The Travel Thread

[Philw]

We're visiting Venice for a day in early August as part of a cruise.
Does anyone have any recommendations for things to do whilst we are there?
Expecting it to be extremely busy, but, would appreciate any advice.

Just wandering around is nice. If you can get a decent seat on a water taxi that's nice for a little trip through the city. Go for a Punt if you want to spend that much (we didn't)! We went to the Doge's palace, but don't know if you'll want to do that if you're only there for a day. If you do try and book a ticket in advance on line as the queue was massive when we went.

 

[Eggs]

We're visiting Venice for a day in early August as part of a cruise.
Does anyone have any recommendations for things to do whilst we are there?
Expecting it to be extremely busy, but, would appreciate any advice.

...it’s a lovely place to stroll around. I recall it being expensive in and around the main square but cheaper as you go beyond that area. We didn’t do the Gondola thing but we did a short boat cruise and took in one of the glass blowing factories.

 

[EvertonCJ]

Just wandering around is nice. If you can get a decent seat on a water taxi that's nice for a little trip through the city. Go for a Punt if you want to spend that much (we didn't)! We went to the Doge's palace, but don't know if you'll want to do that if you're only there for a day. If you do try and book a ticket in advance on line as the queue was massive when we went.

Thanks for replying Phil.
We've booked an excursion which includes being taken from the ship straight to St Mark's Square.
We then get a gondola ride and then have the rest of the day to ourselves.
Doge's Palace looks good and will definitely book in advance to avoid the queues.

 

[EvertonCJ]

...it’s a lovely place to stroll around. I recall it being expensive in and around the main square but cheaper as you go beyond that area. We didn’t do the Gondola thing but we did a short boat cruise and took in one of the glass blowing factories.

Hi Eggs.
I think we'll just book Doge's Palace and have a good wander around.
I'm sure it will be totally manic in August and I'll probably be grumpy by mid-morning and want to go back to the ship.
Isn't it meant to be very smelly?

 

[Toffee in Jandals]

Wife and I have a week planned in Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo) in late October. We're going to Bako National Park and to an orangutan sanctuary while there, but if anyone who has been to Kuching has any other suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Eggs]

Hi Eggs.
I think we'll just book Doge's Palace and have a good wander around.
I'm sure it will be totally manic in August and I'll probably be grumpy by mid-morning and want to go back to the ship.
Isn't it meant to be very smelly?

..it is meant to be smelly but I have to say I didn’t notice that at all. Perhaps that says a lot about me!!!

 

[Jeff Jones]

We were in Liverpool, on holiday from Melbourne, from June 22nd to the 26th. 'We' are me, my wife, and her brother and his wife. Me and my brother-in-law did the two stadium tours - he's a Red, 1st time in Liverpool. Not exactly a plastic as his dad, a Scouser, came to Australia in 1949 and brought him up up as a Red. Sheer coincidence that I'm born and bred Edge Hill.
We did the Anfield thing 1st, I'll cover that later, and then Goodison.

I would've liked to have done this when Dave Hickson was the guide - nothing against the lady who did the tour - but I saw
Davy play and it would've been nice. There were about 15 there and we went through the main stand area, the press interview
room, the dressing room and I forget where else. The lady, I forget her name, talked about the clubs history, and particularly about our top centre forwards. She was very frank about Everton's disadvantage commercially when competing with other clubs, comparing our 11 private boxes with Man Utd's 119. She started with Dixie, then Tommy Lawton and so on but missed a couple and I piped in with Alex Young and Joe Royle, for which she thanked me.

The absolute best bit for me was when we came out of the dressing room and walked towards the tunnel where the players walk out for the game. I only realised what was happening when the Z cars music started playing as we walked up the steps. That was one of the best things I've ever done and I'm welling up as I type this.

I'll be back later with the Anfield tour.

 

[centralTon]

We're visiting Venice for a day in early August as part of a cruise.
Does anyone have any recommendations for things to do whilst we are there?
Expecting it to be extremely busy, but, would appreciate any advice.

Was in Venice last week, small city but easy to get lost in as most of it looks the same. Piazza San Marco, Doge's palace, Basilica, Bridge of Sighs and bell tower are all beside each other, so you can visit them all in an hour or so if you wish. Rialto bridge is signposted and usually easy to get to, just follow the crowds. If you want to go on the Grand Canal the Vaporetti are much cheaper than a gondola and there's a station just off of Piazza San Marco. Food and drink are expensive, especially in the main square, but even up a side street, we paid 24 euros for 2 coffees and a shared tiramisu so be careful. Unique city and well worth a visit, enjoy.

 

[Charro]

Trying to sort a cheap little break on the Eurostar somewhere, probably Brussels or Bruges.

Biggest issue is the journey from Liverpool to London. The prices for the train are mental

Anyone done this before? If so whats the best way?

 

[Brendan Janus]

Trying to sort a cheap little break on the Eurostar somewhere, probably Brussels or Bruges.

Biggest issue is the journey from Liverpool to London. The prices for the train are mental

Anyone done this before? If so whats the best way?

Walk !!

 

[EvertonCJ]

Thanks for this. Did you book Doge's Palace and the Clock Tower in advance?
We 've booked an excursion which includes a gondola ride, but, will be free after that to wander around.
Do you need to book a tour for the Clock Tower or can you just get a ticket in advance and enter when you get there?
Only 9 days until we go away. Currently looking after my Dad who has Alzheimer's and my Mum who has had a hip replacement. Haven't seen my wife for more than 10 minutes in the last 10 days. I thought retirement was meant to be fun!!!

 

[centralTon]

Thanks for this. Did you book Doge's Palace and the Clock Tower in advance?
We 've booked an excursion which includes a gondola ride, but, will be free after that to wander around.
Do you need to book a tour for the Clock Tower or can you just get a ticket in advance and enter when you get there?
Only 9 days until we go away. Currently looking after my Dad who has Alzheimer's and my Mum who has had a hip replacement. Haven't seen my wife for more than 10 minutes in the last 10 days. I thought retirement was meant to be fun!!!

Usually big queue's, so if you can, book in advance. If you find yourself near the train station there's a tiny bar called Santa Lucia, panini's, snacks and beers at decent prices (for Venice).

 

[EvertonCJ]

Usually big queue's, so if you can, book in advance. If you find yourself near the train station there's a tiny bar called Santa Lucia, panini's, snacks and beers at decent prices (for Venice).

Sounds good. We're going with my wife's sister and her husband so when we get fed up of walking the two men can sneak off for a Peroni or two.
I was in Rome a couple of years ago and could buy a large bottle of Peroni for about one euro in the supermarkets, but, beer in restaurants was very expensive.

 

[centralTon]

Sounds good. We're going with my wife's sister and her husband so when we get fed up of walking the two men can sneak off for a Peroni or two.
I was in Rome a couple of years ago and could buy a large bottle of Peroni for about one euro in the supermarkets, but, beer in restaurants was very expensive.

There are a couple of co-op's and a couple of Spar shops, but they are closer to the train/bus station area Piazzale Roma than they are to the main square. Hope you have a grand time.

 

[royalblue66]

Thinking a Caribbean cruise early January, not sure about the excursions,
Anyone done their own thing on these,any advise would be appreciated.