Categories
Sweden Things to Do

10 Days in Scandinavia: Itinerary Ideas

Scandinavia – comprising Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and often extended to Finland, Faroe Islands and Iceland – is one of the most beautiful areas in the world and certainly a major attraction in Europe. But Scandinavia is also home to the world’s most expensive city (Oslo) and traveling here is not a cheap affair.

Try to take advantage of free walking tours in cities and free museum entrances by doing some research in advance. Also, book your train ticket in advance, as you’ll be able to find better fares than if you booked them upon arrival in the area. It’s also a good idea to use bikes to explore Copenhagen and Oslo.

This itinerary visits Copenhagen –with a day trip to Odense -, Oslo – with a day trip on the mountain train line ‘Flambanen’-, Narvik, Kiruna and Stockholm.

Itinerary assumptions:

  • Fly into Copenhagen and fly out of Stockholm
  • Taking the trains and buses to travel between cities and countries is preferred over flying
  • Staying in budget hostels is preferred over hotels

Day 1 -2 Copenhagen , Denmark

A simple and efficient way to check out Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital is by bike. There are free public city-bikes which you can find in stands near major places. Just insert a 20 kr coin and use the bike in the inner part of the city (there’s a map on the bike).

Copenhagen is not a cheap city – neither is the rest of Scandinavia. So, try to cut down costs. For example, museums have one day a week when they offer free admittance. It’s usually Wednesday but it’s worth it to check in advance on the websites and plan your visit accordingly.

Start the first day with a free walking tour of Copenhagen . It starts at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Town Hall Square. The tour takes 3 hours and visits , among other places: Copenhagen Town Hall, The Marble Church, Strøget shopping mile, and the Royal Danish Theater.

Climb the unique Rundetårn (the Round tower) to get to the viewing platform. If you want to go higher, climb the steps of the Church of Our Saviour (standing about 100 m high).

Check out Rosenborg Palace, a small renaissance palace with its lively King’s Garden .The palace features the catacombs which are home to the crown jewels. And there’s also a Royal history museum on site.

Should you visit Copenhagen in June to August, head to two interesting beaches: Copencabana and Havnebadet.

Take some time and walk (or shop) on Strøget, a pedestrian mall starting at the City Hall. Or you can do some shopping in the Nørrebro Flea Market.

Day 3 Odense

Take the 9 a.m. train to Odense. It takes 1 ½ h and the fare starts at 116 kr / US$19.50 one way. (Orange ticket). The Standard fare starts at 288 kr / US$48.30 one way.

Odense is the largest city on the island of Funen and the third largest city in Denmark. Most of the attractions are easily accessible on foot. The main hostels and hotels are located close to the city center.

If you are passionate about photography, don’t miss the Museum of photographic arts. Also interesting is the Danish Railway Museum which features old trains, carriages and a large model train landscape. It’s a good choice if you travel with kids. The Hans Christian Andersen’s Garden is an ideal stop for a picnic and is located in the city center.

Egeskov Castle is one of Europe’s best preserved Renaissance water castles, dating back from 1554. It’s located about 30 km from the city.

Day 4-5 Oslo , Norway

Go back to Copenhagen and take the overnight ferry to Oslo . You can book the ticket here . Single cabins start at £112 one way. It’s advisable to book in advance. The travel time is 17 h. The ferry departs Copenhagen at 4:45 pm and arrives in Oslo next morning at 9:45 a.m.

Oslo has been ranked (in 2010) as world’s most expensive city, so you’ve already got a clue what you’d be facing here. A good option is to get a bike for the day (80NOK at the tourist office) to explore the city. Don’t miss visiting the Royal Palace (if you want to book a tour , you need to do that in advance at the post office), Oslo Cathedral, the City Hall (Rådhuset), and the old bazaar (Kirkeristen). You should also consider visiting The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, an open-air museum featuring typical buildings from various periods in Norwegian history. A fun museum – for children and adults- is Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology & The Norwegian Telecommunications Museum.

Frogner Park is a good option for some time spent in nature or for a picnic.

