If you've always wanted to visit the remote Atlantic islands known as the Azores, there is what sounds like a great deal available now with TravelZoo http://www.travelzoo.com. You can spend a week on the island of Terceira in a four star hotel with breakfast and transfers and flight from Boston for just $499 per person, double occupancy.
This price applies to certain dates from October through December, and if you want to go from January to April the price goes up by only $100. The package must be booked online by July 28.
I have not visited the Azores, but at this price I am tempted. If they are anything like Madeira (and I suspect they are, since both are Portuguese,) they are well worth a visit. Madeira has perhaps the scariest airport I have ever seen, but the airport in Terceira looks a lot tamer since the island is less mountainous.
Attractions on the island seem to be mainly of the outdoor variety--hiking, horse riding, etc., but there is also a town with some old Portuguese colonial architecture of note.
Thursday, 20 July 2017
Wednesday, 5 July 2017
More Fall and Winter Savings
You can save big on travel to Europe this fall and winter if you are willing to book ahead. My favourite tour operator, Gate 1 http://www.gate1travel.com, has some great prices for short trips to various parts of the continent.
For example, an eight-day trip to Vienna, Budapest and Prague starts at less than $1200 U.S. with air fare from New York in late October. This includes first-class hotel breakfasts and two dinners, transportation between the cities by coach and some sight-seeing.
Norway is noted for being one of the most expensive countries in the world, but you can enjoy a five-day scenic coastal cruise during a 10-day trip from New York for as low as $2200 U.S. per person in January. You should be aware that you may not actually be able to see much during the cruise, since days are very short in such northern latitudes.
There are a number of other interesting sounding trips to destinations in Western, Central and Southern Europe at prices that are hard to believe--there are even options for Israel and Morocco. I know from experience that the hotels Gate 1 uses are nice but may be somewhat remote from city centres, but I think it is worth it for the price.
Land-only rates are also available, as are other gateways. To get the low prices, you need to book by July 21.
For example, an eight-day trip to Vienna, Budapest and Prague starts at less than $1200 U.S. with air fare from New York in late October. This includes first-class hotel breakfasts and two dinners, transportation between the cities by coach and some sight-seeing.
Norway is noted for being one of the most expensive countries in the world, but you can enjoy a five-day scenic coastal cruise during a 10-day trip from New York for as low as $2200 U.S. per person in January. You should be aware that you may not actually be able to see much during the cruise, since days are very short in such northern latitudes.
There are a number of other interesting sounding trips to destinations in Western, Central and Southern Europe at prices that are hard to believe--there are even options for Israel and Morocco. I know from experience that the hotels Gate 1 uses are nice but may be somewhat remote from city centres, but I think it is worth it for the price.
Land-only rates are also available, as are other gateways. To get the low prices, you need to book by July 21.
Monday, 19 June 2017
Fall Savings with KLM
KLM http://www.klm.com, the Royal Dutch airline, has some very good fall fares for travel to Europe and beyond. They are especially intriguing because they include a free stopover in Amsterdam, a very interesting city.
For example, you can fly to Bucharest, Romania and back for as little as $865 Canadian, or to Tehran, Iran for just $1059. Prices are from Montreal and include tax, but you must book by June 22. Similar deals are available from other North American gateways for cities in Europe and beyond.
I was tempted by the fares to Tehran until I read about the difficulty of getting visas to go to Iran, especially if you travel on an American, British or Canadian passport. I have flown KLM to the Middle East a few times, and enjoyed the free stopover on the return in Amsterdam. It was nice to come back to familiar food and cooler weather after time spent in Egypt or Turkey.
Amsterdam is also a city where almost all the locals speak English, which makes getting around easy for North Americans. In fact, many people in Europe speak English now, which can make it harder than ever for us English speakers to learn other languages. We have to seek out rural areas and smaller towns in order to be forced to use the local language.
For example, you can fly to Bucharest, Romania and back for as little as $865 Canadian, or to Tehran, Iran for just $1059. Prices are from Montreal and include tax, but you must book by June 22. Similar deals are available from other North American gateways for cities in Europe and beyond.
I was tempted by the fares to Tehran until I read about the difficulty of getting visas to go to Iran, especially if you travel on an American, British or Canadian passport. I have flown KLM to the Middle East a few times, and enjoyed the free stopover on the return in Amsterdam. It was nice to come back to familiar food and cooler weather after time spent in Egypt or Turkey.
Amsterdam is also a city where almost all the locals speak English, which makes getting around easy for North Americans. In fact, many people in Europe speak English now, which can make it harder than ever for us English speakers to learn other languages. We have to seek out rural areas and smaller towns in order to be forced to use the local language.
Monday, 12 June 2017
Moscow Hotel Deals
There are some amazing deals this summer on Moscow hotels, provided you don't mind taking the Metro. I checked the price of one where I stayed about 10 years ago, the Maxima Irbis in northwest Moscow near the Botanical Garden. For dates later in June on http://www.tripadvisor.com, I found that double rooms with buffet breakfast going for as little as $46 per night. In 2007, I paid about $160 for a room and breakfast at the Irbis.
Maxima Hotels http://www.maximahotels.ru is a small chain with several other hotels in the same area offering similar prices. I liked the low-rise character of the Irbis, in a similar neighbourhood of low-rise buildings. I wonder if this is one of the parts of Moscow where many of the older low-rises are set to be demolished and replaced with much taller buildings. That would be a shame, because these neighbourhoods boast lots of small parks, playgrounds and green space for the inhabitants.
If you prefer to be near Izmailovo Market on the east side of the city, the Beta Hotel Izmailovo has double rooms for just $41 a night. I stayed at its neighbour Alfa Hotel Izmailovo in 2011 and found it pleasant and nostalgic, with a space exploration theme and Soviet-era ambiance including enormous public rooms and floor ladies who handled your room keys. Please check my former blog, http://www.yourtravelwriter.blogspot.com, for longer reports on the Irbis and the Alfa.
I check prices for similar dates in Florence, Italy, another city I have visited recently and could find little for less than $200 per night. So for savings this summer, go East.
Maxima Hotels http://www.maximahotels.ru is a small chain with several other hotels in the same area offering similar prices. I liked the low-rise character of the Irbis, in a similar neighbourhood of low-rise buildings. I wonder if this is one of the parts of Moscow where many of the older low-rises are set to be demolished and replaced with much taller buildings. That would be a shame, because these neighbourhoods boast lots of small parks, playgrounds and green space for the inhabitants.
If you prefer to be near Izmailovo Market on the east side of the city, the Beta Hotel Izmailovo has double rooms for just $41 a night. I stayed at its neighbour Alfa Hotel Izmailovo in 2011 and found it pleasant and nostalgic, with a space exploration theme and Soviet-era ambiance including enormous public rooms and floor ladies who handled your room keys. Please check my former blog, http://www.yourtravelwriter.blogspot.com, for longer reports on the Irbis and the Alfa.
I check prices for similar dates in Florence, Italy, another city I have visited recently and could find little for less than $200 per night. So for savings this summer, go East.
