It’s known as “The Emerald Isle” and it’s hard to deny that Ireland with its rolling hills and gardens isn’t living up to the name. This island has been called “The Emerald Isle” for well over two hundred years and the first time the words Emerald Isle appeared in print was in a poem by Belfast doctor William Drennan, titled “When Erin First Rose” published in the mid 18th century.
Spring in “The Emerald Isle” is simply magical and the gardens of Dublin are not to be missed on any visit to Ireland especially in the Spring.
The National Botanic Gardens – This is a really beautiful garden with a number of greenhouses matching several environments. There were greenhouses dedicated to orchids, another to tropical plants and another to desert flora. The outside gardens cover a number of acres and feature several different styles. Admission is free, there is a restaurant and gift shop as well as a number of special programs including lectures and concerts. If you have time while in Dublin do yourself a favor and get out to see this garden.
National Botanic Gardens
Glasnevin Cemetery
Backed up to the Botanic Gardens is Glasnevin Cemetery and Glasnevin Cemetery Museum. The museum’s web site describes it as “the guardian and storyteller for over 1.5 million people. From the ordinary to the truly extraordinary, these people helped shape the Ireland of today. They want to share their stories and times with you through tours of the cemetery, a visit to the museum or through a genealogy search for your family history”. While in the neighborhood stop in at the well known Gravediggers Pub for a pint.
St. Stephen’s Green
St. Stephen’s Green
St. Stephen’s Green
St. Stephen’s Green is located in the heart of Dublin and is a focal point in the city, that provides an oasis of green in the middle of this busy metropolis. The Dublin Public Works web site describes this garden as “four centuries of history that are eventful and complex, involving such important figures as Arthur Guinness, 1st Baron Ardilaun, and Countess Constance Markievicz. The park itself hosts a large number of important sculptural monuments to Irish history. Many species of birds and plants also call the park home. Public facilities at St Stephen’s Green Park include a playground and a garden for the visually impaired”.
Blessington Street Park
Blessington Street Park
Half way from the River Liffey to the National Botanic Gardens is the Blessington Street Park or “The Basin”. Located near the intersection of Royal Canal Bank and Primrose Avenue this is a beautiful and well kept pocket park surrounding a lake. After walking thru this park imagine how lucky the neighbors are to live next to this gem.
Taking a Caribbean Cruise? Need to know the best options for getting to your cruise ship? Interested in visiting some more of Florida on your cruise vacation? Read on…
Getting To Your Florida Cruises
Florida has become one of the largest destinations in the U.S. for people taking cruises. While passengers come from all over the U.S. and even the world, a large number come from the Southeast and especially Florida. The close proximity to the Florida ports offers a number of advantages to cruisers from the region but it also presents some interesting challenges. The following is a complete rundown on how to get to your cruise ship regardless if you come by planes, buses, trains or automobile
Miami from the Port
Florida has four major cruise ports; The Port of Miami, Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral at Merritt Island (sometimes called the Orlando port) and Tampa. Each one has its own environment that makes getting to your cruise ship different for each port.
Flying In
Tampa
The port is some distance from the airport but there is generally a fixed taxi fare for the trip of about $35 (plus luggage fees and tip). There are also a number of shuttles as well but expect to pay between $15 and $20 per person for them. A transfer with the cruise ship at last check was about $20 per person*.
The Orlando airport (MCO) is the nearest major airport to Port Canaveral. Expect to pay over $100 for a taxi to the port which is a 47 mile trip. There are a number of shuttles that charge as little as $20 per person. Booking a transfer thru your cruise line can cost around $35 per person*. At last check Disney offers a bus service from Orlando airport and the hotels at Disney World to their cruises at $35 per guest (reservations required).
Ft. Lauderdale
Port Everglades is only about 2 miles from the airport and while the airport taxi stand will usually quote a flat fare of $20 to the cruise ship, if you go with the meter on, it should cost less and if you are going from the ship to the airport it will cost about $15 plus tip (no delay exiting the port because of security). The cruise ships also offer transfers but they average $15 per person*, which for two people makes a taxi the better choice.
If you are going from the Miami airport to the cruise terminal, current taxi charges are about a $30 flat-rate fee. That’s not per person. So if you are traveling with a family of four, that’s just over $7 per person (or $14 round-trip) — not a bad deal. Buying a transfer from your cruise line will cost around $17 per person or $68 for four*.
Rental Cars (In City)
Often people will fly into the port city a day or two early and if that is your plan, it is a good idea to rent a car. All four cities cover a lot of real estate and are not noted for having easy to use public transportation. Depending on the city, rentals can be very inexpensive and give more flexibility on how you get around. Be sure and check with the agency and make sure you can drop the car off near the port to save even more.
Miami and Ft. Lauderdale actually have rental car offices near the port that provide free shuttles to your ship after drop off.
