Saturday, November 10, 2012
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
WHO ARE WE?
We are Steve & Pat, the Travelin' Tanenbaums. We are the authors of The Cheapskate's Guide to Vacations and The Cheaptskate's Guide to Cruises (Citadel-Kensington Press).
Our CTN newsletter has published continuously since 1999 and is proudly celebrating its 11th Anniversary. Steve is currently a 'Budget & FREE Travel' expert with AllExperts.com. In addition to our books we have written national magazine articles and have made numerous radio & TV appearances. We early retired from our day jobs in 1999 and embarked on a seven year travel odyssey, globe-trotting six months per year. Currently, we average about 2-3 months of exotic travel yearly. During the Summer of 2009 we were living for one month each in Barcelona and Paris, two of our favorite cities. Just weeks ago we returned from our Summer 2010 trip to Italy where we spent three weeks exploring Tuscany and then settled down, spending a glorious month living in a bargain penthouse apartment in Florence.
We are Steve & Pat, the Travelin' Tanenbaums. We are the authors of The Cheapskate's Guide to Vacations and The Cheaptskate's Guide to Cruises (Citadel-Kensington Press).
Our CTN newsletter has published continuously since 1999 and is proudly celebrating its 11th Anniversary. Steve is currently a 'Budget & FREE Travel' expert with AllExperts.com. In addition to our books we have written national magazine articles and have made numerous radio & TV appearances. We early retired from our day jobs in 1999 and embarked on a seven year travel odyssey, globe-trotting six months per year. Currently, we average about 2-3 months of exotic travel yearly. During the Summer of 2009 we were living for one month each in Barcelona and Paris, two of our favorite cities. Just weeks ago we returned from our Summer 2010 trip to Italy where we spent three weeks exploring Tuscany and then settled down, spending a glorious month living in a bargain penthouse apartment in Florence. Pure and simple, we enjoy a love of travel and do our best to share travel related comfort, convenience and money saving TIPS with our loyal readership. We always encourage and appreciate reader input. Our travel 'motto' these many years remains: NOTHING BEATS FREE TRAVEL!
ONLINE CTN IS A HUGE SUCCESS
MAKE IT FREE AND THEY WILL COME....
OK, so no surprise that CTN's subscriptions sky rocketed with the advent of our FREE online CTN. This is the best way to share our savvy TIPS n' TALES with the traveling public. As we have always said.....nothing beats FREE travel!
HOW TO GET YOUR FUTURE FREE CTN EDITIONS:
It is always best to receive the newsletter on the day it is published. To do this send us your email address and we shall add you to our subscription list. Rest assured, e-mail addresses are kept strictly private. Send your free subscription request to: stevepatctn@yahoo.com
Or you may simply Google our CTN periodically for new issues.THANKS TO ALL
THE NEW BLOG 'LOOK' - The column on the right is a vertical 'album' of many of our favorite travel photos. Want to view some or all of Steve's 200+ YouTube videos? First, go to YouTube.com. Then, in it's search box type screen name: worldromer. You will have instant access to Steve's videos.
FONT SIZES: Due to technical glitches there may be occasional mismatched text sizes and fonts.
3D FUN: Grab of pair of those old red/blue 3D glasses. Some of our videos and personal photos are in very cool to view 3D. ALSO, most photos are clickable for larger size viewing.
MISCHIEVOUS LINKS: There may be occasional glitches with some LINKS. If any LINK, when double clicked, indicates the link is broken or otherwise not working try copying and pasting the link to your browser's address line. If that does not help drop us an email and we shall send you a workable LINK.
FIRST EVER GUEST CTN COLUMNIST: Joyce Gleeson-Adamidis is a long time friend and author of: If I Were Not Upon the Sea (Under the Captain's Table) which is available at Amazon.com. We met Joyce some years ago during our incredible 32 days Celebrity cruise from Rio to San Diego, California. Joyce, herself a California native, was a former cruise director who happened to marry the Greek Captain of her Celebrity cruise ship. Before their recent retirement to Greece the couple spent many years together at sea raising their son aboard ship. We thank and applaud Joyce for offering her very special Greek insights to our CTN readers. Welcome aboard Joyce!
3D FUN: Grab of pair of those old red/blue 3D glasses. Some of our videos and personal photos are in very cool to view 3D. ALSO, most photos are clickable for larger size viewing.
MISCHIEVOUS LINKS: There may be occasional glitches with some LINKS. If any LINK, when double clicked, indicates the link is broken or otherwise not working try copying and pasting the link to your browser's address line. If that does not help drop us an email and we shall send you a workable LINK.
NOTE: MOST PHOTOS WILL ENLARGE WHEN YOU 'CLICK' ON THEM
THIS ISSUES HIGHLIGHTS
* OUR SUMMER 2010 PORTO MAURIZIO & FLORENCE APARTMENTS - A POST TRIP UPDATE
* RENT YOUR OWN SUMMER 2011 CHEAPSKATE APARTMENT IN BARCELONA, PARIS (as low as $56/DAY) or DUBLIN
* OVER-NIGHTING NEAR HEATHROW / GATWICK? HAVE A BARGAIN PRICED 'PUB' MEAL
* DINERS CLUB MASTERCARD RIP .....AND THEN THERE WAS AMEX
*BOOKING FREE AWARD FLIGHTS - THE GOOD, GREAT & UGLY
* STEVE’S GIZMO COLUMN FIELD TEST REVIEWS FOR:
* SANYO HD2000 CAMERA / CAMCORDER
* ZIPSHOT ULTRA-LIGHT TRIPOD
* TELESTIAL GLOBAL CELL PHONE
* MAHA CHARGER MELTDOWN
* GUEST ARTICLE: GOING LOCAL: STROLLING ATHENS
ONGOING FREE MILES OFFERS
Congratulations to all CTN readers who received our 'emergency' email with details
of the
amazing Citibank 75,000 free miles offer. We learned about the offer days before it was set to expire on 10/31. Many readers participated and await from 75,000 to as much as 300,000 miles. BREAKING NEWS: FREE MILES OFFER EXTENDED: Thanks again to CTN reader Jason for this late breaking news. Citibank has issued a new version of its 75,000 free bonus miles offer and this new offer is good thru February 28, 2011. Here are the details:
* The offer is good for one or more of these three cards: Platinum Select /AAdvantage Visa Signature; Citi Select /AAdvantage American Express; Citibank Business/ AAdantage Visa
* Annual fees are waived the first year
* The amount of required spending, which was $1500 in the original offer, is now: "Must spend $4,000 within six months to earn the 75,000 miles." Of course, participants will then receive a total of 79,000 miles.
