Italy: Venice and its lagoons (November 13, 2011)

Who in his right mind would not want to visit Venice? The City of Canals has always been on my mind, especially when I listen to the music of Vivaldi. The former capital of the Venetian Republic, Venezia is actually built on 117 small islands connected to each other by hundreds of bridges.

Landmarks include the Piazza San Marco with St. Mark's Basilica and Campanile, the Doge's Palace, and the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge among many others. Too bad we weren't able to try out the gondola ride since it comes out quite pricey if there are just a few of you sharing the cost. But we did hop on one of their vaporetto (water buses) to see the architecture along the Grand Canal. Photos of Venice, Italy are in the Ivan About Town Facebook page.

San Marino: Centro storico di San Marino e Monte Titano (November 13, 2011)

Since we were driving, passing by San Marino on the way to Venice was very convenient. The Repubblica di San Marino is the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world. The landlocked country is the fifth smallest and is surrounded by Italy.

The Centro storico di San Marino e Monte Titano or the San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the major landmarks of San Marino are the Palazzo Pubblico, the Basilica di San Marino and the Torri di San Marino. Check out the San Marino album in the Ivan About Town Facebook page.

Italy: Exploring Rome and the Vatican City (November 12, 2011)

Rome is steeped in history. It no doubt deserves the title Eternal City. In fact, you will see layers of history as you walk its streets and visit the various sites and landmarks which make Rome what it is. We visited the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain as well as the Vatican City, among other attractions that make Italy's capital city a must-visit when in Europe. Here are photos of Rome, Itay and Vatican City in the Ivan About Town Facebook page.

Italy: Leaning Tower of Pisa & Piazza del Duomo (November 11, 2011)

From Florence, we drove to Pisa which was about an hour away. We made it just in time for sunset at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, located in the Piazza del Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We climbed up close to 300 steps to the top of the tower. Here are photos of Pisa, Italy in the Ivan About Town Facebook page.

Italy: Historic Centre of Florence (November 10-11, 2011)

The historic city of Florence, the capital of the Italian region Tuscany, is one among the cities you have to visit in Italy. With its rich architectural and artistic heritage, especially those from the Renaissance (it is said to be the birthplace of the Renaissance), the city is indeed a feast for your eyes and mind. The Historic Centre of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of its most important landmarks, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore or the Florence Cathedral (Duomo) with its brick dome (the largest in the world) and white, pink and green marble exterior is no doubt impressive. We only had a day to explore and it's obvious it was only the tip of the iceberg with Florence's rich history. Since I'm still in Europe (backlog increasing by the day), I invite you to visit the Florence, Italy album in the Ivan About Town Facebook page.

Driving in Europe: Tips for renting a car and driving around Europe

Driving around Europe was not part of my plans. I had purchased a Eurail Pass in the Philippines before flying to Europe. It had worked quite well when I used it last year. But we met a dead end while trying to get seat allocations out of Paris due to a strike. Exasperated from trying so many options but to no avail, we decided to ditch our passes and see if renting a car was a viable option. The building beside Gare de Lyon had various brands of car rentals which gave us an opportunity to shop. We ended up taking out a car from Europcar, spending €760 for two weeks and unlimited mileage.

1. Make sure you have a valid driver's license and credit card
These are very important when renting a car. The Philippine driver's license simply says NON-PROFESSIONAL and does not say anywhere that it is a driver's license (LTO should do something about that). So I spent some time showing some details in the card to prove it was a driver's license. A credit card is also required since if you damage the car, return it with the gas tank not full, or you get a ticket while driving around, the car rental company will simply charge it to your card.

2. Check for promotions and inclusions such as unlimited mileage and insurance
This actually made the difference. We were checking with the different companies for their two week rates. They were mostly the same, but gave us only 3,500 kilometers of mileage. Their unlimited mileage packages were about €300 more. We ended up getting Europcar, since for the same price as others, they gave us unlimited mileage. We ended up driving close to 6,000 kilometers. Asking for promotions can save you a lot of money.

3. GPS and detailed road maps are non-negotiable
We regret not having any GPS with us. I would like to believe that my sense of direction is already quite good. And yet we got lost several times, missing the turns and exits and going around in circles in city centers because of the confusing signs. Although we got ourselves a really detailed Europe road map. There were still times we would miss exits. And when that happens, we had to backtrack. And that is a waste of gas and time.