Friday, 9 June 2017
Savings with Holland America
Holland America http://www.hollandamerica.com is offering some unusually good deals on cruises this summer and fall. One such is a 15-day North Pacific crossing from Vancouver to Yokohama, Japan with stops in Alaska and two other Japanese ports. The price for an interior cabin starts at just $2461 Canadian per person, which works out to about $1856 U.S. including port taxes, or not much over $100 U.S. per day.
They also have an interesting option for Alaska cruising, a 7-day round trip sailing from Vancouver that starts at $1349 Canadian including tax, or about $1000 U.S. In addition to the low price, the round trip aspect means you don't need to pay extra for air fare from or to Alaska. In addition, they provide some interesting itineraries in Pacific cruises such as Japan, Taiwan, the Phillipines and China.
Of course, port excursions and tips are extra, but some of these prices still seem amazingly good. I sailed with Holland America just once, in the Caribbean, and liked the ship, an earlier version of today's Nieuw Amsterdam.
They also have an interesting option for Alaska cruising, a 7-day round trip sailing from Vancouver that starts at $1349 Canadian including tax, or about $1000 U.S. In addition to the low price, the round trip aspect means you don't need to pay extra for air fare from or to Alaska. In addition, they provide some interesting itineraries in Pacific cruises such as Japan, Taiwan, the Phillipines and China.
Of course, port excursions and tips are extra, but some of these prices still seem amazingly good. I sailed with Holland America just once, in the Caribbean, and liked the ship, an earlier version of today's Nieuw Amsterdam.
Tuesday, 6 June 2017
Why Cheap Hotels are Better
There is a really useful article on the Website http:www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog about why you are better off opting for cheap chain hotels rather than their pricier counterparts. It refers to travel in the U.S., but I suspect the principle applies in many countries.
The basic reason cheap hotels are better is that they don't gouge you with extra fees for things like breakfast and internet, resort fees, and exorbitant parking rates. For example, hotels on the strip in Las Vegas may advertise low rates, but they add on average an extra $30 per night for resort fees. You pay the fees whether or not you use resort facilities. Hampton Inn, the lowest price branch of the Hilton family of hotels, usually offers free internet and breakfast buffet, and free parking except for city centres.
Fees to park at a hotel in the centre of a city may cost as much as $70 a day. You are better off staying in the suburbs and commuting, according to the article, rather than bringing a car into the city.
I would add that if you have the right kind of car, like a van or a Volvo with the driver's seat that lies flat, you can skip the hotel altogether and park in a Walmart or hospital lot, then commute into the city. (I have slept in small cars in Scotland and on the Cote d'Azur during Grand Prix week, and while it's not comfortable it beats sleeping outdoors.) Or, forget travelling in North America and head to Europe where you generally get more for your money (except in places like London, Paris, Switzerland and Norway.)
And speaking of Europe, airfare watchdog.com also is advertising some very attractive fares for fall travel, such as $393 Los Angeles to Brussels return in November on Delta.
The basic reason cheap hotels are better is that they don't gouge you with extra fees for things like breakfast and internet, resort fees, and exorbitant parking rates. For example, hotels on the strip in Las Vegas may advertise low rates, but they add on average an extra $30 per night for resort fees. You pay the fees whether or not you use resort facilities. Hampton Inn, the lowest price branch of the Hilton family of hotels, usually offers free internet and breakfast buffet, and free parking except for city centres.
Fees to park at a hotel in the centre of a city may cost as much as $70 a day. You are better off staying in the suburbs and commuting, according to the article, rather than bringing a car into the city.
I would add that if you have the right kind of car, like a van or a Volvo with the driver's seat that lies flat, you can skip the hotel altogether and park in a Walmart or hospital lot, then commute into the city. (I have slept in small cars in Scotland and on the Cote d'Azur during Grand Prix week, and while it's not comfortable it beats sleeping outdoors.) Or, forget travelling in North America and head to Europe where you generally get more for your money (except in places like London, Paris, Switzerland and Norway.)
And speaking of Europe, airfare watchdog.com also is advertising some very attractive fares for fall travel, such as $393 Los Angeles to Brussels return in November on Delta.
Saturday, 3 June 2017
Living and Working in Ukraine
I recently discovered an interesting blog produced by a young British couple who teach English in Odessa, Ukraine. They give detailed information on the cost of living (low) in Odessa, and on
finding jobs teaching English in the country. The blog is at http://www.whatkateandkrisdid.com
Most things seem to be quite inexpensive now in Ukraine, except for utilities in winter and imported goods. For instance, a pint of local beer goes for around a dollar, and a bus trip between Kiev and Odessa costs just $16. Salaries for teachers also tend to be low, but usually include furnished accommodation, which makes up for a lot.
It sounds like a good time to visit this fascinating country, provided you avoid the eastern part of this large country around Donetsk, where intermittent shelling is still occurring, from other reports I have read.
For more information on Ukraine, please refer back to the fall of 2010 in my original blog, http://www.yourtravelwriter.blogspot.com.
finding jobs teaching English in the country. The blog is at http://www.whatkateandkrisdid.com
Most things seem to be quite inexpensive now in Ukraine, except for utilities in winter and imported goods. For instance, a pint of local beer goes for around a dollar, and a bus trip between Kiev and Odessa costs just $16. Salaries for teachers also tend to be low, but usually include furnished accommodation, which makes up for a lot.
It sounds like a good time to visit this fascinating country, provided you avoid the eastern part of this large country around Donetsk, where intermittent shelling is still occurring, from other reports I have read.
For more information on Ukraine, please refer back to the fall of 2010 in my original blog, http://www.yourtravelwriter.blogspot.com.
Thursday, 1 June 2017
Bargains on Ireland, China and River Cruises
Travelzoo http://www.travelzoo.com is offering some unusual bargains for fall travel. For example, a six night trip to Ireland including air fare, hotels and a rental car goes for as little as $999 Canadian. The hotels are in small towns, providing an authentic taste of Irish life outside the capital. For an extra $99 you can add breakfast, which is likely to be a feast.
Having your own car makes it easy to explore off the beaten path, but remember that in Ireland you drive on the left, which can take getting used to. The low rate applies on certain dates in November and December.
A visit to China is an even better deal, eight nights for $698 Canadian including air from Toronto or Vancouver, internal travel and sightseeing, and luxury hotel with breakfast and five lunches. Visa fees and mandatory gratuities add an additional $225.
If river cruises are your preference, certain week long cruises in Europe from October through December are deeply discounted, to $999 U.S. per week per person. Taxes will add around another $200 per person, and air fare is not included. However, all your meals and sightseeing while on the ship are part of the deal.
Book soon to get these great rates.
Having your own car makes it easy to explore off the beaten path, but remember that in Ireland you drive on the left, which can take getting used to. The low rate applies on certain dates in November and December.
A visit to China is an even better deal, eight nights for $698 Canadian including air from Toronto or Vancouver, internal travel and sightseeing, and luxury hotel with breakfast and five lunches. Visa fees and mandatory gratuities add an additional $225.
If river cruises are your preference, certain week long cruises in Europe from October through December are deeply discounted, to $999 U.S. per week per person. Taxes will add around another $200 per person, and air fare is not included. However, all your meals and sightseeing while on the ship are part of the deal.