>>read about Getting from Copenhagen to Oslo

Day 6 Day trip :the mountain train line ‘Flambanen

It’s a 20 km scenic ride on one of the world’s steepest railway lines on normal gauge tracks. The mountain station of Myrdal is located 865 meters above sea level.

To board the train at Myrdal station, take a train from Oslo at 8:11 a.m. and you’ll get to Myrdal by 12:53 p.m. (4 h 42 min). Catch the 1:27 p.m. scenic train from Myrdal to Flam. A return ticket on the scenic railway is 360NOK/US$61.90 for adults.

Try to catch the 6:28 p.m train back from Myrdal to Oslo. Book in advance and you’ll be able to find tickets as low as 299 NOK/ US$51.40 one way.

Day 7-8 Narvik, Kiruna and the Northern Lights

Take the train from Oslo to Fauske . It takes between 16 and 17 h, depending on the transfers but fares start at 199 NOK / US$34.15 one way if you book in advance. To maximize your time spent traveling catch the night train (leaving Oslo at 11:05 p.m.). From Fauske take a bus to Narvik.

Spend the rest of the day in Narvik, checking out the museums or do some shopping. In the morning, catch the 9:35 a.m. train to Kiruna. The journey is 3h 21 min and the single non-rebookable ticket starts at 95 SEK/US$14.45.

During winter, you can visit the Icehotel (It functions as a museum from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m). Also during winter enjoy a northern lights tour or a dog sled tour. In the summer you can go hiking or kayaking.

Day 9-10 Stockholm , Sweden

You can travel to Stockholm by train (5 changes, 19 h, from 1014 SEK / US$154). Catch the night train to maximize your time spent traveling or the day train if you want to see the scenery along the way.

In Stockholm, start with a free walking tour https://www.freetourstockholm.com/ (of the city or of the old city). Explore the Gamla Stan (Old Town), take a guided tour of the City Hall (Stadshuset), the most well-known landmark in Stockholm and visit the Cathedral. You should also consider visiting the Vasa Museum , which is a salvaged ship , restored to its former beauty.

Read more about :
>>3 days in Stockholm
>>cheap hostels in Stockholm
>>things to do in Stockholm

Photo credits: Copenhagen , Odense , Oslo , Train , Northern lights , Stockholm

Categories
travel guide Vietnam

10 Days in Vietnam: Itinerary Ideas

Vietnam is a not exactly a small country and offers a lot of things to do and places to see. It’s a country where you can easily find a cheap place to stay but you can certainly afford to spend time in nicer hotels, too. Just pay attention when you want to book a tour. Always ask the hotel/hostel staff and look for credentials. Yes, you might feel ripped off at times and you’ll probably haggle your way pretty much everywhere…but that’s part of Asia’s charm.

The following itinerary is a classic take on visiting Vietnam. You’ll get a chance to see Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang and Saigon.

Itinerary assumptions

Day 1-2 Hanoi

After you arrive and check into the hotel or hostel, arrange for a walking tour. There is a free one run by a student organization, but you can also do a self-guided tour using Google Maps , for example. Make sure not to miss Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu). Take a walk in the French Quarter, enjoy the local food and get used to Asia (especially if it’s your first time here).

>>read about the things to do in Hanoi

Day 3 Halong Bay

On Day 3 , plan a day trip to Halong Bay , located about 170 km from the capital. It is popular for the rock formations popping out of the water. The bay is best visited by boat. You can either take a bus or rent a car to get to Halong Bay. Then you can catch one of the boats eagerly awaiting clients. Or you can book a tour (ideally, ask the hotel or hostel staff to recommend a good agency). Overnight tours are available and you’ll be sleeping on a boat, of course.

>>read more about Getting from Hanoi to Halong Bay

Day 4 Hue

From Hanoi, take the Reunification express to Hue . All cars have AC and there are 6 connections per day. Catch an overnight train to save money and time (the travel time is between 13 and 15 h). Tickets range from 442000 dong / US$21.20 (soft seat, AC) to 748000 dong / US$36 (soft sleeper AC).

Hue is the former home of the Vietnam’s emperors offering a lot of interesting places to visit. The Imperial Citadel should not be missed and you can also check out the Tombs of the Emperors. Thien Mu Pagoda is the symbol of the city, overlooking the Perfume River. Tip: don’t forget your camera.

