Trip Report - France, Croatia, Italy
Aug 26th, 2006, 04:56 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trip Report - France, Croatia, Italy
Posting again with more detailed heading as recommended!
Trip report – Paris, Loire Valley, Cologne, Croatia, Ravenna, Florence and Rome.
Here’s my trip report – It will have to be in two posts. Hopefully it might help someone who is interested in the places we went to – accommodation, transport etc. Happy to follow up with more info if requested. We were on a tight budget so stayed mostly in self catering places and used public transport. Had an absolutely marvellous time!!!
We started our seven week trip in Paris. Stayed for 8 nights in a small studio in the 2nd arrondissement – clean, comfortable and very cheap at 55 euros a night.. A brisk 10 minute walk from the Louvre.
We purchased a weekly Carte Orange – we got out monies worth – but not sure I would get one again – often it is quicker to walk – and the view is better!
Also purchased a 4 day museum pass. Well worth while – if only to avoid the queues.
We visited Musee Rodin, the Louvre, Versailles, Musee D’Orsay, Arch d’Triumph,
St Chappell, Notre Dame My husband also fitted in a number of other museums including the Air and Space Museum, Museum of Cinematography, and a couple of industrial museums. (He has more stamina than me). I also visited Musee Marmatton (not included in the pass).
Walked for miles and miles taking in the sights and sounds – just wonderful.
We then travelled by train, (stopping at Chartres for three hours to see the wonderful Cathedral) to Blois where we spent six nights. Stayed at a self catering hotel – pretty ordinary, but very cheap at 44 euros a night!
While in Blois we visited a number of nearby chateau (travelling by train), hired bikes and rode around the countryside, hung out at cafes eating delicious cakes, explored the town of Blois.
We then travelled back to Paris by train – spent the afternoon in Paris before flying to Cologne late that night. Three nights in Cologne in a pleasant hotel near the train station. Just cruised around checking out the city and of course the magnificent cathedral.
Flew to Zagreb, Croatia. Overnight in Zagreb – just time to wander around the old town for a few hours in the evening.
Bus in the morning to the wonderful Plitvice National park. Stayed two nights in a private room in a small village about 400 metres from entrance No 1. Very nice place with a breakfast room for preparation of meals.
The park is magical – not to be missed. We spent the afternoon of the fist day, all of the second day, then popped in again for a couple of hours on the third day before getting a bus to Zadar.
Trip report – Paris, Loire Valley, Cologne, Croatia, Ravenna, Florence and Rome.
Here’s my trip report – It will have to be in two posts. Hopefully it might help someone who is interested in the places we went to – accommodation, transport etc. Happy to follow up with more info if requested. We were on a tight budget so stayed mostly in self catering places and used public transport. Had an absolutely marvellous time!!!
We started our seven week trip in Paris. Stayed for 8 nights in a small studio in the 2nd arrondissement – clean, comfortable and very cheap at 55 euros a night.. A brisk 10 minute walk from the Louvre.
We purchased a weekly Carte Orange – we got out monies worth – but not sure I would get one again – often it is quicker to walk – and the view is better!
Also purchased a 4 day museum pass. Well worth while – if only to avoid the queues.
We visited Musee Rodin, the Louvre, Versailles, Musee D’Orsay, Arch d’Triumph,
St Chappell, Notre Dame My husband also fitted in a number of other museums including the Air and Space Museum, Museum of Cinematography, and a couple of industrial museums. (He has more stamina than me). I also visited Musee Marmatton (not included in the pass).
Walked for miles and miles taking in the sights and sounds – just wonderful.
We then travelled by train, (stopping at Chartres for three hours to see the wonderful Cathedral) to Blois where we spent six nights. Stayed at a self catering hotel – pretty ordinary, but very cheap at 44 euros a night!
While in Blois we visited a number of nearby chateau (travelling by train), hired bikes and rode around the countryside, hung out at cafes eating delicious cakes, explored the town of Blois.
We then travelled back to Paris by train – spent the afternoon in Paris before flying to Cologne late that night. Three nights in Cologne in a pleasant hotel near the train station. Just cruised around checking out the city and of course the magnificent cathedral.
Flew to Zagreb, Croatia. Overnight in Zagreb – just time to wander around the old town for a few hours in the evening.
Bus in the morning to the wonderful Plitvice National park. Stayed two nights in a private room in a small village about 400 metres from entrance No 1. Very nice place with a breakfast room for preparation of meals.
The park is magical – not to be missed. We spent the afternoon of the fist day, all of the second day, then popped in again for a couple of hours on the third day before getting a bus to Zadar.
Aug 26th, 2006, 04:57 AM
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trip report Part 2
Stayed two nights in a room right in the centre of Zadar. Went on a day trip by boat to the Kornati National Park – a stark, barren series of islands. Explored the fascinating old town of Zadar.