Book soon to get these great rates.
Monday, 29 May 2017
Blog or Ad?
The other day I came across a Facebook post about a blog that mentioned five tips for enjoying Paris on a budget. Had to read about my favourite topic and one of my favourite cities. Boy, was I disappointed.
The first three suggestions were okay, the usual advice about using public transit and sticking to the daily menu (menu du jour) in restaurants, preferably restaurants in non-touristy parts of town. I would have added that ethnic restaurants often offer better value than French ones.
However, the last two tips could have been written by an ad agency for a certain financial institution that I will not name. This is an increasing problem with travel blogs, the fact that they are sponsored or accept ads and therefore don't even pretend to be unbiased.
I'm not travelling or posting as much as I would like to at the moment, but with this blog you can rest assured that I do not accept ads or sponsorships. You may not agree with my advice, but it is as close to unbiased as I can make it. And if in future that changes, I'll let you know.
The first three suggestions were okay, the usual advice about using public transit and sticking to the daily menu (menu du jour) in restaurants, preferably restaurants in non-touristy parts of town. I would have added that ethnic restaurants often offer better value than French ones.
However, the last two tips could have been written by an ad agency for a certain financial institution that I will not name. This is an increasing problem with travel blogs, the fact that they are sponsored or accept ads and therefore don't even pretend to be unbiased.
I'm not travelling or posting as much as I would like to at the moment, but with this blog you can rest assured that I do not accept ads or sponsorships. You may not agree with my advice, but it is as close to unbiased as I can make it. And if in future that changes, I'll let you know.
Thursday, 25 May 2017
GUM at Night
This attractive late 19th century shopping mall right on Red Square in Moscow is decorated with lights at night. There aren't many bargains to be found there, but I did pick up some reproductions of old Soviet propaganda posters at a souvenir and book shop. And there is a good, inexpensive cafeteria on the top floor.
Wednesday, 24 May 2017
Peterhof
Peterhof, the summer palace of Peter the Great, is one of my favourite places in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg, Russia.
It's not far from downtown, and is a pleasant excursion from the city since it is surrounded by a large park and has lots of these fantastic fountains. If you are spending some time in Peter, as I did one summer, it is a good place to escape the traffic and noise of the city.
The best way to approach the palace is the way Peter the Great did, by water. There is a hydrofoil that serves Peterhof regularly in summer from the Embankment beside the Hermitage.
Tuesday, 23 May 2017
Decor in the Moscow Metro
Moscow's Metro has some of the most interesting decor of any such system in the world, and you can view it for just the price of a Metro ticket, around a dollar for a single ticket. The picture above is from Novoslobodskaya Station. Other stations with amazing decor include Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, and Ploshchad Revolyutsii. All these are among the oldest and busiest stations in central Moscow, so if you want to photograph them without hordes of people, go early on weekend mornings.
Komsomol refers to the former youth organization of the Communist Party, Mayakovsky was one of the most famous Soviet-era poets, and the last in the above list refers, naturally, to the 1917 revolution. I haven't been able to determine the origin of "Novoslobodskaya" yet.
If you can't make it as far as Moscow, Montreal's Metro also has some interesting stations. I like the Berri-UQAM station downtown, with its mural on the history of the city. It's especially appropriate this year, our city's 375th anniversary and Canada's 150th birthday. Unfortunately tickets cost more here, $3.25 Canadian for a single ride.
Monday, 22 May 2017
Sunday, 21 May 2017
Assumption Cathedral, St. Sergius Monastery, Sergiev Posad
This beautiful cathedral is, I believe, the church where some of the action takes place in the film version of John Le Carre's "The Russia House." Sergiev Posad is another of the old Russian cities of the Golden Ring near Moscow, and one of the main pilgrimage sights for Orthodox Russians.
From an old Soviet-era guidebook, I just learned that St. Sergius is buried in another church of this monastery, in a silver sarcophagus that was donated by Ivan the Terrible. On another visit, a guide said that "Terrible" is a mistranslation of the word "grozny," which also means troubled or stressed. Interesting that Grozny is the name of the capital of Chechnya, which has certainly been troubled but has now, from what I have read, been mostly rebuilt.
Saturday, 20 May 2017
Dog in Peroslavl-Zalessky, Russia
I love taking pictures of animals when I travel. They never object to being photographed, or need to fix their hair first. This one was at a small market in Peroslavl-Zalessky, a pretty town on the shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo north of Moscow.
The town is well worth a visit, with many beautiful monasteries nearby and some museums in town. It dates from 1152 and was the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky, a medieval Russian prince who defeated invading armies from Sweden and Germany. Nevsky was declared a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Peroslavl-Zalessky is one of the towns of the Golden Ring of old Russian cities near Moscow and is close to the better known Sergiev Posad (called Zagorsk in Soviet times,) a beautiful pilgrimage site for Orthodox Russians.
Friday, 19 May 2017
All Russia Exhibition Centre, Moscow
Now for something completely different, a shot of the entrance to the VDNKh, All Russia Exhibition Centre on the north side of Moscow. It's a very large park with a lot to interest those who are nostalgic for the Soviet Union, and there is a statue of Lenin to welcome you. The large entrance building is in the now much sought after Stalinist style. This was taken in September, 2015.
Thursday, 18 May 2017
Venus in Florence
Here's the famous painting of the Birth of Venus by Botticelli, which you can enjoy at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. It's not free, but admission is a mere 8 euros. I wish more museums in North America (other than those in Washington, D.C.) would copy this practice of keeping admissions affordable.
Wednesday, 17 May 2017
Savings in Cairo, Istanbul
Check out the Frugal Traveler column in the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com) for some suggestions on ways to save on summer travel. It's a question and answer format, and my favourite question was about travelling to destinations that are often in the news for bad reasons--Cairo, Istanbul and Baghdad.
Lucas Peterson, the columnist, said that he found some great deals on hotels in the first two cities through http://www.hotels.com. Very good hotel rooms were going for $30 a night or less. I haven't been to Baghdad and would not go now (too dangerous,) but Cairo and Istanbul both have a lot to offer. And with such low prices, how can you resist? I've stayed at excellent hotels in both cities--the Mena House right next to the Pyramids in Cairo and the Pera Palas in Istanbul--the latter was the home of Kemal Ataturk for a time, and featured in Agatha Christie's book about the Orient Express. I don't think the Pera Palas is still a hotel, but the Mena House is.
Lucas Peterson, the columnist, said that he found some great deals on hotels in the first two cities through http://www.hotels.com. Very good hotel rooms were going for $30 a night or less. I haven't been to Baghdad and would not go now (too dangerous,) but Cairo and Istanbul both have a lot to offer. And with such low prices, how can you resist? I've stayed at excellent hotels in both cities--the Mena House right next to the Pyramids in Cairo and the Pera Palas in Istanbul--the latter was the home of Kemal Ataturk for a time, and featured in Agatha Christie's book about the Orient Express. I don't think the Pera Palas is still a hotel, but the Mena House is.
Bernini Doors,Baptistry, Florence Duomo
One of the amazing free sights in Florence. Bernini's bronze doors with Biblical scenes on the doors of the Baptistry of Florence's Duomo. The lady in blue in the middle is my friend Gina Thomas.
