London & Paris (New Years 2011/2012), a set on Flickr.
Hanging out in London & Paris over New Years 2011…come join us!
Tag: Europe
Nikki’s Nest: Grand Hotel Savoia (Genoa, Italy)
The Grand Hotel Savoia
I’ve had the pleasure of staying at The Grand Hotel Savoia three separate times over the course of a year. This magnificent 5 star hotel was built in the 1897 by the Fioroni family. Due to its close proximity to the port, the Grand Hotel Savoia received the most important European upper class travellers waiting for boarding on the ships. Per the hotel website, “The Guest book, with signatures of important personalities of that time, is not only the evidence of the glorious past, but still represents the role of first importance that the Grand Hotel Savoia played on the stage of the Italian Hotel Industry.”
Location
Located in the Aquaverde square, “Il Grande Hotel Savoia” is in the historic centre of Genoa and convenient to the train station (which is just a 5 minute walk from the hotel) and the port (which is about a 10 minute walk). The nearest airport (Cristoforo Colombo) is only 7 km from the hotel. And, starting Feb. 1, 2012, the hotel will offer free airport shuttle service!
What’s great about the location is that you are within walking distance to almost everything (or you can take the Metro or cheap taxi). If you take a 10 minute walk, you can visit Aquario di Genova (Genoa Acquairum), Palazzo Reale, Galata Museo del Mare and the shopping area of the city. Trust me, there are so many delicious restaurants, you want to make sure you get out and about.
My second room at the Grand Hotel Savoia
Rooms
“A style that tells…” This is how the hotel introduces their room decor.
“You will see typical elements of Liguria’s architecture in the wardrobes; the images on the inside walls remind us the city and its history. Old trunks and relics of far-away countries are reminiscence of the golden age of the great transatlantic trips. The rich stuffs have colours inspired to the nature: sea, sky, slate (Genoa traditional stone), sand and sun are tightly tied up to Liguria; These are perfect suggestions for relating the hotel to the territory that surrounds us. Every single room is different from the others, and each one tells us a different story…”
They offer 5 classes of rooms: Classic, Deluxe, Executive, Junior Suite, and Family Suite. All rooms have air conditioning, coffee maker, LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, laptop safe with internal plug, creams-baths set. There is also free access to the SPA center. I’ve stayed in 3 separate rooms, each one slightly different than the last.
My first room at the Grand Hotel SavoiaMy first room at the Grand Hotel Savoia
The "Gym" Suite...this looks so fabulous!
Amenities
Fitness
The hotel has a small gym. It has the basic treadmill, bike and elliptical along with some weights. I found it to be sufficient for a good workout. In fact, I used the gym quite a few times during my stay.
Spa
The Grand Hotel Savoia has a spa which looks pretty nice but I cannot attest to the quality of services. The wellness center has a sauna, Hammam, aromatic showers, massages and swimming pool.
Terrazza (Terrace)
The terrace (located on the seventh floor) offers a panoramic view of Genoa and an overlook of the Genoa Gulf. You can relax in the jacuzzi or just sip a glass of your favorite drink while taking in the sights. I absolutely loved it!
For Kids
The hotel has a kiddie area called “The Garden of Pirates.”
Restaurant
The restaurant is called Novecento and it is absolutely divine! Breakfast is superb and dinner is really good too. Genoa is known for its pesto so you will find a good variety of pesto dishes offered.
Overall, I have to say that I really enjoyed the Grand Hotel Savoia and would definitely stay there again. You cannot beat the comfort, location or price. I absolutely loved the uniqueness of each room, the customer service from the hotel staff and amenities. Consider pre-booking via their website (I found they offered the best deals directly). Breakfast (and sometimes Delta Skymiles) is/are included in the rate. If you ever visit Genoa, I highly recommend this hotel.
Nikki’s Rating: 4 (Fabulous)
Rating Scale 1-5 (1 = GET OUT NOW; 2 = Seriously?; 3 = Eh, it’ll do; 4 = Fabulous; 5 = Absolutely Wonderful)
Nikki’s Nest: Athens Gate Hotel (Athens, Greece)
Athens Gate Hotel (Athens, Greece)
I had the pleasure to stay 8 nights at The Athens Gate hotel which is in central Athens, Greece with a fabulous view of the Temple of Zeus & the Acropolis. The area around the hotel is so neat. The hotel was renovated in 2007 and has a very modern & classic look. Athens Gate has 7 floors, a rooftop garden restaurant, and a cozy lobby (which includes a bar, fireplace and business center).
Location
The Athens Gate Hotel is located in the historic district of Athens, exactly opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Gate which was constructed by the Athenians to welcome the Roman emperor Hadrian. The hotel entrance is at the beginning of Syngrou Avenue just opposite the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Its excellent location in the heart of the historical center of Athens makes it an ideal choice for travellers.
You are within easy walking distance to Syntagma Square (where I saw several demonstrations/strikes), the commercial shopping district, the Acropolis, and right next to the new Acropolis Museum and the Plaka area. All you have to do is walk right outside and you have Athens at your feet. No need for a taxi!
If you want to travel a little further to the north of Athens or down to the port, the hotel is steps away from the Athens Metro (the “Acropolis” Athens Metro Station). The Metro is super easy to use as I took it for 6 days back and forth to work.
Rooms
View of Temple of Olympian Zeus from my room
Athens Gate has 99 rooms (60 are Queen bed rooms, 38 are twin bed rooms and 1 junior suite with a jacuzzi bath tub and shower). There are 7 classes of rooms: Standard Double, Double Superior, Double Executive, Twin Standard, Twin Superior, Twin Executive and Suites. The Superior & Executive rooms along with the Suites have views of either the Temple of Olympian Zeus (which are front rooms) or the Parthenon at the Acropolis (which are the back rooms). Most rooms have balconies and all rooms are equipped with a 27” flat-screen LCD tv, mini bar, safe, hair dryer, AC/heat, internet (for a fee) and bathrooms (either shower or tubs). WiFi connection is available in public areas (i.e. lobby).