NOTE: This is a true second chance at one of the best free miles offers to come around in recent years. Sure, the spending limit has risen but still most of us will spend $4,000 to $8,000 over six months. Remember, everything from food, clothing, car repairs (urrgghh), medical bills (more urrggghhh), school fees, cable bills and most recurring payment bills can be charged.
Here is the all important LINK to the new Citibank 75,000 free miles offer:
http://travel2.citicards.com
BRITISH AIRWAYS OFFER ALSO ONGOING: See our last Summer CTN issue for details of British Airways FREE 25,000 to 50,000 miles offer. It is the lead article in that CTN. Here is the LINK:
OUR SUMMER 2010 PORTO MAURIZIO & FLORENCE APARTMENTS - A POST TRIP UPDATE
STEVE & PAT'S TIP: Want to rent your own Summer 2011 cheapskate priced Paris, Barcelona or Dublin apartment? Our next article leads the way. But first, see how our best apartment rental strategies worked out for us this past Summer during our 2 month visit to Italy. OUR PORTO MAURIZIO (ITALIAN RIVIERA) ONE WEEK APARTMENT RENTAL
While we assumed our street would have a few nice shops it had scores of every type of shop imaginable including baker, butcher, pizza shops, sundry shops, gourmet market, regular supermarket, clothes, hardware and more. Add to this nearby streets teaming with dozens upon dozens more upscale shops, eateries, banks, post office and more. Run, don’t walk to visit Porto Maurizio. You may be lucky enough to snag this very apartment. Need a bit more persuasion? Here is a short 1080p YouTube video with Steve introducing pedestrian street Via Septtembre 20. Then, just a short walk from the apartment Steve shows off the town's lovely Marina and world famous beach!
Here are all the details, including apartment photos, needed for YOU to rent this cheapskate, amenity laden and perfectly located apartment.
NOTE: The summer 2011 rates, so far as we can determine, HAVE NOT CHANGED.
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p512286#photos-bar
OUR ONE FULL MONTH FLORENCE PENTHOUSE APARTMENT RENTAL
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| BE SURE TO CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER VIEW |
Once again, we refer you back to our major pre-trip article on our Florence apartment. This is found in our Summer CTN at: http://ctnsummer10.blogspot.com/
Suffice to say all our thumbs are once again way, way up. Our Via Capponi Florence apartment met and exceeded all our expectations as detailed in our pre-trip article. Our post trip assessment includes these additional facts:
* The owner lives in the building. When the DVD player did not work he installed a new one the next day. He installed to new chairs for the veranda
* San Marco Piazza, which is a couple of short blocks away, is the ‘hub’ for scores of city buses that take one in most any direction including the ten minute ride to the hill side town of Fiesole.
* About one half block away is one of the most interesting piazzas in Florence, Piazza Annunziata.
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| CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGE VIEW |
* free wireless internet access
* The owner replaced the old tube TV (pictured on the web site) with a 22" flat screen on a rolling TV card which we rolled up to the sofa for fine viewing.
* There are two medium size ‘chain’ supermarkets within 2-3 block as well as bakeries, the best gyro shop in Florence and our favorite bargain basement priced Chinese/pizzeria take-out restaurant.
Anyone seeking an amazing apartment in Florence for a truly cheapskate price should look into renting Via Capponi 14.
HOW MUCH $$$: The web site only shows the weekly rate of 588 euros = $823 =$117/day which is still cheap when compared to hotel rates. The incredible monthly price, as is often the case with monthly rentals, offers a huge discount so that the final ten days were free. Where the weekly rate is $823 the super discounted monthly rate was $2276 or $75.80 per day. Absolutely astounding for such an apartment.
Interested in renting Via Capponi? Here LINKS to rentflorencecity's home page and also the rental page for Via Capponi: http://www.rentflorencecity.com
http://www.rentflorencecity.com/capponi_apartment_for_rent.html
NOTE: If the apartment web page LINK does not work try cutting and pasting or go the agency's home page and in the search window type: CAPPONI
RENT YOUR SUMMER 2011 CHEAPSKATE APARTMENT IN BARCELONA, PARIS AND/OR DUBLIN
available for ALL of next Summer. Our Paris apartment is available for all off April 1st thru June 22nd and July 25th thru the rest of the Summer. Our Dublin studio apartment is a weekly rental and is wide open available for most any Summer 2011 dates. It is true that Early Bird apartment renters do get the very best pick of the apartment litters.
In our Summer 2010 CTN edition we once again extolled the money saving and amenity laden virtues of vacation apartment rentals in Europe. If you have any interest in such a rental this coming Summer you would do well to re-read that in-depth article. Once again, here is the LINK to our Summer 2010 CTN edition: http://ctnsummer10.blogspot.com/
OUR 'HOT OFF THE PRESS' QUEST FOR THREE SUMMER 2011 APARTMENTS
Our plan was to find a one week apartment in Dublin, Ireland and then one month apartment rentals in Paris and Barcelona. Yes, we are old hands, this being our 3rd and 5th apartment rentals, respectively, in Barcelona and Paris. Our ongoing goal: find luxury type lodgings at cheapskate prices. In our Summer article we listed our ten apartment rental criteria. We planned to follow our own best advice as we commenced our triple apartment quest. Getting an early start on the Summer 2011 rental market gave us the needed ‘edge.’ As always, we were again sticking to our $100 or less per day’ rental budget. This assures that we will be paying MUCH LESS then the daily cost of a small 2-star hotel room or equivalent B&B.
Without further adieu here are the results of our Summer 2011 European apartment rentals quest:
OUR BARCELONA APT: We found a wonderful apartment offered by a new rental agency, LodgingInBarcelona.com. Here are LINKS to both their home page and the page for our Santa Monica apartment:http://www.lodginginbarcelona.com/
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* Large 1BR apartment (653sq. ft.) plus huge bonus 273sq. ft. deck (very rare for any major city center location)
* Location, location, location - Near perfect. On Carrer de Santa Monica just off the Rambla, one block to the metro, three blocks to the Columbus statue/Marina with Maremagnum shopping complex. A fun ten block walk along the Rambla to Placa Catalunya and 3-4 blocks to our favorite largest in Europe Boqueria Market and Barrio Gotico, the marvelous, ancient medieval pedestrian only neighborhood.