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
San Marco Cathedral, Venice
Here's the entrance to St. Mark's Cathedral, the main church and one of the major attractions in Venice, on a cold day in January, 2017. Like most of the city's highlights, it's free. However, the exterior is more visually interesting than the interior.
Monday, 15 May 2017
Among Rome's Free Sights
Finally, thanks to a very helpful friend, I am able to post some shots from my Italy trip. Below is the Arch of Constantine, one of Rome's many free sights. Constantine, as you will remember, is the Roman emperor who, at the urging of his mother Helena, adopted Christianity as the official religion of the Roman empire. The Arch is very near the Colosseum and the Forum.
Tuesday, 9 May 2017
New York Numbers, Travel Warnings
The last post (ta-dum) on my former blog, http://www.yourtravelwriter.blogspot.com, was a guest contribution from a Toronto friend who took a budget holiday to New York City last fall. She went one way by overnight bus, and stayed in a room in an apartment she found through http://www.airbnb.com., returning to Toronto by plane.
Any type of budget vacation in New York is quite an accomplishment, since the city is very costly. At the time I posted the story she did not have dollar figures, but has since supplied them. The bus cost about $60 U.S., as did each night at the air bnb place in Lower Manhattan. This is a real achievement, in my book, and she didn't stay at a hostel.
I'm working on getting a new computer where, I hope, I will be able to meld this blog with the previous one.
On a more sombre note, a friend in New York told me about a travel warning that has been issued by the Government of Canada for a number of countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. It comes in the wake of the murder of two tourists, one from Canada, in Belize. Apparently crimes of many types including robbery, sexual assault and extortion are a big problem in places such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Surinam, Belize, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
You can read the complete story on these warnings at http://www.newsamericasnow.com. In some parts of some of these countries, travellers are warned against walking alone, especially after dark. Western governments do tend to err on the side of caution with these warnings, but it's good to be aware. Unfortunately, crime against travellers seems to be on the rise in many parts of the world.
Any type of budget vacation in New York is quite an accomplishment, since the city is very costly. At the time I posted the story she did not have dollar figures, but has since supplied them. The bus cost about $60 U.S., as did each night at the air bnb place in Lower Manhattan. This is a real achievement, in my book, and she didn't stay at a hostel.
I'm working on getting a new computer where, I hope, I will be able to meld this blog with the previous one.
On a more sombre note, a friend in New York told me about a travel warning that has been issued by the Government of Canada for a number of countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. It comes in the wake of the murder of two tourists, one from Canada, in Belize. Apparently crimes of many types including robbery, sexual assault and extortion are a big problem in places such as the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Surinam, Belize, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.
You can read the complete story on these warnings at http://www.newsamericasnow.com. In some parts of some of these countries, travellers are warned against walking alone, especially after dark. Western governments do tend to err on the side of caution with these warnings, but it's good to be aware. Unfortunately, crime against travellers seems to be on the rise in many parts of the world.
Friday, 5 May 2017
Rome Miscellany
I discovered a nice, reasonably-priced restaurant on Piazza Indipendenza near Roma Termini Station. It is called Vitality Foods and emphasizes healthy food in a modern, bright setting. I enjoyed a meal of roast chicken breast with sun dried tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, cabbage and broccoli tastefully arranged on the plate. With a glass of wine and some bread it came to a mere 14 euros.
Vitality Foods isn't fancy, but the food is good and the service friendly, and it was open on Sunday. My colourful meal is pictured below.
If you don't have time to shop for souvenirs while you are in Rome, don't despair. There are some nice shops at the airport, and once you have passed through security there is a sparkling new shopping area that features all the top Italian designers--Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Feragamo, Valentino, etc. I didn't check the prices at any of them, since I only buy Italian designer items when they are deeply discounted.
The shops are fairly small so the selection may be limited, but it's a lovely place to window shop and, if you want to splurge, to pick up something elegant for that special someone. Rome may be the Eternal City, but it's nice to see something new at Fiumicino, formerly a pretty dull airport.
Vitality Foods isn't fancy, but the food is good and the service friendly, and it was open on Sunday. My colourful meal is pictured below.
If you don't have time to shop for souvenirs while you are in Rome, don't despair. There are some nice shops at the airport, and once you have passed through security there is a sparkling new shopping area that features all the top Italian designers--Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Feragamo, Valentino, etc. I didn't check the prices at any of them, since I only buy Italian designer items when they are deeply discounted.
The shops are fairly small so the selection may be limited, but it's a lovely place to window shop and, if you want to splurge, to pick up something elegant for that special someone. Rome may be the Eternal City, but it's nice to see something new at Fiumicino, formerly a pretty dull airport.
Monday, 1 May 2017
JFK Airport
I always love flying into New York and seeing the skyline, but I hadn't been to New York's JFK Airport for quite a few years prior to my visit in January. I'm not sure whether it grew, or I had just forgotten how big it is. The distance from where my plane arrived to the exit seemed to be a mile long, and this on a domestic flight. I was fortunate to find a buggy near my gate, and while I seldom take these I was glad I did in this case.
Then I was surprised to find that I had to take quite a long ride on a free elevated train to reach the area where hotel limousines pick you up. I booked at the Courtyard by Marriott because it had the best price, and because Marriott has a good reputation. The price for a double the first night was just $132 including hotel tax, not bad for the New York area. It was a Sunday, usually the cheapest night in hotels, and I booked through a travel agent with a non-refundable rate, which saved $20.
The room was reasonable size, with two large, comfortable beds and a good view of the airport. It was well soundproofed and had good curtains, so you didn't notice the air traffic. Breakfast was not included, nor was it cheap. On my return I had a bagel with cream cheese and milk for breakfast, which came to $6.50.
Because my friend and I liked the hotel we booked to stay there on our return, too. This time it cost more, $183, perhaps because it was mid-week. On the second visit the room seemed quite large and luxurious compared to those in Italy, but we missed the large Italian buffet breakfasts.
One thing that took me a couple of minutes to figure out was the Do Not Disturb sign. It said "Going through my pre-game rituals." Only when I remembered that it was near time for the Superbowl did the penny drop. Since then, I have discovered that Marriott is the official hotel of the National Football League.
Marriott advertises that you can obtain the lowest room price at any of their hotels by booking directly with them online or by phone, but I haven't tried this yet.
If you plan to spend much time in any of the New York area airports, be aware that the restaurants are quite pricey. The cheapest sandwich was $15, while a glass of wine costs at least $9. Pack your own food to save money, or buy snacks at the newsstands.
Then I was surprised to find that I had to take quite a long ride on a free elevated train to reach the area where hotel limousines pick you up. I booked at the Courtyard by Marriott because it had the best price, and because Marriott has a good reputation. The price for a double the first night was just $132 including hotel tax, not bad for the New York area. It was a Sunday, usually the cheapest night in hotels, and I booked through a travel agent with a non-refundable rate, which saved $20.
