Trip Report
Aug 26th, 2006, 01:51 AM
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Trip Report
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.
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, 01:57 AM
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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, 03:18 AM
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Glad to hear your holiday was indeed A HOLIDAY! Nothing nicer when things go smoothly and everything made you happy.
Please let us into your Paris apartment find in the 2nd - Sounds great and cheap! Any good places you ate at?
Please let us into your Paris apartment find in the 2nd - Sounds great and cheap! Any good places you ate at?
Aug 26th, 2006, 04:49 AM
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Here is the studio. www.homelidays.com. Search for #16403 As I said, clean and comfortable. The location was not touristy - a working area (wholesale clothing area) but it was convenient to metro and an easy walk to the Seine.
We had a really nice meal at "Chez Janou." It's in the Marais. 2, rue Roger Verlomme, 75003 Paris - 01 42 72 28 41
It is busy – so book.
have fun - Paris is wonderful!
We had a really nice meal at "Chez Janou." It's in the Marais. 2, rue Roger Verlomme, 75003 Paris - 01 42 72 28 41
It is busy – so book.
have fun - Paris is wonderful!
Aug 26th, 2006, 04:54 AM
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Hi Ira
I'll do that - thanks. Reading other peoples experiences was really helpful to me as I planned our trip - so I'm keen to repay the favour and help other people if I can.
I'm new to this though so thanks for the tip>
I'll do that - thanks. Reading other peoples experiences was really helpful to me as I planned our trip - so I'm keen to repay the favour and help other people if I can.
I'm new to this though so thanks for the tip>
Aug 26th, 2006, 09:59 AM
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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.
How you found your housing in France might also be a bit of useful information.
Aug 26th, 2006, 10:30 AM
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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 28th, 2006, 10:40 AM
#10
Dear mf - thanks for telling us about your trip. I'm putting together a family trip to florence in october [yes, tuscany won, if any OPs who have answered my various queries about other seemingly random destinations are reading this] and would welcome details of the apartment you stayed in in florence.
Thanks, Ann
Thanks, Ann
Aug 30th, 2006, 05:48 AM
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Hello Ann
The place we stayed at was a 1 bedroom apartment on Via de’ Serragli. It was a brisk 15 minute walk from the Uffizi and a half hour walk from the main train station.
It was well equipped and there lots of nice touches - flowers in a vase, fruit in a bowl.
The street is narrow but busy and noisy, however, the bedroom is away from the street and with the shutters closed and the bedroom door closed it was quiet for sleeping.
It was warm, but not hot, when we were in Florence and so it was okay to have the windows closed. There was an air conditioner in the flat - but we didn't need to use it.
The area was not touristy - the flat is over a motorcycle repair shop - and the locals were friendly.
The owner responded quickly to email requests and was at the flat to meet us when we arrived. Very good value for the price - we thought!
You can find it here: www.homelidays.com search for #5657
It looks a bit cluttered in the photos and it is - but even my minimilist husband was charmed!
Goodluck
The place we stayed at was a 1 bedroom apartment on Via de’ Serragli. It was a brisk 15 minute walk from the Uffizi and a half hour walk from the main train station.
It was well equipped and there lots of nice touches - flowers in a vase, fruit in a bowl.
The street is narrow but busy and noisy, however, the bedroom is away from the street and with the shutters closed and the bedroom door closed it was quiet for sleeping.
It was warm, but not hot, when we were in Florence and so it was okay to have the windows closed. There was an air conditioner in the flat - but we didn't need to use it.
The area was not touristy - the flat is over a motorcycle repair shop - and the locals were friendly.
The owner responded quickly to email requests and was at the flat to meet us when we arrived. Very good value for the price - we thought!
You can find it here: www.homelidays.com search for #5657
It looks a bit cluttered in the photos and it is - but even my minimilist husband was charmed!
Goodluck
Aug 30th, 2006, 06:50 AM
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Thank you so much for your wonderful, well written report. You made wise use of your time and money. Obviously your intensive research and preparation paid off.
Paris is my #1 European destination, but I have always wanted to go to Dubrovnic, and every time I read such wonderful things about Crotia, I rethink upcoming trips.
Thanks again for sharing.
Nina
Paris is my #1 European destination, but I have always wanted to go to Dubrovnic, and every time I read such wonderful things about Crotia, I rethink upcoming trips.
Thanks again for sharing.
Nina
