The Travelling Journals wish you a wonderful year 2013 full of new landscapes and adventures!
May your travelling bucket be filled with the best worldwide memories!
Christiana and Eva
Monday, December 31, 2012
Happy New Year 2013!
The Travelling Journals wish you a wonderful year 2013 full of new landscapes and adventures!
May your travelling bucket be filled with the best worldwide memories!
Monday, August 6, 2012
August 2012: Athens - Mykonos
Summer holidays at last!!
August means holidays and finally we get to relax a bit and appreciate the beauty that Greece always manages to offer to holidaymakers no matter the season.
August means holidays and finally we get to relax a bit and appreciate the beauty that Greece always manages to offer to holidaymakers no matter the season.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
June Journeys 2012 (Vol. II)
JUNE JOURNEYS: Helsinki
Brussels Charleroi-Turku-Helsinki
From Brussels we flew to Turku in a tiny airport where we had to wait for the next bus and then head to the train station. The local bus ticket was €2.50 and it takes you to the city centre which is about 15 minutes away from the airport. We stopped at the Market square and had to walk for 10 minutes to get to the Main train station of Turku. We booked our train tickets ahead from VR (www.vr.fi) which proved to be a very reliable company with excellent trains and service.
Brussels Charleroi-Turku-Helsinki
From Brussels we flew to Turku in a tiny airport where we had to wait for the next bus and then head to the train station. The local bus ticket was €2.50 and it takes you to the city centre which is about 15 minutes away from the airport. We stopped at the Market square and had to walk for 10 minutes to get to the Main train station of Turku. We booked our train tickets ahead from VR (www.vr.fi) which proved to be a very reliable company with excellent trains and service.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
June Journeys 2012 (Vol. I)
JUNE JOURNEYS: Brussels
Larnaca - Brussels Charleroi
We flew there with Ryanair arriving to a small but modern airport, Brussels Charleroi airport which is in the south part of the city. From there you can access the centre either by taxi or shuttle bus. The taxi was the most expensive choice since they run on a fixed tariff starting from €25.
Larnaca - Brussels Charleroi
We flew there with Ryanair arriving to a small but modern airport, Brussels Charleroi airport which is in the south part of the city. From there you can access the centre either by taxi or shuttle bus. The taxi was the most expensive choice since they run on a fixed tariff starting from €25.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
June Journeys 2012
JUNE JOURNEYS
Our next push pins on the map of journeys will be a series of European cities starting from Larnaca to Brussels then on to Finland and at the city of Turku from where we'll head to Helsinki by train and then take a plane to Oulu, which is further north of Finland. From there again we'll take a train arriving to Kajaani. Kajaani is a place we would never have searched for before but since business is calling for us there, we somehow feel more excited to discover lands that might never cross our paths again.
On our way back we will start from Kajaani then on to Tallinn, Riga and Brussels before arriving back to Larnaca. Tallinn and Riga will be transit flights so our time in those cities will be minimum to none, hopefully public transportation and endurance will help us explore those cities a bit.
The problem so far with booking this trip seems to be the accommodation since both Brussels and Helsinki are too expensive for european cities and without offering a high number of options.
Our next push pins on the map of journeys will be a series of European cities starting from Larnaca to Brussels then on to Finland and at the city of Turku from where we'll head to Helsinki by train and then take a plane to Oulu, which is further north of Finland. From there again we'll take a train arriving to Kajaani. Kajaani is a place we would never have searched for before but since business is calling for us there, we somehow feel more excited to discover lands that might never cross our paths again.
On our way back we will start from Kajaani then on to Tallinn, Riga and Brussels before arriving back to Larnaca. Tallinn and Riga will be transit flights so our time in those cities will be minimum to none, hopefully public transportation and endurance will help us explore those cities a bit.
