Archive for December, 2006
Friday, Dec 8th, 2006
Categories: Florence
Our last day for appointments was upon us already. Feeling a bit worse for ware after the previous night’s shenanigans we had a massive breakfast and went to visit Soggiorno Pitti where we met with Marco. This property was in close proximity to the Ponte Vecchio so we walked through there again. With plenty of museums and places of interest surrounding it, it is truly a good choice for accommodation. Rooms are beautifully decorated with high ceilings. The whole establishment is very warm, cosy and friendly.
With a few hours to spare before flying back to London we hung wondered about the area exploring the streets, sites and shops. One last glass of wine and then we had to head back to collect our bags and take the train to Pisa where we would catch our flight.
Within minutes of being on the aeroplane Gab and I were asleep following another successful and fun HostelBookers.com “52 Trips in a Year” experience.
Comprehensive list of Florence Hostels.
For more information on getting around Florence go to Florence Public Transport
Friday, Dec 8th, 2006
Categories: Florence
Our first appointment didn’t start until eleven so we had a late breakfast and a wonder around the local shops. I could have spent millions on the beautiful jewellery on offer in Firenze.
We then met with Roberto and Sandra who run Hotel Pensione Ferreti. This property is lovely and situated in the smallest little narrow street. Rooms are very clean and tidy and there are plenty of balconies around to enjoy the sights around you. This is a beautiful little place, one that I would highly recommend.
The second appointment covered three properties all in one go, Hotel Giappone, Soggiorno Prestipino and Tourist House. We visited each one with the lovely Linquincina and they all come highly recommended. All rooms are large and tastefully decorated and there is a real warm atmosphere throughout. All three properties are centrally located.
Gab and I now had some time to kill so we visited the Ponte Vecchio. Bustling with tourists this is truly a beautiful place to visit. The view from the bridge of the city is breath taking and the shopping out of this world.
Youth Hostel Firenze was the last place we had to visit for the day. We met with the lovely Simona who took us around the property. As far as Youth Hostels go this place is truly incredible. With fantastic areas to socialise with others and its remarkable amount of rooms it’s perfect for any group. The rooms are fantastic with en-suite facilities throughout and lovely wooden features. This is perhaps my favourite property along with Hostel Madrid.
After the appointment we took a stroll back to our hostel. We quickly freshened up for a big night out on the town.
We came across this bar later that evening where we met Christian who was the owner of the establishment. We ended up sharing a few glasses of wine there and then when Christian closed up shop he took us to a couple of local night clubs. Driving around Firenze with a local gave it a whole different perspective.
We staggered home at around 4 in the morning after a fantastic night out!
Comprehensive list of Florence Hostels.
For more information on getting around Florence go to Florence Public Transport
Friday, Dec 8th, 2006
Categories: Florence
The day began at 7 and Gab and I freshened up and went on the hunt for some breakfast. Running a bit short on time we grabbed a Danish en route to our first appointment which was with Clara at Albergo Paola.
This hostel has a very cosy feel to it. Painted with very warm colours and a great communal area it’s a great choice. Clara herself is quite a character, she also goes to great efforts to ensure that her guests have a great time by giving the breakfast in bed and excellent advice on places to see and bars/clubs to visit. The property is centrally near plenty of shops and restaurants.
Following on from there we met with Linda who runs Central beds. This property is slightly less social because there is no communal area but the rooms are big and airy and Linda herself is most helpful. Also located very centrally it is again another place worth visiting. It’s just a two minute walk from the Galleria Della Academia where the original David is found.
One more appointment before lunch and we visited Hotel Ester where we met with Massimiliano. This property is again very clean and tidy and above all very centrally located. It’s in the heart of the historical old city. Staff at the hostel are there as well to book tours of the museums for you.
Our 13:30 appointment was cancelled at the last minute so Gab and I decided we should go and have a sit down lunch at a café somewhere near the River. We wondered around until we found a delightful little café where they had a set menu for 10 Euro each. I have never eaten quite so much in all my life. Food was brilliant, sadly though I have no records of what the café was called otherwise I would highly recommend it.