On our way from Zurich to Paris, we ended up driving through old towns and villages since we were about fifty kilometers off track. And to back track, we had to take minor roads back to the main road. It would have been a nice view if it wasn't dark. But it was an experience to talk about nonetheless.

Detailed maps of city centers were not included in the book we got. So at times we ended up in wild goose chases, guessing which direction to go. So when driving around Europe, GPS is very important. Next time we go for a drive through Europe's highways and city centers, we will make sure we have one.

In the absence of GPS, Google Maps and Michelin provide detailed directions. But when you're on the road, it's hard to get it printed out and you might end up copying it all by hand.


4. Mind the numbers
Highways and roads are known by numbers such as A1 or E15. And so are exits. So mind the numbers! Make sure you are following the right road number. Sometimes, following the destination instead of the road numbers will lead you away from your planned route.

While driving from Vienna to Prague, we knew that the highway we were to take was going to pass by Brno. But when we reached a fork, we saw signs pointing to both Prague and Brno, when we should have focused on the numbers on the signs. We should have taken the road to Brno which was the main highway and the faster route to Prague. Because we followed the signs to Prague, it took us through minor roads and the drive ended up 30 minutes longer.

5. Make sure to follow traffic signs and lines
Don't bring your bad driving habits to Europe! It could get you a ticket. Avoid swerving and entering one-way streets. Follow traffic lights. And stop when a pedestrian is crossing. Make sure you follow arrows and directional signs because they will warn you when an exit or fork is near. We missed exits simply because we were not on the right lane. That's why GPS or detailed directions are important because it will warn you when to move towards the left or right.

6. Watch out for speed limits
Even if other cars seem to be breaking the speed limits, it's no reason for you to do as well. Maybe they can well afford the speeding fines. GPS devices usually warn you of coming speeding cameras. But it's best to keep within speed limits. Some highways go as high as 130 kph. The common speed limit for major highways is 110 kph. Others could go down to 90 or 70 kph. Again, you might end up with a speeding ticket fine in your credit card bill if a camera catches a violation on your rented car.


7. Note toll fees and vignettes
Germany is the only country we passed through that does not charge toll fees (although I've been reading it requires emission stickers for green zones in some cities). Others have toll gates or barriers. All the while, we though toll was free in Switzerland. Until we got fined for it. It turns out, there are toll stickers or vignettes which are required on your windshield when passing through toll roads. We were just parked at a gas station five kilometers from the Italian border (the police usually check at gas stations) when we were spotted. We got fined 100 Swiss francs (approximately €90) and had to buy the vignette for another 40 francs which was ironic because five kilometers away was Italy. But it was good it happened to us there because it turns out, fines in other countries are bigger.

We almost got fined €150 in Slovenia. And at a gas station in the Czech Republic, a policeman was checking our windshield for the vignette. Good thing we knew better and got them at the last gas stations before entering the country. They are also available at the border. All in all, we had six vignettes (five stickers on our windshield and one e-matrica). Vignettes are also known as matrica or vinjeta and are used in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland. Always remember, when you cross a border, it's a different country with different rules.


8. Fill up with gas when you have the chance
Although gas stations are conveniently located along highways, you're always not sure if you'll get to one when you need one. As a practice, we made sure our tank was full all the time. And we'd gas up as soon as we've consumed half the tank. We made sure that it would not go below one fourth since we didn't want to run out of gas in the middle of nowhere.

And since we were travelling quite often at night, we also took advantage of the gas stops to take cat naps when I got really sleepy. It definitely helps.

9. Avoid driving during winter
It need not be said that driving through snow is unknown terrain for a lot of us. It's difficult for locals, much more for us. Even if it wasn't snowing, driving through fog was quite a problem for us, especially at night.

10. Music is a good driving companion
What we would do when we enter a country is to buy CDs of the local music, especially folk or country music, if there was some available in gas stations. It added color to our otherwise long and boring drives. And set the mood as we drove through a country. Those traditional beer songs definitely kept us awake and in high spirits!


11. Park properly and look for those meters
Looking for parking areas can be a challenge. In some cities, it wasn't difficult since directions to parking garages were clearly marked (a white letter "P" on blue background seems to be used throughout Europe). For street parking, you have to check if the parking area is public or restricted, metered or sticker, and if there are time limits.

For metered street parking and in some garages, note that you have to pay for your parking beforehand. Look for the nearest meter and pay the required amount depending on how long you think you will stay. You will get a printed ticket with the expiry time which you have to display on your dashboard. Make sure it can be seen since parking attendants regularly check and will fine or tow cars without tickets or which have exceeded the expiry time. So don't scrimp on time since you don't want to be rushing back before your time expires.