The room was reasonable size, with two large, comfortable beds and a good view of the airport. It was well soundproofed and had good curtains, so you didn't notice the air traffic. Breakfast was not included, nor was it cheap. On my return I had a bagel with cream cheese and milk for breakfast, which came to $6.50.
Because my friend and I liked the hotel we booked to stay there on our return, too. This time it cost more, $183, perhaps because it was mid-week. On the second visit the room seemed quite large and luxurious compared to those in Italy, but we missed the large Italian buffet breakfasts.
One thing that took me a couple of minutes to figure out was the Do Not Disturb sign. It said "Going through my pre-game rituals." Only when I remembered that it was near time for the Superbowl did the penny drop. Since then, I have discovered that Marriott is the official hotel of the National Football League.
Marriott advertises that you can obtain the lowest room price at any of their hotels by booking directly with them online or by phone, but I haven't tried this yet.
If you plan to spend much time in any of the New York area airports, be aware that the restaurants are quite pricey. The cheapest sandwich was $15, while a glass of wine costs at least $9. Pack your own food to save money, or buy snacks at the newsstands.
Thursday, 27 April 2017
San Francisco to Iceland for $79
My intrepid friend Allie McGovern has submitted the following report on what it's like to travel from the West Coast of the U.S. to Iceland for just $79 with Wow Air, the ultra low-cost carrier. (http://www.wowair.com.)
"Wow Air, the Icelandic low-budget carrier, is more than an airline, it's an adventure. It's the choice of flyers who want bragging rights that they touched down in five countries in 24 hours, or spent the night in Reykjavik airport, or want a competitive story for future bar arguments over the Worst travel experience.
"San Francisco to Reykjavik in late February was only $79 one way, and as my prescient (or is that present?) husband quipped, round trip would be $2,000. He was close. WOW Air's slogan is, "We promise you that WOW feeling." And boy, do you ever get it. WOW--they charge for everything, food, water, all baggage, pillows, you name it, they charge for it. Want water? They only have hot water. Or you can buy bottled water for a king's ransom. (Or, you can accept the hot water from one steward and ask for a cup of ice from another. Takes more effort but you begin to look for small victories against extortion during your v-e-r-y long flight.)
"Other than some of the flight deck and cabin crew, there's nothing classy about WOW, including their (gulp) purple uniforms. First-time flyers get to spend the hours poring over their budgets and wondering if it's worth another drink while watching second-time flyers (yes, there are some) pull out roast chickens, foot-long subs and cold pizza from greasy bags, followed with bottled drinks, chips, and candy bars. Aw gee--it's not unlike that bus trip you once took in Pakistan, remember?
"On the bright side, if you fly during low season it IS cheap. And they DO go to a lot of off-the-beaten path places. But see if you can time your arrival in Iceland for daytime--seven hours in the middle of the night in the Iceland airport is not as interesting as seven years in Tibet but seems as long. And unless you are on an expense account, do what your neighbours are doing: bring your own chickens, one for the plane and one for the floor in the Keflavik airport."
Gosh, it sounds as if, unlike on many trains and buses abroad, your fellow travellers are not likely to share their chickens with you. Anyway, it's interesting to read the report of a very well-travelled American on one of the cheapest airlines around. Thanks, Allie. Don't think I'll be booking a ticket soon, but it's good to know that if I do I should pack plenty of munchies.
"Wow Air, the Icelandic low-budget carrier, is more than an airline, it's an adventure. It's the choice of flyers who want bragging rights that they touched down in five countries in 24 hours, or spent the night in Reykjavik airport, or want a competitive story for future bar arguments over the Worst travel experience.
"San Francisco to Reykjavik in late February was only $79 one way, and as my prescient (or is that present?) husband quipped, round trip would be $2,000. He was close. WOW Air's slogan is, "We promise you that WOW feeling." And boy, do you ever get it. WOW--they charge for everything, food, water, all baggage, pillows, you name it, they charge for it. Want water? They only have hot water. Or you can buy bottled water for a king's ransom. (Or, you can accept the hot water from one steward and ask for a cup of ice from another. Takes more effort but you begin to look for small victories against extortion during your v-e-r-y long flight.)
"Other than some of the flight deck and cabin crew, there's nothing classy about WOW, including their (gulp) purple uniforms. First-time flyers get to spend the hours poring over their budgets and wondering if it's worth another drink while watching second-time flyers (yes, there are some) pull out roast chickens, foot-long subs and cold pizza from greasy bags, followed with bottled drinks, chips, and candy bars. Aw gee--it's not unlike that bus trip you once took in Pakistan, remember?
"On the bright side, if you fly during low season it IS cheap. And they DO go to a lot of off-the-beaten path places. But see if you can time your arrival in Iceland for daytime--seven hours in the middle of the night in the Iceland airport is not as interesting as seven years in Tibet but seems as long. And unless you are on an expense account, do what your neighbours are doing: bring your own chickens, one for the plane and one for the floor in the Keflavik airport."
Gosh, it sounds as if, unlike on many trains and buses abroad, your fellow travellers are not likely to share their chickens with you. Anyway, it's interesting to read the report of a very well-travelled American on one of the cheapest airlines around. Thanks, Allie. Don't think I'll be booking a ticket soon, but it's good to know that if I do I should pack plenty of munchies.
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
Tribute to a Mentor
I was sorry to learn of the recent death of one of my travel writing mentors, Hazel Lowe. Hazel was travel editor of The Montreal Star, among other influential positions, and a cheerful travel companion. She was a successful travel writer at a time when most women reporters and editors were relegated to the fashion and society beats.
Shortly before it ceased publication, the Montreal Star held a travel writing contest which Hazel judged. I was the first winner, with a piece about getting lost in the French Alps while driving on the Route Napoleon. (You can read the piece under my name at http://www.wattpad.com.)
Bon voyage, Hazel. Watch this space tomorrow for a guest review by my friend Allie McGovern of Wow Airlines, the low-cost Icelandic carrier.
Shortly before it ceased publication, the Montreal Star held a travel writing contest which Hazel judged. I was the first winner, with a piece about getting lost in the French Alps while driving on the Route Napoleon. (You can read the piece under my name at http://www.wattpad.com.)
Bon voyage, Hazel. Watch this space tomorrow for a guest review by my friend Allie McGovern of Wow Airlines, the low-cost Icelandic carrier.
Monday, 24 April 2017
Roman Sights
The great thing about Rome is that many of its sights are free. You can enjoy the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter's Basilica, the Castel San Angelo, the Victor Emmanuel monument, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and many other famous places just by walking around.
In addition, you can visit the interior of most churches for free if you say you are going in to pray. Of course, this means you are not supposed to walk around with your guidebook, just sit quietly in a pew.
However, there are some sights worth paying for. In my view, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel top the list. They include an enormous amount of treasures dating back to Roman times and including all the great Italian Renaissance Masters. Admission costs 16 euros, about $18. It is best to book a ticket in advance, especially in high season, in order to avoid long lines. Admission is free on the last Sunday of every month, but arrive by 12:30 P.M. Visitors to the Vatican or to St. Peter's Basilica are required to dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
It is even possible to attend a Papal Mass for free. Be prepared to arrive early and stand up for a long time if it is an outdoor Mass.
