Being the embark/disembark port, for my B2B cruise I got off the ship for a few hours exploring the Barri Gotic, the old part of Barcelona. The day before I embarked on the ship I went to see Segarda Familia but didn’t get a chance to go inside. Next time. One annoying thing, I came back to the pier at 3:00. They only had one X-ray machine as the rest of the staff went home.. So you’ve still got passengers coming to check-in plus us who want to get back on the ship. Plus people were butting in line. NCL should do something about that.

I bumped into three people from the ship that I got acquainted with and joined them in a taxi tour. I meant to get the name of the taxi and driver as he was very good. For Euros 20 each it was a 3.5 hour tour including a visit to La Laguna, village of La Orotova, and the rather “touristy” Puerto de la Cruz with its black sand beach

I took the ships tour. It was OK. A little pricey but ships tours are now days. Oh well. It was a scenic drive on the island. We stopped at a place to sample Poncha (rum mixed with honey and lemon juice, yummy!). Of course they want you to buy. I’m not a rum drinker but I debated to buy a bottle. Now I wished I had. It was delicious!!

Don’t know what happened to the Sol y Mar hop on and off van. For 8 Euros we were dropped off at point #5 on the map, walked around for about an hour then expected to be dropped off at point #6 but found ourselves back where we started. I thought of asking the driver but we were finding the lady who sold us our ticket. Mmmmmmmm oh well. We walked around town a bit before finding City Bar for a delicious cappuccino and the use of their fast Wi-Fi.

I took the ships tour to Marbella. It was bank holiday so our tour guide was surprised at how many shops opened. But I didn’t care for shopping. She took us around the cobbled streets of this once sleepy fishing village now a popular resort town for about an hour then we had about 45 minutes to ourselves. The tour was good. Again tour was a bit pricey.

If you did your own thing, there was a shuttle to take you back and forth as many times as you wanted for 5 Euros.

I was in Sicily on a 10-day tour in 2003 so I just walked around Palermo. Don’t miss seeing Quattro Canti (Four corners) on the intersection of Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda. I stopped at Café Mediteranno for 7UP and use their Wi-Fi. Keep walking down Vittorio Emanuele and you’ll find the cathedral

Palermo could use a bit of cleaning up. I was not overly impressed. Plus I passed by some side streets from the main road and it smelled.

If you’ve never been to Sicily, I suggest getting a tour to go elsewhere. My favourite is a cobbled stone town of Erice.

Wasn't impressed with this city. some nice architect, I like old buildings. But felt city a bit dirty and unsafe. But as in anywhere DO NO LET YOUR GUARD DOWN! do watch your belongings.

I walked along the promenade which was nice. A lot of fancy hotels here. One hotel each balcony was decorated for Christmas.

There is a free shuttle to town from the ship.

It’s a port of call for Rome which is about an hour or so train ride. I didn’t go into Rome since I’ve been there twice. I figure one would be pushing it which some had since they did their own thing rather than ships tour which I don’t blame them since it’s very expensive. But on the other hand if you miss the ship being out on your own well ……….. you take your chances.

I saw this port in about two or three hours. I stopped in Osteria da Ciro café for a cappuccino and use of the wifi.

Later in the afternoon I wanted to stop for a beer along the promenade and use their Wi-Fi but the Wi-Fi was slow. I decided against the beer and walked around the promenade. From Fort Michelengo I strolled slowly back to the ship in about 20 minutes.