Archive for October, 2006
Saturday, Oct 28th, 2006
Categories: Rome
A lovely and sunny day, we almost thought it was summer!
Andrea was waiting for us at Hostel Andrew and he offered us a fantastic espresso to wake us up. This hostel is cosy, with only 9 beds in 2 rooms.
Location is really good, close to termini station and many restaurants and bar around.
After visting Andrew Hostel we headed to a really nice and cosy hostel located in the centre of the city with lovely staff working there, Sandy Hostel. Christian (Italian) and Cindy English) are the 2 people working at the reception. In this Hostel you can really feel a sparkling atmosphere, and a lot of information for backpackers regarding pubs, restaurants and cultural activities.
At Casa Olmata, Mirella and Marco were waiting for us with open arms and with a tray of pizzas, sweets and a bottle of Italian sparkling wine. What hospitality!!!
This has a fantastic location and amazing views from the roof. Casa Olmata is a few feet from Santa Maria Maggiore and close to Termini Station and a nice walking distance to the Colosseum as well….
Although the building is quite old, as are many in the area are, for short-term guests, these things really don’t matter. What matters is that the staff kept the rooms and the washrooms clean.
If you expect any more from a 20 euro/night hostel, you’re in Rome for the wrong reason! Sit back on the rooftop and enjoy the view and the people!
Our next appointment was at Anakin Hotel, Montestella Hotel and Stargate Hostel. These 3 Hotels are in the same building, 5 minutes walking from termini station.
The part of the hotel we visited had been recently renovated, so everything was in good condition and very clean. The rooms are quite a reasonable size (by European standards) but could possibly get a little noisy if the windows were open because it faced Via Palestro.
There was plenty of cupboard and drawer space and lots of electrical outlets. There was even a mini refrigerator which was good for keeping some snacks and coffee making things on hand. The bathroom was immaculate and the water pressure in the shower was probably the best I’ve seen in Italy. Security was excellent as you had to be buzzed into that section of the building by reception, which had video cameras installed so they can see who is buzzing.
Farid and Carlo are really nice and friendly….and really happy with Hostelbookers!!
Last appoitments of the day
Unfortunately we were not able to see much of our next appoitment, Mj Place because the Hostel is under refurbishment. However it looks really nice and modern with a good design.
Hostel two ducks is a safe and quiet place, ideal to spend a few days in Rome and it definitely represents a good solution for travellers on a tight budget.
It is just a few steps from Termini station and Diocleziano’s terms which is a very big plus (distances in Rome are very important because transportation is very bad organise)
Michele is the person in charge for reservations and Hostelbookers availability, and although his name is Italian, he is originally from Persia.
It is a very small Hostel, with only 26 beds in total, but it is very cosy and clean.
The Pop Inn is in a great and very central location. There is a lot of noise from the streets though so if you need it to be quiet to sleep, this is not the place for you. The rooms and facilities are basic and clean, but probably not for the fussy guest. The staff speak good English and are friendly enough.
The Hostel is very close to the train station but when you’re stood under the big Pop inn sign it’s not easy to see where the main entrance is as lots of beer guzzling locals are perched on plastic chairs in front of it!
The reception is cool, nice colors and the place has an authentic Hostel atmosphere which is very difficult to find in Rome.
A double room in high season costs 107E/night which we think is quite a lot but Rome is notoriously expensive.
This was our last appointment of the day and it’s already 7 pm. We are very tired and starving! Luckily we are staying in Mirella’s friend’s apartment where we are able to cook typical Italian pasta.
Rome is really one of the most beautiful cities in the world, except for the traffic during peak hours which makes everything a bit more difficult.
Comprehensive list of Rome Hostels
For more information on getting around Rome go to Transport in Rome
Saturday, Oct 28th, 2006
Categories: Rome
Mirella and I landed in Ciampino airport at 9.00 p.m.
Everything went perfect; no delays and no queues and lots of relaxing at the airport for 3 hours drinking coffee!!
Unfortunately we had a bad surprise as soon as we arrived in Rome.
We decided to take a taxi to our Hotel which was quite close to the airport but the driver charged us 35 Euro….UNBELIEVABLE!