The problem so far with booking this trip seems to be the accommodation since both Brussels and Helsinki are too expensive for european cities and without offering a high number of options.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Les Obres Restaurant Paris
Visited in April, 2012
This highly recommended restaurant is one of the many in Paris which offer food with stunning views. We came across it while looking for a restaurant with a view and we had to search for a lot of options since due to the fact that it was April, not many restaurants of its kind were open.
Reservation, according to the official website has to be done at least three days beforehand so we went on and made one through the phone for lunch at 2pm.
The restaurant stands at the top of Musée du quai Branly and there is a lift at the entrance of the café Branly to get to the 5th floor. The restaurant is not really big but all of the tables are seated in a way that everyone gets an eyeful taste of the Eiffel Tower. The glass ceiling of Les Obres seems somehow trying to resemble the tower in its background.
The menu has plenty of options to choose from including the a la carte menus with the option of having entrée+main course or main course+dessert for €26. We went for the former choice and ordered a glass of a fantastic Bandol rosé wine served chilled. The gastronomic food which was decorated in artistic perfection was a real eye opener and both the starter and main course managed to tantalise our tastebuds. Don't be fooled by the small portion of food served in your plate, that's for sure!
After finishing our lunch, we went outside on the terrace where we could enjoy right in front of us the Eiffel Tower to its best.
Les Obres is an expensive choice for having lunch but you can't buy that view anywhere else and our next visit to Paris will probably include a dinner there.
http://www.lesombres-restaurant.com/
This highly recommended restaurant is one of the many in Paris which offer food with stunning views. We came across it while looking for a restaurant with a view and we had to search for a lot of options since due to the fact that it was April, not many restaurants of its kind were open.
Reservation, according to the official website has to be done at least three days beforehand so we went on and made one through the phone for lunch at 2pm.
The restaurant stands at the top of Musée du quai Branly and there is a lift at the entrance of the café Branly to get to the 5th floor. The restaurant is not really big but all of the tables are seated in a way that everyone gets an eyeful taste of the Eiffel Tower. The glass ceiling of Les Obres seems somehow trying to resemble the tower in its background.
The menu has plenty of options to choose from including the a la carte menus with the option of having entrée+main course or main course+dessert for €26. We went for the former choice and ordered a glass of a fantastic Bandol rosé wine served chilled. The gastronomic food which was decorated in artistic perfection was a real eye opener and both the starter and main course managed to tantalise our tastebuds. Don't be fooled by the small portion of food served in your plate, that's for sure!
After finishing our lunch, we went outside on the terrace where we could enjoy right in front of us the Eiffel Tower to its best.
Les Obres is an expensive choice for having lunch but you can't buy that view anywhere else and our next visit to Paris will probably include a dinner there.
http://www.lesombres-restaurant.com/
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Le Cardinal Cafe Paris
Visited in April, 2012
Le Cardinal cafe was a nice little surprise that put more colour, in a way, to our amazing trip in Paris.
It was the place we often had to start our days from with a sip of cafe au lait and sometimes even for a petit dejeuner. We once had lunch there too and loved it!
The cafe's deco combines both modern and classic but sticks to the Parisian finesse with all their staff dressed elegantly and rushing through tables to attend all customers.
Our first day in Paris started with a walk along the boulevard Montmartre, from our hotel Tryp Francois searching for a nice spot to kick off our rainy day. Le Cardinal is at a nice corner of the boulevard offering ample and warm space to sit. We had a glass of rose wine and a saulty crepe served with some salad. The crepe wasn't anything special, lacking any spices or sauce. The wine though was pretty good with a choice between two different rose wines served in a glass.
Le Cardinal cafe was a nice little surprise that put more colour, in a way, to our amazing trip in Paris.
It was the place we often had to start our days from with a sip of cafe au lait and sometimes even for a petit dejeuner. We once had lunch there too and loved it!
The cafe's deco combines both modern and classic but sticks to the Parisian finesse with all their staff dressed elegantly and rushing through tables to attend all customers.