I stayed in a Twin Superior room and had a fabulous view of the Temple of Olympian Zeus! The room was very comfortable. I was a little concerned about noise from the street after reading a few of the reviews on Trip Advisor. However, my room (which was on busy Syngrou Avenue) was very quiet. It was spacious (for European standards) and I loved being able to go out on the balcony and look at the ruins.
Athens Gate Rooftop Garden Restaurant
Rooftop Garden Restaurant
The view of central Athens (especially the Acropolis) from this rooftop has to be one of the best in the city! Imagine eating breakfast while staring at the amazing Parthenon? What could be better? Athens Gate offers an American breakfast each morning. I would drink coffee and eat while gazing at the ruins. I tried the restaurant for breakfast and dinner. My recommendation is to definitely do breakfast and 1 night of dinner (if you are in town for more than a couple of days). Since you are in a great location, there are so many wonderful restaurants nearby and it would be a shame not to check them out. Most of the restaurants have a great view of the Acropolis at night. And let me tell you…I never got tired of looking at the Acropolis. It is just that amazing. Here is a picture I took from my table during breakfast.
View from breakfast
Amenities
Unfortunately, the hotel does not have a gym. The “business center” consists of 2 computers and a printer located next to the elevators. Normally, I prefer to stay in hotels that have a gym but with the great location, you can easily run/walk outside and sightsee while working out.
Overall, I have to say that I really enjoyed the Athens Gate hotel and would definitely stay there again. You cannot beat the comfort, location or price. I recommend pre-booking via their website (I found they offered the best deals directly). Breakfast is included in the rate. If you ever visit Athens, I highly recommend this hotel. What is better than eating breakfast while looking at the Acropolis from their rooftop restaurant? Want to know more about Athens? Check out the review of my trip here.
Nikki’s Rating: 4 (Fabulous)
Rating Scale 1-5 (1 = GET OUT NOW; 2 = Seriously?; 3 = Eh, it’ll do; 4 = Fabulous; 5 = Absolutely Wonderful)
Swiss Miss: The Olympic Museum & Lovely Lausanne (Switzerland)
While visiting Geneva, I decided to take a quick trip to Lausanne (which is 40 minutes from Geneva, 30 minutes from Chillon). Lausanne is MUCH better than Geneva so my advice is to skip Geneva and spend your time visiting Lausanne, Montreux and Chillon.
Lake Geneva is in the southwest corner of Switzerland and separates the country from France. This area is known as the Swiss Riviera and the predominant language is French. Lausanne calls itself the “Olympic Capital” (it has been the home to the International Olympic Committee since 1915). This colorful city was first founded on the lakefront by the Romans (and really, what city didn’t they discover???). Once Rome fell, the original Lausanners fled to the hills to escape the barbarians and established what is today referred to as “vieille ville” (old town). Lausanne has 2 parts: 1) the lakefront Ouchy (which has restaurants & the Olympic Museum) and 2) old town which has an Old World charm and other museums (i.e. Collection de l’Art Brut). These two areas are connected by the Metro funicular (source Rick Steves’ “Switzerland”).
Lausanne is absolutely beautiful and very serene. You can walk along Lake Geneva during the breathtaking sunset.
Or, stop to view the flower displays as you stroll the main boulevard.
We arrive in Lausanne and take a taxi to the Olympic Museum (which is AWESOME!). This museum is interesting to both Olympic enthusiasts and those of us who like to watch the games every 2 years. As you enter the museum, you will pass by the Olympic store which has shirts, posters, etc. from previous games (and the future London 2012 games). After you pay the entrance fee, you are given a ticket which you will need to insert into the turnstiles to enter each exhibit.
They have several small theaters which recount the history of the Olympics. In 1894, Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee and restarted the games after a 1,500 year lapse. Barron de Coubertin was a teacher who was born into a French aristocratic family. He was really into physical fitness and channelled that passion into restarting the games. During the film, you hear him ask the nations that will take part in the games to respect each other. Now, I do have to give Mr. de Coubertin the side-eye because he felt that the inclusion of women would be “impractical, uninteresting, unaesthetic, and incorrect.” Whatever, Pierre. Women eventually were allowed to compete in the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The ground floor traces the history of the Olympics from its start in Greece through about a century’s worth of ceremonial olympic torches.
Upstairs has medals and information/highlights from each Olympics.
Muhammad Ali’s shoe from his gold medal win in boxing at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.
Wilma Rudolph’s track shoe that she wore to win three Olympic titles (the 100 m, 200 m and the 4 x 100 m relay) at the same 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome as Muhammad Ali.
The basketball signed by the U.S. “Dream Team” led by Michael Jordan at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
And, Shannon Miller’s leotard from her gold medal win for balance beam at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
Charming Château de Chillon (Switzerland)
The majestically beautiful Château de Chillon (Chillon Castle) is located on the shore of Lake Léman (Lake Geneva) in the commune of Veytaux, at the eastern end of the lake, 3 km from Montreux, Switzerland. The castle consists of 100 independent buildings that were gradually connected to become the building as it stands now (source Wikipedia). The cities along Lake Geneva make up the fabulous French Swiss Riviera! I took the train from Geneva to Montreux. Then, hopped on a bus to Chillon.
Incredibly, Château de Chillon is very well-preserved. Unlike many other castles in Europe, it has never been damaged or destroyed. Per the website, the history of the castle was influenced by three major periods:
- The Savoy period (12th century to 1536)
The oldest written document mentioning the castle dates from 1150; it says that the House of Savoy already controlled the route along the shores of Lake Geneva. - The Bernese period (1536-1798)
The Swiss, more precisely the Bernese, conquered the Pays de Vaud and occupied Chillon in 1536. The castle retained its role as a fortress, arsenal and prison for over 260 ans. - The Vaudois period (1798 to the present)
The Bernese left Chillon in 1798 at the time of the Vaudois Revolution. The castle became the property of the Canton of Vaud when it was founded in 1803. The restoration of the historical monument began at the end of the 19th Century and continues to this day.
