 Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102075
01/07/07 04:56 PM
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pkd
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Wondering as we ponder touring for CROSS -- Has anyone taken the RSSC excursion from the port in Malaga to Granada and the Alhambra? I notice RSSC lists the excursion as "coach, hiking." I understand that Granada is about 80 miles from the port, so I understand the coach portion, but I can't see from the description where hiking would come into the mix. Hiking wouldn't exactly work for me. Do any of you recall how that excursion was structured?
Also, do you have any recollection of the approximate cost of the excursion to the Alhambra?
Thanks in advance for any enlightenment!
Priscilla
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102076
01/07/07 05:08 PM
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Marc
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Priscilla, it is a fantastic excursion. There is a lot of walking in the Alhambra itself. You then need to walk (I wouldn't call it hiking) a few blocks to the restaurant.
This was $200 plus three years ago; since the dollar has gone down, it could be much more expensive now.
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102077
01/07/07 05:17 PM
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Denise
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Hi Priscilla,
I'm having a good laugh considering we discussed that the hike was to the restaurant, said in jest! :D
Thanks for the information, Marc. Hope you and Tokyo Rose are well and good!
Denise
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102078
01/07/07 05:20 PM
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pkd
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Thanks, Marc. I appreciate the information about both the excursion and the cost. The RSSC description sounds fascinating, and I know we would want to do the Alhambra tour even though it is expensive.
Yes, Denise, I guess the "hike" is to the restaurant. And we thought we were being so clever!
Priscilla
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102079
01/07/07 05:25 PM
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Denise
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The hike should come AFTER the restaurant to work off the meal!
Denise
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102080
01/07/07 05:30 PM
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ChatKat...
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We hired a driver to take us there-not a tour guide (they need to be licensed) and it was about 1/2 the price of the excursion. His van held 6.
We could not go to Granada. You get the tour guide inside the Alhambra.
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102081
01/07/07 05:37 PM
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Wandra
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Definitely find out how you can get into the medieval part of Granada while you're there. I was very disappointed that we couldn't do that--it has very limited vehicular access, and only licensed guides can take people down. I had been there years ago, and looked forward to seeing it again.
Wendy
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Booked: Uniworld Egypt, 2015
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102082
01/07/07 05:40 PM
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Denise
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Personally speaking, I would opt for a licensed guide for this particular excursion, even if RSSC's excusion was an expensive one. Rick Steves had a segment on Alhambra/Granada on TV last week, and it looks to be as Marc described - fantastic.
Denise
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102083
01/07/07 05:55 PM
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joannapv
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Denise: You are the smartest, most detailed reseacher (and always right) ... thanks for helping us!!! Joanna
Joanna
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102084
01/07/07 05:56 PM
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sedona
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We have done this..we rented a car and had a fantastic time. However, Wendy, we didn't know about Medieval Granada and missed that. It is easy to do on your own if a couple of couples get together. Just time your meal before 2pm. All restaurants are closed after 2 until dinner.
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102085
01/07/07 06:19 PM
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Betty
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Priscilla, I did the RSSC tour 5 years ago. Yes, lots of walking around the Alhambra, like Marc said. And even more if you do the Alhambra gardens. However, our bus took us to a hotel for lunch.
Betty
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102086
01/07/07 07:31 PM
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ChatKat...
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There is a lovely hotel just outside the main entrance. Wendy and David, Fred and Pat, and Frank and I, had an absolutely wonderful lunch at the Hotel America. The Gardens are amazing at the Alhambra and not to be missed. Of course, June everything was blooming and November may be different. Our driver did take us along the Costa del Sol on the way back to the ship and Marabella for a drive through. Beautiful scenery as well. We will probably stay closer in port this time since it will only be a bit over a year and there are some really scenic spots to photograph closer to port.
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102087
01/07/07 07:58 PM
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Fogmalkin
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Andi,
You left your lunch hour in Switzerland! The Spanish do not sit down for lunch until close to 2pm. OK, given that the Alhambra, but not necessarily Granada, is a tourist destination, you can eat before that, and long after.
If a restaurant in Spain is closed for lunch by 2pm, well, you haven't missed a thing. It was only designed for tourists. To be avoided. Chicken and chips.