Our second return to Le Cardinal, after two days, was much better! Starting with cafe creme accompanied by some nice rolls with butter, jam and nutella, all of which were served really nicely eventhough the cafe's round tables are so small!
The final return to this cafe was a mouthwatering lunch that won't be easily forgotten! We ordered, of course, cafe creme and then for lunch we had salmon with mashed potato and butter sauce. After finishing that exquisite salmon we vowed to go back soon. Unfortunately, we didn't have that chance during the remaining days but it is definitely in our plans for our next visit in Paris.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tryp Paris Francois Hotel
Stayed in April, 2012
Room tip: Take a room with a view of the boulevard if you don't mind the noise; you will inevitably appreciate it every morning when opening the windows!
Paris, the city of lights, is a dream
location for a lot of people and there is an art in choosing a hotel for this
city. That is why we spent countless days searching for the ideal one. Among
the important criteria were the location, easiness to transportation and price.
Tryp François ideally combines all of those!
Location
Tryp François hotel is perfectly located in
the Montmartre Boulevard, where there is an entrance to Grand Boulevards Metro
Station right outside of it. The hotel's boulevard, like its metro station
states, is literally grand in all aspects, filled with dozens of shops, cafes,
bistros and creperies. Thursday to Sunday nights is when this grand boulevard
is thriving with life the most, with almost all of its cafes turning to bars
and people enjoying themselves until the morning hours.
Room
We booked a room for
10 nights and requested for a high floor with balcony and once there, we
realized that our requests were met since we were given room 604, at the hotels
highest floor, with a balcony room facing the boulevard. For a Parisian hotel,
our room was surprisingly quite spacious with nice amenities. We were welcomed
with a note, a complimentary big bottle of Evian water and a box of mini
chocolates, which was a nice gesture.
The room’s deco
wasn’t something spectacular but for a Parisian hotel it surely exceeds any
expectations. It included a mini bar, a double bed with extra pillows and
blanket, a cable TV (with not such a large selection of channels), a bathroom,
a safe and an office desk. There is cable internet, although the hotel's site
says otherwise, was offered to us with no charge. Apart from the internet, we
were also offered half price breakfast, and since we are both MAS card members,
there was a 2 for 1 offer where only one of us had to pay the reduced breakfast
price. We could also enjoy the breakfast served in the comfort of our room in
the same offer.
Hotel
The staff in general,
at the reception desk and the breakfast, was really helpful and welcoming. The
room was daily cleaned thoroughly too. The reception area is equipped with a
computer and lots of tourist information and brochures. The only downfall in
regards to our stay was the fact that we were always waking up feeling tired
and achy and it could possibly be due to the bed’s mattress or pillows.
Tryp François might
not be for the likes of everyone, especially if you get easily upset with the
boulevard’s noise or not been given a room with a balcony for that matter. For
younger travellers and MAS hotel members who are first-timers or are simply
into exploring the city of Paris using the metro this hotel will prove superb!
TIP: Make sure you book ahead, checking for
special offers in all hotel search engines, not forgetting the official TRYP
hotels website where we also made our booking. If you are a member of this
hotel chain then do remember to request for a high floor with balcony as well
as asking about the breakfast and internet. Also, if your stay includes a
Friday night then bare in mind that the hotel’s street is used for the ‘Pari
Roller’, the Friday night skating tour that takes place weekly.
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Room tip: Take a room with a view of the boulevard if you don't mind the noise; you will inevitably appreciate it every morning when opening the windows!
Days Hotel Circle by SeaWorld San Diego
Stayed in June, 2011
We chose this hotel as a stopover for our road trip from Los Angeles to Tijuana, Mexico. It was definitely a good choise for that since it was literally on the freeway. We needed a minimum of 10 minutes driving to get to the center of San Diego though.