All in all, the castle has been used in a variety of ways: as an armory, warehouse, prison, hospital and tourist attraction. As you enter the grounds, you feel like you have gone back in time. The people who work at the castle all wear period-era clothes so as you tour the castle, you feel as if you have stepped into life in the 1500’s.
Chillon Castle is surrounded by a natural moat so you cross a bridge to get to it.
Then, as your walk down the path, you come upon the castle and beautiful Lake Geneva.
As you enter the castle, you walk into the main courtyard (there are 3 courtyards in total). This is where the main action took place.
I picked up an audio guide then started the tour. First thing I see is a model of what the original castle looked like.
Then, I tour the “Underground” which is spectacular! It held the wine and prison. It’s most well-known for the imprisonment of Bonivard, made famous by Lord Byron, who made him the hero of his poem “The Prisoner of Chillon”.
Next stop was the great halls which had beautiful windows with seats to look out over the courtyards or Lake Geneva.
Chambre bernoise
A comfortable bedroom, with rather subdued decoration, a large four-poster bed, heating, private toilet and even running water!
A quick note about the potty above. First, you see that 2 people can go at the same time…with no barrier between them. Reminds me of Ephesus where there were 10 potties like this. I can’t imagine talking to Mary while doing #2. Shoot, I don’t even like doing that when there is someone in the bathroom with stalls! Second, if you look down into the lid, you will see that it empties straight into the lake. So, um…I’m not thinking a lot of people went skinny-dipping.
Views of Lake Geneva from the castle.
Torture Chamber. While I was there, I was able to view the Temporary exhibition: “Witch-hunting in the Pays de Vaud, from the 15th to the 17th centuries”.
The Pays de Vaud was the site of major witch-hunts between the 15th and the 17th centuries. During this period, there were more than 2000 death sentences!
On a larger scale, Switzerland within the current borders if the time holds not only the record for the longest-lasting repression of witchcraft but also for the largest number of people persecuted for this crime, in relation to the population. In almost three centuries, 5,000 people were accused and 3,500 of them were put to death, mainly by fire, with 60 – 70% being women.
Chillon Castle was an important detention centre for people suspected of witchcraft, either when awaiting trail or carrying out their sentence. During the term of the Bernese bailiff, Nicolas de Watteville, from 1595 to 1601, some forty-odd people were executed at Chillon, La Tour-de-Peilz and Vevey. And 27 more in 1613! Their Excellencies of Bern noted “…with regret and sadness the extent to which the negation of God and submission to the evil spirit was growing among our subjects in the Romand (French-speaking) country.” (source Chateau de Chillon website).
Finally, some photos I took while walking around the castle.
Overall, I thought Château de Chillon was fascinating and beautiful. It’s a great tour idea for kids! If you are ever in the Swiss Riviera region, check it out. Try to go in the late afternoon so you can see the sunset at the castle. Absolutely amazing!
Nikki’s Nest: Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort (Monte-Carlo, Monaco)
My Mom and I stayed at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort in January 2010. The resort has a casino, gym (with free personal trainers) and a spa. While it is not on the main drag, it’s within walking distance to most of the attractions. When you arrive, you feel like you are special…because for what the rooms cost, you should be 🙂 If you feel like splurging, I highly recommend staying at this hotel. If not (and honestly, it’s cheaper to stay in Nice and take the 30 minute bus over for the day), I’d recommend you visit this hotel for the Cinq Mondes spa. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Rates & Promotions
I’m not going to lie…like everything else in Monte-Carlo, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort is expensive. Rates in the low season run around 276 Euro/$369 per night for a Superior Room (326 Euro/$463 per night for an Exclusive Room). High season (May – August) is about 377 Euro/$504 per night for a Superior Room (485 Euro/$649 per night for an Exclusive Room). This usually does not include meals (the continental breakfast cost me 35 Euro). The hotel has special offers that focus on gourmet experiences, Monte-Carlo nightlife and the annual Monte-Carlo Grand Prix.
Room numbers are located on the floor (not on the wall or door).
Rooms & Suites
The resort offers 6 types of Rooms & Suites (3 Rooms and 3 Suites). The 3 Rooms offered are the Superior Room (city view), Exclusive Room (sea view) and the Prestige Room (sea view). The 3 Suites offered are the Duplex Suite, Exclusive Suite and Top Roof Suite. We stayed in the Superior Room and it was wonderful. The room was very comfortable, spacious and cozy. It’s tempting not to leave the room at all!
Fitness Center
The resort has a small gym with personal trainers on-site. The equipment was fairly new, bottled water & towels were provided. And, if you had the time, you could take advantage of the free personal training. I was able to do a 45 minute run and strength training without having to wait on a machine.
The Cinq Mondes Spa
My absolute favorite thing about Monte Carlo? THE CINQ MONDES SPA! OMG, this place is heaven on earth. Seriously. The purpose of our visit to Monte-Carlo was to gamble & spend a day at the spa. We lost at the casino but the spa more than made up for it.
I’ve been to countless spas in the U.S. and abroad and this has to be the absolute best in my opinion. We started out in the hammam to relax prior to our spa services.
My first service was the “Aromas & Flowers Japanese Bath” — and it was the most fabulous thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. It was like Christmas!
The Japanese Bath is essentially a big wooden tub that traps heat so the water never gets cold. You step into a tub of very warm water, then aromatherapy oils are poured in the water. Once that is complete, rose petals are sprinkled on top of you. Then, the masseuse places a pillow under your neck and proceeds to give you a scalp and neck massage. Afterwards, you are left alone for about 15 minutes to relax. Later, the masseuse brings you peach tea, honey and dried fruit to snack on while you relax in the bath. Did I mention that the water never gets cold? OMG, this was HEAVEN! I do not think I will be able to replicate this in my own tub with some Calgon & Lipton. My next home needs a relaxation room like this.
