My work takes me to Amsterdam frequently. In fact, in the last 6 months, I have been to Amsterdam seventeen times and counting. So I figured I should write a special post on the hotels I have stayed in Amsterdam.

When booking a hotel for work, especially in a city like Amsterdam, I consider the following factors:

1. Location – I like to wind down after work by going out for a quick bite or having a drink at a wine bar or even catching a Champions League match on TV at a local pub. So the hotel needs to be close to some good night life.
2. Price – I want a hotel that doesn’t break the bank. So all the hotels below were less than €175 per night when I booked my stay there, although the Radisson, Grand Amrath, Doubletree, Movenpick and Crowne Plaza are very close to that mark, while the Inntel, Park Plaza Victoria and JL No 76 are closer to the €120 mark.
3. Amenities – Free wifi in your room is a must (not just free wifi in public areas). Only two hotels on this list did not have free wifi and I never went back to them.
4. Gym/Fitness Center – I prefer hotels to have a fitness center, especially when I am travelling for work.

The hotels below are all those that I have stayed at for business. Unless otherwise mentioned, they all have free in-room coffee facilities and large flat panel televisions. In parenthesis, I have included the number of times I have stayed there so far and the score at the end is on a scale of 5.

Crowne Plaza

I stayed here during my first business trip to Amsterdam. It is a very conveniently located hotel, within a 10 minute walk from Centraal station and offers all the modern amenities you can expect from Crowne Plaza. They give you a free bottle of water in your room, which is a rare touch. Rooms are large and clean as is the bathroom. The decor is modern and beds as comfortable as they can be. My only gripe – there is no free wifi in the room. This is exactly why my first stay here was also my last stay, but if you can get past that, I recommend this hotel.

Be warned that this is not the cheapest hotel in the area. Inntel hotels which is next door to it is about GBP 50 cheaper and has free wifi.

Bottom line: For lack of free wifi and high price tag, I give it a score of 3.5 (out of 5).

Park Plaza Victoria Hotel

I have stayed the most number of times at this hotel. But that is not because it is my favourite hotel in Amsterdam. Rather, it is because twice, I had a special offer that included free breakfast and complementary wine and fruit in my room. Also, the hotel is part of Club Carlson, which is a points program I like very much.

Formerly known as the Victoria Hotel, this hotel stands right across from Centraal Station in the heart of Amsterdam. The building is a historic building, which also means it is a bit dated. They have two distinct styles of rooms, the regular and the urban. I prefer the urban rooms with their modern, decor, red accents, dark furniture and fresh feel, despite the smaller space. By contrast, the regular rooms are larger, with dated furniture, creaking floor boards and a more traditional look.

Service at the hotel is average, probably because they are always busy. So if you are looking for personal attention, this place is not for you.

A big plus staying at this hotel is the free high speed wifi. For some reason, you have to “buy” high speed internet from your room and then they take it off your bill at checkout. I find this to be odd and bothersome. During one of my stays here, they forgot to take off the internet from the bill, and I had to call to get it adjusted.

There is a nice swimming pool that guests can use, but access to sauna or fitness center costs extra.

Finally, room service is rather expensive. But this is the case in most hotels in Amsterdam. I ordered a meal that cost €23 at retail price, but they added room charge of €7.50 and another €6.00 in service fee. Before I knew it, my bill was €36.

Bottom line: For the high cost of room service, dated rooms (the non-urban rooms) and lack of fitness facilities, I give it a score of 3.5.

Doubletree Hotel

I must say, that out of the ten or so hotels I have stayed in Amsterdam, this one by far is the most impressive. It used to be the Mint hotel until a few months ago when it became the Doubletree.

A few minute’s walk from Central Station, and Dam Square, the hotel is a little more difficult to reach than some of the other hotels here. But it is worth it to take the extra steps to get here.

You are greeted with a traditional warm chocolate chip cookie at the reception when you check in. If you have a sweet tooth, be warned, that these are some of the most amazing cookies you will ever have. Every Doubletree hotel in the world offers these cookies and they are consistently delicious anywhere in the world.

The rooms are fresh and immaculately appointed with modern fixtures and have a clean layout. The use of space is admirable. I can’t commend Hilton enough for maintaining this hotel and its standards since taking over. Bathrooms are small as well, but well set up with White Company brand of soap and shampoo products.

But the best part about this hotel is that every room comes with your very own iMac! I enjoyed not having to hook up and connect my laptop to browse the web. This is the only hotel I’ve seen this in, so kudos to Mint/Doubletree folks for this awesome feature. Wifi of course, is also free here and room service is round the clock.

Also, the fitness center is perhaps the best I have seen in Amsterdam. Weight benches, presses, yoga balls and cardio machines are generously placed in a well set up fitness room that puts other hotels to shame.

Finally, there is a sky lounge on the top floor with sweeping views of the city while you sip on fancy cocktails.

Bottom line: This hotel really has everything. I think I’ve found my home away from home. I give it a score of 5.

NH Schiller

For some reason NH hotels adorn the city of Amsterdam. Along with Barbizon, Kuprowsky and Carlton, NH hotels are all ideally located, either in the heart of Dam Square or in Rembrandt Square. And for some reason, these hotels are listed as five stars on most sites, but please be aware, these are nowhere near five stars.

