VIKING STAR –  Southern Med  12/21 Rome – 12/28 Barcelona

viking-oceans-viking-star-cruise-ship-banner.jpg

78-b98894cfacc39.jpg

viking-star-cruise-ship_top-image.jpg

SUMMARY

southern-meditteranean-01.png

CC_Rome_Pantheon_Column_Sunrise_500x250_tcm13-105105.jpg

 Thursday Dec 21

ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY Embark Overnight         Thursday

 ROME , Italy

southern-meditteranean-001-5.png

 From the Colosseum to the Forum, Rome is a rich repository of the ruins of empire.

CC_Rome_Colosseum_500x250_tcm13-105107.jpg
Friday Dec 22

ROME

Sail 6:00 PM

southern-meditteranean-02b.png

ROME , Italy		 2500 year old  ?Eternal City?

CC_Trapani_Erice_Castle_Of_Venus_SuperStock_RM_500x250_tcm13-105139.jpg

  Saturday Dec 23  NAPLES

Sorrento

(Pompei)

Herculaneum

southern-meditteranean-01b-5.png

Sicily, Italy		 Italy?s stunning island of rugged beauty, Sicily is dotted with fascinating ruins.

4

Trapani145.jpg

 Sunday Dec 24  SICILY

TRAPANI

12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

  

southern-meditteranean-02-5.png

SICILY (TRAPANI)

5

CC_Sardinia_Cagliari_Sunset_SKY_Alamy_RM_500x250_tcm13-105120.jpg

 Monday Dec 25  SARDINIA (CAGLIARI), ITALY 7:00 AM – 1:30 PM

southern-meditteranean-03-5.png

Cagliari, Italy		 Sardinia is a rich blend of expansive farmland and historic, limestone-carved cities.

6

Castillo_de_Bellver.jpg
Tues 26

southern-meditteranean-04-5.png

Spain		 The white city of Algiers charms with a mix of African tradition and French sophistication.

7

Valencia_Silk_Trade_Exchange_500x250_tcm13-105190.jpg

   Wed Dec 27  VALENCIA, SPAIN 9:00 AM-  6:00 PM

southern-meditteranean-05-5.png

Valencia, Spain

 Steeped in 2,000 years of history and culture, Valencia preserves a rich past.

8

Barcelona_Plaza_Real_Night_Alamy_RM_500x250_tcm13-104804.jpg

 Thurs Dec 28  BARCELONA, SPAIN 5:30 AM – Disembark

southern-meditteranean-05-5.png

Barcelona, Spain

 Colorful, artistic Barcelona boasts cutting-edge galleries and innovative architecture.

 

Rick Steves:

Day 1 ? Old City

9:00  From Plaça de Catalunya (with its handy tourist information office), peruse the Barri Gòtic neighborhood (follow my guidebooks‘ self-guided walk, also available as a free audio tour) and tour the Cathedral of Barcelona.

11:00  Head to the Ramblas (ideally, using the route described in my Barcelona guidebook‘s “Barri Gòtic Shopping Walk”), then stroll Las Ramblas to the harborfront (best if following my guidebooks’ self-guided “Ramblas Ramble”).

13:00  Grab lunch in El Born or the Barri Gòtic.

Main Synagogue: 15 minute tour. Marlet 5.   Monday to Friday from 11 to 17.30 h. Saturdays and Sundays from 11 to 15 h.

Between Carrer de la Fruita and Carrer del Call

14:00  Tour the Palace of Catalan Music in El Born (advance reservation required).

15:00  Explore El Born (see my Barcelona guidebook’s self-guided walk), including a visit to the Picasso Museum. Afterwards shop to your heart’s content.

Evening  Take your pick of activities: Assemble an early tapas dinner by hopping from bar to bar in El Born (you can follow my Barcelona guidebook’s “Short, Sweet Walk” for dessert options); other good neighborhoods for tapas are the classy Eixample or touristy Barri Gòtic. Or wait to dine at a restaurant when locals do, around 21:00. For an early dinner, sample tapas at several bars in El Born (or the Eixample or Barri Gòtic; to dine at a restaurant, go when locals do, around 21:00. Visit a sight that’s open late. Take in a performance of Spanish guitar, flamenco, or jazz, concerts at La Pedrera or the Palace of Catalan Music. Hang out at the chiringuito beach bar in Barceloneta. Zip up to Montjuïc for the sunset and a drink on the Catalan Art Museum’s terrace, then head down to the Magic Fountains (Fri?Sat, plus Sun and Thu in summer).