After the Japanese Bath, I had the Oriental Massage which was basically me laying on hot towels while being massaged with warm oils. Total bliss. Once the services were over, I was taken to the “Relaxation Room” to recline with some peach tea & honey. I would go back to Monte-Carlo just for the spa. It was just that fabulous.
Not sure what to do when you visit Monte-Carlo? Check out Visit Monaco’s website for the latest news on upcoming events and recommended attractions.
Nikki’s Rating: 5 (Absolutely Wonderful)
Rating Scale 1-5 (1 = GET OUT NOW; 2 = Seriously?; 3 = Eh, it’ll do; 4 = Fabulous; 5 = Absolutely Wonderful)
Rome in a Day…the Remix
It’s my second trip to Rome and I am eager to share the experience with my friend, William (aka “Sweet Willy” because he’s just so darn cute). We arrive at the Roma Termini station and walk about 15 minutes to our hotel. As we are walking:
William: Did you just see that car?
Me: What?
William: The General Lee Smart Car…did you just see that?
Me: I have no idea what you are talking about. I’m looking at hotel signs.
William: We have to go back so I can take a picture because nobody will believe this.
*we walk back to take the picture*
William: That’s nice. An eco-friendly racist.
Me: Really Rome? That’s what’s hot in the streets? Did we just time travel to the mid-80s? Bo & Luke can’t jump into a little ass Smart Car. Cooter doesn’t know how to fix this! He’s got 3 wrenches and an oil can. Did Daisy give up the Jeep and start taking public transportation? Uncle Jesse and I can’t take all this. It’s too much.
We finally leave the Italian General Lee and find our hotel. Upon check-in, I ask if we can store our bags the next day while we are sightseeing.
Me: Can we store our bags after we check-out in the morning?
Buddy: For how long?
Me: Just a few hours.
Desk Clerk: How many bags do you have?
Me: [thinking *Man, what is the problem? You can either store the bags or not. Isn’t that standard service at a hotel?* but New Nikki responded] 4
Desk Clerk: *long sigh & acting put upon* I guess
Me & William: *side-eye*
After we get settled in the room, we decide not to go out since we needed to be up early to do a lot of sightseeing. So, William does some work and I turn on the tv and see this program called “Il Canto”. Y’all ain’t ready for Il Canto. It’s like American Idol + America’s Got Talent + So You Think You Can Dance + Top Chef + Project Runway + The Bachelor. The program is like 6 hours long with people of all ages, group sings, dancing, judging, and guest appearances. I still don’t know what it was. There was this kid who looked to be maybe 12 and I think he won his part of the singing competition (but who knows because it was like he was there in concert or something). You could not tell him that he wasn’t a star. He had hand gestures, facial expressions and teeth spaced about an inch apart.
Me: Wow, I can’t take it. He is doing runs like he’s Mariah.
William: You know he just got beat up backstage.
Me: Why?
William: Too nerdy. He can sing…but once he leaves the stage, Giuseppe is waiting there with the beat down to take his lunch money. If he was in NY, they would just roll up on you like, “yo son, that’s a nice coat. What size is that? A small? Really? That’s just my size. You can give it to me or I’ma take it. It’s on you, B.”
A little later:
Me: Did that little girl just sing an R. Kelly song?
William: You can’t keep Kells down. I wonder what the legal age of consent is here?
Then, we decided to make-up translations to the interviews since we couldn’t understand what they were saying. When the host was interviewing a sound guy after some little kid did a horrible rendition of Aretha’s “RESPECT”, we translated it as follows:
Me (as the host, Bruno): Silvio, what did you think of little Pashmina singing “RESPECT”. Did you find out what it meant to her? And, did she take out the ECT?
William (as the sound guy, Silvio): Bruno, she sucked. And, this show has run into my overtime so you know you are paying me time and a half, right? This ain’t a telethon.
Me: Silv, don’t worry about the OT. Clearly you need the money because those skinny pink jeans ain’t doing you no favors. Now get back on the soundboard and make sure my mic sounds nice.
After two hours of Il Canto, the Sleep Monster got us and it was a wrap.
…
We get up, have breakfast and check-out to start our self-guided “Rome in a Day” power sightseeing tour. We start off by going to The Forum and see a guy dressed up as a Trojan.
William: Where are Trojans from?
Me: Trojania?
The Trojan asks if we want to take a picture so we oblige…
…then, as William is pulling out some coins to tip, Mr. Trojan was like, “That’s gonna be €10.” After looking startled, we realized we just got hustled. By a man in a costume. Chuck E Cheese doesn’t charge you for pictures! Of course, Chuck just walks around leering at you so I guess you have to pick your poison. Yes, I have issues with Chuck. Don’t judge me 🙂
It’s the start of the day and we are trying to be positive. We pay for the Roma Pass (which is a smart buy for sightseeing in Rome) then pick up an audio guide and a map. The Roman Forum really is spectacular with all the ancient remnants. However, it only has fragments of buildings & statues so it’s hard to know what is what. The map was even more confusing. The numbers didn’t correspond to the information boards outside some of the sites. Then, we attempted to use the audio guide.
William: I think we are at site 7.
Me: Okay, push play and let’s see.
[The audio guide has a British man giving a 20 minute soliloquy about columns and statues and if you look into the sun you can see Caesar or something we cannot find for the life of us. It almost felt like we had a learning disability because the sites are numbered so any 2-year-old should be able to do this.]
William: What is he talking about?
Me: I don’t know. I thought you knew.
William: No! And, he is still talking. It’s been what? 45 minutes? Why can’t he just give an executive summary and say, “to your left is an arch, now turn your ass around and walk?”