The bus to Trogir where we stayed two nights in a really nice room in the centre of the old town. Trogir is a UNESCO declared world heritage site. Maybe doesn’t need two nights, but that gave us a day and a half to explore at a leisurely pace.
Then a spectacular bus ride to Dubrovnik where we spent two nights. Dubrovnik is fantastic and could have taken more than two nights but by then we were getting tired and wanting to get to the islands for a rest! Dubrovnik is another “don’t miss” place.
Caught a boat to Korcula where we spent a week. My husband waited with our luggage and I went for a walk to find an apartment. I wanted somewhere nice, overlooking the water. I found the ideal place, a 15 minute walk from Korcula old town. A lovely new apartment with a terrace overlooking a beautiful bay and for 250 Kuna a night.
We had a fantastic, restful week on Korcula – we slept, ate lots of lovely food, walked, explored, sat on our terrace drinking coffee or wine – just perfect.
Then to Hvar for two night – lots of fun! Then to Split. Spent the afternoon exploring Diocletian’s Palace before getting onto a boat for the overnight trip to Ancona, Italy.
Caught a train from Ancona to Ravenna where we spent the afternoon and the next morning marvelling at the stunning mosaics from the 5th and 6th Centuries. Then train to Florence for 5 nights. Stayed in a really nice little flat on the south side of the Arno. Good value I think at 58 euros a night.
Booking tickets for the major galleries was definitely the way to go – cost 3 euros more a ticket but well worth it to avoid the 2 ˝ hour queues. Intended to fit in a day trip to Siena but we were running low on energy so spent a day sleeping in, and lazing around in a local park.
Then train to Rome for three nights. Stayed at The Beehive near Termini – 75 euros a night. Thoroughly recommend this place – especially the garden out the front which was perfect for relaxing after pounding the pavement all day. Visited lots of the highlights including St Peter’s, the Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain. Took the open top bus one day and did a couple of circuits – a good way to get oriented and cover a lot of ground without having to battle the traffic and crowds. Sadly missed out on Sistine Chappel (closed when we arrived late Wed pm and then closed for a feast day on the Thurs, queues just too long on the Friday morning) and Borghese Galley (booked out for a week).
We then flew to England to catch up with some friends before returning home to Perth.
Everyone asked what was the highlight – impossible to say – everyday was fantastic.
As I said happy to answer specific questions to help other budget travellers
Stayed two nights in a room right in the centre of Zadar. Went on a day trip by boat to the Kornati National Park – a stark, barren series of islands. Explored the fascinating old town of Zadar.
The bus to Trogir where we stayed two nights in a really nice room in the centre of the old town. Trogir is a UNESCO declared world heritage site. Maybe doesn’t need two nights, but that gave us a day and a half to explore at a leisurely pace.
Then a spectacular bus ride to Dubrovnik where we spent two nights. Dubrovnik is fantastic and could have taken more than two nights but by then we were getting tired and wanting to get to the islands for a rest! Dubrovnik is another “don’t miss” place.
Caught a boat to Korcula where we spent a week. My husband waited with our luggage and I went for a walk to find an apartment. I wanted somewhere nice, overlooking the water. I found the ideal place, a 15 minute walk from Korcula old town. A lovely new apartment with a terrace overlooking a beautiful bay and for 250 Kuna a night.
We had a fantastic, restful week on Korcula – we slept, ate lots of lovely food, walked, explored, sat on our terrace drinking coffee or wine – just perfect.
Then to Hvar for two night – lots of fun! Then to Split. Spent the afternoon exploring Diocletian’s Palace before getting onto a boat for the overnight trip to Ancona, Italy.
Caught a train from Ancona to Ravenna where we spent the afternoon and the next morning marvelling at the stunning mosaics from the 5th and 6th Centuries. Then train to Florence for 5 nights. Stayed in a really nice little flat on the south side of the Arno. Good value I think at 58 euros a night.
Booking tickets for the major galleries was definitely the way to go – cost 3 euros more a ticket but well worth it to avoid the 2 ˝ hour queues. Intended to fit in a day trip to Siena but we were running low on energy so spent a day sleeping in, and lazing around in a local park.
Then train to Rome for three nights. Stayed at The Beehive near Termini – 75 euros a night. Thoroughly recommend this place – especially the garden out the front which was perfect for relaxing after pounding the pavement all day. Visited lots of the highlights including St Peter’s, the Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain. Took the open top bus one day and did a couple of circuits – a good way to get oriented and cover a lot of ground without having to battle the traffic and crowds. Sadly missed out on Sistine Chappel (closed when we arrived late Wed pm and then closed for a feast day on the Thurs, queues just too long on the Friday morning) and Borghese Galley (booked out for a week).
We then flew to England to catch up with some friends before returning home to Perth.
Everyone asked what was the highlight – impossible to say – everyday was fantastic.