A good tip for the future travellers to Rome: never trust a taxi driver; try to arrange the price in advance to avoid a nasty surprise.
Comprehensive list of Rome Hostels
For more information on getting around Rome go to Transport in Rome
Saturday, Oct 28th, 2006
Categories: Rome
This was the last day of visits and it was another beautiful day.
Yellow hostel is still in the city centre and is one of the best rated hostels in hostelbookers and when we saw it, we understood why. This place is good at decoration and atmosphere, and has a young and vibrant environment which makes it good for people wanting to meet others. They have a nice common area and while visiting we mixed with all the younger people that were hanging around.
We had a chat with Chris and Mark, which was the first appointment where we spoke English. Both of them are from England and while they admit that their Italian is not very fluent, this fact has not seemed to hinder them much at all, and this is a great little hostel.
This day we planned to go to some places out of the city centre and check what other alternatives are open for visitors to Rome.
Ostello Casale del Monaci is Located in Ciampino, this is a peaceful place with a good garden area surrounding the property, and very close to the Rome Ciampino airport. The building is well kept and rooms and corridors are spacious and spotless clean. It is one of the few places in Rome which is perfect to receive groups as they have parking and a big common area. This place is perfect for those searching for a nice quiet night’s sleep.
We did enjoy our visit to this hostel and we even got a chance to try their food, including the typical Italian spaghetti with tomato sauce. They kindly let us use their shuttle service to take us to the station and then we headed to our next visit.
Camping Village Rome is situated only a few metro stops from the Vatican. Max met us there and we spent a good 2 hours visiting the whole complex. As the name indicates, it is a camping village, but you do have the option of booking bungalows. The facilities are fantastic, and the bathrooms were brand new and spotless. They have a swimming pool, restaurant and plenty of recreational areas. The bungalows are fully equipped, with air conditioning and heating, and most of them even have a terrace with a wooden table ideal to spend lovely summer evenings in.
The Camping Village is big in capacity which makes it perfect for big groups travelling to Rome.
Although it is not right in the city centre, you get some worthy extras and it is ideal for those that stay in Rome for longer than the usual weekend break.
Overall view
Rome is a great city where everyone should go to at least once in the life time. It is rich in history and interesting sites, and we did have a good experience overall. It can be stressful to get around the city as the public transport is not so well organised and moving by bus in Rome can be a difficult for a non Italian speaker. Rome is also expensive and you have to bear in mind that value for money is not always easy to get here in terms of accommodation, but I believe we have suggested some interesting alternatives for the future visitors.
Comprehensive list of Rome Hostels
For more information on getting around Rome go to Transport in Rome
Saturday, Oct 28th, 2006
Categories: Rome
Breakfast is probably one of the best moments during the day in Italy; the taste of espresso is completely different from the London one, and for this reason we probably had too much caffeine in our system as we wandered off to our first appointment of the day. Alessandro palace Hostel and Alessandro Downtown Hostel.
We met Takashi the Japanese guy in charge of reservations, at Alessandro Palace which is very close to Termini station. I had been talking to him at the phone and after the meeting I can confirm he is a very precise and professional person.
The Hostel is very big for Rome, and rooms are spacious and luminous. Some of them have bunk beds, while others have single beds. All of them are ensuite which is unusual in Rome.
This is definitely a good place to meet other people especially because there is a bar famous to many young people in Rome, and they organise a free pizza party once in a week.
All the staff was definitely professional, English speaking and smiling, the latter being quite unusual in Rome where everyone always looks a litte annoyed.
Comprehensive list of Rome Hostels
For more information on getting around Rome go to Transport in Rome
Saturday, Oct 21st, 2006
Categories: Krakow
On day two, Krakow showed us more great hostels, lots of new flavours to hit the palate, and more friendly faces to meet.
Our first visit was the Anytime Hostel, where we were staying as well, which was great because we got that extra hour of sleep. The Kazimierz square is literally right in front of the hostel which is one of the major nightspots in Krakow. Any Time Hostel has character from the moment you walk in. Admittedly it feels like you are walking into a mini restaurant, but are soon greeted with lovely smiley Polish ladies who make you feel at home in no time. The tables of the restaurant stretch through the corridor that leads onto the stairs that take you to the rooms. The rooms are basic and clean and if you need to use the internet or just fancy a chill out, the top floor has an internet/ lounge area. I found Anytime hostel to be a quiet and relaxing base to be in. Guests seem to vary in age and mostly are couple or small groups.