Day 2 ? Modernisme

9:00  Check out the Eixample (you can take the self-guided walk in my Barcelona guidebook ? or in my Pocket Barcelona guide), touring La Pedrera and/or one of the Block of Discord houses: Casa Batlló, Casa Lleó Morera, or Casa Amatller (last two by guided tour only).

12:00  Eat an early lunch in the Eixample, then tour the Sagrada Família.

14:00  Choose among these options: Taxi or bus to Park Güell for more Gaudí. Or take the bus to Montjuïc (if you’re not going to Montjuïc on Day 3) to enjoy the city view and your pick of sights. Or explore the harborfront La Rambla de Mar and Old Port (unless you already did this on Day 1, at the end of the “Ramblas Ramble”).

 

Day 3 ? Montjuïc and Barceloneta

Morning  Tour Montjuïc from top to bottom (both physically and in order of importance), stopping at these sights: Catalan Art Museum, Fundació Joan Miró, and CaixaForum. Shoppers like Las Arenas, the bullring mall.

Miro Museum: Thursday 10-9; Friday 10-6; Sat 10-8.  12 euro; 7 for students <30 and srs

Afternoon  If the weather is good (and you haven’t hit the beach yet), take the scenic cable-car ride down from Montjuïc to the port, and spend the rest of the day at Barceloneta ? stroll the promenade and have a seafood dinner.

Montjuic Magic Fountain:  Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights 8-9 pm.  Go at sunset or just 15 minutes early

 

T10 multi-trip ticket  Easiest way to get around Barcelona is by metro and bus. Not personal, 10 Euro

Downtown Barcelona is known for its pickpockets. Be careful with your belongings.

Ana:

Sagrada Familia during the morning and Parc Guell in the afternoon.  If you have time in between, you could do two different plans. One could be to have a walk around the old Village of Gracia (it is quite near Parc Guell) and have there something to eat. Verdi Street is a nice walkable one, you can feel the spirit of the place;  or if you would like to have a nice view from the upper part of Barcelona, you could go to El Barrio (District) de San Gervasi. Taking Av. Tibidabo up to funicular del Tibidabo. There is no need to take the Funicular. From there there is a nice view.

There is a good restaurant there, called “la Venta”, in front of it, you find “Mirablau” a place to drink something with a great view.

if you want to get to the top up to Tibidabo, you can take the funicular. on the top there is a church to visit and also some restaurants.

 

The day that you visit the gothic quarter, and Casa Batllo, I would recommend to start walking from the upper part of Passeig de Gracia (from AV. Diagonal) going down.

It will be also very nice have a walk at night with the  Christmas lights (anyway if you will be staying in the upper part of Las Ramblas you will be close to it.

Walking down you will pass by the most important “modernists buildings”: La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, and some others.

I hope that the tour in Casa Batlló, not only you will visit the inside but also the roofs.

Paseo de Gracia ends in Plaça Catalunya, from there you should walk trough Portal de l’Angel and Portaferrisa street (the most crowded commercial streets) down to the Gothic Quarter.

There is a small Plaza called Sant Felip Neri, that Mar loves. it is small but has a deep history.

Don’t miss la Basilica de Santa Maria Del Mar  (my favorite), sometimes there are concerts.

Visit El Claustro de la Catedral de Barcelona, and the Catedral as well (check times to get for free)

Next to Las Ramblas you could pass by Plaça Reial, El teatre del Liceu, el Mercat de la Boquería (if you like markets you could have a look inside).

If you get to Montjuic, I recommend you visit Fundación Miró, It has a restaurant that used to be simple and good.

Quite close by taxi there is a Restaurant called Restaurante Martínez, it is fun and has some views to the port.

Getting down from Montjuic if the weather is good, you could get closer to the waterfront, La Barceloneta has its own character, there, you can find Restaurante Can Majó or Restaurante Salamanca, restaurants that have been there since always . Good rice and shellfish.

Next you find el Port Vell, with some other typical restaurants. Also where the Hotel W. Barcelona (Hotel Vela), there are some “chiringuitos” to eat something (Pez Vela, Gallito…)

 

Spend one day  the Old City (Ramblas, Barri Gòtic/cathedral area, Picasso Museum/El Born).  One day SF and Park Guell

Passeig de Gracia ´shopping mile´ of Barcelona – filled with international chains and brands. lined with stunning modernist buildings, a great area to wander around for shopaholics and architecture fans. Great for walking, great for ice cream! The further north the prettier it gets and walk the side streets too to see how people live.  Really gorgeous architecture.  