Particularly for classics enthusiasts, the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Palatine Hill are a must. You can see quite a lot without buying a ticket, but I found it thrilling to wander through the Forum and view the ruins of the Senate where Cicero gave his famous speeches. Took me right back to third year Latin class--"Quo in orbis terrarium sumus?" and "Cartago delendum est." A two-day ticket that includes all three attractions costs just 16 euros or $18, quite a modest price. Buy an audio guide or take along a guidebook to get the most from these sites, since labelling is poor. In warm weather, take a picnic to enjoy in the Forum or on the Palatine Hill.
Other attractions you might wish to visit include the catacombs, the Borghese Gardens, the Pantheon. You will probably need to take a tour to the catacombs and pay admission to the Borghese Gardens, which are a pleasant green respite in the heat of summer. The Pantheon is an marvel of Roman engineering with an open dome. Formerly a temple to Roman deities, it is now a church and therefore free.
It is best not to try to cram too much into a Roman holiday. Save some time to savour a coffee near the Spanish steps or one of the famous fountains, to stroll down the Via Veneto of dolce vita fame or Via Condotti, known for its fashion houses. Gaze up at the Castel San Angelo and imagine Verdi's heroine Tosca plunging to her death from there. Observe the inscription "SPQR" on many municipal buildings and sidewalks, and ponder that it means "Senatus Popolusque Romanus" or the Senate and the people of Rome, a slogan dating from the days of the Roman Republic. It gives you an idea of the reason Rome is known as the Eternal City.
In addition, you can visit the interior of most churches for free if you say you are going in to pray. Of course, this means you are not supposed to walk around with your guidebook, just sit quietly in a pew.
However, there are some sights worth paying for. In my view, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel top the list. They include an enormous amount of treasures dating back to Roman times and including all the great Italian Renaissance Masters. Admission costs 16 euros, about $18. It is best to book a ticket in advance, especially in high season, in order to avoid long lines. Admission is free on the last Sunday of every month, but arrive by 12:30 P.M. Visitors to the Vatican or to St. Peter's Basilica are required to dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
It is even possible to attend a Papal Mass for free. Be prepared to arrive early and stand up for a long time if it is an outdoor Mass.
Particularly for classics enthusiasts, the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Palatine Hill are a must. You can see quite a lot without buying a ticket, but I found it thrilling to wander through the Forum and view the ruins of the Senate where Cicero gave his famous speeches. Took me right back to third year Latin class--"Quo in orbis terrarium sumus?" and "Cartago delendum est." A two-day ticket that includes all three attractions costs just 16 euros or $18, quite a modest price. Buy an audio guide or take along a guidebook to get the most from these sites, since labelling is poor. In warm weather, take a picnic to enjoy in the Forum or on the Palatine Hill.
Other attractions you might wish to visit include the catacombs, the Borghese Gardens, the Pantheon. You will probably need to take a tour to the catacombs and pay admission to the Borghese Gardens, which are a pleasant green respite in the heat of summer. The Pantheon is an marvel of Roman engineering with an open dome. Formerly a temple to Roman deities, it is now a church and therefore free.
It is best not to try to cram too much into a Roman holiday. Save some time to savour a coffee near the Spanish steps or one of the famous fountains, to stroll down the Via Veneto of dolce vita fame or Via Condotti, known for its fashion houses. Gaze up at the Castel San Angelo and imagine Verdi's heroine Tosca plunging to her death from there. Observe the inscription "SPQR" on many municipal buildings and sidewalks, and ponder that it means "Senatus Popolusque Romanus" or the Senate and the people of Rome, a slogan dating from the days of the Roman Republic. It gives you an idea of the reason Rome is known as the Eternal City.
Thursday, 20 April 2017
Guest Post on Angloville
Readers of my former blog, http://www.yourtravelwriter.blogspot.com, may recall a post about a group known as http://www.angloville.com. It is a company that offers a week or shorter periods of free room and board to native English speakers in Eastern Europe. In return, the Anglos must converse with locals who are trying to improve their English.
My friend Allie McGovern recently sampled this program in Poland and the Czech Republic and sends the following report.
"I spent back-to-back week-long seminars outside Krakow and a few hours from Prague. This program sounded too good to be true when I read about in Margaret's blog, but in fact it was as good as the Website promises. At one hotel we had a view of the snow-capped Tatra Mountains, at the other we stayed in a renovated castle in Bohemia. The food quality trailed off mid-week in both places, but no one left to eat out.
"The seminars were well-run by two coordinators in each locale. Every day we broke into groups of two, one Anglo and one local, and later into larger teams to role play, solve problems or just talk. The secret to the success of these seminars is that they bring out the English the locals already know and force them to actually use it.
"Most of the locals were mid-level professionals or owned their own businesses. The native English-speakers were mostly post-college travellers who were staying abroad as long as possible. They came from nearly every English-speaking country on the map. There was an age gap, a social gap and a status gap between the two groups, but by the end of the week this didn't seem to matter.
"For me, it was all about the locals. Especially in one of the seminars, the locals were particularly dynamic and driven to get the most out of their experience. Initially the locals hesitated to say more than the minimum and stuck to subjects they knew well, but by the time each of them gave presentations on a subject of their choice to the entire group, there was a sea change. Speaking about things of personal interest, they stretched their English and in some cases presented multi-media reports and involved the audience. What I'll remember most about Angloville is the laughter; in one of the seminars, most of us bonded at the first dinner and there was easy laughter around the restaurant thereafter.
"I chose the week-long adult programs; there are shorter programs and ones for adolescents. One guy had volunteered at Angloville 19 times, proof that you can come more than once. They also offer a TEFL program for new teachers.
"If Eastern Europe doesn't interest you, there are similar programs in Spain and Germany, through http://www.vaughantown.com and http://www.diverbo.com."
This sounds like a good way to visit some interesting countries at minimal cost and make some new friends. And I should point out that my friend, like me, is long past the usual post-college age.
My friend Allie McGovern recently sampled this program in Poland and the Czech Republic and sends the following report.
"I spent back-to-back week-long seminars outside Krakow and a few hours from Prague. This program sounded too good to be true when I read about in Margaret's blog, but in fact it was as good as the Website promises. At one hotel we had a view of the snow-capped Tatra Mountains, at the other we stayed in a renovated castle in Bohemia. The food quality trailed off mid-week in both places, but no one left to eat out.
"The seminars were well-run by two coordinators in each locale. Every day we broke into groups of two, one Anglo and one local, and later into larger teams to role play, solve problems or just talk. The secret to the success of these seminars is that they bring out the English the locals already know and force them to actually use it.
"Most of the locals were mid-level professionals or owned their own businesses. The native English-speakers were mostly post-college travellers who were staying abroad as long as possible. They came from nearly every English-speaking country on the map. There was an age gap, a social gap and a status gap between the two groups, but by the end of the week this didn't seem to matter.
"For me, it was all about the locals. Especially in one of the seminars, the locals were particularly dynamic and driven to get the most out of their experience. Initially the locals hesitated to say more than the minimum and stuck to subjects they knew well, but by the time each of them gave presentations on a subject of their choice to the entire group, there was a sea change. Speaking about things of personal interest, they stretched their English and in some cases presented multi-media reports and involved the audience. What I'll remember most about Angloville is the laughter; in one of the seminars, most of us bonded at the first dinner and there was easy laughter around the restaurant thereafter.