NH Schiller is smack in the middle of Rembrandt square. You are a few steps away from great restaurants and some great attractions.

The hotel looks good from the outside and walking in, you get a feeling of the old dutch grandeur. The rooms are quite roomy as well, with great views of the square.

However, there is no air-conditioning in the hotel, so it might not be comfortable in summer. I was there in March and it was hot in my room; hot enough to keep me up at night. The bed is not very comfortable either, so my nights here were quite horrible.  Moreover, my bathroom smelled really bad. I was there for two nights, but I didn’t want to bother changing rooms. I did regret it on the second night, but what is amazing is that the cleaning staff didn’t smell it and address it.

You have to pay for internet wifi at this hotel and a lot. It is 18 euros for one day of internet. Mobile internet (iPad included) is 8 euros. In this day and age, I don’t get how high end hotels continue to charge for internet. This hotel should be even more ashamed of this practice considering that even the TV they have in the room is a small screen TV. I believe it might have been 17” or 19” at best.

While I didn’t order room service (you don’t need to with the Burger Bar, and Wok to Walk a few meters away), the menu didn’t have anything to tingle my taste buds.

I was forced to book this hotel because there was a convention in Amsterdam during this particular visit and all my regular hotels were priced too high. Staying here reminded me of why I prefer not to stay in any of the NH hotels in Amsterdam. Great location, but that is about it. So I advise passing on this hotel. In my opinion, it was not worth it. There are cheaper, better alternatives around.

Bottom line: No free wifi. Lack lustre room service menu. Dated, smelly rooms and no air-conditioning and a small TV, leave me no choice but to give this hotel a score of 1.

Inntel Hotel

Inntel Hotel is a hip looking hotel, standing next to the Crowne Plaza, a few minute’s walk from the Centraal Station. The lobby is a hub of activity and has a 1950’s Hollywood feel to it.

The bar and lounge feels like a cozy watering hole for business colleagues and fellow travellers.

The rooms are standard though, lacking the personality that the lobby offers. However, they are quite comfortable, and provide a welcome sanctuary from your busy day. This hotel has free internet but there is no gym or pool, although there are some happy hour specials in the bar.

Bottom line: Decent, comfortable hotel in a great location and ambience and free wifi and a much lower price than others in this post. That is why I give it a score of 3.5.

Radisson Blu

Radisson Blu is a nice hotel on a quiet corner about 7 minutes walk from both Dam Square and Rembrandt Square. This hotel, like Park Plaza Victoria, is part of my preferred Club Carlson rewards program, hence my frequent stay here.

While it is a good overall hotel with all the amenities one would expect from a five star, it is more of a four star hotel in my opinion. Rooms are a bit dated, and frankly they are a little too dark. If you pick the more expensive rooms, they have Nespresso machines and more TV channels, but for the price you pay, it doesn’t make sense to upgrade. If you really like your coffee (and I do), there is a Nespresso machine in the lobby for guests.

Bathrooms are large and nice, with heated floors. This was a pleasant surprise on every one of my trips and was a welcome feature in winter.

Room service menu is a little plain at this hotel. But again, with its location, you can walk a few minutes to satisfy your senses. Meanwhile, wifi in the room is free and fast, and bathrobes and slippers are standard in every room.

Finally, the fitness room is quite decent here, and the sauna is a nice touch, but small and can get crowded with two people.

Bottom line: This is the most expensive hotel on my list, and the free wifi, heated floors and Nespresso in the lobby don’t make up for the price. I give it a score of 3.5

Grand Amrath

A classically and decidedly maritime looking hotel, The Grand Amrath has a very distinct feel to it. The building is an old remnant of the Dutch maritime culture. In random corners of the hotel, you will see paintings, sculptures and glass work that remind you that you are indeed in the Netherlands.

I stayed at this hotel once, and the aspects I loved were the Nespresso machines in every room, the extremely large bathroom, free wifi and the free mini-bar, something I have not seen anywhere else. Even the curtains could be drawn with the click of a button.

The down side, was that my room was not cleaned, which was the first time it has ever happened in all my travels. When I asked the front desk about this, they said I didn’t put the sign on the door to clean the room. But I would argue that a clean room is what we expect, so we don’t think to ask for it. In any case, this was a bit of a turn off, and despite my complaint, they didn’t send anyone to clean. I am certain this was a fluke and one should not expect this to happen again.

The fitness center downstairs is hardly a fitness center. An old treadmill and a couple of other machines do not qualify it as such. However, the pool, although small, was nice, and the sauna and steam room were very impressive.

Bottom line: This is a great hotel, with extravagant amenities and traditional Dutch ambience and luxury. But it does come at a price. I give it a score of 4

Movenpick Hotel

I didn’t know what to expect from this hotel. One of the more expensive choices around Amsterdam, I figured I should give the Swiss chain a try.

The location of the hotel is not the best. While not too far from Centraal station, it is hard to get to and you definitely need a car. I cannot imagine walking from this hotel to Dam Square would be less than 30 minutes, if not more.

The hotel is a typical of a chain hotel. Rooms are comfortable with nice views of the canals, there is a good room service menu and service is quick and courteous.