Miami
It is common in Miami for rental car agencies to allow a rental to be picked up at the airport and dropped off somewhere else in Miami. At between $25 to $40 a day this is a very economical way to get to the cruise port with the advantage of seeing some of Miami in the process. In the case of Avis and Budget** they both have drop-offs near the port with free shuttle service to your ship, which saves the cost of a short taxi ride.
Tampa
While it is possible to also pick up a rental car at the airport in Tampa and drop it in the city, there are no drop offs conveniently near the port. Coming into Tampa on a cruise it usually costs between $15 and $25 to get a taxi to the nearest rental car location.
Ft. Lauderdale
Port Everglades
Because the port and airport are so near each other, unless you plan on spending some time in the area before your cruise, there is little reason to rent a car. It is also worth noting that Avis and Alamo have free shuttles from their airport locations to Port Everglades and back (you probably will need a copy of the rental car reservation to board the shuttle though).
Orlando
It has become popular to rent a car for the one-way trips between Orlando or Orlando International airport (MCO)and Port Canaveral and the rental agencies have been very accommodating in recent years. A recent check showed three agencies (Avis, Budget and Alamo) offering cars between $50 and $75 per day that allow for the one-way trip including free shuttles to the ships in Port Canaveral.
One Way Florida Car Rentals
Port Canaveral
Even if you live within convenient driving distance to a port, sometimes port parking can become an expensive proposition. This is especially true if the cruise is longer than seven days. Except for the Orlando – Port Canaveral connection, one-way drop-off fees can make renting a car very expensive. The one notable exception to that is if you live near Orlando. Because Orlando is the number one destination in Florida the rental car companies are always trying to balance their inventories and are usually not charging drop-off fees between Orlando and major Florida cities. Renting a one-way car is is a good option for getting to and from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa to Orlando. We have rented cars for as little as $29 from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale. One trick is to make reservations way in advance and check the rate a few more times before the cruise.
Buses Etcetera
Back in the day buses were good, inexpensive transportation between cities and there still is a number of options for economical fares. MegaBus offers a one-way ticket from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale for $26. The problem with them as with most bus service is that you have to get to their terminal and to your destination at the other end. This can be a major additional expense impacting the economy of bus transportation. We should also note that some people live in communities with active travel groups that normally arrange charter buses as part of a cruise package.
Rail Service From Miami, Orlando, Tampa
Taking the train is now an option but you’ll need to still get to the train station and to the cruise ship.
Orlando To Ft. Lauderdale and Miami (Not Port Canaveral)
High-Speed Passenger Train service from Brightline provides comfortable, eco-friendly rail service between Orlando and Miami, with stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami with fares starting at $29.
Orlando To Tampa
There is train service also available between Orlando and Tampa that includes Amtrak and Brightline with travel times of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. with a station not far from the cruise piers but you’ll need to still get to the train station.
Most parking structures inside the various ports are owned and operated by the ports and, on average, are fifty percent higher than private services near the port. Over the years there have been some interesting fights between these venues. Mostly it has been the ports trying to make it difficult for the private lots to compete and survive. Generally private enterprise finds a way and if you’re looking to save money on parking check with the local parking lots.
Parking at the port garage inside the port is currently $17 per day and they charge a full day for each portion of a day (that means full fare for the day you arrive and the day you leave). There are at least four dedicated private lots with shuttles near the port that average under $10 a day based on 24 hour days. There are also companies that contract with some local hotels for parking spaces and provide van service to and from the port.
Miami
Parking at the Port of Miami currently is $20 per 24 hour day with a daytime rate of $7. Because the port is located right in the heart of downtown Miami it is difficult to find reasonable rates nearby. There are a number of companies offering reduced rates but it would be recommended that you investigate where these lots are and how much security they provide.
Ft. Lauderdale
Parking inside Port Everglades currently is $15 per day but offers a location right next to the ships. Because the port is located near the airport there is a great deal of parking available in the area. There are official remote lots associated with the airport with shuttle service to the terminals as well as more than a few private lots not far away. Again it would be recommended that you investigate where these lots are and how much security they provide before reserving.
Additional Notes & Links:
* Virtually all the cruise ships offer shuttle service from the airport to the ship. One popular advantage to this service is that you check you luggage for the cruise at the bus.
** Avis at Port of Miami with Shuttle to Cruise Ships. Address: 99 Southeast 2nd Street, (Cruise Ship Passengers Only), Miami, FL,33131. Phone: (1) 305-379-1317. Hours of Operation: Sun 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Mon – Fri 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
** Miami Budget location with a free shuttle to the port. 89 SE 2nd St, Miami, Florida.
Bamberg German: A town in Upper Franconia, Germany, on the river Regnitz at the confluence with the river Main. The town dates back to the 9th century, with its name derived from the nearby Babenberch castle. Heralded as one of Germany’s most beautiful towns, specifically its historic old town which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Bamberg is home to Europe’s largest intact old city wall and Bamberg Cathedral founded in 1002 by the emperor Henry II, and consecrated on May 6, 1012. Historically the town experienced a period of great prosperity beginning early in the 12th century, during which time it was briefly the centre of the Holy Roman Empire.