"I chose the week-long adult programs; there are shorter programs and ones for adolescents. One guy had volunteered at Angloville 19 times, proof that you can come more than once. They also offer a TEFL program for new teachers.
"If Eastern Europe doesn't interest you, there are similar programs in Spain and Germany, through http://www.vaughantown.com and http://www.diverbo.com."
This sounds like a good way to visit some interesting countries at minimal cost and make some new friends. And I should point out that my friend, like me, is long past the usual post-college age.
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Rome Transit
Rome is a large city with a lot to see. While it is quite walkable, in order to see the high points you will probably want to rely on the efficient, moderately priced public transit system. The Metro is generally the fastest way to get around, but you don't see much except tunnels. Buses are better for sight-seeing, but also more confusing.
Rome has one of the hop on, hop off tourist buses that are popular with visitors, but it is quite expensive at 20 euros for a day, 28 euros for two days. It could be worth the cost if you have just a day or two in the city.
A single ticket that allows you to transfer between bus and Metro within a 75-minute period costs just 1.50 euros. A one-day ticket costs 6 euros, and a three-day ticket goes for 16.50 euros. The latter would allow you to get a quick overview of the city's main attractions, though there are enough churches, museums and ancient ruins to keep you busy for a lifetime.
Buy tickets at a Metro station, or at a newsstand or tabacchi. A lot of people in Rome speak some English,and try to be helpful, or you can try your Italian.
To reach the airport you can take an express bus that leaves from the main railway station at Termini and costs just 4 euros, with kids under five travelling for free. The Website is www.terravision.eu. Or you can take an express train from the same station that costs 14 euros and runs frequently. The train is not going to get stuck in traffic, and you can keep an eye on your luggage. I have known people who had luggage stolen from under the bus.
If you find yourself too tired after sightseeing to brave public transit, taxis are plentiful. Driving yourself is not advisable, especially in the crowded city centre.
Rome has one of the hop on, hop off tourist buses that are popular with visitors, but it is quite expensive at 20 euros for a day, 28 euros for two days. It could be worth the cost if you have just a day or two in the city.
A single ticket that allows you to transfer between bus and Metro within a 75-minute period costs just 1.50 euros. A one-day ticket costs 6 euros, and a three-day ticket goes for 16.50 euros. The latter would allow you to get a quick overview of the city's main attractions, though there are enough churches, museums and ancient ruins to keep you busy for a lifetime.
Buy tickets at a Metro station, or at a newsstand or tabacchi. A lot of people in Rome speak some English,and try to be helpful, or you can try your Italian.
To reach the airport you can take an express bus that leaves from the main railway station at Termini and costs just 4 euros, with kids under five travelling for free. The Website is www.terravision.eu. Or you can take an express train from the same station that costs 14 euros and runs frequently. The train is not going to get stuck in traffic, and you can keep an eye on your luggage. I have known people who had luggage stolen from under the bus.
If you find yourself too tired after sightseeing to brave public transit, taxis are plentiful. Driving yourself is not advisable, especially in the crowded city centre.
Thursday, 13 April 2017
Airline Discourtesy
Like me, you have probably seen and been horrified by the video of a passenger being dragged off a plane in Chicago recently. We all know air travel can be difficult, but this does seem to be a new low for the friendly skies.
I'm no longer a particularly frequent flyer, but I have seen a passenger being removed in handcuffs from an airplane after he uttered a mild expletive to a flight attendant. It happened in Tampa, Florida after a very rough flight, and the passenger had risen to try to retrieve his phone before we had reached the gate. I thought calling the cops was excessive force, but nothing like the Chicago incident.
I myself was yelled at by a flight attendant at JFK following a long journey from Buenos Aires. It was very early morning and the airport was not yet open, so we were parked on the tarmac. I had a very tight connection and rose to try to reach my carry-on, which horrified the attendant. She said if anyone had seen me the airline could have been in serious trouble. This was shortly after 9/11, so I understood her jitters and learned my lesson.
Now I am very circumspect on planes, as well as in airports and at border crossings, especially in the U.S. Once you enter an airport you are in a zone where ordinary rules do not apply, and officials seem to have carte blanche to deal with travellers as they wish. I understand that most airline personnel are highly professional and often underpaid, but that is not an excuse. It doesn't take much to turn a passenger's ordinary trip into a nightmare.
Caveat traveller.
I'm no longer a particularly frequent flyer, but I have seen a passenger being removed in handcuffs from an airplane after he uttered a mild expletive to a flight attendant. It happened in Tampa, Florida after a very rough flight, and the passenger had risen to try to retrieve his phone before we had reached the gate. I thought calling the cops was excessive force, but nothing like the Chicago incident.
I myself was yelled at by a flight attendant at JFK following a long journey from Buenos Aires. It was very early morning and the airport was not yet open, so we were parked on the tarmac. I had a very tight connection and rose to try to reach my carry-on, which horrified the attendant. She said if anyone had seen me the airline could have been in serious trouble. This was shortly after 9/11, so I understood her jitters and learned my lesson.
Now I am very circumspect on planes, as well as in airports and at border crossings, especially in the U.S. Once you enter an airport you are in a zone where ordinary rules do not apply, and officials seem to have carte blanche to deal with travellers as they wish. I understand that most airline personnel are highly professional and often underpaid, but that is not an excuse. It doesn't take much to turn a passenger's ordinary trip into a nightmare.
Caveat traveller.
Monday, 10 April 2017
Budget Venice
This should be a very short article, since La Serenissima is notorious for being expensive. However, there are always to keep costs down even in costly cities. One way is to stay, as I did recently, in Mestre on the mainland.
Mestre lacks the glamour of Venice--it's a working town noted as a transportation hub. However, trains to Venice take just a few minutes, run frequently and cost only 1.25 euros. In Mestre hotels you get more for the money than in Venice, at the cost of a little convenience. My tour stayed at the Plaza Hotel right across from the train station. It is modern and attractive, with English-speaking staff and a good restaurant called Soul Kitchen downstairs. Our room was small but quiet, and boasted a beautifully tiled bathroom with a big bathtub, very welcome after a long plane ride. The buffet breakfast was copious and good.
We dined the first night at Soul Kitchen, and it was one of our more costly meals. An order of cannelloni with cheese, another of roasted vegetables, two mineral waters and the pane e coperto charge for bread came to about $30 U.S., not at all bad for two people.
In Venice the next day we ate at Brek, an attractive cafeteria on Lista di Spagna near the railway station. A meal of meat lasagna, a flask of wine and a roll cost about $11, just a couple of dollars more than the vaportto fare from Lista di Spagna along the famed Grand Canal to St. Mark's Square, the heart of the city. It is possible to walk all that way, but very easy to get lost in Venice's narrow, winding streets and we were in no shape to try following a walking tour in the morning. Besides, the vaporetto ride is a great way to enjoy Venice's beauty.
