Post by triple5funk on Jul 27, 2003 12:58:54 GMT -5
wow what a whirlwind trip! it's going to take me a while to recover from the whole thing. but it is nice to be at home..sleep in my bed, free laundry, shower without slippers, and not have to live out of a backpack. trekking around was not a vacation, but an adventure and ALL of it was a grand experience - even staying up at Milan's Estazione Centrale to catch the earliest train to Venezia. so here are highlights/tips off the top of my head...
LONDON
-Piccadilly Hotel is worth it for its price and location. 12 GBP for dorm accommodations (i got a good deal for 7.50GBP). Breakfast is only toast, butter, jam and coffee...but the social atmosphere makes up for that.
-Get the daily or weekly underground pass (depending on how long you're staying) it makes it easy to get around and stops at all major sites.
-Walk as much as you can...the maps are deceiving because things aren't very far at all. most major sites are in the same area.
-avoid the double decker bus tour...we did it..and it's not worth it.
PARIS
-get the 3 day visitors pass for the metro - stops at major sites and very easy to use
-if you're at a hostel with kitchen...go to the champion supermarkets for your groceries or local outdoor markets
-research the different arrondissements and avoid staying in the montmartre district...it's the redlight area and the hostels are shady there.
-at least try and ask for things in french, but don't get discouraged if they're still rude or pretend like they don't understand you.
LOURDES
-worth it even if you're not catholic for the views of the pyrennes and how the basilique is built into the rock of the grotto
-most hotels charge around 16-20 EUR a night per person..just walk around and ask - they're used to accommodating people who are visiting st. bernadette's grotto.
SAN SEBASTIAN
-stay at Pension Arsuaga...the old couple there charges around 18 EUR a night/per person for a twin private. it is in the Parte Vieja and just a short walk to the beach!
-take the walk up Ullia Mendi for breathtaking views of the area
-partake in the tapas...tapas are EVERYWHERE and cheap/plentiful
-surf the web at donosti.net reasonable rates, good computers, and the staff is very knowledgeable about the city. you can even send your postcards out through them.
MADRID
-hostal las murallas or nuria hostel are good places to stay. they have twin privates for under 20 EUR a night/per person.
-visit the museums along paseo del prado - especially the Museo Del Prado and Museo de Reina Sofia. the former houses mostly paintings from the renaissance period (rubens, goya, etc.) and the latter houses a great modern art collection - the dali and picasso rooms are great, especially picasso's guernika...larger than life!
-palacio real and the real monasterio de las descalzes are also good places to see the overabundance of wealth of the royal family
-el parque del buen retiro is the city's main park - great for picnicking and a nice stroll
-take the metro everywhere
-the corte d'ingles department stores will have everything you need, including a grocery.
SEVILLA
-definitely try and stay in barrio santa cruz. there are pensiones and hostels in the area. i recommend pensione vergara. the barrio is also right next to the Cathedral and the Alcazar.
-definitely visit the Alcazar and the Cathedral (climb up the Giralda for a panoramic view).
-if it's not too hot, try and walk around the area to see the moorish gardens and mosaics.
-tapas tapas and more tapas!
GRANADA
-we didn't stay there since we just visited the Alhambra. my friend got bored but i really liked it. it's a huge moorish fortress, gardens, etc. so definitely worth the trip and price of admission (around 8 EUR). from the train station walk to the main street and take a bus to the downtown area. then take the number 31 minibus to the alhambra.
BARCELONA
-sagrada familia and the ramblas were my main reasons for going and well worth it. beautiful city and really friendly people.
-angie's hostel is a lot of fun.
COMO
-let me just say, "WOW". wish we could've spent more time there, but we just crossed the lake and spent the evening at milan centrale before going to venice. nature lovers will have a ball at the lago di como.
VENEZIA
-expensive
-the canals are interesting, but i didn't really like how expensive it was to get around on the vaporetto. gondolas are expensive. we paid just to say we went on one...but doubt i'd do it again unless i was there for my honeymoon.