Read more about:
>>Train Travel in Vietnam
>>Getting from Hanoi to Hue

Day 5-7 Hoi An

Hoi An is a lovely city and its Old Town is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hoi An doesn’t have a railway station so it’s best to catch a bus (otherwise you need to travel to Da Nang and then catch a bus to Hoi An). A bus ticket between Hue and Hoi An is about US$10 (but depends on the company).

You could look for a walking tour of the Old Town or do a self-guided one . Either way, the Old City is easy to tackle on foot . The sites within the Old Town can be visited by purchasing a ticket (US$5 allows for visiting 5 sites). Don’t miss the Japanese Covered Bridge, visit a museum (such as Hoi An Museum of History and Culture) and check out some old houses .

Also , you can plan a day trip to the Marble Mountains. They are located close to Da Nang. Some Buddhist temples have been built. The views are beautiful.

>>read more about Getting from Hue to Hoi An

Day 8 Da Nang

Da Nang is Vietnam’s third largest city and can be reached by bus from Hoi An. You can consider spending some time on Cham island (tours are available, but again, ask the hotel staff for guidance).

Day 9-10 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

From Da Nang you can catch a train to Saigon. There are quite a lot of museums to visit especially if you are interested in history (and the war history). Don’t forget to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, located in the city center and some of the pagodas.

You’d also want to check out the Night Market and the War Surplus Market. Prepare to haggle for anything and everything.

>>read more about the Things to do in Saigon

Photo credits: Hanoi , Halong Bay
, Hue , Hoi An , Da Nang , Saigon

Categories
Planning a Trip Portugal Things to Do travel guide

10 Days in Portugal: Itinerary Ideas

Portugal is not a very large country but has a lot of things to do and see. This itinerary starts in the capital and visits Porto, Braga, Coimbra and Faro. Both the Lisbon and Faro itineraries include a day trip to a near-by place.

Itinerary assumptions

  • You will fly into Lisbon and fly out of Faro
  • You will stay in budget hotels or hostels easy to reach by public transportation. Book in advance unless you plan to pay a fortune.
  • You will use the train to get between the cities. Alternatively, you can rent a car for your stay.

Day 1-3 Lisbon with Sintra day trip

On Day 1 get to know the city with a free walking tour https://lisbonfreetour.blogspot.ro/ which takes about 2 ½ h. Then check out Baixa and Alfama. And you should take tram 28 for a spin around the historical sites of the city.

Spend day 2 in Bairro Alto and then in Belem. Maybe spend some time shopping in Chiado.

On day 3 plan a day trip to Sintra. The Moorish Castle and Pena Palace should not be missed.

Read more about :
>>Getting from Lisbon to Sintra

>> 3 Days in Lisbon

Day 4-5 Porto

There are 18 train departures per day from Lisbon to Porto and the fare starts at €24 for an adult, one way. The travel time is 3 h.

Some of the things to do in Porto include : visiting museums – Museu do Arte Contemporânea is probably the best in the city – , indulge in Port tasting , enjoy the Portuguese food , spend time in Ribeira district, check out the baroque tower of Clérigos Church and spend some time on the beach .

>>read about Getting from Lisbon to Porto

Day 6 Braga

Braga is an ancient and modern city . It can be reached by train from Porto (€19.50 one way , 37 min journey). The historical center comprises old churches, museums and shops.

Day 7 Coimbra

From Braga, catch another train to Coimbra (€20 one way, 1h 37 min journey time). The city is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Don’t miss the Medieval Downtown and the Old Cathedral.

You can also visit the museums and spend some time in nature. Check out the Botanical Gardens and the city parks.

Day 8 -10 Faro

The direct train from Coimbra to Faro takes about 4 ½ h and the single fare starts at €44.

Faro does have a reputation of being a party beach town but it is also a good base to explore the Algarve . Come in the off-season and you’ll avoid the mass of party goers.

The Old City , with cobblestone streets and 18th century Portuguese and Moorish-influenced architecture, is a good place to get a feel of the old era.

Plan a day trip to The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It offers excellent opportunities for walks and boat tours. Plus, you can see interesting plans and animals.