As I said happy to answer specific questions to help other budget travellers
Aug 26th, 2006, 10:44 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bumping this up, with two follow-up posts from your "other" thread.
======================================
Author: Michael ([email protected])
Date: 08/26/2006, 01:59 pm
Most people recommend renting a car for the Loire valley, so I think you should provide more details on your mode of travel and which chateaux you did visit.
How you found your housing in France might also be a bit of useful information.
--------------------------------------
Author: LoveItaly
Date: 08/26/2006, 02:30 pm
mf62, you obviously had a beautiful trip!! It sounds like you managed to combine sightseeing with relaxing and not pushing yourself to much. The ideal way to travel in my opinion. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
======================================
Author: Michael ([email protected])
Date: 08/26/2006, 01:59 pm
Most people recommend renting a car for the Loire valley, so I think you should provide more details on your mode of travel and which chateaux you did visit.
How you found your housing in France might also be a bit of useful information.
--------------------------------------
Author: LoveItaly
Date: 08/26/2006, 02:30 pm
mf62, you obviously had a beautiful trip!! It sounds like you managed to combine sightseeing with relaxing and not pushing yourself to much. The ideal way to travel in my opinion. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
Aug 26th, 2006, 05:51 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Michael
As I said we stayed in Blois for the six nights. Got about mainly on foot - though did have a charming horse and carriage ride throughout the town.
We visited the Blois chateau, the interiors are magnificent - intricately painted walls and ceilings and stunning tapestries.
One day we caught a train to Chaumont - we were there for the Festival of the Garden - 30 creative and fun garden designs set in the Grounds of the chateau.
Another day we caught a train to Amboise, then bus to Chenonceau. We only had just over an hour at Chenonceau - but that was okay. Enough for a quick look around inside and a wander in the gardens. The after getting a bus back to Amboise, having a nice picnic on the banks of the Loire we visited Clos Luce, the small chateau where Leonardo Da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. They have set a fantastic "landscaped itinerary" throughout the gardens, as a tribute to Da Vinci's work. It would be a great place to take kids, (lots of large interactive displays), but also interesting and very well done for adults. It is a really great place to spend a peaceful but fascinating afternoon.
We hired bikes another day and intended to ride to Chambord - an easy ride from Blois - but got lost and ended up riding in the forest - which I loved and whilst Chambord is apparently one of the loveliest of chateaux I had had enough of the opulence of the French aristocracy by then so an afternoon riding through the forest was a treat. My advice is, if you hire bikes and have a definite destination in mind, get clear instructions and a good map - if you're just wanting to explore cycling is a lovely way to go.
So, as you can see we managed to see quite a bit by train. We tend to see less sites but spend quite a bit of time at the places we see "quality not quantity". Having a car would give you much more flexibility but for us, we like the stress free experience of sitting on a train and gazing out the windows - not worrying about traffic, parking, directions.
Regarding how we found our accommodation in France. Both Paris and Blois accommodation was booked before we left home over the internet. In fact, except for Croatia where we found accommodation as we went along, we booked all our hotels/apartments on the net - it worked very well.
As I said we stayed in Blois for the six nights. Got about mainly on foot - though did have a charming horse and carriage ride throughout the town.
We visited the Blois chateau, the interiors are magnificent - intricately painted walls and ceilings and stunning tapestries.
One day we caught a train to Chaumont - we were there for the Festival of the Garden - 30 creative and fun garden designs set in the Grounds of the chateau.
Another day we caught a train to Amboise, then bus to Chenonceau. We only had just over an hour at Chenonceau - but that was okay. Enough for a quick look around inside and a wander in the gardens. The after getting a bus back to Amboise, having a nice picnic on the banks of the Loire we visited Clos Luce, the small chateau where Leonardo Da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. They have set a fantastic "landscaped itinerary" throughout the gardens, as a tribute to Da Vinci's work. It would be a great place to take kids, (lots of large interactive displays), but also interesting and very well done for adults. It is a really great place to spend a peaceful but fascinating afternoon.
We hired bikes another day and intended to ride to Chambord - an easy ride from Blois - but got lost and ended up riding in the forest - which I loved and whilst Chambord is apparently one of the loveliest of chateaux I had had enough of the opulence of the French aristocracy by then so an afternoon riding through the forest was a treat. My advice is, if you hire bikes and have a definite destination in mind, get clear instructions and a good map - if you're just wanting to explore cycling is a lovely way to go.
So, as you can see we managed to see quite a bit by train. We tend to see less sites but spend quite a bit of time at the places we see "quality not quantity". Having a car would give you much more flexibility but for us, we like the stress free experience of sitting on a train and gazing out the windows - not worrying about traffic, parking, directions.
Regarding how we found our accommodation in France. Both Paris and Blois accommodation was booked before we left home over the internet. In fact, except for Croatia where we found accommodation as we went along, we booked all our hotels/apartments on the net - it worked very well.