Some notable things about the Movenpick: they have the largest selection of TV channels and the most number of English language TV channels that I have seen in my travels to Amsterdam. Second, the flat panel TV’s have ambience lighting, a feature associated with the more expensive models. Finally, the room service food, while average, has excellent presentation, almost like a gourmet restaurant. Moreover, their food prices are slightly lower than some of the other hotels. And if you order ice-cream, of course, the Movenpick Hotel serves the delectable Movenpick ice-cream.

Fitness center is better than most, although I still prefer the Doubletree hotel’s fitness center. I believe the main feature is the sauna, the ice shower room and relaxation rooms, which are rare in business hotels.

Bottom line: This is a good hotel for business travellers looking for comfort, luxury and service. It lacks some personality but packs a few pleasant surprises. I give it a score of 4

Hotel JL No76

A boutique hotel in the museum quarter of Amsterdam, this hotel lies almost hidden, on a quiet, unassuming, residential street. This is a small hotel, with personalized service and a treat for the whimsical. So do not expect a fitness room or a swimming pool here.

The decor is minimalist, with white being the central focus. There are Nespresso machines in every room, as well as free internet.

Beds are very comfy and the rooms are larger than they would normally be in a boutique hotel. The hotel lobby has snacks available by the honour system. You eat what you want, and let them know what you took.

If you are looking to stay in a run-of-the-mill 4 star hotel, this is not for you, but if you want something different, exciting, with a more personalized feel to it, look no further than Hotel JL 76.

Bottom line: If this were closer to central Amsterdam, I would be staying here all the time. For its great value, personal touches and decor, I give it a score of 4.5.

Albus Hotel

Steps from the Rembrandt square and the Floating Flower market, Albus hotel is a boutique hotel that might have at one point in time been cool. Now, it begs for maintenance, and a reality check. Not by any means cheap, the hotel’s entrance is nice enough. The lobby and lounge area boast of gentle but flaming light through decorative motifs.

My room was in the basement. A rule of thumb to you hotel operators. Please don’t assume that a guest is ok to be in the basement. At least have the decency to ask. As you can guess, I wasn’t asked. I was told my room was in the basement and that I had been upgraded. So I went down the aging elevator to my room. The furniture had an almost plastic feeling to it. The room was so crowded that I found it difficult to walk. It had three twin beds, so clearly this was a larger room, but with no natural light, bumping into walls and furniture became all the more likely.

The bathroom was dingy as was the wall paper in the room and the carpet. It really was a depressing room and I was happy it was just for one night. The only pleasant thing about the room was the Nespresso machine. Even the free internet was disappointing. It was low speed and you had to pay more to get high speed – a sham in this day and age.

The room service menu lacked variety, and in any case, the appearance of the room did not inspire much appetite so I ate out.

Bottom line: Great location, but dated and crowded rooms and slow internet for the high price tag means you have much better options elsewhere. I give this hotel a score of 3.

To book any of these hotels, get the best Amsterdam Hotel rates here!

As London gears for the Olympics (visit official London 2012 site here) this summer, visitors coming to London to soak up the atmosphere and the grandeur of the Olympics, will need all the help you can get to navigate the grid that is London. Below, I have outlined options and recommendations for travelling to London, travelling within London and hotel options.

People usually link travel and vacations with summertime. Winter travel is usually reserved for those who go to the tropics during the cold months. But did you know that winter travel can be as fun and refreshing as spending a week in a Mexican resort? Well, yes, there is always the possibility of getting a cheap hostel in Sydney (because their summer happens during the North American winter), but there is also fun to be had in cold places too!

Québec Winter Carnival, Québec City

This winter carnival is the most famous in North America. Beyond being one of the most historically fascinating cities in North America, Québec has a traditional winter carnival with a ton of fun winter activities. There are snow and ice sculpture competitions, a race across the St-Lawrence river in traditional canoes, and a fun street parade where the Queen of the Carnival appears with the mascot, the Bonhomme Carnaval. You will want to stop by the Ice Hotel, the only one in North America and rebuilt every year out of pure ice and snow. You can also take advantage of the great skiing and snowboarding around the Québec region.

Pacific Northwest

It might always rain in Seattle, but it has among the nicest winter temperature in the northern part of the United States. It rarely gets below freezing, and the locals know how to handle the constant rain and drizzle. There are a ton of museums to visit, from the Experience Music Project to the Sci-Fi Museum. And nothing really compares to sitting down with your friends with a hot cup of coffee in Pike Place Market on a foggy morning. Winter in Seattle is perfect to absorb the unique, indie vibe of this underestimated city.

The Alps

If you’re a ski afficionado, you know that winter rhymes with skiing in the Swiss or French Alps. Of course, these resorts might be expensive, but saving up for them is well worth the while. And there are a ton of youth hostels throughout Europe to help you with housing costs. In any case, a ski trip in Europe is always a good thing to do during the winter. And given how small it is, if you get tired of the snow, you can drive for only a few hours and be on the beach in the Mediterranean. Talk about the best of both worlds!

These are all suggestions for people who don’t mind a little cold in their life. Of course, you are always free to go to the tropics or the southern hemisphere; Sydney hostels are always a welcoming place to stay if you decide to go down under. But for those who like to cozy up near a fireplace or go to the after-ski parties, then staying north of the Equator can definitely be fun.

