Any ideas for ports in Valencia and Barcelona? Can those be done without cruise excursions? Would a guide be handy and, if so, does anyone know of one?
Thanks in advance.

You can do these ports on your own.
Valencia is amazing.
They have a super new cruise terminal and its just a short stroll to the local bus that will take you into the City. After a stroll around the "Old town" you can catch the Hop on Hop Off bus, which has a commentary, and get off half way and gaze in awe at the new buildings that look like works art.

A river used to run through Valencia,but they diverted it ,to stop the flooding ,and were left with a ribbon of amazing Real Estate that has ,and still is, being developed.

Barcelona also has new Cruise terminals and shuttles take you through the port to the start of Los Ramblas. You can stroll,or push your way through the crowds,up this busy street and about half way up is the Old part of town. A local guide would be great in this area as you can get lost very easily. They also have a HoHo bus that visits all the major attractions and sights.We hopped on , but we did not hop off as it was so busy we did not think we may get back on again.

Wow. What beautiful picture!
Thanks for the information

We overnighted there last year and Freddie set up a night to see a flamenco show on Las Ramblas; We did the Park Guell and a tour of all the Gaudi monuments. Don't miss the Boqueria as your stroll Las Ramblas - there was a paella restaurant there that was really great; Also the Mercado (the main market) in Valencia. We did the Regent excursion since we were there for such a short time. Most people want to go to the LLadro Factory. The excursion of the town and market were really nice.

we have been to Barcelona several times and find it a very easy city to do on your own. Dont miss Sagrada Familia and the Park Guell. If you have the time, we hired a driver and went to the Dali museum in Figueres. It was a highlight. The jewelry alone was unbelievable. Spain is a blast, you'll love it.
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Helen

Diane, good Spain questions thx..along with Sue and Tom we will visit the same ports on the Voyager's Fall crossing in 2010...will save this thread..except will ignore Helen's comment
on the Jewelry (Ida does not need to know)..r/wes

We were in Barcelona for two days. Wonderful stop. You can do one day using the ship shuttle to Las Ramblas and a cab back to the ship late at night after you see a tango show. But on day two, if I were to do it again, I'd hire a private guide since the other sites are spread out and Barcelona is crowded and hard to get around. We had planned to use the hoho busses which are popular and everywhere. Big mistake! They are too popular with long lines at the major stops. The people push and shove and cut it--most unpleasant, particularly if you are trying to see it all in one day.

Valencia is marvelous. We wanted more than four hours. The ship's tour was very good. But if we were to do it again we'd team up with Chat Cat and hire a private guide to make the most of every minute.

Thanks all.

Wes--one day we'll sail together again, but until then I'll try out the ports for you!

Colonel, the jewelry was designed by Dali over the years for his wife Gala and is the most bizarre stuff, think actually-beating heart broach etc. Might make Ida appreciate all the more the less-garish pieces provided over the years by her loving hubby
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Helen

Helen, thanks..speaking of pieces Ida has rcvd, at my retirement ceremony in October I lastly thanked my bride for all her support (over almost 32 yrs Army service) as she was the reason for my success) and handed her a gardenia plant vs roses (she loves to plant/garden)..asked her to look inside and she pulled out her wedding ring (I hoodwinked her in to believing we were just fixing the setting) and had upgraded her heart-shaped diamond to 2+ karats...the woman at the ceremony all loved it, my peers (fellow Colonels) hate me (but I was sure lucky for the next month :) )...ps..will tell Ida of the Dali Museum for a visit in Nov, 2010.

r/wes

Hi Colonel & Ida:

You're both "lucky" and that sure put a smile on my face. Luck is a good thing, alright ..........

Happy retirement and thanks for all that good service and being a help to me. Hope to see you cruisers on the sea one day.

Cheers! Ray & Penny
"I go from stool to stool in singles bars hoping to get lucky, but there's never any gum under any of them."
Emo Philips

Hey, Colonel, it made me laugh, you know.......laughing is a good thing in a down economy.

Colonel,
Nice!
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Helen

I went to link my photos from Cross and realized that I hadn't posted them on my website - there are a number from Spain here.

www.flashfrozenphotography.com/travel

Kathy:

After a recent software update that Apple had, it has adversely effected my use of viewing Smugmug, both yours and mine, as one cannot navigate freely. Error requests show up. Apple is aware of the problem and hopefully will have it fixed soon. Understand some Mac people are having problems doing their online banking.

Just a heads up in case you aren't already aware of the problem.

Jeers! Ray

Thanks, Ray - I am all PC but that explains it. I think it has to do with Java compatibility.

Hi.

To prepare for my trnasatlantic voyage in May, and journey to Spain, I looked at your glorious photos! Cannot wait to go!

Bravo on the photos!

Marcia

For guides in beautiful Barcelona email these guys.. they are aren't really a taxi company but a guide service/transfer service etc. and have many tour options..
Barcelonataxi.com

Claudia, good to see u posting again...your new husband and you set a guinness world record for the length of your honeymoon :) r/wes

Kathy, I enjoyed the pics a lot and also this discussion. We have found ourselves now going on Spirit maiden voyage over Christmas and New Years from Barcelona to Lisbon. The ship overnights in both. We are on it since our Africa to Seychelles itin fell apart aka turned into a Dubai/Seychelles cruise. I've only begun to research all the ports.