Our europe trip... 9th May - 30th May 2010
Definitely not a post that summarize the WHOLE trip but I guess this highlighted some (un)interesting matters We encountered on off & I wrote them down during the long train rides using my handphone E63...even prepared a list ‘Things to Bring’ for future overseas trip!
I'm sorry...but behold!
WALL OF TEXT
{click the pictures to see the whole set of photos...}
ITALY
finally after 16hrs (includ. transit time), we finally reached Rome! Bought the train tickets to the City area & check-in Hotel Planet. The worst accommodation booked for this trip :( First, it charged me the usual rate instead of the online promo due to technical difficulties from the online agency (kena cheated?), unfriendly reception, wifi charge was needed, there was no drinking water & a weird smell in the room. On the bright side, it's really near to the train station; Breakfast was provided- a croissant & a cup of cappucino from the bar opposite.
Visited the historical sites all by walking & the buses. Must be brave & good in acting: hop on the bus & do what the Romans do-act normal till your destination. (it works almost in every places in Italy...)
2nd stop: Firenze (Florence)!!
Booked this popular backpack's accommodation, Archi Rosti Hostel and it was so much better than the previous one.
Last stop in Italy: Venice!
Good location which is just beside the train station, Hotel Florida is definitely one of the cheaper hotel available..not exactly as it still cost €120/night :x
The transportation wasn't cheap as well though it was something different from other places. One way on the boat-bus cost €6.50 & a 12h ticket cost €16/pax. Of course, u get the 12h one right?? Though you can, act blur with the 1-way ticket-so far yet to witness a conductor checking whether the ticket is valid or not.
SWITZERLAND
After a rush breakfast buffet (only serve from 730am onwards & our train departs @750am), we travelled up to Auth-gold station where we changed train to Luzern.
Met this old couple from Australia on train who were on their way to Munich, Germany. They were on a 5-month retirement trip in Europe! Shocked & amazed-envy them to the max! "We deserved it!" as they claimed. They took a year to plan and they set no budget limit! we chit-chat the places we had visited, complaint how it is near impossible for Singaporeans to do the same thing as they did...while admiring the scenery outside, haha!
Reached Luzern after ~3hrs journey & walked a good 15mins,pulling our luggage before we checked in Backpack Luzern. Went around to see the local attractions e.g. Chapel Bridge, Old Town with the snowy mountains in the background...
went up to Mt. Titalis but unfortunately it was drizzling and foggy during the day. Visibility was low and nothing much can be seen clearly when we were at the peak. Enduring the cold & strong chilling wind, we bravely took some photos but the digital camera were unable to (prob. due to the low temp.) capture the pictures well...At one point of time, I really thought my toes kena frostbite as I was wearing only a thin pair of socks & a pair of sport-shoes that has many holes for ventilation!
The consolation part is, both of us finally got to see & play the real snow! Definitely different & superb feeling from what we have in Sgp Snow City, Ice-Skate or see on-screen.
Next stop is, Interlaken. Check-in under the same org., Backpack Villa Sonnenhoff & it felt more like a Hotel than a hostel! Spacious lobby area, free laundry, buffet breakfast, 24/7 wifi...Best accommodation stayed up till now!
Took train (50mins) up to Bern, another small town but a busier one than Interlaken. It was also an UNESCO place, confirmed worth the trip! This is a place where the Bear is the symbolic animal & even have a bear pit/park!
In mind of our disappointment we had in Luzern, we prayed hard for a better weather before we bought the utterly expensive round trip tix up to Jungfraujoch. It cost CHF$136.50 (~S$178)/pax (even after 25% discount with Eurail pass) to change 2x/way trains, view the LOTR-type of scenes with gigantic snowy mountains throughout the 2hr/way journey, awwww at the goats & cows & HUGE dogs, experience the slight discomfort at 11000m above sea level, suffer the cold & wind out at the Plateau.
...but we knew, all these were worth it ;)
I still feel the ticket is very costly, in fact, anything in Europe is :x
Final stop @Geneva (~3hrs from Interlaken) & stayed in a decent hotel, Hotel Ibis. Breakfast buffet required a small amount which we still felt the variety wasn't that great & it was expensive. Began our walk to the attractions, one of which is the powerful jet fountain, shooting 500l/s of water up..but it wasn't working on that day!! and actually that's about it, nothing much fancy us. Many people were french-speaking, things cost slightly more than in previous 2 places.