* First floor with elevator * Air conditioned
* Bedroom with wardrobe and large double bed
* LR with large double sofa bed * Wi-Fi (optional $2/day)
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| LIVING ROOM/DINING AREA - CLICK ON PHOTO |
* Bathroom with TUB! * TV and DVD * Washing machine APARTMENT COST: The weekly rental price is 650euros, about $910 or $130/day. Is the weekly rental rate ($130/day) worthwhile? That is pretty much the price of a good 2-Star hotel with tiny room, small European bed, bathroom and NOTHING MORE. Here, even at the weekly rate of $130/day you are getting a large 653sq ft. apartment plus a huge 273sq. ft. deck. The deck alone is the size of most small hotel rooms! After a huge one month discount the price dropped to 1980euros= $2,772 which is about $92.40/day. This is like getting the 4th week FREE. As we always say: When it comes to renting apartments, MORE FOR MUCH LESS is the rule of the day.
NUTS & BOLTS - THE RENTAL PROCESS:
* The agency quickly confirmed availability and price
* We were given an additional 5% discount for advance booking which washed with the $84 cleaning fee.
* Payment was easy since the agency accepts PayPal. Also, the agency requires only a 20% deposit.
* No formal rental contract is required, Instead the agency sends a formal booking confirmation with all arrival contact information.
* The balance of rent and a very low $200 Security Deposit is paid upon arrival. This is very standard for such rentals.
OUR 2011 PARIS APARTMENT: On this, our 5th Paris rental, we were looking for the usual criteria and amenities plus a new 'animated' neighborhood. The latter is a phrase used by agencies to describe a neighborhood that is hopping with shops, street market(s), nearby park(s), super market(s) and/or cinema.
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| LIVELY BLVD GENERAL-LECLERC (CLICK ON PHOTO) |
There are scores of rental agencies in Paris but we found only three that had a large supply of low priced apartments that fit our budget, that were well credentialed, had good to great web sites, that were totally responsive to our emails and with agents eager to help us.They are NewYorkHabitat, Paris Attitude and Paris-be-a-part-of-it.
http://www.paris-be-a-part-of-it.com/
http://www.paris-be-a-part-of-it.com/beapart/index.php? action=view&model=view&id=490&comp_id=
Here are the LINKS to NY Habitat and Paris Attitude agencies:
http://www.parisattitude.com/http://www.nyhabitat.com/
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| LIVING ROOM - CLICK ON PHOTO |
* 3rd floor with elevator * TV and included Wi-Fi
* Full size kitchen with full frig/freezer, oven, microwave
* LR with dining area and sofa bed * Washing machine
* Bath with TUB and toilet in separate room.
* One block to Metro line 4 and bus downstairs * Nearby Parc Monsouris
* Very good cinema Gaumont Alesia that shows many version original (English) films.
See many more apartment and Alesia neighborhood photos in our mini-cyber photo album found at: http://imageevent.com/worldromer/alesiaapartment
COST AND RENTAL DETAILS:
*Total rent is very similar to our Barcelona apartment - Total: 1986euros = $2,780 or about $89.70/day
* Once confirmed we return faxed the agency contract and used PayPal to pay the agency fee of $610
* We then return faxed the actual rental agreement and paid the owner his 30% deposit of $650 by wire transfer
* The balance is paid upon our arrival
* The French require an $80 insurance policy unless covered by one's home policy. On one month or longer rentals electric is extra. Our recent one month rental in Florence found us paying less than $100 for the month. No other extras.
STEVE & PAT'S TIP: We always buy travel insurance. To have the insurance include a waiver of all pre-existing conditions one must buy the policy within 10-14 days from the first payment made on any given trip. The policy will also cover all these apartment payments, which are non-refundable, if we had to cancel for illness. We hate paying hundreds of dollars for a travel policy so far in advance BUT this is unavoidable. Be sure to keep this in mind from the moment you make that first payment. In our case the first payment was our apartment deposit.
YOURS FOR THE ASKING - THIS FINE 1BR PARIS APT JUST $56/DAY This may the the Paris rental 'deal' of the century. Sure, there are a few negatives for this price but it was definitely one of our back-up choices.The apartment is offered by ParisAttitude.com. The agent we dealt, Antony TRAN. was
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* This apartment is available through August 31, 2011
* This apartment meets all our minimum criteria
* It is on the very same block as the Alesia apartment we rented for Summer 2011. Everything you read above about the Alsia neighborhood applies equally to this apartment
* Decent sized 1BR apt. with 512sq. ft. This includes a long entrance hallway
* 5th French floor of a 19th century building with ELEVATOR
* Includes high speed internet access
* LR with 2 double glazed windows furnished with double sofa bed, stereo, TV & DVD
* No formal dining room or dining area BUT special coffee table can be transformed in a dining table for 6 people. Also kitchen has a meal 'bar' with two bar stools
* Kitchen: Full size appliances including oven, ceramic hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, coffee maker, kettle, toaster
* Bedroom: Double glazed window and double bed
* Bathroom: Sink, BATHTUB with shower, tiled floor. Toilets are in the apartment entrance
RENTAL COST: 650 euos/week equals about $130/day. With that said let the mega savings begin. A one month rental is priced at just 1200 euros which equals the incredible low price of $56/day.
PROS: All the above. Highlights include great neighborhood and easy transportation to any part of Paris, elevator building, medium sized 1BR apt., Full kitchen with full size refrigerator and freezor, TV-DVD plus Wi-Fi internet & tub/shower. Wide screen TV.
CONS: Kitchen is in the corner of the LR. NO kitchen cabinets. Dishes/pans are stored on the back side of the meal bar. (inconvenient). No microwave but at this price we would have bought one for about $60 and offered to split the cost with the owner. We did this at our Via Capponi apartment. No balcony. No washing machine. Rental type furniture. Considering all the 'Pros" we do not consider any of the 'Cons' to be deal breakers.
Here are LINKS and contact information for this ultra-bargain Paris rental:
CONTACTS: Agency web site: http://www.parisattitude.com
Apartment web page including PHOTOS: http://www.parisattitude.com/apartment.asp?numProduit=4750
Agency: Paris Attitude AGENT: ANTONY TRAN - tel. +33 (0)1 42 96 80 97
email: antony@parisattitude.com
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Dublin hotel prices were very high, about $150/night and so way beyond our budget. After much web research Steve hit upon a B & B type lodging (self catered so no breakfast) that we booked for an extraordinary $40 per night for their deluxe studio apartment. The lodging is NOT in the town center but rather a few tram stops (about 4km) and ten minutes away. The lodging is unique in
design as noted by its name: The Solar House in Clontarf, Dublin. We were told that due to the world economy (we are all now reading about Ireland's financial crisis) Solar House recently lowered its rates. This explanation was welcome since we were of course skeptical at the super low rate. We did check out the Solar House and found absolutely no black marks or other reason to prevent us booking what looks to be a gem of a cheapskate find.
Here is their web site.
http://www.thesolarhouse.com/index.shtml
* The Solar House is an environmentally friendly solar heated building. Fresh air is continuously taken in at roof level and filtered and heated.