It is rather a fancy motel with hotel prices with the rooms set in blocks with their parking and a swimming pool. We had a room for 3 people and it was perfectly clean and comfortable with a mini kitchen and amenities. There is free wireless internet offered in the rooms and upon arrival they provided us with coupons for free continental breakfast of your choice. In order to get to your room you need to use a rigging ladder and there's one lift for every block which can be quite far, like in our case. But you shouldn't worry about accessing your room because they give out a map at the check in along with the breakfast and parking coupons.
The only issue we had was with the air conditioning system since we really couldn't get around it. In case you are worried about the sleep quality, you shouldn't because eventhough it is on the freeway, there's absolutely no sort of noise in the rooms.
We would recommend this hotel for those planning to visit the Sea World and unless we had a car and San Diego was part of a road trip, we wouldn't stay there again.
We chose this hotel as a stopover for our road trip from Los Angeles to Tijuana, Mexico. It was definitely a good choise for that since it was literally on the freeway. We needed a minimum of 10 minutes driving to get to the center of San Diego though.
It is rather a fancy motel with hotel prices with the rooms set in blocks with their parking and a swimming pool. We had a room for 3 people and it was perfectly clean and comfortable with a mini kitchen and amenities. There is free wireless internet offered in the rooms and upon arrival they provided us with coupons for free continental breakfast of your choice. In order to get to your room you need to use a rigging ladder and there's one lift for every block which can be quite far, like in our case. But you shouldn't worry about accessing your room because they give out a map at the check in along with the breakfast and parking coupons.
The only issue we had was with the air conditioning system since we really couldn't get around it. In case you are worried about the sleep quality, you shouldn't because eventhough it is on the freeway, there's absolutely no sort of noise in the rooms.
We would recommend this hotel for those planning to visit the Sea World and unless we had a car and San Diego was part of a road trip, we wouldn't stay there again.
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The Jewel Hotel New York
Stayed in July, 2011
We were really lucky to come across this new boutique hotel and its welcoming room rates.
Hotel AreaSet in the middle of the city center, right across the Rockefeller plaza and a breath away from 5th Avenue and all the shopping havoc that a traveller seeks. It is also close to important sights and attractions: St Patrick's Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, Top of the Rock, NBC Studio Tours and MoMA. It is undoubtedly the best location anyone should have as a starting point, especially if it is your first visit in New York.
Bedroom & Facilities
We were 3 guests in a double room so we had to set up the extra rollaway bed in the corner next to the desk area. The room space was minimized but it was still enough for the 3 of us. Apart from the double bed there was a sofa, a plasma tv, a desk area, a microwave, a coffee machine, a fridge and also an alarm and ipod dock set next to the bed. We had free internet access, a considered bonus for any hotel of its kind, and also free print-outs from the hotel's lounge.
The bathroom had a wooden floor with a dark gray marble sink, a toilet and a bath. The bathroom amenities included a hair dryer, bath gel, lotion, shampoo and conditioner along with a bathroom kit.
The room's design is modern with a touch of wooden and leather furniture all blended together with the colours of anchor gray.
ServiceThe front desk was quite surprisingly helpful and friendly. They answered to all of our questions providing straight answers and they appeared very willing to keep our bags and providing assistance even long after our check out.
The hotel lounge on the 2nd floor had everything a guest needs. Everything there is self service. There are two computers with free high-speed internet, a living room area with a cable tv, newspapers and magazines as well as a coffee machine and a chilled water filling machine. With that in mind we were surprised that our room had all the quietness needed, despite the fact that it was right next to the lounge area, on the 2nd floor.
Overall a very clean and elegantly decorated hotel with amazing service and a rare "must-book" location!
Room Tip: Be careful to book a room at the hotel main building so as not to end up at the hotel next door when booking online from hotel agencies!
We were really lucky to come across this new boutique hotel and its welcoming room rates.