Nothing much.
we did however, had our first cheese fondue dish! She didn't like it too well as the local flavour mixed it with white wine & alcohol wasn't her kind of liking. And also finally steak with fries! Filling and satisfactory~
Paris, FRANCE
we stayed in Hotel Armstrong for our last stop in Paris. During the trip, I only realised that the accommodation wasn't near to the train stations or any attractions. I had booked this at the very last min before departure cuz the rest were either too expensive (>€100+) or unavailable for the requested dates :(
It took awhile to understand its Metro system and getting there. On first look, the surrounding didn't look that interesting and it seemed kinda creepy if dark. Only till near the end of day, I felt that this place was a hidden treasure though She was still uncomfortable with the location :x
We quickly went down to Chatalet station to start our tour. Weather was very good & sunny, we felt hot for the first time, haha! Place was really crowded with locals & tourists. Experienced the City of Love everywhere as couples were hanging out together, displaying their affection through their long passionate kiss/ hugs, regardless of age/ size.
Return to Hotel early to catch the live telecast Champions League match between Inter Milan/ Bayern Munich. LOL, She loves soccer! Had a super duper filling takeaway dinner which only cost us less than €10 in total- bought a WHOLE spring chicken, 2 packets of rice, a pack of strawberries, an enormous slice of pie & a litre of mixed fruit juice!! Eating all these junk while watching the exciting soccer in the comfort of our own room was just toooooo good!
So full!
Took 50mins to get to the station terminal, Versailies-Rive Gauche, another 1h10mins to buy the entrance tickets, another 35mins to enter the huge Palace which took around 1h15mins to complete...
Damn crowded on a Sunday! (or it always happen in any day?)
Later, we went to Monmarte area to check out another attraction. And to visit Moulin Rouge, where we walked the stretch of sex shops selling. There is a museum nearby which houses a worldwide collection of erotic stuffs but I guess She wasn't that interested + admission charge.
Daylight was up all the way till 9+pm and we were wondering how late we need to stay at Effiel Tower in some other day if we want to admire the beautiful lighting on it :s
Yet another scenic route to Strasbourg but this time round, it was sunny and large green fields with yellow flowers.
Weather was superbly sunny but it got really hot in the afternoon. Too bright to look far & She got 2 different skin tones afterwhich due to the shades she was wearing.
Another very filling lunch near the Cathedral as we ordered a pork knuckle + rosti w/ cheese,cream & sausages. Our very first time as well-ordered a Coke and it had never tasted so goooood in a hot day like this.
Time to return Paris for a good rest for Her shopping spree the next day!
As expected, She wasn't going to buy. The trip was a recce one to decide whether to buy what she originally wanted or MORE.
The day before leaving for a short trip to Amsterdam, we visited the Arc and a long walk to the museum where it's facing directly Tour Effiel. Majestic tower & it looked fantastic at night with the lights on. Surprise blinking lights were switched on for approx. 5mins hourly. The place was filled with people all the time despite getting real late. Bopian, the sky darkened after 10pm...
Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS
To the land of canals!!
Sidetrack: Had the best train ride of all! All along was 1st class seats but only this to&fro trip we were offered meals & light snacks! Juz like what one'll get on aeroplane! Steadyyy!
Got the coolest accommodation of the trip-St. Christopher's Winston Hotel. A pub right below which we would have discounts! Breakfast also provided & provided good security for the hotel guests. Daytrip- visited a small little area in Marken, tasted fried herling bits, understood the process of cheese & wooden cloaks manufacturing, saw the few remaining windmills in Volendam.
Strolled down the Red Light District.. And Specially entered 2 museums: Erotic Museum & Sex Museum. Enriching experience..only in Amsterdam, Woot!
Set of photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36773434@N00/sets/72157624252259126/
Paris, France
Returned back to the same hotel & quickly checked our stored luggage-Her branded goods were locked inside~ :x
'When someone said "bonjour" to you, you should also greet back "bonjour" as well. It is very important in France!' - kena suan advised by the cashier in the Bakery Shop near our Hotel. Damn paiseh...
*
And yes! I finally got the 2 missing Absolut Vodka-Kurrant & Peppar- @Dubai Airport during the transit back! Yes, full collection so far!!!
Set of photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36773434@N00/sets/72157624127848583/
I'm sorry...but behold!