* Super King size bed * TV and direct dial phone
* Dining table and chairs * Private bath with power shower
* Cupboard that opens to a mini kitchen with small frig, microwave, sink, stove and dishes/cutlery. * View 'balcony' with rocking chairs
* We sent a 50euro travelers check to lock in the reservation. This is totally refundable if canceled within 48 hors prior to arrival..
Details: The owner is a charming lady named Eileen. We both emailed and called her and received prompt helpful attention. Without asking she (above and beyond) counted and measured the steps to the first floor.
OVERNIGHTING NEAR HEATHROW / GATWICK? HAVE A BARGAIN PRICED 'PUB' MEAL
Our Summer 2010 free award trip to Italy required an outbound overnight stop at Gatwick and inbound overnight stop at Heathrow. On one hand we were delighted to have our free award round trip fights. On the other hand our gut reaction to two double days of travel was ‘expensive bummer.’ After all we are talking about two airport hotel rooms, airport shuttles/taxis and lots of expensive hotel meals. This could easily amount to $400 or more of extra out of pocket expenses.
Yours truly, the savvy travelers we always strive to be, rose to this occasion and met it head on. We delved into our hotel ‘freebie’ file and found sufficient points for Marriott Rewards and Holiday Inn Priority, from years old prior promotions, to cover a free airport hotel stay at both Gatwick and Heathrow. That alone saved us over $300.
Earn up to 4 Free Nights! Receive 22,500 bonus points after your first purchase using your new card—that's enough for 3 Free Nights at a category 1 hotel. Plus, receive an additional Free Night Stay upon account approval, valid at category 1-4 hotels worldwide. Together, that's enough for 4 Free Nights!
LINK to Marriott Rewards: http://www.mychasecreditcards.com/marriottrewards/lpflash1
Holiday Inn Priority Club:
New applicants enjoy fee waived the first year plus 30,000 points good for at least one free night stay world wide. LINK to the Holiday Inn Priority club: https://www.mychasecreditcards.com/5000029/Default.aspx?vanity=5000029&CELL=6PQN&OVERRIDE_CELL=PQNWhat about saving $$$$$ when faced with expensive airport hotel restaurant menus? Our research turned up two fun seeming alternatives, one each at Gatwick and Heathrow.
GATWICK: In Horley, which is very close to Gatwick, we found Ye Olde Six Bells Pub.The pub offers a typical, hearty menu at very reasonable prices. Then there is the pub’s colorful history. The pub itself says it best:Our quaint country inn is reputed to be
the second oldest pub in the country with origins dating to the 9th century. The pub gets its name from the bells originally hanging at St Bartholomew's Church next door.What about prices and menu offerings? Here is a sampling of some of their best menu deals:
Smoked Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Salad: with crisp cos lettuce, baby spinach, plum tomatoes, croutons and honey mustard dressing................................................£8.95
Rump Steak: 8oz rump steak served with beer battered onion rings, plum
tomato, garden peas and our steak cut chips .....................................£8.95
Lancashire Hot Pot:a whole lamb chop, tender chunks of lamb and vegetables slow
cooked in a red wine gravy with rosemary and thyme, topped with sliced potato and served with braised red cabbage......................£9.95
LINK to pub information: http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/yeoldesixbellshorley/
WHY NO THUMBS UP OR DOWN FOR SIX BELLS????
At about 7pm we left our Gatwick Holiday Inn Hotel map in hand and headed for a nearby church. Moments later we were walking through its ancient cemetery and then through the clearing was the very pub you see in this photo. We approached their ‘greeter’, a young woman, who smiled and said: Sorreeeee, we have no free tables and we are not taking any further bookings this evening. Yikes, 7:20pm and we were turned away at the door.
Redundant systems/strategies are the cornerstone of savvy travelers. Map in hand we set forth for our back-up eatery in the town of Horley a 15 minute walk from Ye Six Belles. We walked past scores of well lit B & Bs until the small village main street came into view. The village looked dead as a door nail except for one lit shop. That was the very Chinese restaurant we were headed for and they served till 11pm. Success.
New China restaurant came to our rescue in great, delectable fashion. We ordered three dishes including soup, sweet and sour chicken, beef chow fun and pepper beef. All dishes were superb by all our Chinese restaurant standards. Decor was charming and service was top notch. Did we mention that entrees were priced $5- $6 each. Here is their business card and one web site:http://www.scoot.co.uk/England/Surrey/Horley/New-China-Restaurant-DFFX829.html
STEVE & PAT'S TIP: I had been in touch with Ye Six Belles Pub but never thought to ask about mid-week availability for our planned 7pm arrival. We would not make this mistake next time around.
OUR HEATHROW PUB EXPERIENCE:
During our return flight October 2nd airport layover we planned to have dinner at the nearby Fox & Pheasant Pub. The family run pub is found in West Drayton just two miles from Heathrow airport and less then one mile from our free night hotel, the Crowne Plaza. One could take a bus for two stops or walk 17 minutes to the pub. We opted for the latter despite the typical overcast and umbrella-less drizzle (meaning this is not considered rain by local so no umbrellas in sight).
Learning from our
Ye Six Belles Pub experience we sent an email, prior to departing from Italy, to the Fox & Pheasant. Their welcome reply told us we could arrive anytime between 5-7pm and ‘we shall have a table waiting for you.’ Of the two pubs Fox & Pheasant caught our greater interest because they tout their ‘CARVERY.’ We learned that a British Pub Carvery is basically a combination of Bay Area Hofbrau which is cafeteria style and which has one or more counter persons slicing and dicing fresh cooked roasted meats like roast baron of beef, turkey off the bone, corned beef brisket, pastrami and any number of other cooked items.The pub carvery is similar but usually stays with 3-4 main entree meats, assorted veggies and then serves them, unlike their US counterpart, in true buffet at least to the extend that all are invited to come back for seconds. All this for the amazing UK price of 7.45 pounds = $10.50. One of the lowest prices we have ever paid for such a high
quality home cooked meal.Fox & Pheasant describes their carvery as:
The Kitchen Carvery has a working range and many interesting artefacts bringing back nostalgic memories of a farmhouse kitchen with vast amounts of good food to choose from. Our aim is to provide food and drink at "value for money" prices and to this end we allow more than one visit to the carvery.
We are talking prime rib tasting beef, fresh roasted turkey breast and an assortment of roasted potatoes and veggies. Here is one shot of Steve’s two dinner plates at our table.
Because we were a bit late in arriving at the pub we had the pub almost all to ourselves. To be sure there were other patrons but they are not shown in the one ‘tables’ photo. Aside from our late arrival all was in total good order.