Hotel AreaSet in the middle of the city center, right across the Rockefeller plaza and a breath away from 5th Avenue and all the shopping havoc that a traveller seeks. It is also close to important sights and attractions: St Patrick's Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, Top of the Rock, NBC Studio Tours and MoMA. It is undoubtedly the best location anyone should have as a starting point, especially if it is your first visit in New York.
Bedroom & Facilities
We were 3 guests in a double room so we had to set up the extra rollaway bed in the corner next to the desk area. The room space was minimized but it was still enough for the 3 of us. Apart from the double bed there was a sofa, a plasma tv, a desk area, a microwave, a coffee machine, a fridge and also an alarm and ipod dock set next to the bed. We had free internet access, a considered bonus for any hotel of its kind, and also free print-outs from the hotel's lounge.
The bathroom had a wooden floor with a dark gray marble sink, a toilet and a bath. The bathroom amenities included a hair dryer, bath gel, lotion, shampoo and conditioner along with a bathroom kit.
The room's design is modern with a touch of wooden and leather furniture all blended together with the colours of anchor gray.
ServiceThe front desk was quite surprisingly helpful and friendly. They answered to all of our questions providing straight answers and they appeared very willing to keep our bags and providing assistance even long after our check out.
The hotel lounge on the 2nd floor had everything a guest needs. Everything there is self service. There are two computers with free high-speed internet, a living room area with a cable tv, newspapers and magazines as well as a coffee machine and a chilled water filling machine. With that in mind we were surprised that our room had all the quietness needed, despite the fact that it was right next to the lounge area, on the 2nd floor.
Overall a very clean and elegantly decorated hotel with amazing service and a rare "must-book" location!
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Room Tip: Be careful to book a room at the hotel main building so as not to end up at the hotel next door when booking online from hotel agencies!
Bond Place Hotel Toronto
Stayed in July, 2011
Bond Place Hotel is a boutique hotel which was in the process of renovation when we went there for 2 nights and the hotel’s logo was not even visible from outside.
Location
Located in the center of Toronto, Bond Place is practically on the Dundas-Yonge Square opposite Eaton Center with a subway station nearby. The area is full of shops, restaurants and cafes but although it is a central location, it is rather unsafe to walk around. There are also plentiful parking spots around the hotel with different prices but the hotel offers its own parking lot underground across the street and therefore we chose the safest and cheapest solution.
Room
Our room was brand new on the 13th floor, slightly narrow but super clean. Wireless internet has to be purchased and the whole building is non-smoking. Housekeeping and front desk service was very good.
We would return to this hotel if we go back to Toronto again.
Bond Place Hotel is a boutique hotel which was in the process of renovation when we went there for 2 nights and the hotel’s logo was not even visible from outside.
Location
Located in the center of Toronto, Bond Place is practically on the Dundas-Yonge Square opposite Eaton Center with a subway station nearby. The area is full of shops, restaurants and cafes but although it is a central location, it is rather unsafe to walk around. There are also plentiful parking spots around the hotel with different prices but the hotel offers its own parking lot underground across the street and therefore we chose the safest and cheapest solution.
Room
Our room was brand new on the 13th floor, slightly narrow but super clean. Wireless internet has to be purchased and the whole building is non-smoking. Housekeeping and front desk service was very good.
We would return to this hotel if we go back to Toronto again.
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Room Tip: Ask for a high floor room with Dundas street view
Shelter Hotel Los Angeles
Stayed in July, 2011
Location
The hotel sits at the Korean district in a quiet neighborhood. It is mostly surrounded with houses and you will need a car to get to most of the good restaurants or cafes around the district as well as to Hollywood. The car is a must option once you decide to stay at this hotel and if the reason of you visiting the city is for sightseeing since taxis are nowhere to be seen even if you reach the closest avenue which is Wilshire (5 minute walk). Buses run from Wilshire too but you need to know where you’re going and be well informed. That is not a problem of the hotel but obviously of the city that does not provide any convenient transportation services whatsoever.