Las Ramblas:   Half way down Las Ramblas is La Boqueria, oldest and most famous market.  Used to be just outside city wall.  Huge, fresh produce market is a tourist magnet – the further you explore inside Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, smaller crowds and cheaper prices

#1  Sagrada Familia – book in advance.  9am – 6pm.   choose 9-12 entry  

Senior and student discount.  15 euro pp, 22 E with audioguide.  9 am-6pm

Take first visits of day; crowded later.  Go to Park Guell same day by metro

 

#2 Casa Batllo – get tickets in advance.  Gaudi house. $ 23 E pp

 

 

#3 Gothic Quarter   2 hour Jewish tour.  Barcelona Dreaming

 

Cominidad Israelita de Barcelona synagogue (la CIB)   Carrer de l?Avenir, 24

 

#4 Palau de la musica catalano     tour of an architectural wonder with great acoustics –          18 euro tour pp    n/a

 

  www.palaumusica.org

            You might be able to get tkts for a concert. Carlos Nunez Sat night

 

Church concerts

https://www.classictic.com/en/special/barcelona_church_concerts/2747/

 

Classical guitar concert Basilica Santa Maria del Pi. Beautiful gothic church not far from the main Barcelona Cathedral. Free.

Barcelona Cathedral is free to enter at certain times, and was just as good as the Sagrada Familia IMO.

 

Picasso Museum.

It doesn’t have his most famous work but it does have his earliest work

 

Magic Fountain – night .(Fri-Sat).

 

Park Güell  – northwest

Palau Guell  Palace.  Gothic quarter.  another Gaudi home  12E

Parc del Laberint d’Horta – a large green area with its own labyrinth, a small waterfall, and plenty of places to relax.  50 minute train ride north

Montserrat, hugely popular day excursion northwest of Barcelona. The serrated outline made by the sierra’s steep cliffs led the Catalonians to call it montserrat (saw-toothed mountain). Today this Benedictine sanctuary remains the religious center of Catalonia, and thousands of pilgrims annually visit the monastery complex to see its Black Virgin.  ?go to Montserrat and climb to the top of Sant Jeroni. It was my favourite part of the whole trip.  ?Go only if you like the outdoors, religious icons, walking (there will be some hiking too) and if you are looking to get away from the noisy city. If not skip it and stay in Barcelona as Montserrat is not for everyone.

 

Sunset 5:30

TransMonterrat ticket (?32) includes:

  • r/t metro ride between any metro station & Plaça Espanya. ? r/t train between Plaça Espanya & Montserrat ? Cable car OR rack railway up to Monastery (you have to choose one or the other when you purchase the ticket) ? Sant Joan & Santa Cova funicular (unlimited rides)
  • 20-min “virtual tour” in the AV room Timetable montserrat

https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/tour/barcelona-montserrat.html

Thank you for booking at Hostal Mare Nostrum for your next stay in Barcelona.  930 euro incl, $1100

booking.com

We would like to inform that you have 2 reservations with us at the moment:  BF included

Reference: 1986147170

Check in: 28/12/2017

Check out: 31/12/2017

3 nights

1 x Family room (4 single beds)

And

Reference: 1200327949

Check in: 28/12/2017

Check out: 31/12/2017

3 nights

1 x Twin room (2 single beds)

Cancel free until 2 days prior to arrival.   Can before 12/25 at midnight.

 

Neighborhoods.  Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) is good for hostales (not to be confused with hostels) and guesthouses. More modern and more expensive accommodations are found north of the Barri Gòtic in the Eixample district, centered on the Metro stops Plaça de Catalunya and Universitat. Many buildings are in the moderniste style from the last decades of the 19th century; sometimes the elevators and plumbing are of the same vintage. L’Eixample is a desirable and safe neighborhood, especially along its wide boulevards.

TMB Bus to airport:  not direct, but can use T10 metro passes or 2E.  #46 bus,

need to get on at Plaça Espanya

Aerobus is the Barcelona Airport express shuttle bus.  6 Euro

Main bus stops in Barcelona city centre are at Plaça Catalunya and Plaça Espanya.

