Accommodation between Venice and Paris

Check In: Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Check Out: Thursday, 21 April 2016

Review Link

Summary

Our night train - the Thello - has fairly basic accommodation and drives through Italy, Switzerland and then into France. We had a cochette of 4, they also have cochettes of 6 and sleepers for 1, 2 and 3 people. Our cabin was also able to fit 6, but we booked it as a 4 (slightly more expensive). Be warned, if you try to book a cochette at the 6 price with only 4 people a couple of strangers may also be your guests as they will fill the vacancies. The beds folded out from the walls and abliet a tad small for me it was comfortable and we all got a better sleep than on the plane. 

When entering Switzerland we were stopped and had to produce passports, we were all woken up and had to show our faces, except Alicia who slept through it all and either they could see her or did'nt mind?

Rating

Photos

Hidden figures

Bunny: 0
Crowie: 0

Accommodation in Venice

Check In: Monday, 18 April 2016
Check Out: Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Google Map link

Airbnb link

Summary

Very close to St. Marks Square, it was in the heart of the Venice hot spot. It was a larger place than before, but much more basic. There was no sugar, breakfast bowls, kettle, bathroom hand soap and we run out of toilet paper. 

The host was helpful in pointing out some locations to eat, taxis, ferry's, luggage storage and was kind enough to wait until we arrived. The train was 30 minutes late.

Rating

Photos

Hidden figures

Bunny: 1
Crowie: 0

Venturing out in Venice

For a larger selection of photos goto: https://goo.gl/photos/7sLVqK4vFrr8otQy7

If I hadn't mentioned it before, clicking on an image enlarges it.

Josh says:
Venice was really cold and I think the food wasn't as good as Rome, mainly fish stuff. It's easy to get lost with all the winding paths. Venice loves its glass and masks. The pricing of food is ok, but the Gondolas and water taxis are rip offs. The islands are nice especially the one with all the colourful houses. The place we were staying at was very nice and big but was missing some simple things. I didn't like Venice that much, I think it doesn't have that much to see in terms of History and was cold all the time.

P.S. People love dogs and smoking, they let their dogs go every where, they also don't believe in mowing the grass, you can lose a kid in the grass.

Alicia says: 
When I first saw Venice it didn't look like I imagined it to look like. I liked the gondolas, bridges, all the glass shops, alley ways, the taxi boat ride and the colourful houses.

I didn't like the, bus boats which took us to place to place or island to island, as they were too wavy for me. I bought 2 glass dogs and 1 pair of ear rings from Venice.


Dad says:
On our second day in Venice we walked around the main island and saw the parks, harbour, naval base and lots and lots of tiny shops down tiny alleys. I didn't think of Venice as having many (or any) parks, but they were quite big especially near the university.

It may be a bit cold, but Alicia is still praying for some gelati

We bought ferry tickets this afternoon that are available for 24 hours, enough to cover us tomorrow, then took the #1 down the main canal. This stopped at every stop and made its way back to the train station in about 45 minutes. It was a crowded ride, but we did get some seats on the bow of the boat with a nice view.

That night we walked back, shopped, ate and got lost a bit. Josh bought some more army men from a model shop and Alicia tried an egg and tuna sandwich. They both seemed to like the cat food.

On our last day in Venice we had plenty of time to explore as our train was not leaving until 7:20pm so we dropped off our bags at the train station (EU6 per bag) and went exploring the Venice islands, St.Michele, Murano and Burano. We still had our ferry pass valid from the other day so it was easy to hop on/off. Mind you no-one was checking the tickets.

St. Michele is an island dedicated to a cemetery and is easily the smallest of the three islands. It has a lot of 10m high walls with three levels of burrial sites build in. Murano, the largest has a few factories dedicated to glass blowing. It is again typical of Venice homes and the canal layout, but nothing that interesting.

Burano on the other hand was interesting. Every (only saw a couple of exceptions) home is painted in a bright vibrant colour and different than the next. It was a real picturesque area and made everyone feel happy.

Another lesson that I learnt is that the gmail app does not store all your emails offline. It stores your inbox and outbox, but since I moved all holiday items to a special 'holiday' folder it was inaccessible off-line. Our train tickets for the overnight train were stored in this folder. I asked at the ticket agency and regardless of passports, id etc, without the PRN number they were unable to print our tickets. So I had to run around to find an area to get some wifi. Unfortunately free wifi is potentially dangerous and Google blocks this, so I had to run around until I found a suitable location. After 90 minutes of ticket queues, running around finding wifi etc we managed to get the tickets with 30 minutes remaining. Lucky we checked the email early enough. I will now ensure that I have off line versions of everything for the next place or two.