The historic city of Tavira can also be a good side-trip. There are trains connecting the two cities. Spend half a day visiting castles, churches and soaking up the history.

In case you plan to drive in Portugal, here is a map of the itinerary:

View Larger Map

Photo credits: Lisbon , Porto , Braga , Coimbra , Faro

Categories
Argentina travel guide

3 Days in Buenos Aires: Itinerary Ideas

Buenos Aires is the most European city in South America. Sometimes you might feel you are in Spain or even France … but rest assured you didn’t board the wrong plane. Buenos Aires is famous for tango, good food and historical sights.

Itinerary assumptions

  • You will fly in and out of Buenos Aires
  • You will stay in a budget hotel or hostel in Palermo Viejo – the trendiest part of Buenos Aires – , Monserrat – easily accessible via subway- or San Telmo – the most romantic area in the city.
  • You’ll mostly use the public transportation but you should also consider using taxis

>>read about the Things to do in Buenos Aires

Day 1

After you check in and grab a bite to eat – or at least a strong coffee – you’d probably want to start getting to know the city via a free walking tour . It leaves at 11 a.m. from the corner of Rivadavia Ave and Rodriguez Peña st. (in Plaza del Congreso).

After the tour, come back to the city center and head to Avenue 9 de Julio, which is the widest avenue in the world with 10 traffic lanes. In this area, you’ll also find Plaza de Mayo, with the original Cabildo (Town Hall), Metropolitan Cathedral and Casa Rosada, or Pink House. The latter will remind you of Eva Peron (or Madonna playing Eva).

On the same Avenue, you’ll also find Plaza de la Republica, with its Obelisco, standing 67 m high.

Catch the subway to Montserrat (line A) and ride in one of the original wooden carriages. Get off at Sáenz Peña station to see Palacio Barolo , an homage to Dante’s Divine Comedy. The tower offer fantastic panoramic views of the city.

You’d probably want to sample some of the famous Argentinean food . The steak and pasta are to die for (and the pasta comes in varieties for vegetarians, too).

Day 2

Start your day with a pastry and coffee – Portenos don’t exactly do breakfast (much like the Italians, actually). Then make your way to Calle Caminito in La Boca . The street is the cultural center of the neighborhood and is the true cradle of tango . And yes, this is where you’ll see tango being danced on the streets. You can even book some lessons!

La Bombonera – the large football (soccer) stadium – dominates the area and is the home stadium for Boca Juniors. The museum presents the club’s history (and can be an interesting choice for those passionate about football).

During the afternoon make your way to La Recoleta Cemetery, where you’ll see Eva Perón’s mausoleum, among others. A walk in this cemetery pretty much looks like a stroll in a very interesting street. Avenida Alvear, also in the area, makes you feel like you’ve probably landed in Paris.

Day 3

If it’s a Sunday, go to San Telmo and visit the artists fair in Plaza Dorrego. Then you can plan a day in nature.

Pick up some food for a picnic and make your way to Parque Tres de Febrero (also known as Palermo Woods). Walk until your reach the Jardín Japonés and continue until you see El Rosedal (Rose garden).

You’ll probably want to spend the afternoon doing a bit of shopping in Palermo Viejo. Or relaxing with a mojito.

Photo credits: Casa Rosada , Tango , La Recoleta Cemetery , El Rosedal

Categories
travel guide Turkey

10 Days in Turkey: Itinerary Ideas

Turkey has a lot to offer and 10 days in the country are not enough to visit too many places. This itinerary leaves out the beaches and focus on Istanbul , Cappadocia and the ancient sites of Ephesus, Troy and Hieropolis.

Itinerary assumptions:

  • You will be flying into Istanbul and out of Izmir
  • You will be using the buses and trains to get around Turkey, but a rental car is also a good idea for the time spent visiting the ancient sites
  • You will be staying in hostels or hotels , with easy access to the transportation hubs.

Day 1 -3 Istanbul

On the first day in Istanbul, get to know the most famous sights: Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque and the Spice Bazaar. On the second day, visit the Topkapi palace and allow some time for the Archeological Museum, too. Allow for a more relaxing day 3 when you can take a ferry on the Bosphorus, stopping in several ports to explore the sights and take photos.

