Your First Stop Before Stepping Ashore
Jul31
Galveston’s downtown is compact by big-city standards, more than 36 square blocks. But within those blocks is more than 100 shops, antique stores, restaurants and art galleries.
Begin your exploration in The Strand National Historic Landmark District (pick up a map and other literature at the Downtown Visitors Center at 2215 Strand in the Old Galveston Square Building, phone 409-797-5101).
Jul31
During the 1920s through the 1940s, Sam Maceo’s famous Galveston nightclubs, the Balinese Room and the Hollywood Dinner Club, were host to such performers as Phil Harris, Paul Whiteman, Guy Lombardo, Duke Ellington, Freddy Martin, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee and Jimmy Dorsey. Galveston attracted people from all over the nation with great dining, big name entertainment, roulette, blackjack, craps tables and slot machines. This era ended in 1957 when the Texas Rangers raided the city and closed all the illegal gambling spots.
Jul31
Q. How do I get from the airport to the port?
A. Many cruise passengers who fly to their Galveston cruises arrive at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, 65 miles from Galveston. Closer is the William P. Hobby Airport, about 45 miles away. Yet the journey is about an hour and a half from either airport. You can rent a car and drive I-45 South through downtown Houston to Galveston, or Galveston Limousine offers frequent shuttle service from both airports to the cruise terminal. The fare is $30 ($50 roundtrip). For more information, call 800-640-4826 or visit www.galvestonlimousineservice.com. Other transportation companies: Extreme Elegance (866-799-5466); Karr’s Limousine Service (713-780-8300); and Jeff’s Cab & Shuttle Service (866-533-3222).
Jul31
If there is one city that should be on every avid cruiser’s list of must-see destinations, Venice is it. For starters, Venice is one world’s most unique cities — architecturally, historically and environmentally. Situated on a patchwork of more than 100 low-lying islands, Venice is sliced by canals. Thus, visitors see Venice in one of two ways: from the perspective of the water or on foot.
Jul31
On your own in Venice, you will get lost — no matter how good your map or how finely attuned your sense of direction. But go ahead and lose yourself. That is part of the joy of being in Venice. Just make sure to carry a few Euros (the currency used in Venice). No doubt, you will want to refresh yourself with a snack or a glass of wine as you walk through Venice’s six districts, called sestieri.
Jul31
Pre- and post-cruise stays should include not only Venice but also the surrounding region in northeastern Italy known as Veneto.
Exceptionally varied, Veneto offers cruise passengers more than 200 excursions — ranging from visits to vineyards, Veneto villas and historic cities to mountain bike adventures and alpine hikes.
Jul31
Q: How do I get from the ship to St. Mark’s Square?
A: For 5 Euros you can hop on Alilaguna, a public water shuttle (www.alilaguna.it) that connects Marittima Cruise Terminals to St. Mark’s Square in about 15 minutes (operates every 20 minutes).
Jul30
From Buenos Aires, Argentina, around Cape Horn to Valparaiso, Chile, or in the reverse direction, “Round Cape Horn” cruises are South America’s most popular itineraries. You’ll typically spend two weeks on board ship, and some ships overnight in the embarkation/disembarkation ports. For a full taste of Buenos Aires or Santiago (about 90 minutes from the port of Valparaiso), however, you’ll want to build in extra time before or after your cruise.
No Comments »Argentina, Buenos Aires, Chile, Santiago, South America
Jul30
In January, I flew to Buenos Aires for a cruise around legendary Cape Horn to Valparaiso, Chile. My schedule was to fly from the United States late one evening, arrive in Buenos Aires the next morning, do a quick city tour on the way to the ship, board and sail away. What a pity. I would breeze through one of the world’s greatest cities and see almost nothing.
Jul30
Occupying a narrow swath of South America’s west coast, Chile extends nearly 2,700 miles from its southernmost point at Cape Horn to its northern border with Peru. The majestic Andes and the Pacific Ocean flank the country’s western and eastern borders, with slender Chile squeezed in between — averaging only 110 miles wide so that no matter where you are, you’re rarely more than a 90-minute drive from the Andes or the ocean.
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