12. Keep your composure when driving
Accidents usually happen when you panic. So always keep your composure when driving. If you have to stop for coffee or to take a nap, you should. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Driving around Europe was indeed an unforgettable experience! It's more tiring than taking the train since you won't get to sleep or rest during the trip, plus travel time is much longer since trains move faster. But you get to enjoy the scenery plus drive through small villages or stop in cities along the way. Plus you follow your own schedule. You can leave when you want and adjust your plans accordingly. Despite the stress involved, we definitely want to do it again. Thanks to my fraternity brod Ted Patulan for joining me around Europe on this trip!

Switzerland: Old City of Bern (November 9, 2011)

From Zürich, we motored to Bern, the Bundesstadt (federal city and de facto capital) of Switzerland. It was an hour and 30 minutes away by car. The Old City of Berne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It's quite easy to walk around the old town. You can finish the basic route in half a day. We got to see the House of Parliament and Government designed by Hand Auer and finished in 1902; Kafigturm or the Prison Tower which was built in 1643 and served as prison until 1897; Zytglogge or the Clock Tower, a defense tower and part of walls of city; Einstein House which is at 49 Kramgasse, the house where Einstein developed the special theory of relativity; and the Munster Cathedral, the largest in Switzerland and its most important late Medieval church which was built between 1421 to 1893; among many other structures in the old town.

It looks like my backlog is piling up again. In the meantime, check out the Bern, Switzerland album in the Ivan About Town Facebook page for photos from Bern.

Switzerland: An afternoon in Zürich (November 8, 2011)

As soon as we got back from Vaduz, Liechtenstein, we made our way to the historic center of Zürich, Switzerland. The charming buildings along Limmat River and Zürichsee (Lake Zürich) are a must-see.

We had a traditional local dinner which included Ganze Schweinshaxe (ohne Schwarte) mariniert mit frischen Kräutern, im Ofen gebraten, abgelöscht mit dunklem Fassbier. Serviert mit frischem Kartoffelsalat / Whole pork (without rind) marinated with fresh herbs, roasted in the oven, deglazed with dark beer. Served with fresh potato salad; and Burgermeister Schwert - 400 gr marinierte Babybeef-Paillards um die Schwertklinge gewickelt und fettarm gebraten. Dazu eine grosse Schüssel Mischsalat oder Rösti oder Pommes frites, sowie Knoblauchcurry und Barbecuesauce / Burger Master Sword - 400 g marinated Babybeef-Paillards wrapped around the sword blade and fried in fat. Served with salad or French fries or hash browns, garlic and curry and barbecue sauce, which was indeed served with a long sword. Check out the Zürich, Switzerland album in the Ivan About Town Facebook page.

Liechtenstein: Walking around Vaduz (November 8, 2011)

If you happen to be in the area of Zurich, Switzerland and are the type who wants to visit new countries or get your passport stamped, then a trip to Liechtenstein is definitely for you. Liechtenstein is one of the smallest countries in the world with an area of just 160 square kilometers.

The drive to Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, from Zurich is just one hour and thirty minutes. By public transport, you will have to take a train to Sargans or Buchs in Switzerland and catch a bus to Vaduz from there.

Vaduz is quite easy to explore and you can easily cover it in two hours. The main attraction of Vaduz is the Vaduz Castle (Schloss Vaduz). To get your passport stamped, simply proceed to the tourism office and pay €2/CHF3 for it. Visa requirements for Liechtenstein are the same for Switzerland. See more photos of Vaduz, Liechtenstein at the Ivan About Town Facebook page.

Switzerland: Driving through Sargans & the Canton of St. Gallen (November 8, 2011)

My Europe trip began with a disaster that turned into a blessing in disguise. I had purchased a Eurail Pass the day before I left for Europe. But to my dismay, when I tried getting seat reservations in Paris, there were no more allocations for pass holders. We ended up renting a car!

We drove from Paris to Zurich. As soon as we arrived in Zurich and found our hostel, we decided to drive to Vaduz, Liechtenstein which was just an hour and 30 minutes away. We stopped by the town of Sargans to take photos of Schloss Sargans (Sargans Castle). On the way back, we went through one of the stopover areas to enjoy the picturesque view of Walensee (Lake Walen). Here is the album from the canton of St. Gallen on the way to Vaduz. Read more...