Me: Really? That’s how they do in New York? You have ADD.
In the end, we used Rick Steve’s Italy guidebook and just took pictures. The Roman Forum was ancient Rome’s birthplace and civic center. This was the place where anything important happened in ancient Rome.
After walking thru The Forum, we head over to Palantine Hill. This is where the emperors chose to live and it was once filled with palaces. It includes the “huts of Romulus and Remus”, the Imperial Palace, the House of Livia and Augustus and a view of Circus Maximus.
William: Are those olive trees?
Me: Looks like it but I don’t know.
William goes to pull an “olive” off the tree. Meanwhile, I see Woodrow (Petey the Pigeon’s cousin) picking at food on the ground and he passes right over the “olive”. Of course, he is getting the side-eye because I haven’t forgotten what Petey did yesterday in Florence.
Me: Uh, did you just see that pigeon take a bite of one of those “olives” and leave it right there on the ground? Don’t eat that.
William: Why not? I’ll wash it off. You gotta build up your immune system.
Me: Really? You need to follow Woodrow’s lead and keep it moving.
Then, he notices citrus trees that seem to have some sort of fruit like oranges hanging from it. But, as none of it is hanging low enough for him to get, William has to content himself with the “olive”.
William: This could keep me from getting scavies.
Me: What the hell is scavies? A new hybrid flu of rabies and scurvy?
William takes a bite of the “olive” and discovers that it may not actually be an olive but it’s too nasty to figure out.
Me: See? Did I not just tell you that Woodrow was even like, “I’ll pass”.
We leave Palantine Hill and make our way to the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is a 2,000 year old building where ancient Romans used to watch gladiators, criminals and wild animals fight to the death. And, it is one of the most beautiful structures in the world. I could just sit and stare at it all day. The first time I saw it, I was overwhelmed…imagine being in a place where people walked thousands of years ago!
Outside the Colosseum, there are “tour guides” prowling around trying to sell you on purchasing some of their time to walk you around and tell you the true little known “facts” about the site. Since we had already been hustled once that day, we decided to pass and read what Rick had to say.
As we are walking around, we can overhear other tour guides and it occurs to us that we could do this as a side business too.
William: You know, we could set up our own tour company and give them the “real” experience.
Me: Yeah, we just need to market it right.
William: We’ll just be like, “yo son…you wanna know the real deal of why Caesar got shanked?” And, “This right here is where Jesus told everybody to get their souls right.”
Me: Really? We still doing the NY state of mind right now? And, what are you going to do when you get Mr. I Know My History fact checking you?
William: Throw him off the tour. I’ll just say “Were you there? You don’t know me. I’m a descendant of Caesar. He was my great, great, great to the 20th power granddaddy so shut up.”
Me: *crickets*
William: *ignoring the crickets* We can get on the computer and create some tour guide certifications. Tell them that we majored in “tourification” and we aren’t just some random tour guides off the streets.
Me: So now we are “tourologists”? How many of those olives did you eat? Is this the scavies talking? Does it cause dementia?
William: We could even take them into the basement of the Colosseum.
Me: The basement? You mean the ground floor where they kept the folks that were about to killed by animals? That’s closed off.
William: Exactly. That’s gonna make our tour hot. It’s rogue…going where nobody can go.
Me: Uh huh. That tour will last 30 seconds.
As we are walking around, we come up with a scheme to offer to take people’s pictures for them so they will take pictures of us.
Me: Maybe after we take their picture, we tell them it’s €10. Get our hustle on like the Trojan guy.
William: I wonder what he does for “Take Your Daughter to Work Day”.
Me: Probably has her out there hustling too.
As we leave the Colosseum, I am focused on getting back to the entrance to The Forum so I can get my passport back since I left it to secure the audio guide device. Now, William is all laissez-faire about this as it wasn’t his passport. He offered up job ideas should I not be able to get back to the U.S. (William: That tour guide idea is hot.). We get turned around and I’m looking at the map trying to find the entrance. As we start walking to the entrance, we come across these “mimes” that paint themselves up and stay as still as a statue. Some are better than others. This guy was great!
A couple of meters away from him, we see a duo performing.
William: Are those Native Americans?
Me: Uh, I see the feathers on the headdress and I hear the music but I don’t think the Romans stole this from them too.
William: I’m confused. Why are they here?
Me: Outsourcing?
William: Are they selling cds?
Me: Everybody got a hustle. Maybe they are signed to Black Widow Records in Genoa???
We finally get to the entrance of The Forum and as they give me back the passport, I realize that it wasn’t even mine. It was William’s. HAHAHAHAHA. Apparently, we inadvertently switched passports when they were returned to us at the hotel.
Me: So who is being a mime on the street when they can’t get back to the states now?
William: You could’ve done tours.
Me: Well, you know Atlanta is the #1 tourist city in the U.S.
William: Get out. Where did you get that statistic from?
Me: GET OFF MY TOUR! YOU DON’T KNOW ME! YOU AIN’T A TOUROLOGIST! WHERE ARE YOUR PAPERS? YOU GOT THAT TOURIFICATION CERTIFICATE? NO? THEN YOU LEAVE THE STATS TO THE PROFESSIONALS.
William: You need serious help.
By this time, we are headed towards the Pantheon.
Once we arrive, we see non-Italian ethnic groups selling purses and scarves.
William: You think that is real Prada?
Me: Is the Prada on Canal Street real?
We go inside the Pantheon, look around and take pictures. Now it’s time for a gelato break. Which must occur every few hours or you can get low blood sugar 🙂 After getting my gelato, we walk toward the Trevi Fountain. People throw coins into the fountain to guarantee a return visit. The coins are collected to feed Rome’s poor.
Then, it was on to the Spanish Steps.
After leaving the Spanish Steps, we walk around the posh shopping district and window shop. Then we come upon a guy selling nuts…13 for €5.
