City
Created by Applekore
Spain | Italy 2009; Things I Learned About Travelling in Europe
Sat 03/14/09 (day 1)
Day 1 Toronto to Barcelona
What we did:
• Waited around terminals
• Flew. All darned night.
What I learned:
• If you forget your PSP, your Nintendo DS, or your netbook, at home, you can buy one from one of JFK’s enormous vending machines
There were a bunch of these, standing about four feet tall, and ten feet wide. And if you put in your credit card (or, like, $200.00 in quarters,), a PSP doesn’t dispense four feet down and bash out of the swinging door. Rather, a series of mortorized rails glide your new doodad to you. That would have been neat to see that happen.
• Every shop at our terminal had a security guard
That’s why I didn’t take a picture of the enormous vending machines.
• If your airline oversells the flight, they will ask for volunteers to bail for another, later, cheaper flight.
It would have been worth it to us if the alternate flight didn’t leave in another 6 hours. And landed the same city we planned on. And if we didn’t have to contact our hotel and change our booking. So did we volunteer? No.
• Waited around terminals
• Flew. All darned night.
What I learned:
• If you forget your PSP, your Nintendo DS, or your netbook, at home, you can buy one from one of JFK’s enormous vending machines
There were a bunch of these, standing about four feet tall, and ten feet wide. And if you put in your credit card (or, like, $200.00 in quarters,), a PSP doesn’t dispense four feet down and bash out of the swinging door. Rather, a series of mortorized rails glide your new doodad to you. That would have been neat to see that happen.
• Every shop at our terminal had a security guard
That’s why I didn’t take a picture of the enormous vending machines.
• If your airline oversells the flight, they will ask for volunteers to bail for another, later, cheaper flight.
It would have been worth it to us if the alternate flight didn’t leave in another 6 hours. And landed the same city we planned on. And if we didn’t have to contact our hotel and change our booking. So did we volunteer? No.
Delia (View Delia's trips)
This information was incredibly helpful. I'll look for a friend to accompany me, plan as carefully as possible and continue with my plan to travel to Spain. Thank you!
Posted 4 months ago.
Report AbuseJBN (View JBN's trips)
Great commentary! How were the prices at the B&B's you stayed at in Rome & Florence? I'm looking for something along those lines. We're not picky about our hotels, but it would be nice to stay somewhere safe that's not in a shady part of town. We just really need a bed to sleep in and a bathroom to wash up, since we'll be spending all day outside. Thanks for your tips too!
Posted 4 months ago.
Report AbuseApplekore (View Applekore's trips)
I'm the same way with hotels; I don't need much more than a bed + bath. Our hotel in Rome was a real find; more of a well-decorated, re-purposed apartment than anything, but it's in a great area, and our host was really friendly. Our place in Florence had wonderful hosts and full breakfast, with a rustic backdrop to boot - both places cost about €100/per night. You can find my two cents on both places here: http://maps.google.com/maps/user?uid=107…
Posted 4 months ago.
Report AbuseAliceS (View AliceS's trips)
How did you travel between Spain and Romee? Did you do something like ryanair?
Posted 2 months ago.
Report AbuseLuca P (View Luca P's trips)
Toronto and Barcellona are two wonderful cities but what about Florence in Italy? It's a pity the most important airport near Florence (Pisa) does have so few flights also from Toronto and Carcellona otherwise you could have plan a gorgeous trip also in Florence! ;) And if you like b&b http://www.bedfirenze.com is surely a good choice...
Posted 2 weeks ago.
Report AbuseStanislavG (View StanislavG's trips)
I don't think around the Colloseo (or anywhere else actually)in Rome is unsafe, you don't need to be more cautious than in any other big city in Europe. I have been in Rome twice this year visiting friends who work there and were busy all day so and I have visited most sights and explored the city by myself. I haven't seen anyone been robbed nor have I felt threatened by anything even around Termini which is supposed to be the 'most dangerous' spot. There are shady characters around the city surely, but there is no need to be paranoid.
Posted 1 week ago.
Report AbuseApplekore (View Applekore's trips)
True, true. I didn't find Rome, on the whole, to be unsafe at all. But I definitely felt uncomfortable by the Coliseo - it might have been the time of day, or we may have just gotten some particularly bad characters when we went, but I could only relate my experience for the one time we were there.
Posted 1 week ago.
Report AbusePlanned Activities
Mon 03/23/09 (day 10) - Florence
Unscheduled - Barcelona
Transportation