The hotel was recently renovated, as all of the reviews and the hotel’s website claimed, so we booked a double room for 2 nights on a special 2+1 night’s price. The hotel’s sign though is not even visible from outside and both the rooms and building need a serious makeover.
Room
The room was cozy and big but literally empty! That didn’t really discourage us but there are very essential things missing from their rooms. There is free Wi-Fi available as long as you ask for the password! They don’t provide any room service or breakfast but they make a really warm gesture by offering coffee and cupcakes every morning at the front desk.
We also encountered a problem with the elevator which doors didn’t shut easily and that was a bit annoying. The hotel’s architectural structure was really odd and we couldn’t find our room easily. All in all the hotel looks like it is a friendly family run business with little to limited amenities and services but certainly worth staying for the price we paid and the generally ridiculously overpriced hotels in LA.
Location
The hotel sits at the Korean district in a quiet neighborhood. It is mostly surrounded with houses and you will need a car to get to most of the good restaurants or cafes around the district as well as to Hollywood. The car is a must option once you decide to stay at this hotel and if the reason of you visiting the city is for sightseeing since taxis are nowhere to be seen even if you reach the closest avenue which is Wilshire (5 minute walk). Buses run from Wilshire too but you need to know where you’re going and be well informed. That is not a problem of the hotel but obviously of the city that does not provide any convenient transportation services whatsoever.
The hotel was recently renovated, as all of the reviews and the hotel’s website claimed, so we booked a double room for 2 nights on a special 2+1 night’s price. The hotel’s sign though is not even visible from outside and both the rooms and building need a serious makeover.
Room
The room was cozy and big but literally empty! That didn’t really discourage us but there are very essential things missing from their rooms. There is free Wi-Fi available as long as you ask for the password! They don’t provide any room service or breakfast but they make a really warm gesture by offering coffee and cupcakes every morning at the front desk.
We also encountered a problem with the elevator which doors didn’t shut easily and that was a bit annoying. The hotel’s architectural structure was really odd and we couldn’t find our room easily. All in all the hotel looks like it is a friendly family run business with little to limited amenities and services but certainly worth staying for the price we paid and the generally ridiculously overpriced hotels in LA.
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Room Tip: Check for special offers before booking a room
Hilton Doubletree Fallsview Niagara Falls
Stayed: June, 2011
Location
A hotel set only 10 minutes’ walk from the Canadian side of the Falls with a downhill road leading to them. For that though be ready for the uphill when going back to the hotel! Both the exterior and interior of the hotel look so much better than what the photos depict on their official website. There is ample parking around the hotel which you need to pay for at the check in.
Room
We were offered an upgrade to the 18th floor with a restricted Falls view (upper level of the falls and Skylon Tower) from a floor to ceiling window. The room was a real beauty with a king size bed, a Jacuzzi, a coffee machine and several other amenities. We also had free Wi-Fi internet access from the room.
The service at the front desk was also really good and overall our stay was lovely and we regret not having stayed longer! We would surely go there again and anyone visiting the Niagara Falls should consider this hotel for their lodging.
Location
A hotel set only 10 minutes’ walk from the Canadian side of the Falls with a downhill road leading to them. For that though be ready for the uphill when going back to the hotel! Both the exterior and interior of the hotel look so much better than what the photos depict on their official website. There is ample parking around the hotel which you need to pay for at the check in.
Room
We were offered an upgrade to the 18th floor with a restricted Falls view (upper level of the falls and Skylon Tower) from a floor to ceiling window. The room was a real beauty with a king size bed, a Jacuzzi, a coffee machine and several other amenities. We also had free Wi-Fi internet access from the room.
The service at the front desk was also really good and overall our stay was lovely and we regret not having stayed longer! We would surely go there again and anyone visiting the Niagara Falls should consider this hotel for their lodging.
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Room Tip: Consider booking a room with Falls view
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