LMMs Blog on RealTravel

Florence journal: Florence

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 09:11:13 GMT

Florence is a beautiful city that is rich with history. Michelangelo and Machiavelli are buried in Santa Croce Church. Leonardo da Vinci worked on the Mona Lisa in a local hotel and they leave the shutters open to indicate the room where he stayed.

Signoria Square is amazing with all of the sculpture on display. A copy of the famous David by Michelangelo is in front of the Palazo Vecchio where the original stood until the weather began to take a toll on it. The original is now in the Academy Gallery and worth the wait in line. The marble statue of Hercules and Cacus by Baccio ...

Europe journal: European Dream

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 08:08:04 GMT

I will be traveling with my 12 year old daughter on a whirlwind tour of Europe.

Athens journal: Athens

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 08:06:48 GMT

Our actual COSMOS tour ended in Rome, but I have a friend who has an apartment in Athens so we decided to extend our trip there. I searched online and booked discounted one way tickets from Rome to Athens (COSMOS had booked my return from Athens rather than Rome so I wouldn't have to fly back to Rome). The company I used was www.europebyair.com, tel. 888-321-4737. $99 each plus about $10 tax which on my receipt stated that I could change my flight without penalty or get a full refund up until the time of the flight - well, that didn't happen. I originally booked an evening flight but ...

Rome journal: Rome

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 08:03:49 GMT

I had always heard that you should see the Trevi Fountain at night and I heard right, it was magnificent! Massive and beautiful ... although my photo really doesn't do it justice. They say that if you want to return to Rome, you must hold a coin in your right hand and throw it over your left shoulder into the fountain and make a wish. We went to the Spanish Steps as well, but I recommend going in the daytime for a good photo. Also, the first week of May they cover the steps with beautiful flowers.

The next day went to Vatican Square. The lines get very long, very quick and guides get ...

Pisa journal: Pisa

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 07:56:47 GMT

*We were just passing through stopping long enough for a photo op and lunch and just happened to arrive while the Giro d'Italia cycle race (2nd only to the Tour de France) was in town!

We didn't go up in the Leaning Tower - it was 15 Euro (about $22 with the exchange rate, so we passed). But we had to take the obligatory fake "holding up the tower" photo ;-) This very famous work is of Romanesque style dates back to the year 1174. The leaning is due to a sinking of the ground right from the time of its construction.

The Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Leaning Tower and the ...

Venice journal: Venice

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 07:54:47 GMT

*I know the hotels right in Venice are very expensive, but one time I am going to do it! It took about 40 minutes (with traffic) to drive to the boat dock and then another 30 minutes to actually get to Venice. Once there, our guide took us to San Marco Basilica first. Many places will not allow your tour guide to take you around the cities, and Venice was no exception. We had to use one of "their" guides and she was ok at first, but then it seemed like she was talking just to hear herself talk. If it wasn't for the fact that we needed her to get free admission to the Murano glass factory ...

Lugano journal: Lugano

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 07:49:26 GMT

I can't remember the name of this church (sorry) , but it is backed up against a hotel being renovated on the road that is parallel to Lake Lugano. It is really old and some of the murals on the walls have started to disappear. There is also a 3 part depiction of "The Last Supper".

The lake is gorgeous. This is a nice place to stop and rest for a few hours.

Lucerne journal: Lucerne

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 07:47:43 GMT

Our hotel was outside of Lucern in Fluulen. This little village setting is just amazing. The mountains are gorgeous and it is just really peaceful. If I had any complaint (and there are few), I would say that the train that passes the hotel regularly could be annoying to some.

We left the hotel for Lucerne this morning and a little tour of the city. The Germanesque architecture is awesome! Switzerland has had the best exchange rate so far... about 1.20 per $1. Then it is off to Mt Titlis in the Swiss Alps. We took a cable car to the top - about 10,000 feet. WOW, just amazing! We ...

Paris journal: Paris

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 07:41:07 GMT

*Left London this morning to join our COSMOS tour. Drove to the White Cliffs of Dover and caught our ferry to Calai. The cliffs are white because of some kind of chalk in the ground which makes them beautiful to look at. Met our tour guide and driver in Calai, and we arrived in Paris early evening and checked in to our hotel.

Drove into Paris this morning for an included tour of the highlights. The guide took us through Notre Dame. I had been to Europe many years before and basically toured on my own. I have to say that having a guide brings a different aspect to your tour, they ...

London journal: London

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 07:31:33 GMT

*We arrived at 7am after an overnight flight (ugh!)and decided to take a quick tour of London on no sleep since our room would not be ready until after 2pm. We had purchased a London Pass which gives you unlimited transportation and access to various museums, etc. around London (a good buy!) and our first stop was Kensington Palace. We also went to Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and then to the London Eye. It looks like a big Ferris Wheel, but instead of little seats they have huge glass pods that hold up to 20 people! You get a great view of London and it takes about half an hour to ...

Florence journal: The view is awesome!

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 09:45:19 GMT

WOW! The hotel itself is really nice with the indoor pool and nice restaurant, but the view is what clinches it! I don't know if we were all just ready to get out of the busy cities or what, but when we arrived here the view of Tuscany just took our breath away! Everyone in our group was on the 2nd floor and we each had balconies, and a few had huge terraces!

Lucerne journal: Mt. Titlis gives you the highhest viewpoint in Central Switzerland. Three different aerial cable cars take you up to the peak at 10,000 feet above sea level where you can see as far as the Black Forest in Germany. Absolutely stunning

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 09:27:15 GMT

London journal: "Nice. Small rooms, which is the standard in Europe. The concierge was SO helpful."

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 05:24:25 GMT

Rome journal: Not bad, but the hotel employees weren't very pleasant or helpful

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 02:25:05 GMT

The hotel is quite a ways away from the sites of Rome. The neighborhood didn't look too good either, so I was glad that I paid for an optional tour and dinner downtown. The staff wasn't too helpful either. Our bus got in late and we didn't have much time to change for dinner and I asked for an iron at the desk and they said I would have to call for it from my room. I would have just taken it right then but they wouldn't let me. I called and requested one and it took 30 minutes to get it to my room. So I had to wear something other than what I originally had planned because I didn't have ...

Venice journal: Nice hotel, but on a heavily travelled road. Loud traffic.

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 09:50:34 GMT

Lucerne journal: Gorgeous setting at the other end of Lake Lucerne. The mountains are butted right up against the lake and this little village where our hotel was was tucked right into them. Amazing!

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 09:03:20 GMT

Paris journal: Although a tough climb, worth it when you see the view.

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 08:05:03 GMT