Hidden figures

Bunny: 1
Crowie: 1

Rome to Venice on Josh's Birthday

For a larger selection of photos goto: https://goo.gl/photos/7sLVqK4vFrr8otQy7

Josh says:

Today was my 12th birthday :)

Today we went on  a train to Venice and explored Venice. Before we left to go to the train to Venice I found out it was my birthday (I forgot) I had to do some Skyping family. Then a taxi picked us up and took us to the train station. When we got there we had MacDonald's unfortunately our train was delayed 10 mins some others were delayed 55 mins. Family passes got first class which was nice. When we got to Venice we got on a water taxi which was really nice and relaxing until we found out how much it cost EU60.

Venice is literally a maze of bridges everywhere which leads to shops. The gondoliers are very expensive EU80 or longer EU100, rip-off and the water looks murky green. Venice is also freezing cold they love there glass and masks about every second shop has them. We went out for lunch and went to the Pontie Di Rialto a historical bridge which was under reconstruction. For my birthday tea we had Ham and cheese pizza (Prosciutto) and Spaghetti Carbonara, we haven't had any gelati yet I personally don't think it looks as good as the Rome Gelati. After Tea we went and explored Venice more Venice still has People trying to sell stuff like toy Pigs, roses, hand bags, selfie sticks and some flying thing annoying as all ways. Looks nice at night, but so cold. At San Marco a big historical square because of the rising sea the water comes out of drains in the middle of the square. So far I don't really like Venice that much.

Alicia says:
Today we are going on the train to Venice. The train was delayed for 5 minutes then it was delayde for 10 minutes. We finally got on the train I thought the seats were very good. When we finally got to Venice we got on a water taxi it was nice but expensive. We got a bit lost trying to find the place we are staying at. Finally we got there and the place we are staying at is nice. At tea we had pizza, pasta and dad had shrimp. After tea we went to a supermarket to get milk, rolls for are lunch, honey, Nutella and cereal. The last thing that we did was we went to a church I think. mum and I took photos. after that we went back to where we were staying and went to bed.

Dad says:
The taxi ride to the train station was a lot more expensive on the return than on the way in (17 v 7 EU). I think it either had something to do with pre-booking it and/or getting ripped off as he charged an extra Euro per bag.

Luckily the train trip was uneventful, got on fairly easily and though it ended up 30 mins late, it was a very smooth and comfortable 4 hour ride. The only annoying thing was that we could not get wifi as you needed a phone number to register and we currently do not have one.

Venice is actually a lot bigger than I thought and is not just in the water, but it is also on the mainland. It is just that no-one really cares for the mainland part. Venice is however just as expensive as I thought. The water taxi cost EU60 for about a 15-20 minute ride. I found out later from the person we rented the house from, that he thought it was more like EU70 to 80. We have a water bus travel card for the last day and so it will be cheaper.

Venice is a sprawling city of tiny winding alleyways and canals. In the main part where we are staying it is filled with restaurants, tourist shops, fashion shops and many glass shops. There is a glass factory and a lace factory, so glass trinkets and glass art in particular is everywhere. We did get lost a bit trying to find the address of our accommodation, the streets are not all marked in the maps. I also forgot to download google maps and since I was not online it was quite inaccurate. We did eventually get there about 30 mins late, but lesson learnt.

St Marks Square is probably the biggest and most central part of Venice and it is also a lot bigger than I thought. Though handy that it is just around the corner from our accommodation, it is virtually impossible to see from a distance as all buildings in the tight alley ways block any distant viewing. We got a fair bit of exploring done today, but mainly centralised. Tomorrow we plan to expand out a bit.

Food is also a lot more expensive here than in Rome, but seeing as it was Joshs birthday we had a little celebration.

The annoying 'sales-men' still have the selfie-sticks, but now also have rip-off handbags, roses, light sticks and some weird helicopters. The kids are aware as to not to take anything, but they almost put it in your hand and if you are not concentrating and take it they will not easily take it back (we have seen it in action). I think if we got caught I would just drop it and walk off.  

Accommodation in Rome

For a larger selection of photos - goto https://goo.gl/photos/7sLVqK4vFrr8otQy7

Check In: Thursday, 14 April 2016
Check Out: Monday, 18 April 2016

Google Map link 

Airbnb link

Summary

The accommodation was a fairly small 2 bedroom apartment, but suitable to all our needs. From the front door you could see the Colosseum and it is within a 5-10 minute walk.

The host Riccardo supplied some drinks (water, wine, beer, Pepsi) and some pasta and spreads that we could have used. On the first day he also gave some maps and suggestions of where and when to go for some of the sites. He has also organised a taxi to take us to the train station for tomorrow.

A really good first up Airbnb experience.

