experience.

I'm considering the opera activity at night, but they also have Vivaldi 4 Seasons performances around. We did that years ago and it was really amazing to hear it performed in an old venetian church. Another possibility is getting tickets at La Fenice opera house which is absolutely gorgeous. But another part of me just wants to hang out a wine bars around Venice... So many choices

wine bars....hmmm very easy to go there. I already mentioned the Rome top 10. wonder if there is a venice version too

 

[christannj]

Chuck and I are asking to be considered for membership in the wine club.

Chris

 

[met19]

Chuck and I are asking to be considered for membership in the wine club.

Chris

As the head of membership: Approved