Train travel in Europe: Tips for using the Eurail Pass

The Eurail Pass is one handy travel tool for those who want to see a lot of Europe and hop from one city to another. Here are some tips to help you with your Eurail Pass:

1. Try to compare prices before purchasing a Eurail Pass
Sometimes, it may be cheaper to purchase individual tickets, especially if you will be able to plan your route ahead of time (tickets are much cheaper when purchased way in advance) or if you won’t be traveling too much by train. The Eurail Pass is for people with an itinerary heavy on train travel or those who want to decide where to go when they are in Europe like what I did. Remember also that there are reservation fees on top of your Eurail Pass purchase, particularly for high-speed trains which have seat numbers assigned.


2. Know the type of Eurail Pass for you
There are literally tens of thousands of possible combinations of Eurail Passes which you can choose from to suit your travel plans. Eurail Passes have two main components: travel period and area of coverage.

For travel period, each pass is either a continuous or a flexi pass. Continuous passes are cheaper but usage starts from the first day you use the pass and continuous until the last day of validity whether you use the pass or not. Flexi passes are more expensive but will allow you to choose the days to use a pass within a specified time period.

For those who want to visit one or even two cities a day, the continuous pass is best. For those who will stay in each city for at least two nights, the flexipass is more efficient but this will require some planning since you will need to use your train days wisely.


For the flexipass, since it counts only the days you actually use the pass, you might want to avoid using it if your only travel for the day involves local or regional trains which are relatively cheap. The Flexi Pass should be used for more expensive long-distance train rides if you want to get the most out of it. Flexi passes can be purchased for a period of 10 days or 15 days for use within 2 months for global passes.

For the continuous pass, since the pass starts counting from the day you first use it, the more trains you use, and that includes local trains, the better. Continuous passes can be purchased for a period of 15 days, 21 days, 30 days, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months for global passes.

For area of coverage component, there is the global pass which is valid in all 21 Eurail countries, regional passes, and passes for one to 5 countries of your choice. I got a 15-day continuous global pass which allowed me unlimited travel to all the then 21 Eurail countries (there are now 22). I got to visit 7 of the 21 in 15 days.


3. Reserve seats in advance
Unfortunately, the Eurail Pass is not always a hop-on, hop-off pass. More often than not, especially on high-speed trains where seat numbers are assigned, you have to reserve seats and pay the corresponding reservation fees per leg. Remember that even with Eurail Passes, you have to deal with demand. While the regular adult Eurail Pass gets you First Class seats, you’ll have to settle with 2nd Class if there are no more seats.

If you can do it with your travel agent at home, that's the best. You also can do it online or at any train station in Europe. But you have to deal with seat allocations. And reserving late can mean not getting the train schedule you want. Sometimes also, the computer system won’t allow you to reserve except in the city where you are departing from. That’s why I had to do my reservations in installments and would reserve as far as the system would allow.

On most regional and local trains, you simply have to hop-on and write down the details in the itinerary sheet provided with the Eurail Pass. This is very convenient since you can board any of the trains at any departure time. Just show the conductor your Eurail Pass.


In Belgium for example, I just boarded a train to Bruges from Brussels. Even the train to Luxembourg did not need reservations. I also got to use local trains such as the Cercanias in Madrid and the Ile de France trains in Paris, as well as regional trains in Germany just by showing the Eurail Pass. But again note that using the Eurail Pass for local trains is only worth it if your pass is a continuous pass. Make sure also to check with the ticket counter since some train systems still require you to get provisional magnetic tickets to get you through the barriers.

4. Know the different types of seat classes
There are 1st class seats which are either single or double seats (3 to a row); 2nd class which is usually four to a row; and sleeper cabins or Trenhotel which I remember can have 4, 2, or 1 to a room.

5. Always check the date and time on your ticket
Before leaving the ticket reservations counter, make sure you check the date and time of your ticket twice or thrice, especially the month. I was lucky the train from Bordeaux to Brussels wasn’t full. When the ticket was checked the first time, the wrong date wasn’t noticed. But when we were a station away, another ticket check was done and they saw my ticket was July 27 instead of June 27. They let it pass since the train was not full. But you won’t be that lucky all the time.


6. Be ready for train strikes and delays
While the train system in Europe usually works like clockwork, it’s still prone to both human and technical error. Try not to book connecting trains too close. If one train is late, your whole itinerary gets affected. On the way to Heidelberg, I had to change trains at Stuttgart. Good thing I had one hour to spare since the train was 20 minutes late. Many had only ten minutes between trains and thus missed their connecting trains.