-piazza di san marco is great. you can buy birdseed (1 EUR) to feed the pidgeons and they will eat out of your hand.
-st. mark's was beautiful, his body is interred in front of the altar.
-cheap places are hard to find so i recommend booking early or going to the hotel reservations booth at the train station. they found us a decent place (with AC) for 25 EUR/per person.
-to save money on food...go to Brek - good for soups, salads, and pasta.
FIRENZE
-loved it. high on my list of cities to see again.
-i highly recommend ostello archi rossi (just 2 blocks from the station on via faenza). breakfast is included, great verandas to sit around and talk to people, free internet, etc.
-definitely see the accademia where Michelangelo's David is housed. i've never seen a statue so detailed and so perfect.
-i went to the uffizi, but i'm not a big art history buff so i found it sort of boring...especially since i saw plenty of renaissance art already at the museo del prado.
-ponte vecchio bridge
-the Duomo
-the outdoor market surrounding san lorenzo is great for picking up souvenirs...feel free to bargain with them.
-piazzele michelangelo is an amazing view of the city nice panoramic shot
-capella di medici is interesting...since there were no kings and queens in italy, but they sort of made themselves royals and gave themselves the title of prince.
-firenze is a great city to walk around because it's small, but has a lot of things to see and do!
-try the bistecca fiorentina...i didn't have a chance to try it...but next time i definitely will...i saw people ordering it and it looked so tasty.
-try and make a daytrip to siena or surrounding cities. siena was not as exciting as firenze, but still a cute town to see. my highlight there was seeing st. catherine's preserved head at san domenico. sort of freaky because i kept wondering where they put the rest of her body.
CINQUE TERRE
-stayed there for just one night, but i will definitely go back to stay longer.
-cinque terre holidays rents shared 'mini-hostels' around the village riommaggiore for an average of 18-25 EUR a night depending on where you stay.
-great swimming since the water is so clear on the pebbly beach at the village Monterosso
-you can take the trains to each village or be daring and take the hike that hits up all 5. my friend hiked back from monterosso to riommaggiore...which is apparently more difficult than starting at riommaggiore going up. but his pictures are great.
-buy the fruits at the local markets...all the produce is grown in the area and very, very good.
ROME
-stayed at my aunt's place just north of the city centre so it was wonderful!
-visited colosseum, palatine hills, trevi fountain, st. john lateran, and the spanish steps in one day. basically walked to each site. it is worth the 10 EUR to enter the colosseum and the fee also covers palatine.
-next day we spent the whole day at the vatican visiting st. peter's and the vatican museum to see the sistine chapel. as a catholic, i feel like i've accomplished what i think any devout catholic should do at least one in their lifetime - even if pilgrimages aren't a requirement. the vatican museum houses a fine collection of art...including rafael's works. the frescoes of course in the sistine chapel are inspiring.
-i can't say much about where to buy cheap food, etc. because we got home cooked dinners at my aunt's place and just ate at cheap places while we were out (mcdonald's hehehe). but i did notice a 24 hour market at Termini station called 'drug store'. there is also another market just outside termini that had reasonable prices. my friend is still in rome now and he found a good place to stay near termini station after his visit to sorrento.
other tips and advice:
-try and limit your stay in london if you're on a budget since it is very expensive...the USD value sucks compared to the GBP.
-ryanair.com is a godsend! we used it to fly from barcelona to milan and i flew from rome to london. very inexpensive if you book early. and great way to save time from the train rides and see more places.
-pizza is too good to be true in italy since the ingredients are so fresh and it is relatively inexpensive since you pay by the weight of your slice. it's a good alternative when you're sick of baguettes.
-eat lots of fruits and veggies and drink a lot of water. we found that in spain their dishes are mostly meat, so going to the market to buy fruit and vegetables was very good for the digestive system!
-i had the best food in italy - hands down. it's summer so the fruits and vegetables are in season. tomatoes are just much juicier than anything i've tried at home. the cheese and the wine were great. as my uncle said...'i notice that americans sometimes move so fast that they do not enjoy the food and the wine...in italy it is a very important part of life.'