Next up for a visit was Luna Rossa where we met with Marco. This property is incredibly central based on Via Nazionale it’s just outside the main station. The rooms a very clean and tidy and tastefully decorated with a communal kitchen. All rooms have satellite and on demand breakfast is served to you.
Just around the corner is Soggiorno Berlini where we met with Alfredo. The rooms here are clean and tidy and nicely decorated. Staff are friendly and like so many of the properties in Firenze it is centrally located and in walking distance to most famous museums and sights.
Our last appointment for the day finished at around 17:30 so we talk a slow stroll back to our hostel. By this stage the weather had begun to clear and it was relatively warm for the time of year. We got back to the hostel and freshened up and then headed back out into the city to have a look at the sights and to enjoy a glass of local wine.
The streets are alive at night and although the clubs and bars only get going much later on there were still plenty of people about. We sat back and listened to the violin and enjoyed a meal, following on from there strolled along to the nearest bar and had a glass of wine.
Being tired and worn out from the day we were back by midnight to recharge our batteries for day 3.
Comprehensive list of Florence Hostels.
For more information on getting around Florence go to Florence Public Transport
Friday, Dec 8th, 2006
Categories: Florence
Our flight to Italy was so early on Monday morning that we decided it would be a good idea to sleep at the Generator Hostel in Russell Square the night before to enable us to get to Liverpool Street Station on time in the morning.
After a couple of drinks at the Generator bar we went to bed knowing that we would have to be up at four the following morning. For much of the night we couldn’t get to sleep and just when we began to doze off again the fire alarm sounded which sent us right into panic mode.
With less than two hours left to sleep I resigned myself to the fact that no sleeping was going to be done and lay awake listening to some music on my ipod.
We had organised to have a taxi take us to Liverpool Street Station where we caught the Stansted Express to Stansted Airport.
Our flight was on time and we arrived at Pisa Airport at 11:20 on Monday morning. From there we had a direct train journey to the central train station in Florence. Florence’s central station is called Santa Maria Novella.
When we got out of the station it was pouring with rain which made the task of finding our accommodation so unpleasant. We eventually got hold of a cab to drive us there. Our accommodation had been booked with Hostel Madrid. On our arrival we were welcomed by the lovely Mara who was the owner of the property. A delightfully friendly woman although sadly I could not understand a word she said as I don’t understand any Italian.
We left our luggage there and decided to head over to our first appointment. Things did not start off very well on this trip. Our usual enthusiasm was quickly dashed when we kept getting repeatedly lost in the rain. To make matters worse we had the issue of Gab’s shoes. I think any normal person would have survived just fine as I did but no, Gab had to go and find some new shoes before our appointment because his feet had gotten wet along the way.
After a quick search round we found some suitable shoes that set Gab back a bit but very soon we were back on track. The first appointment was with Ostello Gallo D’oro where we met with Max. He was truly lovely and offered us some good quality Italian espresso. He gave us a tour round his property. For what appears to be a very small place the rooms were spacious and clean and tidy with a great communal area to sit and socialise. The property is situated in a lovely area of the city and it’s totally central. The property is right outside of central station and is in the centre of all Florence attractions and museums.
From there we had one more appointment for the day which was at Soggiorno Gloria. We met with Lefty who was a delightful character. This property has a variety of rooms available and the atmosphere is very laid back.
Soggiorno Gloria is close to the central railway station of Santa Maria Novella, near the congress and the expo centre of the Fortezza da Basso, just a stroll away from the Medicean district San Lorenzo with its typical open air market and in the close vicinity of the main historical monuments.
From there we made our way out to grab a bite to eat. We discovered an amazing cafeteria that had some wonderful home cooked typed meals. Needless to say we feasted on some incredible food and a lovely glass of wine. When we got back to the hostel we headed to bed more or less right away as Tuesday was going to be a long day for us.
Comprehensive list of Florence Hostels.
For more information on getting around Florence go to Florence Public Transport
Monday, Dec 4th, 2006
Categories: Valencia
Having had a lengthily snooze and a shower we headed out for out big night. Things only start getting going really late so we felt it best to pace ourselves. First we enjoyed a glass of wine in a little café opposite the cinema before moving on for a quick dinner. We ended up arriving at bar Fanta at around midnight. A couple of drinks later it was 1:30 in the morning and we moved onto another bar just up the street a little which I was hopping would be playing to Spanish music, sadly I was mistaken as we spent the next few hours listening to exactly what one would find listening to a London radio station.