We did a mini-cyber album including our two thumbs up review of the Fox & Pheasant Pub and here is that LINK:
http://imageevent.com/worldromer/thefoxpheasantcarvery
Again, two thumbs up for the super low priced home cooked Carvery meal offered by the Fox & Pheasant Pub near Heathrow airport. Here is the LINK to the Fox & Pheasant web site. The site desperately needs photos but does offer all the needed information as well as an interactive google map:
http://www.foxandpheasant.com/
DINERS CLUB MASTERCARD RIP.....AND THEN THERE WAS AMEX
During the past ten years we have given our thumbs up to our favorite two free travel credit cards, Citibank AAdvantage Mastercard and Diners Club Mastercard. The fact that we pay yearly fees on these cards demonstrates how much we favor them.Sadly, we just learned that Diners Club has been purchased by Bank of Montreal and that new personal Diners Club credit cards are no longer being offered. This might change, we were told, when Bank of Montreal makes further final decisions on how it will run its new Diners Club division.Why Diners Club: Because Diners Club, with a simple phone call and payment of an $8 fee, will transfer any number of its points/miles to any of its partner’s frequent flyer airline accounts including our all time favorite free travel program American ADVANTAGE.AMEX to the rescue? Perhaps, maybe.... for some. So far as we know American Express is now the only major card that permits the transfer of its reward point/miles to its 20 partner airlines. The AMEX Green card has the lowest ($95) annual fee. Its $25 ZYNC card does not permit the transfer of miles. Only problem here is that AMEX partners do not include United or American airlines. Since American AAdvantage is our number one free travel program we would not use this card.
With that said the choice is yours. Ex. If your favorite program is Delta, Continental or British Airways then the card should work for you. All are AMEX partner airlines and the exchange rate for points to airline miles is one to one for all three. In fact British Airways does better and offers a 30% bonus. Ex. Transfer 10,000 AMEX points/miles to BA and receive 13,000 BA miles. On the other hand partner Jet Blue will have you losing 20%. Ex. Pay 250 AMEX point/miles and get only 200 Jet Blue miles. Some other partner airlines that do one for one transfers are: Air France, Aero Mexico, Air Canada and Hawaiian Airlines. The annual Green Card fee is $95.
Here is the LINK to the AMEX partner airline chart: http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/search/Default.aspx?N=13000000&mrnavlink=topnav%3aTravelAirlines
Here is the LINK to the AMEX Green Card page:
http://www201.americanexpress.com/getthecard/learn-about/Green-Card
AMEX CARDS:
* GREEN $95/YR * GOLD 1ST YEAR FREE THEN $125
* PLATINUM $450/YR. YIKES!
BOOKING FREE AWARD FLIGHTS - THE
GOOD, GREAT & UGLY
Free travel has always been the cornerstone of our travel philosophy. It has worked so well that It has been over a decade since we last purchased airline tickets for one of our global jaunts. Oftentimes, like right now, the best way to ‘teach’ the rules of the free airline travel road is by sharing our experiences.
These days we hear and read much about troubles in free travel paradise, the difficulty in finding award seats and some new airline rules that seek to have us pay tens of thousands of more miles for the same economy seat.
This update on our two recent efforts, our Summer 2010 trip to Italy and our upcoming 2011 may shed some needed light on these issues. First and foremost it is more important now more then ever to follow our long touted bedrock free travel strategies which include:* Join as many major airline free travel award programs (a.k.a. frequent flyer programs) as possible 
* Obtain any available annual fee waived Visa or Mastercards that will give you thousands of Bonus points to get these accounts rolling.
* Join at least one non-airline program, American Express or Diners Club, that permit the easy and cheap transfer of miles to most airline programs.
* Be flexible with travel dates
* Book as far in advance as possible
* Become familiar with airline awards and major differences in taxes, fees and other charges for ‘free’ award tickets.
* Join Holiday Inn and Marriott free hotel programs for free airport hotel rooms.
BOOKING OUR SUMMER 2010 ITALY TRIP: After more then ten years of ongoing free travel our favorite American AAdvantage account miles have dwindled so following our above strategy we looked to an alternate account, British Airways, which has hundreds of thousands of miles ready to use. Most airlines permit booking up to about one year in advance so the earlier the better.FLEXIBILITY is often the key to successfully booking free award travel. Once again our
flexibility on dates and the fact we booked nine months in advance enabled us to snag two sets of round trip tickets from San Francisco to Genoa with overnight stays at Gatwick and Heathrow going and coming. Another advantage of early booking is the best choice of flights. Award travel often involves less desirable red eyes and very early morning departures. Here again we did well with all late morning or early afternoon departures. We used free sign-on bonus Holiday Inn and Marriott points to book free airline hotels near Gatwick and Heathrow. The Crowne Plaza room near Heathrow was quite deluxe with indoor pool, saunas etc. and has a real rate of about $175. Great use of free hotel points.
BOOKING OUR 2011 TRIP TO BARCELONA AND RETURN FROM PARIS: It was crunch time. Our
American AAdvantage accounts, as noted, were very low at about 75,000 and 51,000. Since we just returned from Italy there was no time to ‘rest’ and we were making this booking effort for Spring 2011 tickets in October, seven months in advance. We thought of using our British Airways miles. Out of the box BA now includes $141 for a fuel surcharge that other airlines, like American, are NOT charging. Fees for a BA award flight one-way to Barcelona are a whopping $260 per person. American is charging $95 for the same award seat. We were able to nail an American flight for early May knowing full well that American, unlike all other airlines, still offers the lowest off season awards to Europe. Our off season award to Barcelona cost just 20,000 miles. So far so good.
The return flights were another story. For starters BA, nine months in advance, had NO return flights from London or Paris for all of July through August 29th. Very bad news. American had NO high season 30,000 miles economy seats, more bad news. We tried Delta, where we have some, not too many, miles. Delta, like some other airlines, has tiers which is their way, we believe, of offering fewer cheap seats and having us all pay many more thousands of our miles if we want to book an award flight. Two weeks ago Delta, like American, was out of any of their cheapest 30,000 mile seats and Delta was offering economy seats for 45, 000 miles. A week later that was gone and a new tier of economy award seats was available at a sickening 90,000 miles one way.Back to American using more strategies. American also had higher miles seats available at 50,000 miles each BUT on the very big plus side American does not use tiers. So, why the higher priced award seats? Because American gives us value for them by way of a different category, namely, business class. Even more incredible the three flights home from Pairs to Boston, to Chicago and then to San Francisco do not offer business class so the award was substituting FIRST CLASS seats normally selling at $3,500 each one-way.