WALL OF TEXT
{click the pictures to see the whole set of photos...}
ITALY
finally after 16hrs (includ. transit time), we finally reached Rome! Bought the train tickets to the City area & check-in Hotel Planet. The worst accommodation booked for this trip :( First, it charged me the usual rate instead of the online promo due to technical difficulties from the online agency (kena cheated?), unfriendly reception, wifi charge was needed, there was no drinking water & a weird smell in the room. On the bright side, it's really near to the train station; Breakfast was provided- a croissant & a cup of cappucino from the bar opposite.
Visited the historical sites all by walking & the buses. Must be brave & good in acting: hop on the bus & do what the Romans do-act normal till your destination. (it works almost in every places in Italy...)
2nd stop: Firenze (Florence)!!
Booked this popular backpack's accommodation, Archi Rosti Hostel and it was so much better than the previous one.
Last stop in Italy: Venice!
Good location which is just beside the train station, Hotel Florida is definitely one of the cheaper hotel available..not exactly as it still cost €120/night :x
The transportation wasn't cheap as well though it was something different from other places. One way on the boat-bus cost €6.50 & a 12h ticket cost €16/pax. Of course, u get the 12h one right?? Though you can, act blur with the 1-way ticket-so far yet to witness a conductor checking whether the ticket is valid or not.
SWITZERLAND
After a rush breakfast buffet (only serve from 730am onwards & our train departs @750am), we travelled up to Auth-gold station where we changed train to Luzern.
Met this old couple from Australia on train who were on their way to Munich, Germany. They were on a 5-month retirement trip in Europe! Shocked & amazed-envy them to the max! "We deserved it!" as they claimed. They took a year to plan and they set no budget limit! we chit-chat the places we had visited, complaint how it is near impossible for Singaporeans to do the same thing as they did...while admiring the scenery outside, haha!
Reached Luzern after ~3hrs journey & walked a good 15mins,pulling our luggage before we checked in Backpack Luzern. Went around to see the local attractions e.g. Chapel Bridge, Old Town with the snowy mountains in the background...
went up to Mt. Titalis but unfortunately it was drizzling and foggy during the day. Visibility was low and nothing much can be seen clearly when we were at the peak. Enduring the cold & strong chilling wind, we bravely took some photos but the digital camera were unable to (prob. due to the low temp.) capture the pictures well...At one point of time, I really thought my toes kena frostbite as I was wearing only a thin pair of socks & a pair of sport-shoes that has many holes for ventilation!
The consolation part is, both of us finally got to see & play the real snow! Definitely different & superb feeling from what we have in Sgp Snow City, Ice-Skate or see on-screen.
Next stop is, Interlaken. Check-in under the same org., Backpack Villa Sonnenhoff & it felt more like a Hotel than a hostel! Spacious lobby area, free laundry, buffet breakfast, 24/7 wifi...Best accommodation stayed up till now!
Took train (50mins) up to Bern, another small town but a busier one than Interlaken. It was also an UNESCO place, confirmed worth the trip! This is a place where the Bear is the symbolic animal & even have a bear pit/park!
In mind of our disappointment we had in Luzern, we prayed hard for a better weather before we bought the utterly expensive round trip tix up to Jungfraujoch. It cost CHF$136.50 (~S$178)/pax (even after 25% discount with Eurail pass) to change 2x/way trains, view the LOTR-type of scenes with gigantic snowy mountains throughout the 2hr/way journey, awwww at the goats & cows & HUGE dogs, experience the slight discomfort at 11000m above sea level, suffer the cold & wind out at the Plateau.
...but we knew, all these were worth it ;)
I still feel the ticket is very costly, in fact, anything in Europe is :x
Final stop @Geneva (~3hrs from Interlaken) & stayed in a decent hotel, Hotel Ibis. Breakfast buffet required a small amount which we still felt the variety wasn't that great & it was expensive. Began our walk to the attractions, one of which is the powerful jet fountain, shooting 500l/s of water up..but it wasn't working on that day!! and actually that's about it, nothing much fancy us. Many people were french-speaking, things cost slightly more than in previous 2 places.