Within half an hour of being there the bar became jam packed so we begin our search for a happening night club. We had heard bits and pieces about a club called Radio City. We eventually found it and it was a great club. We managed to dance the night away quite happily. Leaving there feeling totally exhausted after dancing to all kinds of brilliant music I was totally ready for bed. After all we had a flight to catch early Friday morning to get back to London in time for the weekend.
Come Friday morning Juan and I were completely exhausted. Having only had 3 hours sleep we barely managed to stay awake long enough to catch the flight.
Once on the flight we fell asleep only to awake once we had landed back at Stansted.
Valencia is an incredible city, one that I am so glad I got to visit. There is an enormous amount to see and I would highly recommend visiting the city at any time of year.
Monday, Dec 4th, 2006
Categories: Valencia
Early to bed thankfully meant getting up was easy. Juan and I had discussed experiencing a proper night out on the town in Valencia before we left so we decided that we would go for a nice meal that evening and hang around a couple of bars before the night clubs opened at around 1 in the morning.
Having come from London where our bars and clubs are usually closing at 1 in the morning I was finding it difficult see how I would managed to stay up until the wee hours of the morning.
Anyway, before all of that we had a lot of work to do. An appointment with Moises, the owner of the Purple hostel and Red nest hostel was to begin at 9.
We sat around in reception at the Purple nest hostel waiting for him for about half an hour. As we were almost ready to leave he came running through the door and very apologetic. We had a quick look around that property which was very clean and tidy and incredibly colourful and unique.
From there he walked with us to the Red Nest hostel just a two minute walk away. The hostel was closed at present for refurbishment. Both hostels were really lovely and as mentioned before each room was unique because of the lights and paint colours.
The hostels can house a number of people however because they are so lively and fun they are always incredibly busy so early booking for these hostels is vital.
Following that visit we had to cross the city and we only had limited time to do so. Seems though we found a guardian angel along the way as when we boarded the bus Juan ask this very kind old lady for directions and she literally took us across town through a massive shopping mall and department store to the very front door of the hotel we were going to visit.
If that kind woman who helped us does ever read this blog we are incredibly thankful as we would never have found it on our own.
Due some confusion on our part we actually managed to some how miss the appointment at the Hotel Kris Abadia. Luckily the staff there were kind enough to show us around regardless and we shared a quick cup of coffee while we had a chat about the hotel.
This hotel has a partner property across town as well called Hotel Kris Consul del Mar. This hotel boasts a remarkable location. It is just 300 metres away from the Palau of the Music and opposite to the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia. It is in one of the best areas within the city because it is within reach of the beach of Marvarrosa. A beautiful and picturesque place it’s well worth a visit.
After that appointment we made our way to the beach to enjoy some traditional food. We sat at a beautiful beach side restaurant and ate plenty of traditional Paella.
I think after lunch both Juan and I found it difficult to wonder around the city with the enthusiasm we had prior to our enormous lunch. Completely full and sleepy we began our walk to find Home Backpackers.
Walking back into the heart of the old city we came across a real sort of backpacker place. Home Backpackers is in my opinion the epitome of what a hostel should be. With a lot of space to relax and chat to fellow backpackers and amazing balconies outside with loads of space and incredible views of the city it’s a great choice. All rooms are totally unique in that they all boast some crazy little art works. The light fittings for one are incredibly amusing.
The staff there were incredibly friendly and they themselves are in the midst of their travels so you are guaranteed to find many like minded people to get to know while planning the rest of your travels.
Our final appointment for the day was what is at present a building site, Centre Valencia Backpackers Hostel is in the process of being built and will only be opening mid 2007 however they are already receiving plenty of bookings through Hostelbookers.com. This hostel is going to be incredibly big but with that comes the assurance that all the facilities you could possibly want will be available to you should you choose to stay there. It’s in a great location and is going to be very competitively priced. It’s an ideal choice for large groups of people from those enjoying a stag night or even school sports teams.