One of us had the needed 50,000 miles but one of us was short, as noted above, by 19,000 miles (51,000 less our 20K departure flight left only 31K in the account). American let us put a five day hold on the two return FIRST CLASS seats. Instead of spending lots of $$$$ to buy the needed 19K miles we made one call to Diners Club, paid an $8 transfer fee and in 24 hours had 19K miles moved into the American AAdvantage account topping it off at 51 K in plenty of time to finalize/pay for the miles for both our return FIRST CLASS SEATS. Did we mind paying miles for $7,000 worth of three first class flights home.....NO WAY! Also, since we paid only 20K for the outbound flight we are paying 70K for both flights where all other airlines are charging 60K or 65K so almost the very same mileage price that most are paying for RT economy seats. One of the best ‘endings’ to an award seat quest.How are we certain the seats are first class rather than business class? We always use http://seatguru.com when booing seats. One views the plane schematic with problem seats colored yellow or red. Just make sure you look up the exact plane you will be flying. We easily confirmed that our three flights/planes had only economy and about 4-6 rows of first class seats.
There is perhaps no better real world way to demonstrate the value of having multiple alternative accounts plus a miles transfer account than our efforts, only days ago, that hit so many ‘bumps’ but ended with spectacular first class success. We once traveled to China on business class aboard a 747 and that was marvelous. This will be our fist time flying first class on a major long haul flight. We booked our August 2010 flights in November 2009 about nine months prior to the trip.
STEVE’S GIZMO COLUMN
BEST 11oz DUAL CAMERA /CAMCORDER - FIELD TEST REVIEWMy Summer 2010 CTN GIZMO column noted my purchase of the Sanyo HD2000 camera/camcorder including a listing of its best and often unique features. For my pre-trip discussion of the HD2000 see: www.ctnsummer10.blogspot.com
Having used the HD2000 continuously during our recent two month trip to Italy
I can say the following with full and enthusiastic conviction:
* Best lightweight camcorder I have ever owned
* 1080p results are stunning * Great, comfortable pistol grip feel
* Camera’s 8-megapixel stills are excellent. Click on the pigeon shot for a larger view
* Camera battery plus one spare was always good for the day
* Every day I archived two copies of shot video/stills on each of my two 4oz portable hard drives.
* Carrying two 4-megapixel SD card, one in the camcorder and one as a spare was always more then enough for any given day.
* The HD 2000 worked perfectly with my ultra-light ZipShot tripod even in light wind. I don’t recommend using it as such in moderate winds
* Custom macro settings (4) were very handy
* Self-timer function at one’s choice of 2 or 10 seconds came in hand when filming with the remote control or to reduce vibration when filming stills.
Thumbs up on the HD2000's 8-megapixel stills. The camera can shoot up to 10x optical zoom stills. Here are two samples of the camera’s 8-megapixel stills.
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| FLORENCE CASCINE FLEA MARKET-CLICK ON PHOTO |
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| SIENA'S PIAZZA DEL CAMPO - CLICK ON PHOTO |
STEVE'S TIP: I did not realize just how handy the four custom macro settings would be. Once made one used the toggle switch to instantly reach these settings. I choose (1) focus (2) exposure adjustment (3) exposure lock and (4) focus lock. Self time was not macro but was set-up to be only one extra toggle away.Thumbs way up for the HD2000's stunning 1080p recording. When you view these first YouTube 1080p uploads be sure to ‘dial in’ the number 1080p assuming your computer is capable of 1080p high definition playback. If not you will see DVD quality results at 720p and good results even at 480p. Here is a good example of just how well the HD2000 delivered 1080p high definition video. This video shot at Fiesole's Roman amphitheater demonstrates discussed here and later on in this article:
* The camera/camcorder's ability to deliver amazing 1080p results
* How well the ZipShot ultra-light tripod worked even when set up on the narrow Roman Amphitheater steps. I shot this entire video using the ZipShot
* How totally cool and easy it was to use the the HD2000's 'in-camera' basic editing capability. This video was edited at our Florence apartment and uploaded directly to YouTube the very day it was filmed. My favorite scene....of course....THE GIANT HAND!
CONS: The HD2000 is the most problem free digital camera/camcorder I have owned and used.. With that said there is one problem that is common to all ultra small camcorders.....shaky video especially when filming in zoom/telephoto mode. The ZipShot, when available for use easily took care of that problem as you can see in my above YouTube Roman Theater video.
EDITING ON THE ‘RUN’ - I had great success in 2009 editing Mpeg2 video while in Barcelona and Paris using our Lenovo netbook. I used VideoReDo TV Suite. This is a fine basic editing program made for digital video. Forget transitions and think basic ‘on the run’ vacation editing to create instant YouTube masterpieces. The program permits basic cutting and re-arranging of any and all scenes. For th is trip and my new HD2000 I upgraded this program to its newest version: VideoReDo TVSuite H.264
I was ready to edit my first YouTube high definition video when the ‘rude awakening’ arrived. Sadly, my Lenovo netbook could not handle/process the H264 high definition footage which the program gallantly tried to edit. I had tested the new H.264 version before leaving home but that test was on my desktop. I had assumed the Lenovo would work in similar good fashion.
HD2000 TO THE RESCUE: I love redundant systems and bring many with me. This time was not different. When checking out the HD2000 I found a reviewer who complained that: HD2000 permits limited internal ‘EDITION’ but this is difficult at best. I read the manual’s two or so ‘how to edit’ pages and prepared instructions on how to use it in a worst case scenario, one that was now playing out. HD2000 IN-CAMERA EDIT SYSTEM: Two big thumbs up for this last ditch redundant system that worked like a charm. Forget ‘difficult’ to use, it was a snap.
Ex. I scrolled through 20 scenes and found 10 that I wanted for my YouTube video. I cut, as necessary, either or both ends of the scenes. There is no function for cutting mid-scene BUT one can edit a 15 second scene to 4 seconds. Go back to the original 15 second scene and again edit and then do this a third time so as to edit out sections at either end or even mid-scene. Time consuming so I tried to avoid this but it did work fine where there was some glitch mid-scene and I was able to work around it.
The in-camera editor permits ‘only’ eight scenes. For starters I select each scene in the proper order and each scene is marked with the numbers 1 through 8. I then clicked on create new movie which preserves all the original scenes. What about my 10 scenes with the camera’s 8 scene limit? Another easy ‘go-around’ fix. I created an 8 scene edited movie. Then edited the two final scenes creating edited movie #2 and then highlighted each movie as a scene #1 and scene #2 and created a new movie combining the two scenes for a single final movie that had all my ten scenes.
The HD2000 takes a few minutes to process the edited final movie and voila one has an in camera perfect basic edited H264 video in its most perfect form ready for upload to YouTube. The end result of this in-camera process is seen in each of my YouTube videos. Once home one can re-do any or all to add transitions, music etc. as desired.