Nothing much.
we did however, had our first cheese fondue dish! She didn't like it too well as the local flavour mixed it with white wine & alcohol wasn't her kind of liking. And also finally steak with fries! Filling and satisfactory~
Paris, FRANCE
we stayed in Hotel Armstrong for our last stop in Paris. During the trip, I only realised that the accommodation wasn't near to the train stations or any attractions. I had booked this at the very last min before departure cuz the rest were either too expensive (>€100+) or unavailable for the requested dates :(
It took awhile to understand its Metro system and getting there. On first look, the surrounding didn't look that interesting and it seemed kinda creepy if dark. Only till near the end of day, I felt that this place was a hidden treasure though She was still uncomfortable with the location :x
We quickly went down to Chatalet station to start our tour. Weather was very good & sunny, we felt hot for the first time, haha! Place was really crowded with locals & tourists. Experienced the City of Love everywhere as couples were hanging out together, displaying their affection through their long passionate kiss/ hugs, regardless of age/ size.
Return to Hotel early to catch the live telecast Champions League match between Inter Milan/ Bayern Munich. LOL, She loves soccer! Had a super duper filling takeaway dinner which only cost us less than €10 in total- bought a WHOLE spring chicken, 2 packets of rice, a pack of strawberries, an enormous slice of pie & a litre of mixed fruit juice!! Eating all these junk while watching the exciting soccer in the comfort of our own room was just toooooo good!
So full!
Took 50mins to get to the station terminal, Versailies-Rive Gauche, another 1h10mins to buy the entrance tickets, another 35mins to enter the huge Palace which took around 1h15mins to complete...
Damn crowded on a Sunday! (or it always happen in any day?)
Later, we went to Monmarte area to check out another attraction. And to visit Moulin Rouge, where we walked the stretch of sex shops selling. There is a museum nearby which houses a worldwide collection of erotic stuffs but I guess She wasn't that interested + admission charge.
Daylight was up all the way till 9+pm and we were wondering how late we need to stay at Effiel Tower in some other day if we want to admire the beautiful lighting on it :s
Yet another scenic route to Strasbourg but this time round, it was sunny and large green fields with yellow flowers.
Weather was superbly sunny but it got really hot in the afternoon. Too bright to look far & She got 2 different skin tones afterwhich due to the shades she was wearing.
Another very filling lunch near the Cathedral as we ordered a pork knuckle + rosti w/ cheese,cream & sausages. Our very first time as well-ordered a Coke and it had never tasted so goooood in a hot day like this.
Time to return Paris for a good rest for Her shopping spree the next day!
As expected, She wasn't going to buy. The trip was a recce one to decide whether to buy what she originally wanted or MORE.
The day before leaving for a short trip to Amsterdam, we visited the Arc and a long walk to the museum where it's facing directly Tour Effiel. Majestic tower & it looked fantastic at night with the lights on. Surprise blinking lights were switched on for approx. 5mins hourly. The place was filled with people all the time despite getting real late. Bopian, the sky darkened after 10pm...
Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS
To the land of canals!!
Sidetrack: Had the best train ride of all! All along was 1st class seats but only this to&fro trip we were offered meals & light snacks! Juz like what one'll get on aeroplane! Steadyyy!
Got the coolest accommodation of the trip-St. Christopher's Winston Hotel. A pub right below which we would have discounts! Breakfast also provided & provided good security for the hotel guests. Daytrip- visited a small little area in Marken, tasted fried herling bits, understood the process of cheese & wooden cloaks manufacturing, saw the few remaining windmills in Volendam.
Strolled down the Red Light District.. And Specially entered 2 museums: Erotic Museum & Sex Museum. Enriching experience..only in Amsterdam, Woot!
Set of photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36773434@N00/sets/72157624252259126/
Paris, France
Returned back to the same hotel & quickly checked our stored luggage-Her branded goods were locked inside~ :x
'When someone said "bonjour" to you, you should also greet back "bonjour" as well. It is very important in France!' - kena suan advised by the cashier in the Bakery Shop near our Hotel. Damn paiseh...
*
And yes! I finally got the 2 missing Absolut Vodka-Kurrant & Peppar- @Dubai Airport during the transit back! Yes, full collection so far!!!
Set of photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36773434@N00/sets/72157624127848583/
Labels: amsterdam, bern, europe, firenze, florence, france, geneva, interlaken, italy, luzern, Mall, marken, paris, roma, rome, Space, stratsbourg, switzerland, venice, volendam
typed by ah chuan at 6/11/2010 09:21:00 PM
1 Comments:
nice review on your Europe trip... hope you and your wife enjoyed it -zhijie
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