SHE
TRAVELS WITH A TIMER -- writes Sandra in Roxboro,
Canada -- When staying at a hotel and you are worried about
whether or not the front desk will really give you that wake
up call (and you can't figure out the alarm clock or don't
trust it either), you have a few neat options. (1) You can
always use the alarm feature on your cell phone. (2) And,
here's an even better way: for about $5.00 you can pick-up
a digital oven timer. You can set it for the number of hours
you want to sleep and ding! it will get you up at the right
time in the AM.
CHECK
OUT THE OPERA HOUSE IN BUCHAREST FOR BARGAINS --
writes Danielle, in Edinburgh, Scotland -- Hi, just wanted
to pass on this little gold nugget to other JourneyWomen.
If anyone is traveling to Bucharest, be sure to find time
to check what's playing at the opera house. You have to buy
the tickets at the opera house itself, but they are an incredible
deal. We sat in the balcony for Swan Lake ballet. It was an
excellent place to be, for only 14 RON (about 3 Pounds or
5 U.S. dollars). Just be sure to dress light (that's my second
tip). We were there in January and the opera house was really
quite warm. But, all in all, well worth it to see Swan Lake
nonetheless. I hope someone in our Network can use this tip
and enjoy it.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is what I love about our Journeywoman travel tips. Not only do you hear about great deals you also find out what to wear when enjoying that great deal. Gorgeous!
FREE
LOCAL GUIDES IN PARIS -- writes Teena in Sydney,
Australia -- On my last trip to Paris I found a fabulous service
called Paris Greeters. Contact them in advance, state your
preferences of things you'd like to see, and you'll be appointed
an English-speaking local person as a guide for a few hours
(or a guide speaking one of 9 other languages). They'll explore
a district with you, show you art galleries, find the fabric
district, have a coffee - you name it, they'll do it - all
for free. http://www.parisgreeter.org/PdJ/
Evidently this is in other cities too like New York - what
a great idea!
CREATE
TRAVEL TOILET PAPER -- writes Eliza in Baltimore,
USA -- On an ongoing basis I replace rolls of toilet paper
when there are about five uses left. I flatten each nearly
used-up roll and save it. When going on a trip, I pack these
flattened rolls in a zip lock bag. They take little space,
weigh next to nothing, cost a minimal amount, create very
little waste, and are always there if I need them. In Third
World countries where toilet paper is often non-existent I
bless my little stash.
CASA
ROVAI B&B IN FLORENCE IS UTTERLY CHARMING --
writes Claudia in Hollywood, USA -- I wanted other JourneyWomen
visiting Italy to know about this bed and breakfast in Florence.
An oasis of comfort, this charming place is up three flights
of stairs and offers everything a Journeywoman would need.
Comfortable rooms with modernized en suite bathrooms (I stayed
in La Passione), good price, an attentive hostess (Arianna),
excellent breakfast, solitude, and security. It's easy to
find, and near the Church of Santa Croce, a 15 minute walk
from the Santa Maria Novella train station. I know where I'll
be staying on my next trip to Florence and hope other Journeywomen
will discover Casa Rovai's charm as well. Website: http://www.casarovai.it
SUBWAY
ADVICE FROM A NEW YORKER -- writes Gina in
New York City, USA -- Here's how women in NYC stay safe. As
your train pulls into the subway station, and is slowing down,
if you notice any empty or near-empty cars in an otherwise
packed train, don't get into them. It means something's amiss.
Tourists will pile in only to regret it during the ride, but
natives know better. In the summertime, a near-empty car means
the air conditioning is not working. In the winter time, (unfortunately)
it's base camp for street people; other times, maybe you'll
encounter unsavory characters or an unrelenting wheel squeal.
Ladies, if a subway car is empty, make the counterintuitive
move and join the throngs in the next car.
A
SHORT TRAVEL TIP FROM THE U.K. -- writes Jill
in Cheshire, England -- I love to travel light. On a recent
trip to Japan I bought a bunch of cheap knickers (panties).
That meant that I could throw the worn underwear out every
evening. No washing. No drying. Pure luxury. It was worth
every penny I spent.
TRAVELLING
BY PLANE IN VIET NAM -- writes Beth Marie
in Saskatchewan, Canada -- My tip is about reservations. If
you plan on taking a plane from one part of Viet Nam to another,
don't make reservations until you are actually in Viet Nam.
A fare from Hue to Ha Noi is around $250-300 outside of Viet
Nam and if you make reservations while there it is about $60.
I have never had difficulty getting the flight I wanted. One
time I had a group of 13 women and we had to go on two different
flights, which was perfect as some women wanted to spend the
day where we were and others were ready to move on.
A Transportation Tip...
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How to...
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Picnic
in Dublin's St. Stephens Park --
On a recent visit to Dublin we were near the lovely
green St. Stephens Park at lunchtime. I saw lots of
workers coming out of Dunnes Department Store carrying
lunch bags. We went to the basement of the store to
investigate and there to our delight was a whole array
of take-out luncheon food -- ready-made sandwiches,
fruit, desserts, etc. It was wonderful to 'food shop
like the locals' and take our lunch over to the park
and sit and talk to Dubliners. Also on Swords Road there
is a super modern Omni Shopping Mall that also has a
grocery store offering deli food take-out of barbecued
chickens, etc. The money we saved on picnic meals went
towards a couple of very nice all day coach tours.