Suzanne
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102088
01/07/07 08:12 PM
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cruisinsince75
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We missed going to the Alhambra on our Silver Cloud cruise and we were really looking forward to it. We had reserved a car and were going to make the drive, but SS changed the itinerary, so we ended up with less time there and they even cancelled the ships excursion. We still took the car and instead of heading to Granada, we drove along the Costa del Sol up to Ronda with another couple from the ship for a very lovely day.
If we end up doing the both segments of CROSS, we intend on making it to the Granada and the Alhambra this time. Denise, I think a licensed guide is a great idea. Let us know what you find out.
Don
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102089
01/07/07 08:17 PM
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Fogmalkin
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The gorge at Ronda and the bullring were worth the trip, si?
Next time, bring your guitar and start the strumming...Granada!!!
Suzanne
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102090
01/07/07 08:33 PM
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cruisinsince75
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Don
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102091
01/07/07 09:38 PM
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ChatKat...
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Thanks, Suzanne. I was looking at that one.
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102092
01/08/07 04:31 AM
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Denise
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A licensed guide or Regent excursion is the way we intend to go. While you might pay more for that licensed guide, either independently or through Regent's excursion, that guide can add history, background and a whole lot of color and flavor to your visit. A well qualified guide enables you to learn and experience to the fullest extent possible. Worth the additional expense to do it the right way and not miss anything of importance.
Certain ports may lend itself to a driver or do-it-yourself drive to take you around with ease and comfort, or as a cost-saving measure. A visit to Alhambra/Granada are not those sites, in my opinion.
Thanks for sharing your great information, Suzanne. I thought it strange that restaurants in Europe would close it's doors by 2:00, lunchtime.
Denise
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102093
01/08/07 06:03 AM
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ChatKat...
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Yes, we were disappointed because the driver, who was so highly recommended on the boards (I did not arrange this one - someone else did), and was from England, was touted as a tour guide and our feelings were that he was not more than a driver. Then we found he needed to be licensed. That is one of the issues when you book many thousands of miles away. One of the advantages of using Regent's excursions.
Inside the Alhambra, you need their guides and they had that as well as the recorded guides available.
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102094
01/08/07 10:01 AM
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pkd
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Thanks for the help, everyone. A couple of follow-up questions: Do the gardens have lots of steps and terraces, or are they on one or just several levels? Am I correct in assuming that, even though it is large, the Alhambra itself is fairly accessible as far as having elevators, etc.?
Wendy, thanks for the tip on medieval Granada. That sounds very interesting.
It's nice to know we have options. Now we just need to figure them out!
Kathy, we've had that experience with a guide we thought would be great and then turned out to be mostly just a driver. It certainly is a disappointment. Still, it sounds as if you got a lovely drive along Costa del Sol. I would love that!
Priscilla
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102095
01/08/07 10:26 AM
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ChatKat...
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Pricilla,
I will review my photos and put a few up to give you an idea - I don't recall any elevators and there were a number of steps in various places and a steep hill to walk.
Even without a guide it was a great place to see. But we would not do a 2nd time. Something we expected from our guide/driver was being told to keep our tickets - Wendy and David had a problem getting into an area. We did throughly enjoy the day.
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102096
01/08/07 10:39 AM
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pkd
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Thanks, Kathy. How generous of you! But take time with your photos only if you have time end enjoy looking at them again. I certainly don't expect it!
Editing to say: I imagine the Alhambra is a site to visit once in a lifetime. You will have a good time this cruise staying closer to Malaga and seeing that area, which probably is very nice.
Priscilla
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102097
01/08/07 10:50 AM
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ChatKat...
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I found a bunch of photos on the official website: http://www.alhambradegranada.org/galeriasDeFotos/sala1_en.asp Priscilla - I always enjoy looking at my photos, some more than others. There is a lot to see and do in that port so I doubt that any of us will be bored but far from it!
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102098
01/08/07 11:27 AM
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pkd
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Kathy, those photos are fantastic. Thanks! Now, how am I supposed to wait until November?????
Priscilla
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Re: Malaga/Granada Excursion
#102099
01/08/07 11:33 AM
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ChatKat...
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Originally posted by pkd:
how am I supposed to wait until November????? By vicariously cruising and planning with your friends at LCT!
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