William: €5 for 13 nuts with some salt sprinkled on them? Are they serious? I can get that at home for $1.50.
Me: These are special Roman nuts. You don’t know ‘bout them, son. They may be like Red Bull and give you wings.
At this point, we are completely exhausted and have to climb 1400 steps to walk back to the hotel. We end up stopping by St. Peter in Chains Basilica since we didn’t make it to Vatican City. That was another 1000 steps to climb. St Peter’s in Chains is where they keep the chains that were used on Peter during his incarceration.
It also hosts Michelangelo’s sculpture of Moses.
On the way back, there was a guy playing typical Italian songs the accordion. William wanted to get a picture with him.
William: Uh, he smelled heavily of liquor.
Me: That’s how rock stars do. They have to get lit up to rock the stage…or in this instance, the steps.
Afterwards, we go to the hotel to get our bags…which were sitting in the hallway. What kind of security system is that? No id, just sitting out for anybody to take. We were lucky they were there. The desk clerk is still getting the side-eye as I type this.
Sweet Willy and I are so tired by this point, we suck it up and decide to pay for a taxi to the train station for our 4 hour ride back to Genoa.
Overall, it was a jam-packed weekend but we had a great time and got to see a lot. Special thanks to Sweet Willy for flying all the way out to Italy for the weekend to keep me company and hang out in the IT. I had a blast!
Interview with an Expat: Living it up, London-style
Have you ever dreamed of living abroad in an exotic city? Maybe you’ve been thinking about it since taking a foreign language course…or maybe you have given it serious thought after a great trip overseas. An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing (Wikipedia). I interviewed my favorite expat, Renee Sterling, to give us insight into the intoxicating world of life overseas. Renee has lived in London for 3 years. While I was sad to see her move, I was excited for this new phase in her life. Ironically, I see her now more than I did when we were both living in the same city! Whenever I am overseas, she makes it a point to meet up with me in whatever fabulous country I’m visiting. Renee has been the best travel buddy a girl could ask for and has inspired me to move abroad as well 🙂
Q. What inspired you to move abroad?
A. Really, it was the idea of living in another country and experiencing its culture. I have always wanted to do this before I settled down and started a family. It also gives me the opportunity to travel the world.
Q. How did you decide on London?
A. I learned that Goldman Sachs was sponsoring a “City Fellowship Program” where it recruits minorities with 2 to 3 years of experience and places them in a Finance or Operations role for 1 year in their London office. At the time, I felt that this was superb because I would gain great work experience with a global investment bank and if I didn’t like it, I could return home after my 1 year commitment was up.
Q. How did you prepare for your move (i.e. visa, what did you do with your car, phone, etc.)?
A. Prior to moving, I had to considering a number of things. Such as getting my property rented, selling the furniture from my apartment in Atlanta (the properties are much smaller in Europe and they may not accommodate the large-sized furniture sold in America), sorting out which items to leave behind, organizing my financial documents so that I could set up a bank account, and reaching out to friends who live in London and to ask about areas to live. Fortunately, I did not have to prepare much with regards to visa because my firm sponsored me. However, if one wants to move to the UK, one can apply for Tier 1 Visa. The details and requirements can be obtained from UK Home Border Agency website (Editor’s note: the Tier 1 General Visa was discontinued as of April 6, 2011 so you will need to apply under a different category). If you live in Zone 1 – Zone 3 in London, you do not need a car. It is actually pointless to have a car because there is a daily congestion fee if you drive through the city and parking and gas are expensive. You are paying gas by the litre! With regards to cell phones, initially I was on a pay as you go plan in the UK. I did this because I was unsure on whether I would be staying in London. Once I decided to stay for the long term, I entered into a 2 year contract. I believe one has to be a resident in the UK for at least 18 months before signing into a contract.
Q. What factors should people take into account when considering a move overseas (i.e. job, salary, living conditions, etc.)?
A. Prior to moving, make sure that you have money set aside to account for property search and consider additional expenses. In the UK, the tenants pay a council tax. Additionally, if you have a television and wish to subscribe to cable, you will have to pay a TV license. (Editor’s note: You should try to find a job where the company will sponsor your visa and negotiate a salary based on the cost of living in London…not your current cost of living).
Q. What’s the best way to go about renting a flat in London? How do you decide on what area to rent in?
A. There are a number of ways to go about renting a flat. When I arrived in London, I was placed with a property locating agency compliments of my firm. Which was great because the agent was given a budget and she found properties based on my criteria. You can use estate agencies (which can be costly), websites (such as gumtree or Flatshare), and internal correspondence. I moved a year ago and the flat that I now live in is from an internal post. The property market in London is in a class by itself. If you see a flat, you need to get it ASAP. Also, in order to secure it, you have to pay one week’s rent in advance. In London, the rent is quoted by the week so do not be deceived. In addition to paying one week’s rent, you will also have to pay for a background check and, if approved, you will need to make a 6 week deposit. Assuming it is a respectable estate agent, if you leave the flat in a good place, you will get your money back. On the other hand, if you go with a private landlord, it may be cheaper but you are not as protected.
Q. What’s the best thing about living abroad?
A. I love living in London because there is always something to do such as catching a show in the West End, attending a musical festival, or checking out an art exhibit. Additionally, it provides me with opportunities to see the world. Since I have been there, I have visited so many countries such as Cyprus, Holland, Scotland, Thailand, Italy, Spain, France, Czech Republic, Germany, and Belgium and I still have so many more places that I want to check out. Lastly, I fell in love with a great guy and we are still together 3 years later.
Q. What’s the worst thing about living abroad?
A. The worst thing about living abroad is that I miss my friends and family who are unable to see me because it is too far. While Facebook has allowed us to stay in touch, it is still not the same as sharing these moments in person.
