Back in Rome. Right to where we started this journey more than a month ago. After spending months living out of the suitcase, we finally found somewhere that’s spacious, extremely comfortable, excellent location, washing machine, upper floors accessible by elevators … Continue reading Rome Termini
After a 3-years break from our last trip to Assisi, we returned this time for a longer and much more adventurous stay. Where is Assisi? Assisi is a hill town in central Italy’s Umbria region, the Province of Perugia. Assisi … Continue reading Assisi Travel Guide: Saints, Hilltop Views, and Medieval Adventures
Heard of or been to this village? Civita di Bagnoregio is a hilltop village in the Viterbo province of Italy. It consists of two villages connected by a footbridge, with Civita di Bagnoregio only accessible from Bagnoregio via this bridge. … Continue reading Civita di Bagnoregio
It has been approximately three years since our last trip to Florence with Busabout. This trip turned out to be another brief visit as we detoured to spend the first two days and one night at Civita. When we returned … Continue reading Revisiting Florence
A journey back to Barcelona but this time the aim was meant to be longer to experience living among the locals and also venturing into other parts of Barcelona for photography. Train from Segovia only brought us to Madrid. We … Continue reading Exploring Barcelona: Must-See Landmarks and Local Concerns
Segovia is best known for its iconic Roman ancient aqueduct. The colossal aqueduct, has more than 160 arches, stood above Plaza Azoguejo in the heart of the city. It felt like waking up in the world of giants when walking … Continue reading Segovia
Traveling by bus to Avila through Salamanca from Fatima and caught sight of a huge cathedral from afar and sightings of people with trekking sticks. Simply cannot deny that the Cathedral stands rather tall and majestic. Avila is home to … Continue reading Avila
Have you ever found a beautiful photograph featured in a magazine and wondered where in the world is that place? Our extended stay in Fatima gave us time to make a venture to Porto before continuing our journey to Avila. … Continue reading Porto, Portugal
Our train arrived at Gare do Oriente at dawn. No shops was open for business yet. I had lots of time to explore Gare do Oriente before catching our bus to Fatima. The architecture of Gare do Oriente is like … Continue reading Fatima
Our Last Marian Procession before we depart for Portugal the next morning. Civilians and various parish communities are permitted to participate in the Marian procession. The feeling was extremely heartwarming especially when the hymn “Immaculate Mary, Ave Ave Maria” was … Continue reading France to Portugal
Morning train from Gare Montparnasse to Gare de Lourdes takes up to 6 to 7hours. My second trip to Lourdes and this time we booked a bigger place for us three. Appart’hotel Saint Jean overlooks the Ousse with a balcony … Continue reading France ~ Lourdes
The flight from Athens to Paris departed on time. We took the airport bus from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare Montparnasse to meet our Host who will be leading us to his apartment we will be staying for the … Continue reading France ~ Paris 12hours
I am particularly attracted to anything that is turquoise or skyblue in colour. One of which is the turquoise waters, blue dome and whitewashed structures of Greek Islands. Greece and a number of Mediterranean islands is “playground” to some of … Continue reading Greece – Athens & Airport Adventure
Free and Easy Exploring Santorini Having hours to spare before our flight back to Athens. The last thing anyone need on their last hours on an island is getting lost and missing our flight as a result. One of the … Continue reading Greece – Free & Easy Santorini
We opted to travel to the airport by bus. The designated airport bus terminal opposite Syntagma Square is a small ticket booth to purchase bus tickets and a pickup stop. How to get to Athens International Airport: Taxi can be … Continue reading Greece – Santorini
Kalambaka was totally unheard of until this trip. During the planning stages of our trip, we were considering of traveling through Thessaloniki. However, we had a change of mind due to time constraints. Train 884 a direct train from Athens … Continue reading Greece – Kalambaka
Athens Finally back in Europe to continue our next lap of the journey. My first time to Greece and always in my mind Greece is all about Zeus, Apollo and the most popular topic, Olympics. I keep forgetting those were … Continue reading Greece – Athens
A Wrap-up It has come for our Holy Land Tour to end. We have traveled three countries – Israel, Jordan and Turkey. My first time to each of these countries I hear about as a young kid. As an adult … Continue reading Holy Land Tours
An overnight flight from Izmir to Istanbul with only this thought on my mind – “Please please.. the next hotel please be better than the one in Kusadasi… I really need a more liveable space to bunk-in while on this … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Istanbul
I can’t help but feel a sense of reluctance when we left Pamukkale for our drive to Kusadasi. It was quite convincing that Kusadasi is a resort town on Turkey’s Aegean coast and being the centre of art and culture … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Izmir
