Chuck Nessa Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 So, on October 31, Ann and I leave on a 50th anniversary trip. We fly to Rome for 3 days/2 nights and then cruise thru the Islands of the Western Mediterranean for a while and end up with 3 days/2 nights in Barcelona before flying home. Any advice would be appreciated. If anyone wants details please email at cnessa@charter.net . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 (edited) Maybe call in at Jazz Messengers in Barcelona? Edited September 27, 2013 by sidewinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Bring swarth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Chuck, not sure you're into that type of sightseeing, but if you want to visit the Vatican, it might be good to get tickets in advance:http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?weblang=en&do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ayers Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 (edited) Be very careful of wallets and handbags in Rome. Watch out especially when getting on buses where at crowded stops. Watch out for gangs of small children, often carrying cardboard. Small points maybe but this stuff often happens to people in Rome. You must see the Vatican, you must of course see the great classical monuments, the Villa Borghese is pretty compulsory, and many people find an interest in visiting one or other of the catacombs. You won't run out of churches and when you visit the famous squares make sure not to miss out Campo dei Fiori. Really for 3 days the guidebook will tell you everything and, while I haven't seen the one for Rome, and while though I travel much I don't do tourism, I have found the small Frommer's day-by-day guides the most succinct and practical. Rome is not known for eating and the cheaper restaurants are all fair enough but tend to offer the same basic things. Record stores? Not sure there are any left. I used to live in Rome and for that reason know almost nothing about it Oh and Barcelona! Same thing, Frommer's day-by-day, which I did use on the one occasion I visited. Maybe try for 4Cats restaurant where artsy folks used to hang out, now just tourists of course. Be careful of area near waterfront. Oh and if their Spanish sounds weird it is not because they are making mistakes, they are speaking Catalan (I was a bit thrown until I figured this out...). The architecture is of course a must-see. Here I am in Barcelona with Frommers and uh dictionary. Which I didn't need of course. And yes, I'm in Starbucks. I know, I know... Here's the restaurant http://4gats.com/en/ Edited September 27, 2013 by David Ayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Highly recommended Mediterranean islands: Crete and Cyprus. Also Dubrovnik on the Croatian coast! Place to avoid at all cost: Syria! Skip the coast of North Africa (beautiful places but not safe enough) Worth a visit: splendid Sicily, but be even more careful than in Rome and Barcelona! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertrand Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Maybe call in at Jazz Messengers in Barcelona? Say hi to Jordi! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uli Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexander Hawkins Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Damn, playing in Rome the week before that! Sounds like a fantastic trip. For Barcelona - all of the Gaudi buildings are wonderful; and also the Fundacio Joan Miro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffcrom Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 I have nothing to contribute except wishes for a great trip. You're quite the travelin' man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homefromtheforest Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Part of my honeymoon was spent in Mykonos and Santorini and those were both beautiful places but it sounds like you are heading the opposite direction from Italy Have a great and safe trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 I'm not much of a traveler - except when necessary - so I can't offer any advice. But your vacation sounds wonderful and I hope that both you and Ann have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Weiss Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Barcelona: - The Sagrada Familia is awe inspiring. You must buy tickets in advance to reserve a time slot, but you can stay as long as you like. Well worth it. - La Boqueria (the market) is a top destination, just off the Ramblas. There are many delicious food stalls. The seafood one in the back (#220), "Bar Boqueria" is killin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Wood Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 :tup When on a cruise, avoid fried foods. Get extra batteries for your camera. When in Spain, eat paella. Just random thoughts..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertoart Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Hades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 I'm not much of a traveler - except when necessary - so I can't offer any advice. But your vacation sounds wonderful and I hope that both you and Ann have a great time. +1 and congrats on number 50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiRiIII Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Enjoy your trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Litweiler Posted September 27, 2013 Report Share Posted September 27, 2013 Rome is a great city to get lost in. Loved it right up to the afternoon my camera got ripped off (beware riding on a bus). The jazz record store had few CDs by Italian musicians. Lots of sunshine when I was there in 1999. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 I'm jealous; I never made it to that part of the world. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 (edited) Highly recommended Mediterranean islands: Crete and Cyprus. Also Dubrovnik on the Croatian coast! Yes, Crete can be lovely - especially inland but avoiding the fleshpots of Ag Nik and Chania. The people are great too. Island hopping off Dubrovnik is also lovely e,g, around Korcula. Must go back there (last time I visited Tito was still in power and all the hotels were state-owned ). Edited September 28, 2013 by sidewinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Kart Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Have a great time. You two deserve it. Signed, God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papsrus Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Haven't been to Europe in decades, but take David Ayers' advice about being on guard for theft. My sister had an iPad stolen out of her hotel room in Barcelona last year. A money belt might not be a bad idea for carrying passports, wallets, etc., on your person at all times. I guess the best advice is don't take anything with you that you would be upset if it was stolen. That aside, have a wonderful trip and congrats on your 50th. You're a lucky man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeBop Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 I really don't understand all the warnings. Hopefully they won't weigh heavily on decisions and choices. Stuff happens, mainly to fools (occasionally to the unlucky). You're not a fool. So go, have a helluva time. Celebrate something truly worth celebrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medjuck Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Barcelona: If you're interested in architecture at all or just Gaudi, I found the Casa Batllo even more fascinating than the Segrada Familla. Easy to get to see without advance tickets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzmoose Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 I really don't understand all the warnings. Me either. I mean, he's used to Chicago, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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