Rating

Photos

Roma tre giorni

For a larger selection of photos - goto https://goo.gl/photos/7sLVqK4vFrr8otQy7

Alicia says:
Today we only went to 2 big places which was the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona. The Pantheon is a big Church with a hole in the roof. The Piazza Navona is a big square which has 3 fountains, in the square there were lots of restaurants and shops. One shop was a toy shop and upstairs there were lots of stuffed soft animal toys, and I said it was heaven for me!! We walked to an old ruin and looked down at it. Then we sat down, all of us to eat our lunch except Josh (my brother). After that we all decided to get gelati so we set off to find a gelati shop. When we were looking dad got a smoothie instead of a coke, and finally we found a gelati shop, this time we all got a gelati. At the moment dad is out getting pizza for tea tonight. Bye.  

Dad says:
On our last full day in Rome we decided to take it fairly easy and just see the Pantheon and a few other plazas. The Pantheon is the domed church with an open hole at the top of the dome. Very unusual and it would have been nice to be there when it rained to see how it copped.

Food and drink (water/coffee/soft) is really quite cheap. A Cappuccino is EU1.5 and a chocolate croissant was EU1.0. I had a few of those, they were really nice. Some croissants also had Crem in them which is actually a custard, again very nice. Fresh fruit juice on the other hand is comparatively expensive. For a boost juice equivalent type of drink (though smaller) it was EU6.

Being a bit of slow day we also had take away pizza for tea. I think the kids (and our legs) enjoyed the afternoon down time.

According to Simone's fit-bit we have averaged approximately 19000 steps over the first 3 days.

A couple of things I thought the kids liked the best. Josh was just the history of the place and seemed to like all the the food. Alicia gelati, shopping, gelati and stuffed toys (and maybe also gelati).

Josh says:
Today we to Piazza Navona and the Pantheon.

Still Roaming in Rome

For a larger selection of photos - goto https://goo.gl/photos/7sLVqK4vFrr8otQy7

Dad Says:

Sore legs and feet. Thank goodness it is not too hot - approximately 23-26 degrees (depending on the web sites). 

On our second full day we decided to catch the subway (Metro) to Trinita De Monti, which is more commonly known for the Spanish Steps. I think we may have slightly freaked the kids out with the subway situation and the potential for pick pockets. There was no drama and using the subway or bus system is easy and cheap. EU1.5 per person over 10 years old (Alicia was 9 today) and lasts 100 minutes on all public transport. The end carriages of the Metro were fairly empty where as the middle was full, so we avoided the numbers and went on an end carriage.

Since we got there early and the church was not open, so we went to McDonalds for a snack. The kids were floored by the ipads on the benches in the McCaffe and played Angry Birds for a bit.

The church was nice (as they all are really) however I got told off for wearing a hat and then Simone got told off for wearing shorts! It is apparently not the right attire and one must wear "respectable clothing". Speaking of being told off, Josh forgot about wearing hats within churches and got told off in the next church, Simone got told off for sitting on the steps of the Vittoriano (after we set her up - see the video later on) and Josh also got told off for eating on the steps.

There was a nice view over the city from here and this was next to a very large botanic park. The photo is of the Vittoriano.

We went through the shopping district and saw many expensive designer shops with door men stopping the riff-raff from entering. Hence we escaped without purchasing any designer labels. Though Alicia did manage to find a Disney store and purchased a nice Minnie Mouse jumper.

We then walked and ate lunch right next to the very busy Trevi fountain. 

The Vittoriano seems to be the building that stands out the most with its large white columns and massive chariots on top. Whilst waiting for Simone to catch up as she was taking photos we saw a couple of people get whistled at from a guard for sitting on the steps. So I asked Simone to sit down whilst I took her photo (much to Alicia's displeasure) ...

The Vatican was next. We struggled to find a shop to sell bus tickets (you cannot get them on the bus). Any place that sells cigarettes will have tickets. We jumped on a bus and a local confirmed that it went to the Vatican. The Vatican was a massive plaza, I was just happy that we found a couple of Swiss guards that let us take their photo.

That night we went back to the Colosseum and saw it lit up.. and more Gelati. 

We are getting more comfortable with the hectic nature of the driving and crossing roads, keeps us on our toes.

Josh says:
Today we went to the Trevi Fountain and Vatican City. Before we went to the Trevi fountain we took the subway which was crowded luckily we didn't get robbed. Then we went for some shopping and saw another church. Mum got told off for wearing shorts in the church. The Trevi Fountain was fantastic so many people there. McDonalds was cool at the tables they had I Pads. Before we went to the Vatican City we looked in another church and I got told of for wearing a hat. Then we went to the Vatican City which was ok we didn't go inside but saw the outside of it. Planning to go and see the colosseum again tonight.

 

Alicia says:

Today we went to the Vatican City on a subway. Lucky we didn't get pick pocketed on the subway. 

When we got off the subway we walked to a fountin which was the shape of a boat. Near the fountin there were horses and carts that people can ride on. There where only 1-4 shops open so we decided to go and have something to eat. There is a McCaffe and at the back of there was McDonalds which was huge.