The word that matches perfectly when describing the city of Venice is “unique”. Positioned in northern Italy, the city is a key tourist destination famous for the fact that it is the only car-free city in the entire world and is thus very pleasant to be explored on foot and with a boat or gondola. Often Venice is named “the city of bridges”, “the city of canals” and the “city of masks” and even “queen of Adriatic”, but whatever the expression, this is definitely the most beautiful settlement ever constructed by people and still one of the most romantic holiday destinations on earth. Venice is positioned on total of 117 small islands set in a lagoon and used to be an important trade center, art zone and maritime power during the Middle Ages and after that during the Renaissance.

Nowadays, Venice remains an intriguing destination for vacationers, romantics and honeymooners alike. It is separated into six main districts including San Marco, Santa Groce, Castello and Dorsoduro, San Polo and Cannaregio, each of which features unique and  interesting sites. In addition, there are two main districts Giudecca and Lido di Venezia, as well as several islands like Murano and Burano, Torcello, etc. The city of Venice is a fantastic place to stay at as it features appealing serviced apartments often meters away from the major sites.

Among the major sites that deserve the attention are to be mentioned the main square San Marco with the marvelous basilica bearing the same name with the four horses above the main entrance. Next to it is set the bell tower; where from its top visitors could enjoy delightful panoramic view over Venice and the lagoon. Close to these are set the Correr Museum with its collection of globes and the Doge’s Palace with the Bridge of Sighs. Other places to visit include the Theatre La Fenice, the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

Accommodations in Venice are ample, but look for furnished and equipped vacation apartments to make your stay reasonable and memorable.

The best advice I can give when heading to Venice is that you allow yourself to be charmed – try to find your way without a map, go on an evening trip with gondola, ride the Vaporetti boats and of course, try the local food and wines.

While idly wandering the cobbles of Alicante’s Explanada de Espana, it struck me how perfect the city is for weekend breaks. Although it’s a firm favourite with European holidaymakers looking for relaxing sun holidays, Alicante seems to offer something special besides. You know – the type of qualities you encounter in much larger cities.   Not only is the old town friendly and charismatic, it has its very own international airport (I would be flying out of here), clothing shops galore and there are enough interesting attractions and curiosities to keep even the most world-weary traveler amused for a day or two should the sun go AWOL.

So how come it’s not up there with Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona?

Believe me, it’s getting there.  A new Maritime station was constructed here just 5 years ago to encourage cruise tourism and with the Old Town just a 10 minute walk from the port, tourist numbers have been steadily increasing over the past few years.

Alicante is fortunate in terms of its location.  Set on the east coast of Spain in the heart of the Costa Blanca, it may find itself on the Mediterranean coast but there is definitely an air of the exotic about the town. On the waterfront and esplanades there’s a distinctly African feel.  Street traders selling hand carved African masks hustle for your attention, while women dressed in vibrant kaftans preside over colorful jewelry and craft stalls.

At the center of Alicante is the historic heart of the city.  If you stand around here long enough, you can almost hear the aged Baroque buildings whispering swashbuckling tales of seafaring adventures. Not really, but if the walls could indeed talk, they’d tell you all about Alicante’s rich maritime history.  Unfortunately they can’t so instead, visitors must make do with the exhibits in the cool, air-conditioned surrounds of the Municipal Archeological Museum and the Bullfighting Museum.

Not all of the city’s sights are locked away behind glass cases.  Keep your eyes peeled and you won’t be disappointed in the old town.  Close to the middle, you’ll find the impressive Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, which is encircled by the narrow streets of the old quarter known as El Barro.  This is the place to find the best nightlife and cheapest accommodation if you’re on a budget. Heading a little further along here, you’ll come to Calle de Italia, the main tourist information center where you’ll see post offices as well as bus and trains which lead into and out of Alicante city.

Like fashionable Barcelona, Alicante has its very own colourful thoroughfare called Las Rambla. It is lined with palm trees, sunny pavement cafés and cute little ice-cream parlours.  If you have time to spare around here, I’d recommend you try the local horchata, a traditional drink made from almonds.  There are plenty of places to stroll and explore in the vicinity.  You can basically take your pick from lush gardens and parks, marble paved plazas and the wide Explanada d’Espanya that surrounds the yacht harbour. Wooden benches are dotted all around, making it tempting to take the weight off your feet and watch the world go by for an hour or so.

Should you choose to walk a little further, you’ll be rewarded by the view of the Mediterranean which looks so inviting that it’s easy to see why so many people visit Alicante for its beaches alone.

The beach at San Juan is worth the trek, even if you’re not into sunbathing, you’ll find a fine selection of restaurants and cafés where you can try local favorite, Mandeditas.  Similar to tapas, the waiter calculates your bill based on the number of cocktail sticks on your plate.  Sobrasada and cream cheese, herring and tomato, red pepper, anchovy, egg mayonnaise, black pudding and goats cheese are just some of tasty snacks waiting to tempt you.

Unfortunately, I got home just before the whole town erupted for the traditional San Juan celebrations of June 23^rd. I was sorry I didn’t stay longer.  If you’re not familiar, San Juan is the festival of St John.  It is a celebration of change.  It is about night turning to day, fire turning to water. Although it has religious connotations today, its origins can be traced back to pagan times when people believed that fire purified while water refreshed and rejuvenated.