This YouTube video is a perfect example of HD2000 in-camera editing.
RECOMMENDATION: Two big thumbs up for my Sanyo HD2000 camera/camcorder for all the reasons mentioned above. This amazing camera/camcorder delivers stunning results and has marvelous features some of which I was hard pressed to find on any other modes i.e. cold shoe, microphone input, shoots stills and video simultaneously and in-camera editing. And all this for a price all can afford (I paid $485 delivered in Spring 2010). I shall be enjoying my HD2000 for many years.
MY FAVORITE MAHA AAA/AA CHARGER UP IN SMOKE! YIKES!
Two years ago this column reported my newest and favorite of all time AA/AAA battery charger the Maha 401FSDCW. This is not to be confused with the Maha 401FS since the DCW identifies mine as their ‘worldwide’ 110-220 model. Another signature feature of the 401SF is its ability to charge any number of batteries i.e. one, two, three or four batteries at a time. Its third major feature is its ability to charge each battery separately with a red to green light for each of the four circuits. On the 'con' side you will notice that this model has a large 110-220 transformer whereas the replacement Maha I shall be purchasing is ultra light weight with a (see below) built-in transformer.
Timing is everything! On the 3rd to last day of our recent seven weeks in Italy I grabbed two AA batteries and began to charge them. Later, I saw no lights on and the, when I examined the charger, learned the ugly truth of what had happened. I had inadvertently put an alkaline non-rechargeable battery into the Maha. The result was this ugly melt down. OK I exaggerated about the ‘smoke’ but not by much. My Maha had been truly fried to death. It was gone, dead, done, over. On the plus side cameras use lithium batteries, the trip was three days to completion and I other AA and AAA batteries to use on the journey home.
BATTERY CHARGER RELATED INSURANCE TIP:
READ THE POLICY: We used a new travel insurance company Access America which includes $1,000 of lost or damaged baggage coverage. Once we returned home I called their customer service person who told me the melt down was not covered because
only items lost or damaged in baggage during travel were covered. I was dumb founded since this was 100% UNTRUE. I always get a PDF or other copy of the actual travel policy before departing. It took me four emails to get hold of the Access America 26 page policy as they kept sending me a two page policy ‘summary’ or ‘certificate’ neither of which are the actual policy which has the language that tells one if one is or is not covered.I had to educate the customer service lady by quoting from the policy to wit:
Your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen while you are traveling. The ‘while you are traveling’ is not limited to travel to and from destinations or to travel on carriers. How do we know this? First, there is no policy definition of ‘while traveling’ and second one need only go to page one of the policy which notes coverage is in effect during these TRAVEL DATES and the dates listed include departure to return confirming what every customer service person should know like their ABCs , namely, from the time we close our door and wave good bye to Max cat until the time Max cat jumps all over us when we return we have BEEN TRAVELING on the trip.
Also, plain run of the mill ‘I made a mistake’ negligence is covered. Only gross or intentional damage to one’s self or ones’ property is excluded. I fully expect my $50 Maha battery charger claim will be paid.
NEW BETTER MAHA CHARGERI have decided to replace the 401FSDCW with Maha’s C204W. You can read the thumbs up review of this model at:
Here are the main reasons I will be buying this replacement model:
*Mostly great user reviews with only a few gripes
* Every ounce counts these days and this model is a bit lighter due to its built-in 110-220 universal transformer.
* It has a special feature that lets it breathe life into otherwise dead rechargeable batteries, batteries other chargers won’t charge
* It will NOT accept an alkaline battery so this model will totally prevent the melt down I experience.
On the down side this model will not charge single batteries so either two or four must be charged at any given time.
http://www.photonlight.com/products/Maha-PowerEx-MH%252dC204W-1%252dHour-Conditioning-AA%7B47%7DAAA-Battery-Charger.html
THE AMAZING ULTRA-LIGHT TAMRAC ZIPSHOT TRIPOD - FIELD TEST REVIEW
I reported on this amazing looking tripod in our Summer CTN edition. Before I give my field test review I must repeat some of
the highlights of the ZipShot:
* Ultra-lightweight at 11 oz * Stands 44” (112cm) tall
* Ultra-compact. Only 15” when folded * Max Weight Load. 3 lbs
* Like 'magic' the ZipShot springs open in less than 5 seconds
* Sturdy. Heavy-duty, metal ball-head with strong aluminum legs
Field Test Review: I was contemplating a thumb transplant, to add a few more thumbs, so that I could give this product 3 or 4 THUMBS UP!The ZipShot is the lightest, easiest to use and most convenient ultra compact tripod I have ever owned. Is it for everyone? No. Is it perfect for all who seek to lighten the load they carry in luggage and in their rucksack when sightseeing. I had fun amazing some Italian locals as I demonstrated the 5 second or less self-opening legs sprinting into action. Two caveats: be sure to stay withing the 3lb load range and always be aware that ultra light tripods are always more susceptible to being knocked over by lighter winds.
Cons: Not many except for those inherent in such an ultra light weight design. There is no quick release but I remedied that, see below. One can not control the height of the legs so not recommended where there will be major use on uneven ground.
Pros: Marvelous design. Sturdy despite its teenie spindly legs, awesome to set-up start to finish in less than 5 seconds. Takes the same 5 seconds to fold it up after use. The proof is in the 'pudding' as they say. Here is one of my high definition YouTube videos which I filmed alone at the Fiesole Roman Amphitheater and Baths grounds. I even managed to set up the ZipShot on the fairly narrow amphitheater steps. Two big thumbs up on this best ever ultra light weight tripod.
How to add the perfect quick release: To complete the tripod I added this inexpensive but essential Quick Release that adds very little weight and
is perfect for the Zipshot. I think this was the only very small such quick release I found.
http://www.adorama.com/SLDQ10.html
Contacts: The company web site is found at:
http://www.zipshottripod.com/product.cfm
Here is a typical Ebay vendor site (I paid $48 delivered)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tamrac-ZipShot-44-Compact-Tripod-Spring-Open-Legs-/200543763345?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb156fb91
Finally here is the YouTube video by Lehký stativ which shows the 'magic' as he opens the ZipShot in a few scant seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE-mH9cuxMM
TELESTIAL GLOBAL CELL PHONE - FIELD TEST REVIEW
Using a cell phone to call the U.S. from around the world is no longer reserved for the rich and famous. However, the landscape of foreign cell phone and the ability to use your own phone abroad is confusing. Can your use your iPhone abroad? I found this answer online BUT caution you to confirm this with AT&T.