The next hostel we set of to visit was Momotown Hostel not too far from where we were. Although, having said that we did go the wrong way and walk up and down the same street a few times! It was Jowita’s fault though. I was just following! Krakow is relatively small, so we were soon back on track and the hostel is easy to find. The entrance is decorated with some fun graffiti and this element of fun is spread throughout. Just outside the hostel entrance in the court yard there is a table football and the managers seem like real easy-going and fun people. This hostel seems well equipped for groups with some large dorms. Just round the corner from the hostel is a cosy bar called Absint that we popped into for a quick coffee. This is very handy as the hostel does not serve breakfast or drinks.
The third visit of the day was The Atlantis Hostel. No rooms here had ensuite bathrooms, but the bathrooms were very large and well equipped to cater for large numbers. Rooms were decorated in a simple style but all seemed spacious and clean.
The next Hostel was Nathan’s Villa Hostel which was apparently one of the first hostels to open in Krakow. This hostel really does have everything you need; comfort, fun and great value for money. There’s a full bar, billiard/pool room, HD home theatre and separate smoking and non-smoking rooms. LCD screens with complete sports packages in all rooms. In their outside garden they have ample room for great barbecues, room to relax and a table tennis table. They have a variety of rooms that have been uniquely painted to different themes based on different continents.
The 5th hostel we visited was the Orange Hostel ran by Agnieszka, a truly charismatic, smart and fun person to be with. This hostel has a real friendly, comfortable feel to it. The kitchen area is really the central feature where people can cook, chat or just chill out and relax. None of the rooms have ensuite bathrooms, but both dorms and bathrooms are generous with space and the toilets are all spotless. The Hostel is located between Kazimiez (Jewish district) and Old Town.
The last visit of the day was to Kadetus Hostel. Situated next to Wawel Castle and Vistula River, this really was like walking into someone’s house. The decoration was modern, and the cleanliness was of a very good standard. There isn’t much of a common room available but a nice spacious kitchen to socialise in. Watch out for the receptionist. She looks sweet and innocent but has a voice that will make your imagination run wild. Ask her what i mean when you get there!
Comprehensive list of Krakow Hostels.
Saturday, Oct 21st, 2006
Categories: Krakow
Our first hostel of our visit was The Stranger Hostel. Upon entering the hostel we went into the lounge (The Ju Ju Lounge). Immediately it felt very cosy with a huge couch that could fit half a dozen easily! A great feature of the hostel was that it had a projector for movies. This hostel does not have private rooms however the dorms have a relaxed and fun feel to them. Maya was a great host and going back to visit this hostel would be worth it just for that!
Our next Hostel was the Premium Hostel, and was very different from the first one - in some ways resembling a typical Travelodge. The person we were supposed to meet with had an appointment, and so could not make it. However the lovely receptionist was kind enough to show us around. The hostel is set on one floor of an old Polish refurbished building. All the rooms had a feeling of being brand new, airy and comfortable. What this hostel lacked in character, it definitely made up for in comfort. The kitchen was also nice and clean and spacious enough to accommodate about 12 people round a table and a few on the couch. Internet use was also available there too.
Our third visit was to Seventh Heaven Hostel. A lot of Polish was spoken on this visit and by the end Gab, already fluent in English and Italian could almost add to his list of languages! Nevertheless, the hostel is multilingual and most languages pose no problems. There were a couple of things that really stood out in this hostel. Firstly, there is a piano in the lounge area which all of the staff are very proud of. Apparently they often have travellers who play it and fill the hostel with music and fun. The second thing is the colours used to decorate the different dorms. I don’t want to spoil your surprise so will say no more, but also many of the dorms also look out onto some nice greenery round the back.