I would have loved to have witnessed all the weird and wonderful traditions that go along with San Juan.  It must be quite something to witness the haze of bonfires and fireworks on the beaches while thousands of people wade through the water after midnight.

Oh well, there’s always next time!

About the Author:

Fiona Hilliard usually writes about Alicante car hire for award-winning site ArgusCarHire.com.  On a recent trip to Spain, she stopped off in the old town of Alicante for a spot of sight-seeing.  Here she shares her impressions of the tourist hotspot.

With the summer cruise season in full throttle mode, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about one of my favorite cruise destinations – the Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean Sea divides Africa and Europe and is the largest sea in the world (based on coverage area). It also boasts great summer weather with lots of sunshine and cool breezes. But most importantly, it is host to many famous sea ports and cities like Venice, Athens, Barcelona, Nice and Alexandria. Additionally, islands like Malta, Sicily, Sardinia, Capri and Santorini, all sway to the tune of the Mediterranean Sea.

The decision to cruise the Mediterranean is simple enough, but its deciding which route and ports to visit that is difficult. So, I have attempted to list my ten favorite ports here, along with what you can expect to do at each of these ports.

Nice, France – I believe most cruise ships call this port Cannes which is known for its popular Film Festival. But the charm of this port is Nice with its pebble beaches and cobblestone streets. In the old town, cars are forbidden abd tourists can outdoor markets, cafe’s and the beautiful sites of the French Riviera. 30 minutes from Nice, a small quaint town called Eze sits perched above the Mediterranean. This is the epitome of what is called Côte d’Azur. The town of Eze, albeit small, is very picturesque and has great pathways that reveal some post card views of the Mediterranean. You can take a bus from Nice to go to Eze and save some money. For the young and the restless, I don’t recommend an excursion here.

Monaco – The second smallest country in the world and ruled by a monarch, Monaco’s most famous icons are Grace Kelly and Casino Royale. Living there is something few of us could ever afford, but it is worth a visit. The Palace in Monaco is still home to the Prince of Monaco but is open to the public. Cafe du Paris, right outside Casino Royale offers great coffee and sundaes and the Casino itself is also worth a peek. The whole country can be walked on foot in about 1 to 2 hours. Take in the Palace and the Casino and you can spend the whole day enjoying Monaco and its elegant beauty.

Monaco

Florence, Italy – Florence is a beautiful city. But its beauty lies not in the sea and the views, but in its historic buildings and cathedrals. The port itself is Livorno, and getting to Florence takes well over an hour. I recommend taking a cab from the port (hint: cab sharing with fellow cruisers is an easy way to save money). Make sure you negotiate both pisa and Florence with your cab driver. During my visit in 2009, our group of 8 people paid 320 euros total for the whole day (including Pisa and Florence).

Go to Pisa first, (20 minutes from Livorno) and climb the Tower. I say this because they don’t let more than 30 people climb the Leaning Tower at a given time. Lines can be long, specially if you go with the crowds. So if you put it off as the last thing you do before heading to the ship, you may not be able to make it.

In Florence, visit the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (the Duomo), at Piazza del Duomo. Also check out the famous statue of Michelangelo’s David, and stroll to the 14th century Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) over River Arno, with its many shops. Florence is an art lover’s dream and the short amount of time a cruise ship allows you to visit this great city does not do it justice. Given that you have both Pisa and Florence to cover in a day, you definitely want to get an early start and get to Florence as quickly as possible so you can see as much as possible. Oh and if you want to buy a souvenir, a painting on the streets of Florence makes for a great collectible. Just make sure you bargain hard. Usually, you can get something for at least 50% of what the vendors first quote you.

Florence, Italy - The Duomo

Rome, Italy – Rome needs no introduction. It is the capital of the ancient world and the best preserved city from the Roman empire. However, the port for Rome is Civitavecchia (a nightmare for anyone spelling, pronouncing or visiting). It takes two hours just to get to Rome via a taxi so don’t even try the rail or bus. Get a taxi for your group or simply do an excursion. Better yet, if your cruise has Rome as its first or last stop, you can spend a few days here. This is the best way to go. But if you are simply stopping here for a day, you can either do an end to end tour of Vatican City (including St. Peter’s) or simply take in a city tour that will cover the Forum, the Coliseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon and perhaps Piazza Navona. I also recommend the Angels and Demons tours that have sprouted in light of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.

St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City

Naples, Italy – If you are on a budget, consider public transportation to get around Naples. While most consider Naples, loud, dirty and rough, I think it is one of the best stops on a cruise. There are four major attractions in Naples, each warranting attention. Pompei is an obvious choice for its rich history. Then there is Mount Vesuvius, which destroyed most of ancient Pompei. Isle of Capri is another option with its glamorous views of the ocean. Finally, there is the huge National Archeology Museum with the largest collection of artifacts from the Roman empire anywhere. Needless to say, Naples is quite a destination. If your cruise itinerary involves any of the Greek Islands, you might want to consider skipping Capri.

Pompei near Naples, Italy

In any case, I recommend picking one option from the above rather than trying to do too much. I say this because Naples has a great shopping scene, as well as the fact that it was the birthplace of Pizza (Neapolitan pizza). So, save a couple of hours for shopping and pizza before departing.