Read about :
>>3 Days in Istanbul
>>Things to do in Istnabul

Day 4 -6 Cappadocia

Your best bet (price wise) is to catch a bus from Istanbul to Nevsehir or Göreme. Or you can catch a train to Kayseri.

Tourists come here to see the cave dwellings . Don’t miss the churches and monasteries, which are also carved in the stone. It’s best to rent a car for the stay in this area. If you like to spend time in nature, there are some interesting hiking routes here, too.

Make sure not to leave Cappadocia without trying the local food https://www.turkeylogue.com/what-to-eat-in-turkey-famous-turkish-foods.html and wine.

>>read more about Getting from Istanbul to Cappadocia

Day 7, 8 Selcuk , Ephesus , Priene, Miletus and Didyma

Fly into İzmir Adnan Menderes International Airport (ADB), then catch a train (or rent a car ) to get to Selcuk , as it’s just 60 km from the airport.

Ephesus is located just 3 km from Selcuk . You can easily plan to walk to the site or catch a dolmus. You can easily cover the entire site in just 2 h. And you should check out the museum while you are here, too.

If you chose to rent a car, you can also visit other interesting sights. Priene is close to Kusadasi , which is a bit further from Ephesus. The sight is one of the most important in the area and is located close to Ephesus and Miletus. Priene is the least crowded and a bit off the beaten path. Also in the area is Didyma, containing the remains of the Sanctuary of Apollo.

>>read about the Greek and Roman ruins in Turkey

Day 9 Troy

Travel back to Izmir and catch a bus to Çanakkale, the town closest to Troy. Or you can use the rental car to get here. The site has a mix of Roman and Greek ruins. You can spend quite a lot of time here as there are many ruins to see.

Day 10 Pamukkale and Hieropolis

You can either travel by rental car to Pamukkale or catch a bus from Çanakkale. Trains are only available from Izmir. Pamukkale is known for the hot springs and the ancient site of Hieropolis. You don’t want to miss Laodikya either, which has been mentioned as one of the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation. The site is located between Denizil and Pamukkale.

Travel to Izmir for the flight back home.

Photo creditsIstanbul , Cappadocia , Ephesus , Troy , Pamukkale

Categories
Croatia travel guide

Nude beaches in Croatia

Croatia has been popular for being a nude beach destination especially among German and Dutch travelers. The Croatian coast is one of the most popular naturist travel destination in Europe and home to the largest and oldest nudist camp area in Europe: Koversada in Istria. Croatia offers a variety of naturist facilities, such as : beaches, campsites, tourist villages , hotels, apartments and resorts. There are also the free nudist beaches along the Croatian coast, which are known to the nudists but not officially designated as naturist beaches. The naturist beaches are marked FKK.

Two of the most popular naturist places are Naturist Resort Solaris and Naturist Camp Valalta in Istria.

Naturist Resort Solaris offers a campsite with a 2500 m beach, apartments and rooms. Shops, a pool bar, a sports center and restaurants are available within the resort. The camping is located on the peninsula Lanterna on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula.

Valalta Naturist Camp stretches along the northern coast of Rovinj and offers apartments, bungalows, camp (including for campervans) and marina. Restaurants, a pool bar and beaches are located within the cap.

Lokrum island naturist beach, located close to Dubrovnik, is one of the most famous FKK beaches in Croatia. The beaches are rocky and the naturist section is located at the far eastern tip.

Paklina naturist beach, located on the island of Brac, has a naturist section which is pebbled.

Politin naturist beach is located within the Naturist Campsite Politin , close to the town of Krk. The beach is pebbled . Restaurants , shops and a café bar are located within the resort.

Malinska Heaven beach is also located on the island of Krk, in the town of Malinska . The beach has both grass and pebbles.

Bunculuka Naturist Campsite is located near the town of Baska and offers a sandy beach. Sports can be played within the resort (tennis, volleyball, miniature golf).

Konobe Naturist Campsite is located close to the town of Punat . It offers two large pebble beaches and numerous small, hidden beaches.

Mlini naturist beach is located between Dubrovnik and Kavtat . The pebble beach has its own restaurant and you can rent umbrellas and sun-loungers.