I experienced that trains in Germany are not reliable. I’ve had several trains delayed by a few minutes. Twice I missed the bus because of a delayed train. And I had to spend for a taxi or wait another hour for the next one. On the way to Potsdam from Berlin, a regional train stopped one station before Potsdam and asked all passengers to get off and continue their travel on a local train.


On the train from Valladolid, Spain to Hendaye, France, we were told at Irun, the last station before the border, that the train could not move any further because of a strike in France. We were instructed to take a taxi from Irun to Hendaye which was about 11,50, an amount I shared with two other passengers. At Hendaye, I was supposed to change trains for Bordeaux. But because of the strike, we had to wait six more hours for a provisional train to pick up all the stranded passengers. Good thing my next train was the next day.

7. Be at the station at least 30 minutes before
Remember that more often than not, trains in Europe leave on time. Remember that departure time is departure time and not boarding time. You’ll see people running especially a few minutes before departure because trains leave on the dot and close doors a minute or so before leaving. At the Reims Station, I saw some people were already within sight of the train and were shouting at the train staff to wait. They were about 30 seconds away. But they still closed the doors and left.

I myself have seen a train I planned to get on leave within sight despite efforts to reach the station on time. Good thing it was a regional train and I simply boarded the next one which was an hour later though.

Being early also gives enough time allowance since some stations are really big and you’ll still have to locate the track where your train will be departing from.

8. It's important to have fun!
I guess that's self-explanatory. Exploring Europe on train is definitely an enriching experience!

P.S. Make sure you purchase your Eurail Pass from your travel agent before leaving the country. It's much easier that way. Buying it online when you're in Europe will be hassle. Don't forget to check out a related entry on Europe budget travel tips.

Update (12/07/2011): I bought a 21-day Eurail Pass last month which I never got to use. It was impossible getting a reservation out of Paris while we were there. So we rented a car instead and it came out cheaper since there were two of us sharing the bill. I was told I could get a refund back at home. I was expecting some penalties. But I wasn't expecting it to be a shocking 17 percent penalty for refunds! Ouch!

Backpacking in Europe: Tips for budget travel in Europe

It's been months since I did my recent Europe tour. So it's about time I started my Europe series. A lot have been asking for tips on how to save when visiting Europe. Here are some I've come up with:

1. Book hostels and hotels in advance
Hostels and hotels tend to be full even especially during the summer months from June to August. Unless you plan to sleep in the train station, it’s best to plan ahead if you are staying in a city overnight. I had to sleep at the station in Bordeaux. Since all my train plans were done last minute, plus the facts that I arrived late due to a train strike, it was summer and the first day of the Bordeaux Wine Festival (which I only found out when I arrived), by the time I made it to Bordeaux, all the affordable hotels were full. So after leaving my stuff in the locker, I went around and then spent the night at a bench in the train station.

2. Always check the date and time of your booking
I booked one hostel via e-mail. I had booked for June but did not notice that in their reply, the booking was for May! It was a good thing I called the youth hostel before leaving since I wanted to ask for directions. When I gave the booking number, they said it was for May and I got charged already on my credit card since I was a no-show plus the bed I wanted was already fully-booked! Good thing the staff checked the e-mail trail and saw that I indeed had requested for a June booking and the mistake was on their side. So after making some calls to the manager and using another system to book me a bed, they were able to fix it and everything was fine and I didn’t have to pay anymore.

3. Take evening train rides
This saved me a lot of money since I did not have to pay for accommodation. The down side is that it may mean not taking a shower! But if it's cold anyway, I don't think that would be much of a problem. Check out related post on Eurail travel tips.

4. Budget for train station lockers
For those who really cant travel light, lockers are for you. You can leave your big luggage at the train station and bring a small backpack when going around. It conserves energy and you move faster and more comfortably. While major stations are sure to have lockers, not all stations have them. When we got stuck in Hendaye due to a train strike, I wanted to move around and explore its beach. But unfortunately, I couldn’t leave luggage at the station since there were no lockers. So I was stuck there since my luggage was quite big. You'd spend about €2,50 to €8 depending where you are and how much luggage you have.

In Reims, I was expecting there were lockers. Unfortunately, there were none too. So I had to take a cab to the Notre Dame Cathedral with all my bags. Then took the bus.

5. Pack light
I don't think I have to elaborate on this. Because if you're not joining a tour group, big bags will be a big problem.