Venice, Italy – Paris, while beautiful and romantic, is often over hyped. Pound for pound, I believe Venice is the more romantic of the two. St Mark’s square (Piazza San Marcos) is where all the action is. Grand buildings lines the square with St. Mark’s Basilica on one end, neighbored by Doge’s Palace. Both these structures are worth seeing. Rialto Bridge, which is a 10 minute walk from St. Mark’s square is famous for its shopping and dining. If you can get just transportation from port to San Marcos, you can figure out how to navigate this port. It is very easy to get around on foot. I am sure you can also just take a water shuttle tour to take you to various stops (like a Hop-on, Hop-off).

Piazza San Marcos, Venice

Since Venice is a connection of small islands, they don’t have cars. You take the Vaporatto (their version of a public bus system) or a water taxi (the more expensive option) to move around. Venetian architecture is quite distinct from Roman.

Venice is also known for Murano glass, which comes from the island of Murano in Venice. If this is something you fancy, you might want to consider touring Murano. During my stay there, we were offered to do the tour for free.

One thing everyone likes to do in Venice is the gondola ride. While these are expensive, you can negotiate with the gondola operators if business is slow. It is certainly worth the price to do this at least once.

Santorini, Greece – I have never seen anything more beautiful than Santorini. Every picture you take her is post card material. Every corner yields a dreamy landscape. The white-washed stone buildings with shiny blue tops, white churches with blue domes, the narrow stone streets of Oia and the black sand beach, all add to the allure of Santorini. Make sure you either do the Donkey ride up the stairs or climb the stairs if you can withstand the physical exertion. It is quite an experience and the views along the way are breathtaking. Food in Santorini is divine and for dessert, try the yogurt with honey and nuts. It is the perfect summer dessert.

Santorini, Greece

Athens, Greece – Much like Rome, Athens needs no introduction. The oldest of civilizations and architectural wonders are here. Acropolis sits with the grand Parthenon, overlooking the city, giving it a God-like appearance. Athens, much like Rome, is a busy and bustling city. The language is Greek (pun intended) and the city is rather dirty and loud. But if you are a history buff, you must visit Athens. There are plenty of other sites here other than Acropolis, but that alone will take most of the day. If you have time to spare, check out the new museum at the base of the Acropolis and enjoy charcoaled corn with lemon from a street vendor.

Acropolis, Athens

Corfu, Greece – Corfu is the second largest of the Ionian islands. It looks very different from most Greek towns, because of Corfu’s unique history. For almost four centuries, from the 1300′s to the 1700′s, Corfu was ruled by the Venetian nobility. In the 1800′s, it was first part of the French colony and then the British. This diverse history has left its architectural mark on Corfu. Some buildings look distinctly Venetian, yet some others look French.

Corfu, Greece

There is plenty to do in Corfu. From walking around, shopping and hiking to the top of the Island and enjoying the views from the old fort to renting a jeep or motorbikes and exploring the island and its sandy beaches, Corfu has a lot to offer. For lunch, the place to eat is Spilia. Owners Andreas and his wife are friendly and warm and prepare a great meal. Try either the Sofrito or the Pastitsado, along with the local drink called Retsina.

Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona is another port that might be best served as a destination. There are far too many places to visit here than a docked cruise ships allows for.

Barcelona is a walkable city, particularly places such as Barrio Gothic. There’s an excellent tube and public transportation system. Large cruise ships dock at a location accessible to Las Ramblas, one of the most popular streets in Barcelona. Take the cruise ship’s shuttle to Las Ramblas. From there, you can catch public transportation to one or two of many attractions including La Sagrada Familia, an unfinished but gorgeous structure and fantastic view from the top, the Gothic Quarter with its boutique galleries, narrow streets and 13th century architecture and the monastery of Montserrat.

No matter what stops you have on your Mediterranean Cruise, one thing is for sure. It will be one heck of a cruise and if you are thinking about cruising the Mediterranean, stop thinking and just do it. Find special deals on Mediterranean Cruises on CruiseDirect.

If you liked this post, and do end up booking a cruise, I’d appreciate you doing it through this link. It helps support my costs for this site.

Ever been inspired to visit a location because you liked the look of it on a cinema screen? You’re not alone; a recent survey compiled by travelsupermarket.com shows that almost one in five British travelers have been inspired to visit locations that they’ve seen in movies.

17% of travelers said they’ve been inspired to travel to particular destinations – including New York, Paris and London – after seeing those locations in film sets. Women were more likely to visit film inspired locations, with 20% of women admitting to being screenspired versus 14% of men. The under 20s were the most likely age group to make a film based trip.

From the brilliant mind of Sherlock Holmes to the suave and sophisticated spy James Bond, these characters have captivated fans for years. Film-inspired tours can help give fans an insight into their stories and origins, especially those movies based on adaptations from novels which obviously rely on imagination to set the scene!

Location tours in London, such as Notting Hill, Baker Street and the world famous Abbey Road studios, where the Beatles recorded many of their most famous songs, can be a great way of exploring the scenery and history of your favorite films, television shows and musicians.

London is one of the prime locations for film tourism, having given us some of the most memorable characters in film and literature, as well as acting as a backdrop for a number of cult classics.