Photo credit

Categories
Sweden Things to Do

3 Days in Stockholm: Itinerary Ideas

Known as the “Venice of the North”, today Stockholm offers glamour, beauty and rich history. Made up of 14 islands, Stockholm certainly deserves its nickname. Plus, the food is amazing and with a bit of research and planning you can even explore Stockholm on a Budget .

>>read more about the Things to do in Stockholm

Itinerary assumptions

  • You will be flying in and out of Stockholm or use the train to get here
  • You will be using the public transportation to get around the city
  • You will be staying in a budget hotel or cheap hostel with good connections but away from the Old Town

Day 1 Walking Tour and Old Town

Get to know the city with a free walking tour . You can choose among a quick glance at the main city area or a tour of the Old Town (or both as the first leaves at 10 a.m. and the other at 7 p.m.). The tours take 1 ½ h and they are free (tips are welcomed, though). Plus you don’t need a reservation. The tour leaves from Sergels Torg in central Stockholm.

Alternatively, download a self-guided tour in mp3 format and use it on any device which supports it. It visits 56 sights (about 2 hours of listening , in total). Just pay attention that you are required to pay a fee to download the file.

While Gamla Stan (Old Town) is not recommend to stay or shop (because of the prices), it offers excellent opportunities for photography. The Royal Palace, the Cathedral and several churches are worth your time. And you can also check out Nobel Museum.

And you shouldn’t miss a guided tour of the City Hall (Stadshuset), the most well-known landmark in Stockholm. End the day with a traditional Swedish meal. And , please, don’t leave the city without tasting the famous Lingonberry Jam.

Day 2 Stockholm Archipelago

Between April and September you can catch one of the ferries from downtown Stockholm to the islands in the archipelago. Most of the islands can be reached by bus, though (year round) and it’s cheaper than taking a ferry. You can plan to spend time soaking up the sun or hiking. The islands get more sunshine than the mainland, so you can enjoy a day with fewer clothes on. You can easily spend an entire day checking out some of the islands. In between checking out interesting place, get your coffee fix at one of the cafes.

Day 3 Theme park and Picnic / Museums and Picnic

If you travel with the kids, then plan to spend some time at Junibacken, a theme park dedicated Pipi Longstocking (a character created by Astrid Lindgren). The park is just as popular among the adults loving to revisit their childhood. You can ride a train through interesting landscapes.

In the afternoon, you can explore Djurgården. The royal grounds are an excellent choice for a picnic or just to spend some time in nature , walking, baking and soaking up the views.

Alternatively, you can visit Vasa Museum – a salvaged ship , which was restored to its former beauty – and the Nordic Museum – which is dedicated to the cultural history and ethnography of Sweden.

Photo credits: Gamla Stan , Stockholm archipelago , Picnic

Categories
England Planning a Trip travel guide

10 Days in England: Itinerary Ideas

When we think about planning an itinerary in England, the obvious choice for a hub is London. Yes, the city is expensive, but offers plenty of day trips and you can easily find cheap airfare into one of its airports. Plus, with a bit of research, you’ll be able to find affordable hostels or hotels, too.

The best time to visit London if you want to save money is the low season (November, February, March), but then you’ll be skipping Brighton as a day trip if you planned to catch a tan, too. This itinerary focuses on London for 3 days and also includes 5 day trips (Stonehenge, Oxford, Stratford upon Avon, Brighton and Bath), ending in Liverpool. Of course, you can create your own itinerary based on this. For example, if you are not into Shakespeare, skip Stratford upon Avon and add Manchester to the itinerary.

Itinerary assumptions:

  • You will be flying into London and out of Liverpool (although you can travel back to London for your return flight).
  • You will be staying most of the time in London, in a hostel or hotel close to the tube
  • On your 3 days within the capital, purchase travel day cards to use on the tube and maximize your time in the city.

Day 1 , 2, 3 London

London is a huge city offering a lot of things to do and see. It’s best to travel by tube if you want to cover large distances. On your first day, get to know the area where you stay in and the closest sights. Walk a bit and find a pub or two to try the English food .

