A magical Mediterranean vacation THIS SECTION COMPLETED 8/9 - Page 24 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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There are other changes as well.
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We go on to the joy and through the tears
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Yes I did that one a few weeks ago and confirmed the travel notice last week had that happen before lol!
I always do that too as I tend to be a well versed traveler! But some aren't! I figured, you knew this from your past trips, but best to throw this out to you. On one of my past Europe tours, there was a couple on my trip, who forgot to do this and they couldn't use their ATM, so they had to call the bank etc. to correct this. From what I've read about these things, it's usually an ATM card that will be the biggest hurdle! A few years ago, going to WDW from CT I had a problem with my ATM. Forgot to do this for this trip! I think, you should do this when visiting other areas of the USA as well.! Funny, that I was able to use my ATM in the resorts in WDW and one night I tried to use it in DTD at an ATM and ran into this problem. So after having a good time in DTD, went back to my resort, called my bank and straightened it out. Took some time! Now, I always alert them of my travel plans. If you do a lot of business travel, wonder if this is necessary? I think they look for patterns or trends perhaps?
No hijacking here...as it's time to return to Cheryl and Mark's Land/Cruise voyage now!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Last edited by SuperDave; 08-05-2014 at 09:06 PM..
...aaaaaaaaand I'm caught up Took me long enough, lol. Can't wait to read the rest, and hope its not as stressful as your first day. Those ticket machines sound like a nightmare! On the plus side, the food looked amazing and what fabulous views!! I hope you get some better rest, as thats how a vacation should be!
It's funny you mention the chip AND pin system because my credit card company insists I don't need a pin to use my chipped travel card. Hopefully we won't have any problems next week!
Theoretically, you shouldn't, as the system should recognise your card doesn't have a PIN, then you should be able to do a manual transaction. That's fine if there's a person there to deal with it. It could be a problem if it's just a machine, as it won't necessarily work that out and I'm not sure it can process cards without a PIN. Mari had a PIN for the card she tried, as it was a debit card, but it just wouldn't recognise the number she put in.
Just caught up, everything is wonderful and beautiful, but I will say Venice is on my Bucket List. Everything being on water is really amazing, going there has always been a dream for me.
I always do that too as I tend to be a well versed traveler! But some aren't! I figured, you knew this from your past trips, but best to throw this out to you. On one of my past Europe tours, there was a couple on my trip, who forgot to do this and they couldn't use their ATM, so they had to call the bank etc. to correct this. From what I've read about these things, it's usually an ATM card that will be the biggest hurdle! A few years ago, going to WDW from CT I had a problem with my ATM. Forgot to do this for this trip! I think, you should do this when visiting other areas of the USA as well.! Funny, that I was able to use my ATM in the resorts in WDW and one night I tried to use it in DTD at an ATM and ran into this problem. So after having a good time in DTD, went back to my resort, called my bank and straightened it out. Took some time! Now, I always alert them of my travel plans. If you do a lot of business travel, wonder if this is necessary? I think they look for patterns or trends perhaps?
No hijacking here...as it's time to return to Cheryl and Mark's Land/Cruise voyage now!
It's funny you mention this, as I haven't bothered doing this for years now. I used to faithfully ring the credit card company to let them know we were going abroad, then one time they basically told me they already knew from all my transactions. As we tend to book our flights/car rental/train (if it's Europe) and hotels on the card, they can follow the pattern and nothing shows up as out of line when we get to the country. It also helps that we usually buy something at the airport, even if it's only breakfast, as again they can follow that trail as well. It's only if something is completely out of the blue.
With the debit cards, some are set up to get money out in Europe, some aren't, so we have a back-up if we need it, but we just load money on to our Euro or dollars travel money card now and use that to get cash out.
Took me long enough, lol. Can't wait to read the rest, and hope its not as stressful as your first day. Those ticket machines sound like a nightmare! On the plus side, the food looked amazing and what fabulous views!! I hope you get some better rest, as thats how a vacation should be!
We did eventually, although we certainly got a workout later this day... I'll leave it at that until we get to that point.
Saturday 5 July – part two: everything is on the water here!
We were amongst the first at the vaparetto stop, but then the place just kept filling up with people. Fortunately we all got on, although it was a struggle to find seats. Eventually we all managed, and we were able to watch the world zip by, as we headed out towards Murano. I managed to snag some photos on the way…
Although it’s a bit blurred, hopefully you can see what this is – a coffin being transported, showing how everything in Venice is done by water…
By the time we got over to the first stop on Murano, the boat pretty much emptied out, so I headed upstairs to get some photos without having to shoot through windows, and it was just a stunning scene.
We got off, and headed along the pavements alongside the canals of this beautiful island.
Very interesting…
Another example of how everything in Venice is on the water…
Murano is best known for its famous glass, which has been made here since 1291, and that’s what we came here for. I have to be honest, we were disappointed to find so many shops closed, especially as it was now after 10:00am. The ones that were open tended to have massive pieces, which obviously cost a fortune, and there was no way those would fit in any suitcase…
Eventually, after much wandering, I finally found one that sold little glass cows, and of course I just had to get a couple. We also got a couple of small Christmas tree ornaments. I tell you, had it not been for the fact that the shop had what I wanted, and I hadn’t seen it anywhere else, I would’ve have bought here. Why? Because the woman in the shop was on her phone the entire time, even while she was serving us. I just find that so rude.
Just to give you an idea of what they create in glass here, have a look at this…
We made our way over to another vaparetto stop, and this time our luck was in, as there were two different boats arriving very shortly for San Marco, although when the first stopped, the guy told us to get the next boat. Ok, that works for me, as that’s the express service, which will be much quicker…
We were able to find seats outside at the front of the boat, and from there, we had some magnificent views as we sailed along…
We saw the ancient gates that obviously once led to Venice, although as I said to Mari, they could’ve got their boat out of the way to give me a clean shot of it…
I love the ride to Murano. Do you have photos of your little glass cows? I bought glass jewelry there, for gifts, similar to the items they have in Italy in Epcot. VERY rude of the shopkeeper to keep talking on the phone!
Everything sure is on the water, isn't it. Wow! I don't know if I could live like that though with my fear of water, especially on small boats. Some of those close shots of the water freaked me out a little. Was it ever really choppy or bouncy? I can't imagine if a storm rolled through with winds whipping it about.
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Tanya
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Some more great photos of Venice and on the trip to/from Murano! You do see some strange things being transported by water there and a casket is one of them as you don't expect it. But everything must be done this way! Glad you had a nice visit on Murano and were able to get some glass cows! I've never been to that island, but have been to Burano, which is known for it's lace. It was my first time to Europe in 1995 on a group tour of about 20 of us. We went to Burano for a nice dinner.
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
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had that happen before lol!
But some aren't! 
I figured, you knew this from your past trips, but best to throw this out to you. On one of my past Europe tours, there was a couple on my trip, who forgot to do this and they couldn't use their ATM, so they had to call the bank etc. to correct this. 
A few years ago, going to WDW from CT I had a problem with my ATM. Forgot to do this for this trip! 
Now, I always alert them of my travel plans. 
I think they look for patterns or trends perhaps? 
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Pixie Dust
PassPorter Guide Author
, everything is wonderful and beautiful, but I will say Venice is on my Bucket List. Everything being on water is really amazing, going there has always been a dream for me.
I've never been to that island, but have been to Burano, which is known for it's lace. It was my first time to Europe in 1995 on a group tour of about 20 of us. We went to Burano for a nice dinner.
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