Our next appointment was at the Dodo Hostel. This was only opened approximately one year ago and so it is quite new. The place is run by young people who seem very fun. There is a common lounge to chill out and garden area which would be great for barbecues in the summer. The kitchen was quite cosy, and the dorms were nice and decorated with individual wall paintings. For those of you who wish to explore some of Krakow by bicycle, at this hostel, subject to availability, they are free to use.
The next hostel, Deco hostel, was Jowita’s favourite for a variety of reasons. Walking into the hostel was like stepping into a different timezone. The Deco experience is different and one you definitely won’t forget. If you like art then you will enjoy your stay here even more. Every room is adorned with a famous histoircal artistic figure. All rooms have new furnishings and fittings. In fact, we could not find one bad point about this hostel. Groups are welcome but respect for other guests is of utmost importance.
Our next visit was to the Trzy Kafki Hostel. We were left pretty much to our own devices to explore the rooms. This is a good hostel for groups. It is cheap, and although maybe needing a touch of updating, has everything that you need.
The last visit of the day was Bling Bling Hostel. This hostel is relaxed in style where you can easily mingle with others. This hostel has no private rooms, but good spacious dorms with lockers and a good sized kitchen for guest use.
Comprehensive list of Krakow Hostels.
Saturday, Oct 21st, 2006
Categories: Krakow
Sky hostel is named after the Dog Sky (or is it the other way round?). The hostel was buzzing when we arrived with a busy but relaxed atmosphere. There is a large kitchen area for breakfast, TV rooms with DVD and they are happy to take groups (well most groups anyway!) As the name suggests, the main theme of the hostel is the colour blue; blue rooms, blue corridors and even blue toilets! There is also some orange to reflect the sun. We loved the combo!
The second hostel of the day was called the Green Hostel. This one reminded me of being back home in Italy (Genova). The property had large rooms all round, with really high ceilings and marble flooring. We were showed round for some time, and all were huge in size with basic but good decor. There’s not much a communal room but there is a couch to relax in which is situated in the reception area.
The third hostel we visited was Greg Hostel which felt like you were walking into someone’s apartment. It is small, but cute and cosy and run by two young Polish entrepreneurs. All of the rooms are with shared bathrooms and space is relatively limited. The hostel is looking to expand to offer more rooms upstairs. Parallel to their hostelling business they also run a tour company which offers trips to Auschwitz and the Salt Mines in Wieczka. The hostel is also in a great location, only 3 minutes from the market square.
The Globetrotter Hotel was our next visit, situated about 100 metres from the main market square. This hostel is in a league of its own. Just off a quiet street, you are greeted by a lovely garden that leads into apartment like accommodation. This is a quiet place, not really so suitable for groups and mostly enjoyed by couple and families. The return rate is huge and it’s no wonder that this property runs at almost 1000 % occupancy year-round. So if you have a your heart set on this one, book early!
The last hostel visit was Mama’s Hostel. It has nice, spacious dorm rooms with good shared toilet facilities. The kitchen is of a very good size and has ample room for several people to have breakfast. Between the reception and the kitchen there is also a really nice relaxed lounge area and there is also a nice balcony area with a few chairs and plants. I think the balcony would be a popular smokers’ retreat, but is enjoyed by all. The location is very central, just 1 minute walk from main market square and just a stones throw away from pubs and clubs.
Comprehensive list of Krakow Hostels.
Saturday, Oct 7th, 2006
Categories: Warsaw
The first place we visited this morning was Nathan’s Villa Hostel and this is definitely a typical hostel for young backpackers who wish to hang out and meet new people. We walked through the old gate and into a beautiful courtyard, where we met Marta the manager, a really kind and enthusiastic person. “Nathan’s Villa” is located in the centre of the city. They have a common room on each floor and a fully equipped kitchen. There is a really friendly and fun atmosphere in the hostel as well as a really relaxed feel to it. I liked it a lot.
I must say it was a pleasure to be showed around the Oki Doki hostel. The charming receptionist, whose smile especially impressed Nacho, was also eager to help and answer all of our questions.
This unique hostel is running by young amazing couple. Both had spent a lot of time travelling around the world, so they know everything there is to know about backpackers’ needs. I was told that each room has been designed in a different style and by a different artist. Instead of being numbered, each of the rooms has their own name. The people who work here are young, love Warsaw, and are very knowledgeable about the history of the place, as well as tell you the best places to see, and help you with places to go out at night.