Here is our pick of five of the best film character based experiences in London.

James Bond Boat Trip
(http://www.wellwickedstuff.com/james-bond-ultimate-boat-trip-london.asp)
Price: Adults £29 / Children £16*
Duration: Approx. 1 hour
Location: Embankment Pier
Nearest Tube Station: Embankment

The opening scenes of Pierce Brosnan’s outing as the famous double agent – The World Is Not Enough – show Bond engaged in a thrilling boat chase down the River Thames, evading a host of baddies before a dramatic confrontation in a hot-air balloon atop the O2 Arena (known then as the Millennium Dome)

Fans of Bond will get a real kick out of this particular tour, from your seat on the boat you’ll get a unique view of many familiar London landmarks, with the route taking you from Canary Wharf to Tower Bridge. Along the way you will learn more about Bond – from his lifestyle, his many missions and gain an insight into the world of Bond’s character and his creator Ian Fleming.

Harry Potter Walks
(http://www.the-magician.co.uk)
Price: free
Location: Starts from Temple Underground Station
Nearest Tube Station: Temple

J.K. Rowling’s boy wizard has become one of the most familiar characters in British literature and film within the last decade. London is intrinsically linked with both the books and the movies, and there are a number of locations in and around London that have acted as backdrops to the blockbuster film adaptations.

Walking tours around these locations, such as this free tour, include treasure hunts and fun facts about Harry Potter locations, providing a fun and insightful experience for the whole family. Along the way you’ll find a number of treasure hunt clues, points of interest and quizzes to keep the kids entertained throughout the tour.

Starting outside Temple station, the tour takes you around several locations used in the films – such as Australia House (Gringotts Bank), Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley), Whitehall (The Ministry of Magic) and Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station.

Platform 9 3/4 made famous by Harry Potter

Follow the above link to download your free PDF, which gives more information about the tour, from the starting point outside Temple station to locations en-route to the finish at Kings Cross Station – where you can snap a photo at Platform 9¾.

Sweeney Todd at the London Dungeon
(http://www.the-dungeons.co.uk/london/en/attractions/sweeney-todd.htm)
Price: Adults £22.50 / Children £16.50 – considerable savings are available by booking online in advance.
Location: Tooley Street, London
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge

The demon barber of Fleet Street is a popular character for London ghost walks, particularly around Halloween, and has been recently portrayed by Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s movie musical about one of London’s most notorious and well known legends.

The London Dungeon

The London Dungeon in London Bridge has an exhibit dedicated to Todd, where visitors are greeted by Mrs Lovett at her infamous pie shop, before taking a seat in one of the chairs of the infamous barber shop. Using animatronics and binaural special effects, visitors can experience the feeling as if Todd is right behind them giving them a close shave – which can feel scarily real!

These spooky walks lead you through the streets of Piccadilly and Fleet Street during which you can experience the shivers of Todd’s infamous barbershop. A short walk across the road will bring you to Bell Yard, just off Fleet Street, the former location of Miss Lovett’s pie shop, where his partner in crime helped dispose of his victims.

Sherlock Holmes Museum
(http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/home.htm)
Price: Adults £6 / Children (under 16) £4
Location: 211b Baker Street
Nearest Tube Station: Baker Street

One of the most famous literary detectives, Sherlock Holmes lived in a lodging house at 221b Baker Street, London, where you will now find a museum dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional sleuth and his companion, who acted as a narrator for most of the Holmes stories.

Tours of the museum help bring to life the simple splendour of Holmes’ Victorian dwellings, with exhibitions that help give an insight into his brilliant mind, the tools of his trade and a collection of wax character models that help recreate some of the scenes from the novels, all within the style of a Victorian study, located on the third floor of the museum.

Visitors can pose in Holmes’ armchair for pictures, see Dr Watson’s bedroom on the second floor and browse exhibits containing personal possessions, handwritten case notes from his published adventures and some of Holmes’ private papers.

True fans of Sherlock Holmes may also wish to visit some of the locations used in the recent movie adaptation. These include St Paul’s Cathedral, Brompton Cemetery, just off Finborough Road and West Brompton (nearest tube station is West Brompton) – all of which have featured in the latest movie adaptation.

Charles Dickens Walks
(http://www.walksoflondon.co.uk/30/index.shtml)
Price: free
Location: Starts from Chancery Lane Underground Station
Nearest Tube Station: Chancery Lane

Charles Dickens is one of the UK’s most famous authors, over the years many of his works have been adapted for television dramas, Hollywood movies and West End theatre shows, including world famous tales such as Bleak House, Little Dorrit and A Christmas Carol.

Dickensian walking tours allow fans to explore many of the locations around London that feature in his novels or have helped to influence his writing including the site of the original Old Curiosity Shop, Temple Bar (A Tale Of Two Cities) and Gray’s Inn (Great Expectations).

After a stroll round the landmarks of Dickensian London, pay a visit to the Charles Dickens Museum in Doughty Street (a 10 minute walk from Chancery Lane Tube Station) to learn more about Dickens and many of the characters from his works. Discover the origins and personalities of Pip and Ebenezer Scrooge and their roles within these old tales, whilst relaxing in the décor of a Victorian drawing room. Entry to the museum costs £6 for adults and £3 for children.