-observe people...take time to talk to them...soak in the old buildings and the natural landscapes...and most importantly - have fun!
LONDON
-Piccadilly Hotel is worth it for its price and location. 12 GBP for dorm accommodations (i got a good deal for 7.50GBP). Breakfast is only toast, butter, jam and coffee...but the social atmosphere makes up for that.
-Get the daily or weekly underground pass (depending on how long you're staying) it makes it easy to get around and stops at all major sites.
-Walk as much as you can...the maps are deceiving because things aren't very far at all. most major sites are in the same area.
-avoid the double decker bus tour...we did it..and it's not worth it.
PARIS
-get the 3 day visitors pass for the metro - stops at major sites and very easy to use
-if you're at a hostel with kitchen...go to the champion supermarkets for your groceries or local outdoor markets
-research the different arrondissements and avoid staying in the montmartre district...it's the redlight area and the hostels are shady there.
-at least try and ask for things in french, but don't get discouraged if they're still rude or pretend like they don't understand you.
LOURDES
-worth it even if you're not catholic for the views of the pyrennes and how the basilique is built into the rock of the grotto
-most hotels charge around 16-20 EUR a night per person..just walk around and ask - they're used to accommodating people who are visiting st. bernadette's grotto.
SAN SEBASTIAN
-stay at Pension Arsuaga...the old couple there charges around 18 EUR a night/per person for a twin private. it is in the Parte Vieja and just a short walk to the beach!
-take the walk up Ullia Mendi for breathtaking views of the area
-partake in the tapas...tapas are EVERYWHERE and cheap/plentiful
-surf the web at donosti.net reasonable rates, good computers, and the staff is very knowledgeable about the city. you can even send your postcards out through them.
MADRID
-hostal las murallas or nuria hostel are good places to stay. they have twin privates for under 20 EUR a night/per person.
-visit the museums along paseo del prado - especially the Museo Del Prado and Museo de Reina Sofia. the former houses mostly paintings from the renaissance period (rubens, goya, etc.) and the latter houses a great modern art collection - the dali and picasso rooms are great, especially picasso's guernika...larger than life!
-palacio real and the real monasterio de las descalzes are also good places to see the overabundance of wealth of the royal family
-el parque del buen retiro is the city's main park - great for picnicking and a nice stroll
-take the metro everywhere
-the corte d'ingles department stores will have everything you need, including a grocery.
SEVILLA
-definitely try and stay in barrio santa cruz. there are pensiones and hostels in the area. i recommend pensione vergara. the barrio is also right next to the Cathedral and the Alcazar.
-definitely visit the Alcazar and the Cathedral (climb up the Giralda for a panoramic view).
-if it's not too hot, try and walk around the area to see the moorish gardens and mosaics.
-tapas tapas and more tapas!
GRANADA
-we didn't stay there since we just visited the Alhambra. my friend got bored but i really liked it. it's a huge moorish fortress, gardens, etc. so definitely worth the trip and price of admission (around 8 EUR). from the train station walk to the main street and take a bus to the downtown area. then take the number 31 minibus to the alhambra.
BARCELONA
-sagrada familia and the ramblas were my main reasons for going and well worth it. beautiful city and really friendly people.
-angie's hostel is a lot of fun.
COMO
-let me just say, "WOW". wish we could've spent more time there, but we just crossed the lake and spent the evening at milan centrale before going to venice. nature lovers will have a ball at the lago di como.
VENEZIA
-expensive
-the canals are interesting, but i didn't really like how expensive it was to get around on the vaporetto. gondolas are expensive. we paid just to say we went on one...but doubt i'd do it again unless i was there for my honeymoon.
-piazza di san marco is great. you can buy birdseed (1 EUR) to feed the pidgeons and they will eat out of your hand.
-st. mark's was beautiful, his body is interred in front of the altar.