6. Invest in travel items and equipment
Make sure you buy a backpack than can hold a lot of stuff. That will come in very handy. Investing in lightweight travel clothes will also be a good idea. And because you have to pack light, you may only be able to bring one pair of shoes. So make sure they're comfortable as well. I'm all praises for the very absorbent and lightweight Aquazorb towel I had with me. And it dries up really quick too.

7. Bring some food from home, but not too much!
You can bring crackers, maybe some foil packed corned beef, pork and beans, peanuts, etc. I was able to save a lot of time (and money) since I ate on the go, and thus was able to visit more. Dish the cup noodles since it's bulky. And unless you’re staying at a hostel every now and then, finding hot water will be a problem. But note that you shouldn't rely to much on food from home. What is travel if you do not try the local food? There are so many cheap options in the supermarket.

8. Water and food is cheaper at the supermarket
Unless you have a budget to spend for trying out the local food which could range from €7,00 to €15,00 per meal, remember to buy water and food at a supermarket. Near tourist attractions, a 500ml bottle of water can cost as much as €2,00. At the supermarket, a 1.5L bottle of water can cost as little as €0,17 to about €0,50 depending where you are. In France, I was shocked to see that the only available water at vendo machines and train stations was Evian, which could cost as much as €2,00 for a 500ml bottle! When I visited a local Carrefour to stock on supplies, the Carrefour Eau de Source was €0,17! Even Evian is cheaper at the supermarket since a 1.5L bottle can go for as low as €0,60.

For a meal, I got cold cuts such as Danish salami for as little as €0,88 for a 200g vacuum-pack plus a pack of 10 croissants for €1,10. To complete the sandwich, I purchased a tube of mayonnaise with Dijon mustard at 1,75 (which lasted me several days). That was good enough for three persons and lasted me two meals and a snack. You can be creative and add more to your sandwich if your budget will allow it.

If you’re too lazy to make your own sandwich, try to look around for a sandwich stand or the local Turkish doner store (which sells the doner kebabs or yufka doner). I got salami sandwiches with vegetables for as low as €1,70 at train stations in Germany.

Doner kebabs are found all over Europe and can be as cheap as €3,50. While the breads with meat and chili can go as low as €1,20 depending on the country. In Germany, I got really great breads at €0,70 (a must-try in Germany) at stores in the tourist area. It’s amusing though that food was cheaper than water in Germany. It’s a good thing that water from the faucet is usually potable.

In Amsterdam, hot dog stands sell cheaper sandwiches than the Doner stores.

9. Stock up on vitamins and essential medicines
Medicines are not cheap in Europe. So stock up before you leave, especially the vitamins which you will need for the tiring trip. Always have medicines for cough and colds, fever, a bad stomach (constipation and diarrhea), motion sickness and allergies (if applicable to you). Although they say having allergy medicine on hand even if you don’t have any allergies may be a life saver if suddenly you or a companion discover you are allergic to something. It might be good also get some essential travel vaccines.

10. Be alert and careful
Since you’re traveling on a budget, the last thing you’d want is to lose stuff to pickpockets. So be wary of strangers approaching you on the street. Be careful when someone suddenly approaches you with “Speak English?” since they could be up to no good. In one square alone, I remember being approached three times by three different women with the same question. I always look puzzled and say “no” or just shake my head. Besides, there are tourist information offices in the area where they could ask all their questions.

Remember that poverty is also existent even in Europe. And with the invisible borders, you also get undesirables migrating from the poorer regions of Europe to the better off ones.

While it’s nice to be nice and polite, it’s the nice people that usually fall prey to these scams. I always tell myself that I won’t be able to answer anyone’s questions anyway being a stranger myself. So I just politely say “I don’t know” and continue walking.

They work in teams and will try to grab your attention to distract you so that another companion can grab your stuff. At ATM machines, be wary of falling money since that’s another way to distract the unwary traveler. These snatchers will drop money and make it seem that the money that fell was yours. That’s to distract you so that they could grab the cash coming from the ATM machine.

My personal exception for talking to strangers on the street is when someone asks me to take a photo since I do that too. But then again, it’s your choice. And you should know yourself well enough to differentiate the genuine queries from the scams. Just be alert and careful and mind your bags and pockets when interacting with strangers.

Anyway, hope that helps you plan your trip. My next post will be about traveling on the Eurail.

