TWO HOTEL TIPS FOR ITALY --
writes Sunny from Tel Aviv, Israel -- I've
just returned from two weeks in Tuscany and Venice and have
some practical advice for other Journeywoman readers. (1) When
you're choosing your hotel remember to request rooms that are
not facing a busy, noisy street. In one case we booked a reasonably
priced place near the train station but didn't ask about our
room's actual location. Big mistake. To put it mildly, we didn't
enjoy the noise that continued most of the night. (2) As you
can imagine hotels in Venice can be very expensive so we got
off the train at Mestre - a train stop before Venice. We found
a lovely little hotel called Ariston priced at one quarter of
the price of a comparable hotel in Venice. Each day we took
a twenty minute bus ride into Venice for only one euro. We saved
a considerable amount of money that way and it was really quite
easy to do. Website: www.hotelaristonvenezia.it
Email: ariston@3starshotel.it
I
FOUND A GORGEOUS HANDCRAFTED DOLL IN ANTIGUA --
writes Evelyn from Toronto, Canada -- This
is a Grandma alert! On a Caribbean cruise ship stop in Antigua
I found a gorgeous doll for my granddaughter's collection. Different
from the ones I saw in the markets, this cloth doll named 'Lady
Bug' is made by hand and the $25.00 price tag reflected the
work needed to finish this souvenir so beautifully. Complete
with braids and colorful beads in her hair, this little creation
has a spunky Caribbean personality that any kid (and her grandma)
would love. I found 'Ms. Lady Bug' (part of the Rainbow People
collection) at Best Gallery, Redcliffe, St. John's Antigua.
Tel: 268.462.9758
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you love shopping when you are on holiday, you'll love our Journeywoman section called, She Shops, Shops, Shops.
WHICH
CRUISE LINE HAS THE BEST BATHROOMS AFLOAT? --
According to Linda Coffman, the author of Fodor's
'Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises' it's the Silversea Line
that takes top honours. Their 'double vanities, marble-clad
showers, separate tubs, and fluffy oversized towels are luxurious
appointments, even in standard suites.' Want to know more? Linda
(creator of Cruisediva.com), is also a member of our Journeywoman
Network. She has cruise packing secrets and other tidbits posted
in our brand new section: A
Journeywoman Guide to Packing. Enjoy, everybody!
EATING
OUT IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN -- writes Ulla
in Stockholm, Sweden -- Eating dinner alone in a restaurant
can be boring, a pleasant alternative to that in central Stockholm
is to visit the food hall in the department store of NK.
At the place where they sell cheese by the kilo one can also
sit down and have a meal and a glass of wine. Select from the
menu or choose samples (cheese, ham, etc) from the disk. I sometimes
eat there myself after work when I am too tired to shop and
cook at home. For visitors to our city I recommend this as a
perfect way to do some wonderful people watching. Have fun,
everybody!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Journeywoman lists over 150 women-friendly restaurants recommended by readers around the world. It's a must-read before you travel. Click here.
A
LOVELY MUSEUM CAFE IN LONDON, ENGLAND -- writes
Clare from London, England -- I must recommend
The Cafe at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington
to other Journeywoman readers. It's just a 10 minute walk from
Harrods. They serve wonderful food, reasonably priced, in a
fantastic setting. According to their website, 'The Cafe is
located in the V&A's original refreshment rooms, the Morris,
Gamble and Poynter Rooms. These three rooms formed the first
museum restaurant in the world and were intended as a showpiece
of modern design, craftsmanship and manufacturing.' Their gift
shop offering over 2000 items is also well worth a visit. I
was there last year at this time and there were already plenty
of Christmas decorations for sale.
P.S. Wear comfortable
shoes -- this museum goes on and on and on. Museum website:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/
COMMUNITY
RESTAURANT IN LONDON -- writes Maggie
in London, England -- Here's a good suggestion for
your Journeywoman readers. I've enjoyed several meals at this
communally run vegetarian restaurant, 'Bonnington Cafe' with
its long tradition of exceptional food served in a laid back,
Bohemian atmosphere. The chefs, mainly residents from Bonnington
Square, work on a rotation system. They open for lunch and supper.
A 3-course meal is a bit under $10.00 including tea or coffee.
Alcohol is not sold but you can take your own or, if you forget,
buy from the off-license shop opposite the restaurant. Check
their site to see which local resident is cooking each day and
for enquiries or reservations. This is a great example of communal
living. 11 Vauxhall Grove, SW8 1TD. TUBE: Vauxhall, 2 minutes
walk. Website: http://www.bonningtoncafe.co.uk/
EDITOR'S NOTE: Check out GirlTalk London, our mini guide to London written from a woman's point-of-view. You'll find lots more helpful and practical information about enjoying the city. Click here.
I
LIKE THIS PARIS HOTEL -- writes Jean
in Montreal, Canada -- My niece and I recently visited
Paris, France for the first time and based on a recommendation
I found on your JW web site we stayed at the two-star, Hotel
des 3 Colleges. We were really pleased with the warm and friendly
staff, the cleanliness of the rooms and hotel, and most of all,
the wonderful location on the Left Bank (opposite the Sorbonne,
in the heart of the Latin Quarter). We loved the fact we could
find great restaurants, many major attractions, shopping and
transportation close by. I highly recommend this hotel to all
of your readers who seek good, affordable accommodation in Paris.
I would definitely stay there again. Website: http://www.3colleges.com
P.S. I found your
Journeywoman newsletter and web site extremely helpful when
planning my vacation this year. Your hard work in compiling
and maintaining this travel information is greatly appreciated!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Need more recommendations for Paris Hotels? We have them. Simply click here.
Who is Journeywoman?
|
In
2007, we asked our readers to write in and tell us a bit
about themselves. With each new email that came in we
were introduced to delightful women living in all corners
of the world and doing what they do best. While our first
languages may be different and our food and cultures diverse,
we learned for certain that we all have one big pleasure
in common. JourneyWomen love to travel whenever and wherever
we can. Meet some of these interesting members... 