-cheap places are hard to find so i recommend booking early or going to the hotel reservations booth at the train station. they found us a decent place (with AC) for 25 EUR/per person.
-to save money on food...go to Brek - good for soups, salads, and pasta.
FIRENZE
-loved it. high on my list of cities to see again.
-i highly recommend ostello archi rossi (just 2 blocks from the station on via faenza). breakfast is included, great verandas to sit around and talk to people, free internet, etc.
-definitely see the accademia where Michelangelo's David is housed. i've never seen a statue so detailed and so perfect.
-i went to the uffizi, but i'm not a big art history buff so i found it sort of boring...especially since i saw plenty of renaissance art already at the museo del prado.
-ponte vecchio bridge
-the Duomo
-the outdoor market surrounding san lorenzo is great for picking up souvenirs...feel free to bargain with them.
-piazzele michelangelo is an amazing view of the city nice panoramic shot
-capella di medici is interesting...since there were no kings and queens in italy, but they sort of made themselves royals and gave themselves the title of prince.
-firenze is a great city to walk around because it's small, but has a lot of things to see and do!
-try the bistecca fiorentina...i didn't have a chance to try it...but next time i definitely will...i saw people ordering it and it looked so tasty.
-try and make a daytrip to siena or surrounding cities. siena was not as exciting as firenze, but still a cute town to see. my highlight there was seeing st. catherine's preserved head at san domenico. sort of freaky because i kept wondering where they put the rest of her body.
CINQUE TERRE
-stayed there for just one night, but i will definitely go back to stay longer.
-cinque terre holidays rents shared 'mini-hostels' around the village riommaggiore for an average of 18-25 EUR a night depending on where you stay.
-great swimming since the water is so clear on the pebbly beach at the village Monterosso
-you can take the trains to each village or be daring and take the hike that hits up all 5. my friend hiked back from monterosso to riommaggiore...which is apparently more difficult than starting at riommaggiore going up. but his pictures are great.
-buy the fruits at the local markets...all the produce is grown in the area and very, very good.
ROME
-stayed at my aunt's place just north of the city centre so it was wonderful!
-visited colosseum, palatine hills, trevi fountain, st. john lateran, and the spanish steps in one day. basically walked to each site. it is worth the 10 EUR to enter the colosseum and the fee also covers palatine.
-next day we spent the whole day at the vatican visiting st. peter's and the vatican museum to see the sistine chapel. as a catholic, i feel like i've accomplished what i think any devout catholic should do at least one in their lifetime - even if pilgrimages aren't a requirement. the vatican museum houses a fine collection of art...including rafael's works. the frescoes of course in the sistine chapel are inspiring.
-i can't say much about where to buy cheap food, etc. because we got home cooked dinners at my aunt's place and just ate at cheap places while we were out (mcdonald's hehehe). but i did notice a 24 hour market at Termini station called 'drug store'. there is also another market just outside termini that had reasonable prices. my friend is still in rome now and he found a good place to stay near termini station after his visit to sorrento.
other tips and advice:
-try and limit your stay in london if you're on a budget since it is very expensive...the USD value sucks compared to the GBP.
-ryanair.com is a godsend! we used it to fly from barcelona to milan and i flew from rome to london. very inexpensive if you book early. and great way to save time from the train rides and see more places.
-pizza is too good to be true in italy since the ingredients are so fresh and it is relatively inexpensive since you pay by the weight of your slice. it's a good alternative when you're sick of baguettes.
-eat lots of fruits and veggies and drink a lot of water. we found that in spain their dishes are mostly meat, so going to the market to buy fruit and vegetables was very good for the digestive system!
-i had the best food in italy - hands down. it's summer so the fruits and vegetables are in season. tomatoes are just much juicier than anything i've tried at home. the cheese and the wine were great. as my uncle said...'i notice that americans sometimes move so fast that they do not enjoy the food and the wine...in italy it is a very important part of life.'
-observe people...take time to talk to them...soak in the old buildings and the natural landscapes...and most importantly - have fun!