Cruise Port Madryn, Argentina – In The Heart of Patagonia
Introduction
Puerto Madryn is an amazing city that is very popular with cruise itineraries in South America. While Mydryn itself is a modern and thriving city with much to offer, the big attraction in the area is the national parks. The park of Mirador Elefantes Marinos has become famous for colonies of penguins, sea lions and seals along with pods of orcas. The orcas have gained a lot of notoriety in recent years for coming up onto the beach to grab seals in the surf.
Where Your Ship Docks
Puerto Madryn has a large marine pier right in the center of the city capable of handling large cruise ships. A walk down the pier puts you right in the middle of the CBD with good restaurants, cafes and shops along with a large selection of tour operators. All along the waterfront is a wide beach with a walking promenade.
Transportation
Madryn is a port city boasting a large deep-water port and is also a major industrial city, mainly focused on aluminum production and fishing. Puerto Madryn is also in an isolated area of Patagonia with the biggest attractions in the area being the national parks. Trips out to the parks can take between one and a half to two hours each way and the best way to visit is to book a tour. Other than walking, the best way to get around the city itself is by taxi which are reasonably priced.
Currency
At this writing the exchange rate is about 38 Argentine Pesos to one US Dollar. Because of inflation rates over the past several years buying Pesos before leaving the United States is almost impossible. Because of the high number of visiting tourists, in the CBD many shops are eager to accept Euros and American Dollars. It is still advisable to exchange some currency for convenience.
Attractions
Seals at the Peninsula Valdes park
It is one of the most vibrant cities in Patagonia, with a beautiful coastal avenue overlooking Nuevo Gulf. As noted the focus of the tourist business is visiting the parks to see the penguins, seals and orcas. In town there are a number of shops and cafes with over a dozen good restaurants within a block of the waterfront. One of the local favorite pastimes is drinking coffee with chocolates and there are many chocolate shops along the waterfront.
Savannah is an incredible city worthy of a couple of days of urban hiking. There’s something to see on virtually every block and the whole city is a treasure trove of colonial architecture and historic sites. Add in great food and libations at every turn and they’re guaranteed to more than replace any calories you may have burned walking.
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In 1733 General Oglethorpe and 120 passengers landed on the Savannah River. Oglethorpe named this the 13th colony “Georgia” after England’s King George II and Savannah became Georgia’s first city. The land charter offered a new start for England’s working poor along with a plan to strengthen the colonies by increasing trade. Under the original charter, individuals were free to worship as they pleased with rum, lawyers and slavery were forbidden.
Savannah was America’s first planned city and the design still serves its residents well today. Oglethorpe laid the city out in a series of grids allowing for wide open streets and shady public parks that served as town meeting places and centers of business. The design had 24 original squares with public parks at each intersection. 22 of todays city squares remain sited around that original plan.
Bay Street
Highlights of an urban hike in this city include dozens of historic homes with many open for tours, churches, museums, art galleries and more than a few opportunities to enjoy good food with a focus on Southern cooking.
Savannah City Market
1.River St & Bay St – The Cotton Exchange Seafood Grill & Tavern, Barracuda Bob’s Bar and Grill, Bernie’s Oyster House
2.Savannah City Market – The Olde Pink House Restaurant, Vic’s On the River, Jazz’d Tapas Bar, Paula Dean’s The Lady and Sons
3.Chippewa Square – one of the most known squares in all of Savannah, right in the center of everything. There’s a lot to see and do around the square, from plays to beautiful architecture and the Forrest Gump Bench.
Forsyth Park
4.Forsyth Park – The centerpiece of this great city.
5.SCAD Savanah College of Art & Design – SCAD has a number of venues around historic Savannah from the college itself to their gallery and a theater.
6.Six Pence Pub – Savannah has more than its share of bars, pubs and cafes with reputation for its night life.
The Six Pence
7.Andrew Low House – A 1850’s historic house owned by Andrew Low is just one of a dozen historic homes open to the public for tours in Savannah. The Low house is beautifully preserved with rooms filled with a fantastic collection of furniture and artwork. It was home to Julliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of America.
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Perhaps the grandest monastery in Austria, or central Europe is the magnificent Melk Abbey. The head Abbot, Berthold Dietmayr and the architects Jakob Prandtauer and Joseph Munggenast created this masterpiece from 1701 to 1736 upon the foundations of a much older medieval monastery.
The centerpiece of the Abby is the library, with the main hall holding 16,000 volumes alone. The library ceiling is covered by a magnificent fresco by Paul Troger. From the main library room a spiral staircase leads to 12 more library rooms not open to the public, which contain more than 100,000 volumes, some of which are extremely valuable. Italian writer Umberto Eco drew inspiration from the Abby for his novel “The Name of the Rose” in which a monastic library plays a central role.
The Abby’s beautiful gardens provide breathtaking views from the semi-circular exterior terrace out over the Wachau Valley.
The Intentional Travelers 