Dreaming Of A Euro Tour Next Year

I planned 2 years ago and it fizzled. I planned last year but we went to Japan instead. I am planning again for 2015 and hopefully, barring any circumstances and not changing our minds for the last minute, we will go to Europe.

I plan to take my mom and mother-in-law in our annual family vacation and the dates are still tentative until my daughter settles in college and give me her vacation slots. Until then, we can formalize the whole thing.

So, where are we going this time? Well, I have been dreaming of seeing the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands. We haven't been to Netherlands yet so that is a must. Another thing, the oldies haven't been to Europe yet so it will be nice to tour them in Milan, Rome, Florence, Venice and Tuscany. I am also adding 2 nights in Paris just for them to see the Eiffel Tower and other famous places to see there.

I hope that my daughter's vacation from school will be at least 3 weeks so we can spend longer vacation in Italy unlike last 2008 where everything was swift. We didn't have the chance to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa nor visit Venice while the latter was already near Milan.

I am scouting for cheap train fares as well for a group since there are 5 of us travelling. So far, Thalys rail passes is the one I can bank on. I'll just check if I can find something similar but cheaper which will take us from Amsterdam to Gare Du Nord in Paris in less than 4 hours. That will still give us enough time to visit the many places in Paris which we missed to see the first time we were there like the Montparnasse Tower, the Sacre Coeur and the Versailles. Ah, Paris... I can't wait to set my foot in that place again!

Well, all these are tentative and given my family's track record in changing destinations in a snap is making me a bit worried. I have already set my mind and heart to visit all those places I have mentioned above with the oldies and I don't want them to miss the opportunity.

We'll probably visit the other parts of Europe next time like the Christmas Markets in Germany or in Vienna and Prague. There are so many places to see and there's plenty of time. Meanwhile, I am keen to do the Italy-Netherlands-France trio. I can squeeze Belgium too if time permits and if the oldies are not too tired to do train switching and bus-hopping. We'll see.

Euro Tour 2015! I am looking forward to that!

I am featured in Attraction Tix!

I am happy that I was featured in Attraction Tix, a famous online ticket specialist in the UK. They provide great offers on attractions, theme parks, or fabulous experience gifts for your holidays.

My post about the walking tours in Rome is now live in their blog. I am really honored and super thrilled that they gave me the opportunity to showcase my experience roaming Rome through walking tours.

Photo from Attraction Tix

Read my post at Attraction Tix's blog. Please share it too so other future travelers will benefit from it. Here is the link of the post - http://blog.attractiontix.co.uk/2014/03/31/exploring-rome-foot/. It will be nice for those who haven't been to Rome yet to read it so you'll have an idea on where to start and where to get your tickets.

Please feel free to leave a comment in my post there. Thank you!

Save Money with City Travel Passes When Travelling on a Budget

While big cities are exciting, they are also very expensive. Since there is usually high demand for their attractions, you will be assaulted by long lines, expensive taxi services, and expensive hotel rates if you stay close to the city. If you’re not takinga guided tour, a city pass offers you a way to cut down on your spending, allowing you to enjoy more for much less. Here are some cities that have great offers.

Barcelona

Barcelona’s charm is only rivaled by the culture of the city. A beauty to behold, a trip to this romantic Spanish city will leave you in awe. To properly explore the city, you have the option of three different city passes: the Barcelona Museum Pass, Barcelona ARQUEO ticket, and the Barcelona Card.

The Barcelona Museum Pass and the ARQUEOticket offer access to different types of museums. The Museum pass allows you to visit 7 art museums, while the ARQUEOticket caters for 5 history museums. As such, your choice of purchase depends on whether you prefer art or history.

The Barcelona Card is more encompassing, giving you access to 18 museums, as well as other entertaining activities and unlimited transport on public means. In order to get the best value for your money, buy the five day card and indulge yourself in culture, history, and entertainment as you take advantage of your card.

Paris

There is little wonder why Paris is the world’s most visited city. From its beautiful museums, lavish hospitality industry, and romantic connotations, the appeal of this city is universal.

There are three major city pass types available for this charming city: Paris Museum Pass, Paris Visite Pass, and the Paris Pass. As the name suggests, the Paris Museum Pass gives access to museums, 60 of them in total! With the six day pass, unless you visit 10 per day, you will not be able to cover the whole array available.

The Paris Visite Pass gives you access to unlimited public transport. If you are going to be in the city for most of your time, then you should consider it.

The Paris Pass seems to combine the benefits of both the Paris Museum Pass and the Paris Visite Pass, with a bit more to add. Not only do you get access to 60 museums and unlimited public transport, you also get shopping discounts at Galeries Lafayette, a river cruise, a two-hour bus tour, as well as a one hour wine tasting experience. If you want to see if it’s worth it, checkout this review of the Paris Pass.

Rome

Home to some of civilization’s greatest achievements, Rome is one of mankind’s most important cultural cities. What makes it even more significant is its access to the Vatican, the world’s smallest country, and home to the Roman Catholic Church.

To enjoy Rome properly, you can choose the Roma Pass. This will give you concessions on museums and museum exhibitions, discounts on collaborating events, and free public transport use. You will also be able to access the Medical Service for Tourists (MET Travel Health) at a discount.

The Vatican grounds

Trevi Fountain

The famous Coliseum 

Alternatively, you can opt for the OMNIA Vatican & Rome pass. It will allow you to jump queues at museums, enjoy unlimited transport in Rome, as well as free entry to Vatican City museums and historic sights. You also get concessions for museums in Rome. If you are planning to visit both the Vatican and Rome, then this will work for you.

(Photos used are the personal property of Ria C of www.riatravelbug.com)