If you plan to use your phone to make and receive calls, you can opt for the AT&T World Traveler feature (currently $5.99 month), which gives you a discounted price for making and receiving calls. Using this feature, placing or receiving a call from France and Italy would drop from $1.29 to $.99 per minute.
What about using your own phone abroad? I recommend you visit the Rangeroamer
web site, This fine company is cutting edge
by offering not only phone packages but also SIM cards for use in phones customers already own AND advice on which types of currently owned phones can NOT be used abroad. In this regard their web site offers an in-depth compatibility chart. When it comes to ‘cost’ it seems that whether you buy one of their phones or use their SIM card it appears their rate charges are the same. See below for a rate comparison between Telestial and Rangeroamer. Here is the LINK to Rangeroamer:http://www.rangeroamer.com/
Back to Telestial. In our Fall 2009 CTN my GIZMO column introduced Telestial as the new ‘lowest’ priced global cell phone provider. In fact, Telestial kindly sent me their SIM card for our Siemens A70 phone (seen in the above photo) that had been given to us by Rangeroamer two years earlier. The reason for our switch was $$$$$. Where Rangeroamer had increased its minute usage rate from 69 cents to 79 cents Telestial was offering a super lower 29 cent rate.
Here is a brief comparison of current rates using Rangeroamer and Telestial. Our comparison assumes 12 ten minute outgoing calls from abroad to the U.S. These charges are for calls made from the UK, Australia, Italy Spain and Egypt.
RANGEROAMER: Their lowest Flip Trip package that includes a high quality Motorola v196 global cell phone is $118. Their charge for 12 ten minute calls I $94.80
TELESTIAL DELUXE PASSPORT PACKAGE WITH SIEMENS A70 PHONE:
The cost of this package, which includes $10 of free prepaid calls, is $79. The cost of the 12 ten minute calls, including their 35 cent per call connect fee, is $38.40.
TELESTIAL LITE PACKAGE:
This new package is offered at the lowest
rock bottom global cell phone price anywhere. The package price of $29 includes $5 of free prepaid calls, a Kit V520 (pictured here) global cell phone with no connect fees and 30 free incoming prepaid calls. It also includes free incoming calls to France, Italy, Spain and the UK. On the down side the rates for outgoing calls is a whopping 99 cents per minute. The cost of the 12 ten minute calls would be $118.80.RECOMMENDATION: We used the Siemens A70 with Telestial SIM card with total success during our two months in Italy. The Siemens A70 remains a very small but reliable phone. If one needed a global cell phone strictly for emergency situations rather then regular calls to the U.S. to chat with family/friends then the Telestial Lite package wins hands down. Its super low cost with included $5 (five minutes) of outgoing calls and free 30 minutes of family/friends incoming calls means you may not have to pay a nickel more on your trip and all this for only $29.
For those who plan to use their global cell phone, as in our two hours example, then the Telestial Passport package is recommended. In our two hours comparison this package saves one $80 over the Lite package usage cost which more than pays for the $50 difference in package cost.
http://www.rangeroamer.com/
ECONOMY Plus package:
http://www.telestial.com/promo/econopluspack.php
PACK LITE package: http://www.telestial.com/promo/packlite.php
Pack Lite phone specs and regular $60 price. http://www.planetomni.com/handset-kitv520.shtml
GOING LOCAL: STROLLING ATHENS
By Joyce Gleeson-Adamidis
Welcome to Greece, the birth place of democracy and my home for the past twenty years since I moved from California to Athens. Where to start?BE A SAVVY VISITOR: Athens, like many major cities, has its ‘moments’ of strikes and political demonstrations. Check with your hotel’s concierge for daily updates and advice. Take normal tourist precautions
i.e. watch your purse and wallet at all times. Bring good, sound walking shoes and proper seasonal clothing. You are now ready to enjoy the wonders of Athens & Greece.Walking is a wonderful, inexpensive way to explore Greece in general and Athens in particular. Wander the streets and take in the sights and sounds including locals animated and often loud discussions. As you view the ancient ruins you may feel yourself drifting back in time, envisioning Greece’s dramatic history built on the hopes, desires and needs of its citizens.
Walk, breathe and smell the streets. Be ready, someone might take your hand and dance the Zorba or persuades you to step into a shop to buy Byzantine jewelry or a silk carpet. You may be invited to sit down and sample homemade appetizers washed down with Ouzo or Mythos beer. The latter to inspire an appreciated donation. Always be ready to go with the flow. Nothing is written in stone unless etched in marble at the Acropolis. The Athens experience is often what a visitor makes of it.
The Athens metro is an inexpensive and easy way to get around town. Metro maps are available at your hotel. Use ticket machines to avoid lines. Simply press the British Flag icon for ‘English’ and follow the prompts. Check out each station since most display relics from various finds around Athens. These offer glimpses of times past and tell stories of Greek culture and history. Here is a wonderful ‘history of Athens Metro’ site:
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/gettingaround.htm
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| MONASTIRAKI - CLICK ON PHOTO |
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| ATHENS LAIKI MARKET - CLICK ON PHOTO |
JOYCE’S MUSEUM TIP: Most popular is the Athens Archeology Museum filled with archeological discoveries. Also the newly built Acropolis Museum with its spectacular views the Parthenon from wide open bay windows. Don't hesitate to have a refreshment out on the patio and feel as one with Greece.
I also like the Herakleidon, a tastefully done private art museum. Works of Victor Vasarely and M.C. Escher can be found, along with a variety of presentations that include music performances and literary events. Another is the famous Lalaounis Museum filled with one of a kind creations of beauty. Here is a handy site that lists Athens museums http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_museums_in_Greece
Off the beaten path ‘adventure’: Wander behind the Old Olympic Stadium, through a place called the Mets, with its picturesque restored neo-Classical buildings, rolling hills and winding streets. You will surely enjoy an amazing glimpse, over the National Gardens, of Mount Lykavittos and of the Acropolis. Here you will find the walls of the Athens' First Cemetery. Anyone who was anyone in Greece is buried there, and you'll be amazed by the beautiful carved tombstones and sculptures.
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| ATHENS ROOF TOP CINEMA - CLICK ON PHOTO |
JOYCE’S TIP: FREE admission days. Most Sundays from November to March for most archeological sites (also the first Sunday of April, May, September and October). Look for free admission days on most museum web sites.
Final words: Greece is a small country filled with unlimited sightseeing opportunities and many memories of a lifetime. I hope you are enticed to explore, interact with locals and enjoy. Take it slow!! There will always be more to see and do when your RETURN! I am living in Greece for 20 years and constantly savor new, memorable experiences.
HAPPY AND SAFE TRAVELS TO ALL!
(c) 2010 Tanenbaum
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