Q. What’s your advice to people considering a move overseas?
A. If it is in your heart to move overseas, you should do it! I would definitely say to make sure you have a sizeable budget to account for moving expenses and, if applicable, try to find a job before moving.
What to Wear When Travelling Abroad
One of the most popular questions asked when getting ready for a trip overseas is “What should I wear?” I always suggest researching what the locals are wearing (with a few exceptions notated below). Not solely for aesthetic reasons, but also for safety. Most pickpockets target tourists. Looking like you belong goes a long way. Here are a few suggestions to help you look like a local on your travels abroad.
1. Dress for the Country/Culture. Each country has its own style. Some countries are more lax (the U.S., England, Ireland, Scotland) while others take their fashion seriously (France & Italy). With the exceptions that I have noted below, you can usually get away with a nice pair of jeans/black pants/skirt and plain shirts/sweaters. Don’t wear anything outrageous or loud (leave the catsuit at home).
- Middle East/Egypt/Morocco (& other Islamic countries) = First and foremost, you want to respect the culture of the country you are visiting. Which means no Daisy Dukes while visiting the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo (and, yes, I have seen it). Make sure you dress conservatively (covering most of your skin). Yeah, it may be hot, but you can find breathable and dry-wick fabrics pretty easily. Trust me; you do not want to stand out in a conservative country. Women from western countries are viewed as being “loose”, which can invite sexual harassment from the local male population. By keeping your goodies covered up, you take the attention off of you (and your valuables). In Morocco, most women (and quite a few men) wear djellabas (a hooded robe). These can be either heavy or light weight in fabric (according to season). I didn’t wear one when I was there, but it is definitely an option which will reduce the amount of stares you get. I tend to buy breathable tunics from Old Navy (most are 3/4 length sleeves), long flowing skirts, loose capris and convertible cargo pants.
- France/Italy = These 2 fabulous countries are homes to the most famous fashion houses around. This means they take their fashion seriously. While the Italians are a bit more accepting, the French will turn their nose up if you walk past them wearing any of the items listed below in #3.
- You can never go wrong with basic black. It’s easy to coordinate and you can interchange with stylish accessories (like a scarf or costume jewelry).
- The French love black, navy and brown. I suggest using those as your base colors. You will notice that most of the French will pair up their dark wardrobe with a colorful scarf. Don’t have one? Buy one when you get there…it’s a souvenir & fashion accessory all in one.
- The Italians love color and you can get away with a lot more. Most of all, it is attitude.
- Quick everyday tip = Get your clothes tailored. I noticed that many people look better in clothes that are altered to fit their shape. I picked this tip up while visiting Paris. Everybody there looks like a million bucks (or euros) and it really is because their clothes fit impeccably.
- Spain = The Spanish love color & flowing maxi dresses/skirts. I also noticed some ladies wearing cowboy boots with shorts but we will pretend like I didn’t see that because I don’t think that’s a good look personally (I like to call that seasonal dyslexia).
- England/Ireland/Scotland/Holland/Czech Republic/Switzerland/Scandinavia = Pretty much anything goes. I can’t say that I have seen a huge difference in what they wear vs. the U.S. (with the exception of the “don’ts” listed below). A popular look during the summer of 2011 was shorts with tights & Chuck Taylors (*shudders*). Don’t emulate that. Hopefully that was a 1 season only look.
2. Dress for the Season. Be sure to check the weather before you go. Weather Underground is a good resource. I have typically found that you will need to dress in layers no matter when you travel abroad. A light jacket, colorful scarves, stylish cardigans/sweater coats are a must for spring, summer & fall. Going in the winter? Bring along a warm coat, some snazzy boots & a cute hat/scarf/glove combo. I had left my puffer coat at home during a winter trip to Milan…only to realize that everybody (and I do mean everybody) was wearing one. First and foremost, you want to be warm. Don’t take an unlined peacoat when visiting Finland in the dead of winter. Your health trumps fashion. Plus, you will stand out as not knowing how to dress properly for cold weather 🙂 ExOfficio is now offering a snazzy sweater jacket that doubles as a travel pillow when folded. This jacket is so cozy & warm! I recently wore it during a winter trip and fell in love with it. The jacket packs very easily, is super soft AND rain-resistant as well as keeping you warm & toasty. This is now my go-to jacket both here and abroad!
3. DO NOT WEAR…
- Baseball caps! If you want to protect your head & face from the harsh sun, opt for a stylish wide-brimmed hat (during the summer) or cloche/fedora (during the winter). Baseball caps scream tourist. Don’t bring your favorite sporting team to France unless you are actually on the team, k?
- Baseball/Football Jerseys, High School/College T-shirts, etc. Do I really even to explain why wearing a baseball or football jersey is a no-no? Again, you don’t want to stand out as a tourist for pickpockets. T-shirts are fine if they are plain or have a cool graphic. Bottom line, you want to look nice…not like you are getting ready to workout. If you just don’t think you can survive without wearing sporting apparel, buy a soccer/rugby jersey. You can fit in and it will be a conversation starter.
- Fanny-packs! Seriously…just no. It’s not cute. Tell your mother to leave it at home with the rest of the 80’s attire. I don’t even know how this item became popular. Never carry your money and valuables in a waist contraption that is easily seen. You are begging a pickpocket to take a knife, cut the strap and steal it from you. Use a money belt instead. It’s similar to your beloved fanny-pack; it just goes under your shirt/waist of your pants instead so it will not be seen. This protects your valuables from curious onlookers.
- Expensive jewelry/bags! A pickpocket will tackle you to steal your Rolex or Louis Vuitton. Leave your valuables at home.