Start your second day with watching the changing of the guards in front of Buckingham Palace. Outside of summer, it takes place every other day, so do a bit of research ahead of time. Then, you can visit British Museum. Depending on what interests you there, you can easily spend between 2 h and 8 h checking out the artifacts. Stop by St.Paul’s Cathedral before going back to the hotel.

On the third day, start with the Tower of London , Big Ben and then cross the Tower Bridge. If you have a bit of money for splurges , catch a ride on London Eye. Otherwise, visit Westminster Abby and then walk toward Trafalgar Square. If you still have some time left, visit the National Gallery.

>>read more about 3 days in London

Day 4 Stonehenge

You can plan a day trip to Stonehenge on your own, but it’s going to be a bit challenging, unless you plan to rent a car and drive. Catch a bus to Amesbury (leaving at 2:10 p.m. and the fare is £16.50 one way). The travel time is slightly more than 2 ½ h so you’ll have about 2 h to visit the sight.

Day 5 Oxford

Oxford is the oldest university city in the UK, easily accessible from London. If you like Medieval and Gothic architecture, this is a must-see on your itinerary. Trains leave from London Paddington and the fares start at £4 one way. The bus is cheaper (from £1 if booked in advance) and take about 1 ½ h.

>>read more about Getting from London to Oxford

Day 6 Stratford upon Avon

For those fascinated by Shakespeare’s work, a trip to Stratford upon Avon is definitely a good idea. The market town located on River Avon is where you’ll find the birthplace of Shakespeare. Henley Street, one of the town’s oldest streets, Sheep Street , the residential quartier in the 16th century , and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre are among the places you shouldn’t miss while visiting the city.

Trains depart from London Marylebone Station and take 2 h 15 min. A return fare (advance) starts at £10. Trains depart every two hours.

Day 7 Brighton

On this day you can escape to the sea-side. Brighton is located about 1 h by train from London. You can catch a train from either London Victoria or London Bridge stations and the single fare starts at £6.75. The resort is very popular among Londoners during the weekends so, if possible, try to go on a weekday (unless you like crowds). Aside from spending time on the beach, you can also visit the Royal Pavilion , a former royal palace and the Clock tower.

>>read more about Getting from London to Brighton

Day 8 Bath

Bath is a historic Roman and Georgian spa city , located about 100 miles from London. Aside from the Roman and Georgian architecture, you can also see lovely Medieval buildings. Bath is the oldest tourist destination in England.

The Roman baths are a must-see while here, but don’t forget about the Abbey , Pulteney Bridge, museums and parks.

Trains depart from London Paddington Station every half hour and take about 1 ½ h. The single fare starts at £22.50 (but depends on how far in advance you purchase the ticket). It’s cheaper (from £5 one way) to travel by bus but it takes almost 3 ½ h.

Day 9, 10 Liverpool

Instead of going back to London, catch a train to Liverpool via Bristol. The single fare to Bristol Temple Meads is £6.60 and trains leave Bath every 10 min to ½ h. The travel time is about 15 min.

>>read more about Getting from Bath to Bristol

From Bristol catch a train to Liverpool Lime Street. The single fare starts at £38.00 and the travel time is about 3 h. You’ll have to change trains in Stafford [STA].

Alternately , catch a bus from Bath to Liverpool (with two stops in Bristol and Birmingham). The single fare starts at £36.50 and the fastest travel time is about 6 ½ h.

Liverpool dock has been added to the UNESCO world heritage sites since 2004 and the most famous dock is Albert Dock, home to some interesting museums. You can also visit some cathedrals and if you are a Beatles fan, don’t miss The Beatles Story, the only museum in the world dedicated to The Beatles.

Photo credits: London by Cristina Puscas and may not be used without permission, Stonehenge by yvestown , Oxford by UGArdener , Stratford upon Avon by BigTallGuy , Brighton by zilverbat , Bath by wallyg , Liverpool by Adrian S Jones

Categories
travel guide Turkey

3 Days in Istanbul: Itinerary Ideas

There are plenty of things to do in Istanbul and having only three days to visit the city means you’ll either be cramming in a lot in a limited time or take things slower and visit some of the important sights. This itinerary starts off with cramming a lot of sights during the first day, but offering a more relaxed approach for the other two days.