France: Train strike! Stranded in Hendaye

I never thought I’d get affected by a train strike in France. We always hear about these strikes in the news. But since we’re thousands of miles away, it never really affected us.

I should be in Bordeaux by now. But unfortunately, I’m stuck in Hendaye, the first train station after the border between Spain and France.


Everything was going as planned. I left Madrid Chamartin at 10:30 p.m. and got off at Valladolid Campo Grande at 1:20 a.m. to change trains. Then I boarded the train for Hendaye at 1:54 a.m. It all worked like clockwork. Trains left on time and arrived on time.

We were scheduled to arrive in Hendaye at 7:10 a.m. where I was to change trains for Bordeaux. I was a bit groggy but I noticed we stopped moving at about 7 a.m. at Irun, the last station of Spain.

By 7:10 a.m., passengers were getting restless. Obviously, we all had trains to catch in Hendaye. Then came in one of the train staff announcing that the train could move no further and would not be able to proceed to Hendaye because of a train strike in France!



We were advised to get off and take a taxi to Hendaye which was nearby. The taxi cost was €11,50 which I got to share with three other passengers. We crossed the invisible border, so invisible in fact that I did not realize were already in France until the driver pointed to the Hendaye Station. So I’m stuck here in Hendaye, no train to Bordeaux, hoping to get on board a 2:10 p.m. provisional TGV to Paris that will pick up all the stranded passengers along the way.

Unfortunately, there are no buses. I had this wild idea since I saw an Avis car rental across the street. But there were no available cars. Crap! I’m really stuck!


Update: The TGV did arrive and I'm now in Bordeaux!

Portugal: ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee meets in Douro Valley, Portugal

If you've noticed, updates have been quite scarce. That's because I'm currently in Europe and I'm using all the time I have to explore. Plus Internet access is not easy to come by. Anyway, I represent the Philippines in the ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee (ICTC). And every year, the committee meets, usually in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ICOMOS ICTC 2010 Annual Meeting was in Lamego in the Douro Valley, Portugal. It also coincided with the International Conference on World Heritage Status: Opportunities for Economic Gain for Tourism Destinations – The Case of the Douro Valley which we also got to attend last June 17.

I'll tell you more about the trip in the coming days. The good news is, the 2012 Annual Meeting of the ICOMOS ICTC will be in the Philippines! I'm very happy our colleagues voted to accept our invitation.

Spain: Crossing the Greenwich Meridian

All good things have to come to an end. I took this photo of the arch marking the Greenwich Meridian while on the way back to Madrid by bus from Barcelona. That's the end of our Spanish adventure. We're now in Doha, Qatar for an eight hour layover before flying back to Manila. But I won't be in Manila for long because in a few days, I'm flying to Chicago!

Spain: Girona along the Riu Onyar

On the way back from Figueres, we made a stopover in Girona, a charming old town along the Onyar River. One of it's imposing landmarks is the Catedral de Santa Maria Mare de Déu said to have the widest Gothic nave in the world at 22.98 m (75.39 ft), and the second widest nave after the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Sad to say, we didn't go inside. It just irks me when they charge an entrance fee to visit a church.

It was a pity we only had an hour to explore the city. Add to the fact that it was raining. And since we arrived during siesta, shops were closed and there was nothing much to see. But it was a well-preserved old town, very much worth the visit.

Spain: Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres

If you plan to do an out-of-town trip while in Barcelona, the museum of Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dalí i Domènech in Figueres is at the top of the list. So for our last full day, we made sure to visit. They say that the Dalí Theatre-Museum is the largest surrealistic object in the world. And inside, one would find the the striking and bizarre images Dalí is known for in his surrealist work

The museum was created by the artist himself while he was still alive in the former Municipal Theatre of his hometown Figueres. The building was destroyed at the end of the Spanish Civil War and on its ruins, Dalí built his museum.

Indeed, a trip to the museum was a unique experience for me. I got to experience and enjoy the unusual work and thought of this artistic genius. As Dalí himself explained: “It’s obvious that other worlds exist, that’s certain; but, as I’ve already said on many other occasions, these other worlds are inside ours, they reside in the earth and precisely at the centre of the dome of the Dalí Museum, which contains the new, unsuspected and hallucinatory world of Surrealism.”

The museum opened in 1974. He was later buried in a cryot in the museum after his death in 1989. Entrance to the museum is 11€ which includes the Dalí Jewels exhibition. The trip from Barcelona to Figueres is about two hours. Trains leave the Passeig de Gracia and Barcelona Sants station and start at 8,55€ depending on the class and type of train.