Our walking tour guide warned us against eating or even having coffee on or near St. Mark's Square, where a drink can cost 30 euros. One thing that is free on the square is entrance to the famous church itself.
If you want to stay in Venice itself, check out the lower-cost hotels listed on http://www.eurocheapo.com. and time your visit for low season if you don't want to deal with hordes of fellow travellers.
Mestre lacks the glamour of Venice--it's a working town noted as a transportation hub. However, trains to Venice take just a few minutes, run frequently and cost only 1.25 euros. In Mestre hotels you get more for the money than in Venice, at the cost of a little convenience. My tour stayed at the Plaza Hotel right across from the train station. It is modern and attractive, with English-speaking staff and a good restaurant called Soul Kitchen downstairs. Our room was small but quiet, and boasted a beautifully tiled bathroom with a big bathtub, very welcome after a long plane ride. The buffet breakfast was copious and good.
We dined the first night at Soul Kitchen, and it was one of our more costly meals. An order of cannelloni with cheese, another of roasted vegetables, two mineral waters and the pane e coperto charge for bread came to about $30 U.S., not at all bad for two people.
In Venice the next day we ate at Brek, an attractive cafeteria on Lista di Spagna near the railway station. A meal of meat lasagna, a flask of wine and a roll cost about $11, just a couple of dollars more than the vaportto fare from Lista di Spagna along the famed Grand Canal to St. Mark's Square, the heart of the city. It is possible to walk all that way, but very easy to get lost in Venice's narrow, winding streets and we were in no shape to try following a walking tour in the morning. Besides, the vaporetto ride is a great way to enjoy Venice's beauty.
Our walking tour guide warned us against eating or even having coffee on or near St. Mark's Square, where a drink can cost 30 euros. One thing that is free on the square is entrance to the famous church itself.
If you want to stay in Venice itself, check out the lower-cost hotels listed on http://www.eurocheapo.com. and time your visit for low season if you don't want to deal with hordes of fellow travellers.
Friday, 7 April 2017
Rome Bargains
Had to tell you about a new deal from Gate1 Travel--four nights in Rome plus return air fare from New York or Boston from just $499 per person on some dates between November 2017 and February 2018. The price includes room with breakfast, based on double occupancy, but you must book it by April 9. I have no connection to Gate 1, but this is an extraordinary price since usually air fare alone is close to $1,000 per person, and Rome hotels are not cheap.
Our Gate1 hotel in Rome was the Villafranca, a small but pleasant four-star place within walking distance of the train station but closer to Castro Pretorio Metro station. Our room overlooked an air shaft and was cozy and well-furnished. The breakfast buffet was sumptuous, including several kinds of cheese and meat, cereal, breads, juices and a selection of yummy Italian coffees--I chose cappuccino most mornings.
We had an unfortunate incident where my friend lost her credit cards and some money to a pickpocket at the railway station. That evening we repaired to the hotel bar to commiserate, ordering glasses of wine for 4 euros each (about $4.20.) The manager arranged for us to have some chips and nuts gratis, as well as some wonderful (and expensive) fresh Parmesan cheese. Petty theft is an unfortunate fact of life in big cities, but it helped to be staying at a hotel with understanding staff. (My friend was able to cancel her credit cards, but had to get along for the last couple days of the trip with limited cash.)
We ate twice at outlets of Express Chef in the station, mainly because they were open when we were hungry. The food was good and reasonably priced--for example, a large sandwich of buffalo mozzarella, tomato and greens with a quarter litre of decent wine for 8 euros, about $9. I was amazed by the relatively low prices at restaurants in Italy, at least compared to those in Montreal or New York. The difficulty was coordinating restaurant opening times to our schedules--we went hungry quite a lot. In fact, over the ten day trip I lost about five pounds. Who would think? A trip to Italy as a diet plan. Just another reason to visit this amazing country.
I'll be posting more on this trip soon.
Our Gate1 hotel in Rome was the Villafranca, a small but pleasant four-star place within walking distance of the train station but closer to Castro Pretorio Metro station. Our room overlooked an air shaft and was cozy and well-furnished. The breakfast buffet was sumptuous, including several kinds of cheese and meat, cereal, breads, juices and a selection of yummy Italian coffees--I chose cappuccino most mornings.
We had an unfortunate incident where my friend lost her credit cards and some money to a pickpocket at the railway station. That evening we repaired to the hotel bar to commiserate, ordering glasses of wine for 4 euros each (about $4.20.) The manager arranged for us to have some chips and nuts gratis, as well as some wonderful (and expensive) fresh Parmesan cheese. Petty theft is an unfortunate fact of life in big cities, but it helped to be staying at a hotel with understanding staff. (My friend was able to cancel her credit cards, but had to get along for the last couple days of the trip with limited cash.)
We ate twice at outlets of Express Chef in the station, mainly because they were open when we were hungry. The food was good and reasonably priced--for example, a large sandwich of buffalo mozzarella, tomato and greens with a quarter litre of decent wine for 8 euros, about $9. I was amazed by the relatively low prices at restaurants in Italy, at least compared to those in Montreal or New York. The difficulty was coordinating restaurant opening times to our schedules--we went hungry quite a lot. In fact, over the ten day trip I lost about five pounds. Who would think? A trip to Italy as a diet plan. Just another reason to visit this amazing country.
I'll be posting more on this trip soon.
Thursday, 6 April 2017
Hallelujah, Back Blogging
Many apologies to faithful followers for missing a couple of months because of computer problems. If you followed me before, you will notice a small change in the blog title because I was not able to sign onto the former blog, yourtravelwriter.blogspot.com. Don't worry, though, it really is still me and I have lots to tell you about my own and my friends' recent travels.
In January and early February I visited Italy with my friend Gina on a short tour organized by Gate1 Travel http://www.gate1travel.com. It was generally a very pleasant experience, and definitely great value for money. The entire trip which lasted nine days cost less than $1400 U.S., which included air fare from New York, stays with copious breakfasts in four-star hotels in Venice Mestre, Florence and Rome, high-speed trains between the cities, and some tours and transfers, meals and incidentals. We added on at least another $500 to cover flights to and from New York and two nights at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at JFK. Travelling in winter we were concerned about the possibility of being delayed by bad weather and missing our overseas flight.
I will soon fill you in on the details of this trip, my first back to Italy in quite some time. I spent an academic year there as a grad student, so always consider it a second home. Keep watching this space for more info and tips on ways to save money on your travels.
In January and early February I visited Italy with my friend Gina on a short tour organized by Gate1 Travel http://www.gate1travel.com. It was generally a very pleasant experience, and definitely great value for money. The entire trip which lasted nine days cost less than $1400 U.S., which included air fare from New York, stays with copious breakfasts in four-star hotels in Venice Mestre, Florence and Rome, high-speed trains between the cities, and some tours and transfers, meals and incidentals. We added on at least another $500 to cover flights to and from New York and two nights at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at JFK. Travelling in winter we were concerned about the possibility of being delayed by bad weather and missing our overseas flight.
I will soon fill you in on the details of this trip, my first back to Italy in quite some time. I spent an academic year there as a grad student, so always consider it a second home. Keep watching this space for more info and tips on ways to save money on your travels.
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