We met with Joan who took us around the site with the plans drawn out on paper. With only a couple of months work ahead you could already begin to see their vision of what this hostel is going to be.
With all the work behind us Juan and I headed back to Russafa Youth Hostel to have a little sleep and a shower to get us up to scratch for the energy that would be required for our big night on the town.
Monday, Dec 4th, 2006
Categories: Valencia
The first appointment of the day was at Indigo Youth Hostel. This is a great hostel with a very chilled out communal area. It’s bright, clean, new and very spacious. We had a chat with Kate, a beautiful Kiwi girl, who has decided to settle in Spain, and is one of the managers at the hostel.
The hostel is located in Barrio del Carmen in the heart of Valencia’s historical city and it’s just a 10 minute walk from the train and bus stations. It is also in close proximity to a variety of great clubs and bars allowing you to discover the great night life in Valencia.
Following that visit we made our way to Hotel Mediterraneo situated in a highly commercial zone of Valencia where one can find an array of fantastic bars, restaurants and clubs to suit any taste. The rooms are very basic, however they are exceptionally clean and tidy.
Our third appointment took us to Pension Levante which is a superb location in the centre of Valencia in between Plaza de Ayuntamiento and Plaza de la Reina and just a five minute walk from the station and the bullring.
This property is clean and tidy however the rooms are a little escentric with a number of mirrors. The owners are delightful and very friendly and are happy to help with any advice on touring the city and finding the famous sights.
A very nice feature that makes this property even more appealing is the famous pub called Café Madrid just downstairs from the property. This is a very lively Café that doesn’t close until 3:30 in the morning on weekends and public holidays.
Following a little bit of lunch at a beautiful street side café in the historic city centre we walked to Petit Palace Bristol. Its building occupies an old palace of the 19th century.
We met with Gema and a couple of her colleagues who showed us a variety of rooms within the property. This budget hotel is truly lovely. Well decorated and modern with a sort of minimalist feel to the rooms. It’s a wonderful choice for the traveller who is looking for cheap but comfortable accommodation.
The hotel has a great communal area with plenty of couches to relax on. Each room boasts its own computer with high speed internet access as well as interactive and Canal + television. So all the luxuries you may need are right there in your very own room. Rooms are all rather spacious with some of them boasting nice views over the city.
From there she took us in a taxi to their other property just across the city. This hotel is called Petit Palace Germanias.
Petit Palace Germanias has an almost identical setup up in terms of style and function as the Petit Palace Bristol. Also very spacious, clean and tidy its an equally attractive option.
Our appointment ended just before four that afternoon so Juan and I decided we should have a wonder around the city. Having passed a number of great attractions during the day we made our way back to a couple of them to spend a bit more time checking them out.
We wondered to the edge of the city where we found the City of Arts and Science – La Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias.
The architecture this building boasts is surreal and visiting this masterpiece is an absolute must. With so much to see just there I would highly recommend spending an entire day exploring the aquarium and some time exploring the other attractions on offer.
Time now after a really long day to grab a bite to eat back to the hostel, we had yet another early start in the morning so enough sleep was crucial.
Monday, Dec 4th, 2006
Categories: Valencia
Juan and I left the office on Tuesday at around lunch time. Bags packed and rather excited to visit Valencia we made our way to Liverpool Street Station where we would catch the Stansted Express to Stansted Airport.
Having never visited Spain before I was very excited and having a Spaniard along for the trip made it even better as it meant that I wouldn’t have to worry too much about understanding their language, Juan himself is from Vigo and had never visited Valencia so this trip was just as exciting for him.
The flight was on time for a change and we arrived in Spain at around 21h00 on that Tuesday evening. We had arranged to stay at the Russafa Youth Hostel where we were to meet Jose on our arrival. Wondering around the streets of Valencia we eventually came across the street where the hostel was situated only to be greeted by the loveliest of people, Jose.
He promptly took us to our room which was just delightful. Perfectly clean and tidy with lovely understated decoration as well as plenty of colour, the room was perfect. I would highly recommend for anyone to stay at Russafa hostel.
By this stage Juan and I were starving so we found a lovely little restaurant on the corner just up the street where we enjoyed some beer and sandwiches.
We got to bed early as the following day would be action packed with meetings.