Because of a couple of cancellations, we didn’t get to see as many places as we had hoped on this day, although possibly a blessing in disguise as Nacho had taken ill. We left the city, safe in the knowledge that there are definitely some great places to stay in Warsaw!
Saturday, Oct 7th, 2006
Categories: Warsaw
Our first hostel, Guesthouse Dom Literatury is a really nice place for people who are looking for a quiet environment rather than a “party hostel”. It is visited regularly by many famous poets and writers from all around the world. It is in a great location and has amazingly picturesque views of the city from the rooms. Almost every room has its own bathroom, wooden furniture, and TV, radio and telephone. It is on the 3rd floor and there is no lift so lugging your bags to the top will keep you fit! There is also an exceptional restaurant in the basement. The ladies working in the guesthouse are very friendly and helpful. We had a great cup of coffee before moving on to our next hostel.
Old Town apartments is for people who are looking for exclusive apartments with wooden floors, leather sofas etc… I would describe it as pretty good quality for a decent price. The apartments are also centrally located in the main market square. I would say that this is possibly more for people looking for a quieter stay, rather than young backpackers who wish to meet and hang out with lots of other people. Jakub who fluently speaks English and Spanish, showed us around. Fully equipped apartments, with many facilities, and extremely clean will definitely satisfy those wanting a few more creature comforts in their stay. There is a CD player, Sky TV, living room and kitchen in each apartment. There is a lot of space but definitely not for a party. We were also very pleasantly surprised when we heard the price!
The Youth Hostel Syrenka is located 10-15min by tram from the centre of Warsaw. Decorated in retro furniture, it has all the basic facilities and would be better suited for school groups and people on a tight budget.
The hostel offers 140 beds for their guests. Facilities available for guests include a coffee shop, self-service kitchen and dining room, internet cafe, pool, table tennis, and a laundry area. The hostel is staffed in duty hours by a teaching staff familiar with the country who is delighted to assist with advice.
We then wandered back to the hostel we were staying in. It is a nice new hostel located in the historic district of Warsaw. The place is quite something; just 30 meters from the Old Town Square and you are walking through the narrow streets, surrounded on both sides by old historical buildings, one being Kanonia Hostel. The rooms are nice and quiet, so this is a great place for those who would like to get a rest after a busy day sightseeing in town. The hostel has a nice kitchen with a small dining room where in the morning while Nacho was still sleeping I had a chat with the locals.
The owner, Marcin didn’t come to see us at the Kanonia but invited us to his new property. He seems like he putting a lot effort to make it attractive and it should be a great place. We had a long chat with him there and walked around the building.
Struggling with bad weather (it was really windy and raining) we went to Dom Przy Rynku where we were greeted warmly and fed delicious home made cake and hot coffee making us feel completely at home.
Hostel Dom Przy Rynku is open all week during the summer months, and all year around on Friday to Sunday. The youth hostel is located in the middle of Warsaw near New Town surrounded by historic buildings and churches. This great position is quiet and allows easy access to Warsaw Old town. I would suggest that it is not the best place for party backpackers, but would be great for school parties.
Saturday, Oct 7th, 2006
Categories: Warsaw
Our two day trip allowed us only to visit some of the hostels listed with us in Warsaw and it was going to be a really busy couple of days. Warsaw is slowly gaining in popularity with travellers, especially in the summer time. The city hasn’t got a dynamic and fast- paced hostel scene but in the last couple of years, a few interesting properties have popped up.
Warsaw has two historic districts, called Old Town and New Town. They are adjacent to each other and the newer section is almost as old as the Old Town. The Old Town was completely destroyed in World War II but, some of it has been rebuilt to look like the original and is now full of stylish and trendy restaurants and pubs.
Despite the short time we spent in Warsaw, we saw places that we really want to come back to one day.
Having just arrived in Warsaw, we went with my best friend for dinner in a restaurant and ate lots of delicious local dishes. Completely stuffed, we came back to Kanonia Hostel and got ready for the next hectic couple of days.