There are two terminals T1, and T2 at Barcelona airport and two separate Aerobus services. Ensure you are getting on the Aerobus that takes you to the terminal you require.  Ask the driver. If you end up at the wrong terminal – 30 minutes additional transfer time to the other.

From Plaça Catalunya to Barcelona Airport the journey time is 35 minutes.  From Plaça Espanya to Barcelona Airport the journey time is 25 minutes.

 

Aaron

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

 

Travel Time: 4h 48m  Seat: 23C

 

AIR CANADA  Flight 758    (888) 247-2262    Airline Booking #: SWC5GI

GF meals confirms with air canada both legs; aisle seats confirmed

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (SFO)  Wednesday, December 20, 2017 7:00 am  23C aisle

 

TORONTO, ONTARIO (YYZ)  Wednesday, December 20, 2017 2:48 pm

 

AIR CANADA  Flight 890  

 

TORONTO, ONTARIO (YYZ)  Wednesday, December 20, 2017 6:50 pm.   GF meal ordered 10/25.

Aisle 26D

 

ROME, ITALY (FCO)  Thursday, December 21, 2017 9:20 am

 

*************

BARCELONA, SPAIN BCN to SAN FRANCISCO, CA SFO

Sunday, December 31, 2017

 

SWISS INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES  Flight 1953  1 (877) 359-7947

 

BARCELONA, SPAIN (BCN)  Sunday, December 31, 2017 9:45 am

    Aisle seat confirmed both flights.

 

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND (ZRH)   Sunday, December 31, 2017 11:40 am

 Seats only assigned at counter on check-in due to co-share

Airline Booking #: J2TE6G

SWISS AIR flight  LX 038.  No meal

 

(UNITED AIRLINES  Flight 9728)  ZURICH, SWITZERLAND (ZRH)  GF ordered

Sunday, December 31, 2017 1:15 pm

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (SFO)  Sunday, December 31, 2017 4:20 pm

 

Operated by  SWISS GLOBAL AIRLINES AG  Airline Booking #: GN2MBN

Ashley Naomi Dani    Lufthansa  1 (800) 645-3880

Guaranteed together seating.  Online check in 23 hours.  Check in regardless if there are seats together, then call Lufthansa

 

Meals: vegan, vegetarian, kosher – not guaranteed dairy

 

Lufthansa 423     Dec 20–Confirmation #Q6XPW4.   TIcket #  220 869 411 7065

Depart Dec 20 4:30 pm BOS      Arrive 21 Dec 5:35 FRA

 

Lufthansa 230   Dec 21-Confirmation #Q6XPW4

 

Depart 21 Dec 720 am FRA   Arrive 21 Dec 9:05 Rome FCO

********

            Confirmation #Q7GU5R    Iberia  7458  1 (800) 772-4642.  Veggie meal x 1

Check in online Iberia website

Operated by BA  475  1 (800) 247-9297.     Ticketing #:   Q7O6QI

Depart 31 Dec  2:15  BCN      Arrive 31 Dec   3:40  LHR

 

operated by: BRITISH AIRWAYS BA 239   #Q7GU5R.  (Iberia 4642)   

Depart 31 Dec  7:10 pm  LRH   Arrive 31 Dec 9:40 pm BOS

 

 

 

ARIELLE   vegetarian dairy for both ways ordered 12/12.  

KLM MK9WCB   operated by Delta.  Check in through Delta both cities

1 (866) 434-0320

 

Dec 20  JFK  8 pm – FCO 1035 am   25G  window

 

Jan 14 Air France  1045 MAD – JFK  25G  window

 

TALYA   

#qk9khc

12/8  BA114    JFK 945  – LHR 935

 

12/21 Easy Jet EZY 8251 LGW 6:45 – 10:15 FCO

12/31  AA67    BCN 10 am – JFK 1250

          800-433-7300  AmericanA Tip about Tipping: You generally do not tip in an Italian restaurant: Italians and Europeans don?t. This is nothing to feel guilty about because waiters are well paid and don?t rely on or expect tips to round out their salaries as they do in some other countries.

 

Viking Cruises Invoice:

VD123 Viking:  855-338-4546  1-866-984-5464.  All verandas, all doubles.  Veranda V1  $2099*4 = 8396 Guarantees  Deluxe V6     $2199 * 2= 4398    Total Cabins 2199*2  +  2099*4= 4398+8396= 12,794