Itinerary assumption:

Day 1

Get to know the city and buy a map. Then make your way to the Spice market (take the tram to Eminonu). You can spend quite a lot of time picking up spice.

Sultanahmet Square is easy to get to either by tram or on foot . Hagia Sofia is in the area, too. You can visit the museum daily except on Mondays.

There are plenty of places to eat in the area . Try to look for one without a menu in English (or one filled with locals). Try some of the lovely Turkish food .

You can now visit the Blue Mosque, which is open daily except during praying times. Pay attention to the dress code. Make your way to the old peninsula and then head to the Covered bazaar. By the way: yes, you will be “kindly” (more like hassled) asked to buy. While a nice experience, skip this part if you don’t feel comfortable dealing with aggressive vendors. Instead , check out the Egyptian obelisk in the Hippodrome Square and spend some time in the area.

Day 2

You can start the day with visiting Galata Tower. The views from above are superb and the possibility to take fantastic photos are endless.

Then add a boat trip on the Bosphorus to the plan. There are many choices but it’s best to opt for the ferry. The ferries leave from Eminonu. There are three departures per day during summer and the round trip is about 5-6 h. The ferry stops in all ports along the Bosphorus, so you can stop and check out various places, but first look up the ferry times so you know when you can catch the next one.

Day 3

Take the tram to Sultanahmet station and walk to the Topkapi palace. It is open daily except on Tuesdays. You can easily spend an entire day visiting the palace and the Harem.

If you still have time, visit the Archeological Museum, open daily expect on Mondays. It houses very interesting items, including statues from ancient Roman Era , statue of the head of Alexander the Great, and fragments from the temple of Athens at Assos.

Photo credits: Hagia Sofia , View from Ferry , Harem at Topkapi palace

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Planning a Trip Portugal Things to Do travel guide

3 Days in Lisbon: Itinerary Ideas

Lisbon doesn’t lack things to do and 3 days are just enough to get a taste of the city , visiting some of the most important and interesting sights. The following itinerary offers some ideas to plan three days in the city.


Itinerary assumptions:

  • You will be flying in and out of Lisbon
  • You will be using the public transportation or walk to get around the city
  • You will be staying in a hotel or hostel close to the main sites (along the route of Tram 28)

>>read about Getting around in Lisbon

Day 1

Start your day with a free walking tour of Lisbon . It departs at 11 a.m. from Luís de Camões Square (easily reachable by metro or bus). The tour takes about 2 ½ h.

Now go to the Avenida da Liberdade, where Baixa district starts. It’s located in central down town and features imposing squares. Then you should also check the district of Alfama, which features narrow streets climbing steeply the hills of Lisbon. Don’t miss the Saint Luiza View point while you are here. Also in the these two areas are: the Castelo Sao Jorge, the Se Cathedral and Praca de Dom Petro IV .

You can consider taking a ferry ride across the river Tejo (Tagus) to end the first day in Lisbon . Or riding tram 28 around the historic center of the town.

Day 2

Make your way to Bairro Alto , located to the west of Baixa. As you probably figured out, the name pretty much explains the elevation, so you’ll also be rewarded with superb views of River Tejo. This district is the birth place of Fado music.

You can now explore Belem ; take a tram from Baixa to Belem along the river. The district is picturesque , with great architecture. Don’t miss visiting Torre de Belem, a heritage fort once used to guard the city from invaders. Chiado district is a good idea to check out if you have shopping on your mind.

In the evening make your way north Baixa and relax in one of the outdoor restaurant. Of course, don’t forget to sample the Portuguese food .

>>also read about What to eat and drink in Lisbon

Day 3 Sintra

Sintra is a stunning place, located close to Lisbon, and well-known for the Moorish castle. But it’s also home to Pena Palace and its historical center is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. So, you can spend at least ½ day here and not get bored.

Hop on a train to Sintra. It takes about 42 min and you’ll pay €2.05 one way (unless you have Lisbon card and in the case the ride is free).

>>read more about Getting from Lisbon to Sintra

Photo credits: Luís de Camões Square , Bairro Alto , Sintra