- White sneakers??? I have actually seen quite a few locals wearing sneakers (though not usually white) around London & Paris. My preference is to bring a pair of running shoes (as I like to workout during my trips abroad…even running races like the Paris-Versailles 10K) as well as a comfortable & stylish walking shoe (i.e. Hush Puppies, Mephisto, Clarks) that can transition into an evening shoe. I highly recommend walking shoes that have a rubber sole to minimize the impact of walking on cobblestones. I love the Hush Puppies Sonnet flat which you can buy at Macy’s for almost half of what it retails for at other locations as well as the Makena Ballerina shoe. Bottom line is to wear a shoe that you will be comfortable walking in for hours at a time.
4. Must Haves.
- Light jacket/cardigan/wrap = If you plan to wear tanks or sleeveless tops during the summer, be sure to bring something to cover your shoulders when visiting a place of worship. You will not be allowed to enter with shoulders (and sometimes legs) exposed. I bought Magellan’s Sun Protection Wrap for my recent trip to Morocco and fell in love. So soft and it provides the necessary protection (both arms and head) when you enter places of worship. I even wear it around at home.
- Secure purse/money belt = I have been using a PacSafe purse (stylish & secure) to carry around my valuables, guidebook, umbrella & bottled water for a couple of years now and it is awesome. Highly recommend! The shoulder straps are reinforced with steel so it cannot be cut and the zippers lock into place. It will take a pickpocket a few minutes to figure out how to gain access to your valuables.
- Comfortable walking shoes = As I stated above, cobblestones can be harsh on your feet. A stylish rubber-soled shoe will save your tootsies!
- Dark colored pants & skirt = Use these as your base pieces. Dark colors camouflage stains & are great to pair with funky accessories.
5. Handy resources. Here are a few websites that focus on travel-related items: While ExOfficio & Magellans offer stylish options, you can certainly find great travel clothing from cheaper stores (i.e. Old Navy, Target, etc.).
While these tips may not prevent you from being identified as a tourist, it will keep your bag lighter and you safer. Hope it helps! Safe travels. Do you have any travel fashion tips? If so, please comment as I’m always looking for a fresh perspective!
Also check out my posts on Nikki’s Favorite Things: Fashion Accessories and Essentials for Stress-Free Travel.
Travel Tip #1: Deciding on a Destination
Some of us know exactly where we want to travel to while others just know they want to go someplace. So, how do you decide on a destination?
1. Figure out the type of vacation/trip you want to have (i.e. adventure, relaxation, beach, ski, etc.).
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2. What’s your budget? This will help you to determine the length & locale. Some people think that international travel is too expensive to consider. But, smart travellers can save a lot of money by travelling during the right months (shoulder or off-peak season) & with proper planning (staying in a vacation rental instead of a hotel, buying tickets in advance, taking trains, buses & shuttles, etc). Travel Tip #2 will focus on how to travel overseas on a budget.
3. What time of year? Keep in mind that southern countries & islands have opposite seasons than the US (i.e. South America & South Africa have their summer season during our winter season). So, if you are looking for a tropical vacation during the holidays, check out the Caribbean, Mexico, South America & Africa. If you want to save money and travel off-peak to Europe (including the UK and Asia), it will be cold there (maybe even more so) than it is here and there are less hours of sunlight but you can still have the trip of a lifetime.
4. Travel as part of a tour group or on your own?
a. The advantages of a tour group (especially in foreign speaking countries) is that you have a set schedule with an English-speaking guide and are pretty much guaranteed to see the big tourist attractions. I strongly recommend going with a tour group (i.e. Ambassadair) for Asian countries (the language barrier is a killer) or if you want to experience the “typical” tourist adventure in any country without the pressure of planning it yourself. These “pre-packaged” tours are pretty easy to do. Just sign up and go.
b. If you are comfortable with planning your own logistics & want to have a bit more flexibility to your trip, doing it on your own can be cheaper & more exciting. I would only recommend doing this on shoulder & off-peak seasons for major trips (i.e. visiting Italy for the first time). Peak season brings loads of tourists and you’ll end up spending a lot of your time standing in line.
5. Buy a guidebook. I never travel without one. Rick Steves is my best friend when I go to Europe. Most of his books are updated annually (however, I only replace mine every 3 years as you can go online to www.ricksteves.com and get the updates). This is great because you have the most up to date information before you travel. Just know that Rick only covers Europe, the UK and Istanbul. For other locales, try Lonely Planet, Eyewitness Travel & Frommers. Before planning a European trip, I suggest you pick up Rick Steves “Europe Through the Back Door” as it has a lot of great travel tips (buy it on amazon.com to save $).
6. Verify that you have a valid passport. U.S. passports are valid for 10 years. I believe they cost approximately $165 (passport book & card) or $135 (passport book only) for a first time adult applicant (16+). Renewal is approximately $140 (adult passport & card) or $110 (adult passport only). Minors are charged $115 for first time applicant. However, check the website for the most current fee schedule. Passports must be valid for up to 6 months after your ticketed date of return.
7. Visas. Be sure to verify if the country you plan to visit requires a visa as well as a passport. If so, you will need to fill out the proper paperwork. I generally get my visas thru CIBT (which also processes passports as well).
8. Vaccinations. Visit the CDC website to see what (if any) vaccinations are required. You should definitely make sure your tetanus shot is up to date and consider getting the Hep A vaccination. A lot of cities have “travel clinics” where you can make an appointment with a nurse, tell them the countries you plan to visit and they will suggest the recommended (or required) vaccinations.
9. Travel Insurance. This is a bit like gambling — you just don’t know if you will need it. I recommend it because you never know what can happen and it can give you some peace of mind. I was lucky to have travel insurance when my luggage got lost on a trip to Italy. This allowed me to be reimbursed for the clothes I had to buy while I waited for my luggage to arrive.
10. Be safe. It never hurts to check on the state of affairs in the country you plan to visit. I generally look at the travel alerts on the U.S. State Department website and ASIS International (which will give you the demographics, crime rates & incidents, political climate, & emergency contact numbers). Also, I research any local scams on Rick Steves Graffiti Wall. This has proved to be invaluable.
International Travel Chick 