Spain: FC Barcelona's Camp Nou

Since we were in Barcelona, I made sure to visit Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona. Completed in 1957, this UEFA 5-star rated stadium is the largest in Europe with its capacity of 98,772 people.

In Camp Nou, one can find the FCBotiga Megastore where you can find tons of FC Barcelona paraphernalia and items. If you're a big football fan, make sure to get tickets for the Camp Nou Tour and Museum which cost 13€.

The Barcelona Bus Turistic conveniently stops in front of the stadium. While the Collblanc (L5) and Palu Reial (L3) Metro stations are 8 minutes away.

Spain: Montjuïc and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics

Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympic Games. The Opening Ceremony is still vivid in my mind, especially the archer who shot a flaming arrow immediately over the cauldron high above the stadium to light the Olympic Flame, the first time the lighting of the flame deviated from the usual torch run to the top. Thus, seeing the Olympic Stadium, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, and the cauldron on top when I visited Montjuïc was exciting.

Montjuïc (or Hill of the Jews) has a storied past having been selected to host the 1929 International Exposition (World's Fair). The surviving buildings from this event are the Palau Nacional, a grand structure which now houses the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC), a museum that holds the largest collection of Catalan art in the world; Estadi Olímpic (the Olympic stadium); Font Màgica fountains; and the Poble Espanyol, a showcase of architecture from all over Spain (just like Nayong Pilipino without the cheap and ugly replicas), among many others. The Olympic Stadium was said to be poised to host an anti-fascist Olympic Games as an alternative to the 1936 Berlin Olympics when the Spanish Civil War erupted.

For a time, Montjuïc also hosted Formula One racing. The Spanish Grand Prix was held there for four times until a terrible car crash in 1975 that killed four spectators. After the 1992 Olympics, the Olympic Stadium has been the home of RCD Espanyol football team since 1998. The Miro Foundation can also be found in Montjuïc.

Barcelona Bus Turístic
For two days, I got to ride on the Barcelona Bus Turístic, a tourist bus with an open-air second floor. It was a really good decision. It may seem expensive at first (it's 20€ for a day pass and 26€ for two days), but it is very convenient and a good deal! The bus ticket allows you unlimited rides on the three lines (Blue, Red and Green). The bus stops within meters of all major tourist attractions so it saves you a lot of time from walking. Although the Metro may be cheaper, the some stations were quite a distance from major attractions. So this is highly-recommended especially if you have a limited time in Barcelona.

Spain: Picasso's Barcelona and La Ribera on the Picasso Walking Tour

Museu Picasso is another must visit when in Barcelona. Although there are several Picasso museums, the one in Barcelona is the first and only one established on the express wish of the artist. But as an introduction to the museum, I decided to join the Picasso Walking Tour in order to experience and understand Picasso more by visiting places he frequented in Barcelona during the many years that he was there.

Discovering the bohemian Barcelona where Picasso lived, walking its streets, hearing anecdotes of the famous painter's friends as well as the events that influenced his life and artistic career was a great way to understand the Picasso story.

We visited Els Quatre Gats, a restaurant in a modernista building frequented by Picasso and intellectuals of his time; the friezes on the facade of the Col-legi d'Arquitectes, his only piece of public art in Barcelona; as well as the Llotja de Mar, the building which housed the art school where he studied, among many other sites.

We were also brought deep into La Ribera, a district which hosted Picasso's last studio before he departed for Paris. The district has a beautiful basilica namely the Santa Maria del Mar. We also got to pass by another basilica, the Mare de Déu de la Mercé, in Barri Gotic. Stops are quick so you can opt to come back if you want to explore the interiors.

The last stop is the museum which contains the world's most important collection of works from Picasso's youth and formative years. The whole cost of the tour is 15€ and this includes entrance to the Museu Picasso. And since tickets to the museum are given to you, there is no need to join the long lines to get one!

But if you just want to visit, a ticket to the museum and the temporary exhibition would cost 9€. Entrance to the museum is usually free on the first Sunday of each month.

Barcelona Walks
Aside from the Picasso tour, there are three other walking tours offered by Turisme de Barcelona (Barcelona Tourism Office). These are Barri Gotic, a tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter; Barcelona Modernista which takes you to the works of modernist architects Antonio Gaudi, Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Luis Domenech i Montaner; and the Gourmet Walking Tour, where you can experience Barcelona's cuisine. Check the tourist information kiosks for schedules.