After a day traveling from Cappadocia through Aksaray and Konya, a night rest at Pam Thermal hotel. What’s good? Love the buffet and the size of the room for 3. Though it was only one night, it was comfortable and … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Pamukkale
Our final morning in Cappadocia was greeted with multitudes of hot-air balloons in the sky. The sight was amazing though it was not fully visible to the naked eye. A caravanserai was a roadside inn where travelers (caravaners) could rest … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Aksaray to Konya
Cappadocia is situated in Central Anatolia region with exceptional natural wonders and unique historical and cultural heritage. Home of evil eye talisman, cone-shaped rock formations in Monks Valley, Kaymakli Underground City and Göreme Open Air Museum. The evil eye (Turkish: … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Cappadocia
A restful night in Amman before we fly to Turkey to continue our Holy Land Tour. We landed in the capital of Turkey, Ankara. Ankara is not only the cosmopolitan capital of Turkey but also home to the Museum of … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Ankara to Cappadocia
The first time I heard that I was going to Wadi Rum, I had no idea what it meant. All I knew was that I was dying from heat in Jordan and had no intention to be in the sun. … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Wadi Rum
After a night’s stay in Amman, we departed for Petra in the morning. This is definitely like one of my dreams come true. Unfamiliar with “Petra”? If you have watched the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, Al Khazneh … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Petra
Our tour agency organised a taxi to pick us from our hotel in Jerusalem to travel by road to Jordan through Jericho by King Hussein Bridge Border Crossing. There were two security checkpoints – first at the border of Israel … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Jerash
Western Wall The Western Wall, known to the West as the “Wailing Wall” and Islam as the Buraq Wall, is an ancient limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Jews are permitted to pray at this site. However, … Continue reading Exploring Jerusalem: Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Old City Bazaar
Mount of Olives / Basilica of Gethsemane / Mount Zion / Church of Nativity Mount of Olives A new dawn has broken over the City of Jerusalem as we headed for Mount of Olives, overlooking the entire City. The Old … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Jerusalem Old City
After arriving in Jerusalem and a night’s rest, it is time for us to explore the Judaean Desert. Sea Level 0 / Masada / Qumran / Dead Sea Sea Level 0 After traveling eastwards out of Jerusalem towards the Judaean … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Judaean Desert
Leaving Golan Heights behind, we traveled to the River Jordan Baptismal place to witness the renewal of the Christian faith. River Jordan Baptism / Nazareth / Beit Shean River Jordan Baptism Our final stop, Jordan River Baptismal place, before we … Continue reading Holy Land Tour ~ Nazareth
Golan Heights was our “Home” during our tour around Tiberias. Not that I could comment much about the hotel facilities except for the food as patrons are mostly pilgrims from all around touring the neighboring sites. Beatitudes Mount of Beatitudes … Continue reading Exploring Tabha, Sea of Galilee, and Mount Bental in Israel
We had a great flight from Rome to Tel Aviv. After a restful night in Tel Aviv, we start of our Holy Land tour at daylight which covers various biblical sites in Israel, Jordan and Turkey. Tel Aviv-Yafo Tel Aviv … Continue reading Discovering Ancient Marvels: Caesarea, Tel Megiddo, and Cana of Galilee
Family on the move Here we go again. We are on the move again. Getting ready for our Holy Land tour, we needed to ensure that we get to the airport in less fuss. We booked an apartment in Quartiere … Continue reading Aurelian Walls of Rome: Historical Gems at Quartiere San Lorenzo
Catching the right Train and going the right direction Studying the train routes is important but learning which direction to walk when you get there is just as important. Imagine getting to your destination and not sure which way to … Continue reading Easter Mass at the Vatican: Train Travel Tips and Preparation Guide
On returning to Rome by train from Ercolano, we stayed at Camping Roma in Aurelia. I know what you are thinking. But no, we are not staying in tents or sleeping in the open under the stars. Camping Roma is … Continue reading Staying at Camping Roma: Affordable Accommodation near Roma Aurelia Station
Our next destination, Ercolano. There are various ways to get from Pompeii to Ercolano. We took a local train from Pompeii Santuario station to Ercolano Scavi station. If you are traveling with heavy luggage, it pays to know that there … Continue reading Exploring Ercolano: Must-Know Details for Travelers
Upon arrival at Rome via Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, we boarded a train to stay for the night at Hotel Gioberti, next to Termini station. The hotel is less than a 5-minute walk from the train station, exiting from … Continue reading Exploring Pompeii and Vesuvius: A Traveler’s Guide