*All prices are correct at time of writing

Contributed by David Collins of the London Hotels team at travelsupermarket.com

Hotel Bela Figueira in Figueira da Foz, Portugal delights travelers with its close proximity to the beach, the town center, the casino, the tourist information center and great eats in the area. The hotel is run by its owners Anil and Rozy, one of the warmest and friendliest couples you will ever meet.

Hotel Bela Figueira

Bela Figueira is a bed and breakfast or as the Portuguese say, a Pensao, located steps from the sandy beaches of Figueira da Foz in central Portugal. Figueira is a must-see destination on your way from Lisbon to Porto and is an hour from other famous places like Coimbra, Batalha and Fatima. With Porto just two hours north, and Lisbon approximately two hours south, Figueira is a great place to spend an afternoon. And for a good night’s sleep, there is Bela Figueira.

Bela Figueira has fourteen large, clean rooms, including two suites. The decor is simplistic, yet tasteful. When you are in Figueira, you will not spend too much time indoors, but if you decide to relax indoors, perhaps work on your blog or read a book, the large windows throw lots of light in the rooms to give you the beachy, sunny feeling that makes your stay special.

Taj Figueira Restaurant

There is an on-site restaurant at the hotel, called Taj Figueira. The food here is a delicious blend of Portuguese and Indian, so definitely try it out. Be warned though that the restaurant is seasonal.

Prices are quite cheap considering the location and other comparable bed and breakfasts in the area and are based on seasonality. So for your next trip to Portugal and Figueira da Foz, I recommend Bela Figueira. Click here to book your stay.

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Map of Portugal

A visit to Portugal deserves at least 10-12 days and renting a car is highly recommended. Not that public transportation is absent or unreliable. On the contrary, Portugal does have a very reliable and consistent public transportation system, but to save time on getting around the country, a small automobile is your best bet.

Following are the best places to visit on your trip to Portugal.

Lisbon – The capital of Portugal will most likely be your first stop on your visit to Portugal. It has the perfect blend of history, culture and nightlife. Your points of interest for Lisbon should include:

• Belem – this historic center of Lisbon includes the Discovery Monument, Torre de Belem and Jeronimos Monastery.  Also check out Pastelaria de Belem, home of the original Portuguese pastry (Pasteis de Belem).
• Castelo Sao Jorge – In the heart of Alfama, the Castle of St. George is a remnant of the Moorish reign in Portugal. From the towers of the castle, you can see the entire city with its red-tile roofed buildings.
• Rossio/Baixa – A few minutes from Alfama lies the commercial district of Portugal. Like its French, Italian and Spanish counterparts, this commercial district is nothing like the downtowns of the major cities in the US. With piazza-style squares and its cobble-stone streets, Rossio is the gateway to Lisbon.
• Cristo Rei – The statue of Christ is only two of a kind with its sister statue in Rio de Janeiro.
• Fado – this traditional music, made famous by Amalia Rodriguez, is specific to Portugal. No trip to Portugal is complete without a night at a local Fado club where you can enjoy a fancy dinner complemented by some live Fado music.
• Cabo da Roca – a few minutes drive to the west of Lisbon lies the western most point of mainland Europe . This point is called Cabo da Roca and it boasts fabulous views of the coast of Portugal.
• Cascais – Cascais is an upscale beach area of Portugal. Think of it as the Malibu of Lisbon, but with casinos and amazing night life. Restaurants overlooking the ocean, clubs boasting today’s top charts and a gambler’s paradise, make it the ideal place both for high rollers and for people simply looking for a good time .

Sintra – a UNESCO world heritage site for its Romantic architecture, Sintra is some 20 miles from Lisbon and home to some of the most historic buildings in the area. Castelo dos Mouros (the Moorish Castle) and Palacio da Pena, both nestled in the mountains of Sintra are popular tourist attractions in Sintra. Additionally, consider visiting the Sintra-Cascais National Park and Palacio Nacional de Sintra. Travesseiros de Sintra is a dessert local to Sintra and a must-have treat before you leave. Piriquita is one of the oldest and most famous pastelarias in Sintra.

Evora – This historic city, with its fortress like walls is ninety minutes from Lisbon. Evora is a university town, and catching a student studying in the gardens or reflecting on a bench is not a rare sight. For tourists, there are a few must-see sites. The most popular and historic is the Temple of Diana, which is remnant of the Greek influence on the city. The pillars are a miniature version of the Temple of Zeus in Athens. The Castle of Bones, located in the Church of Sao Fernando, is the only one of its kind. The walls of this temple are made of real human bones. Apparently, even the ground would not accept the bones of these mortals. The entrance reads “We bones that are here, We are waiting for yours”. Not for the faint of heart, this place is a must see if your stomach can handle it. Evora is a great place for a day long trip from Lisbon. It embodies a part of historic Portugal that is often forgotten.

Figueira da Foz – Undiscovered beaches, soft sand and surf mark the coastline of Portugal in Figueira da Foz. A sharp contrast from the beaches of the Algarve, Figueira is quieter but be aware the the water is a little cooler as well. Hotel Bela Figueira is a quaint B&B a block up from the beach and is an ideal place to make your stay in Figueira special. While there, make it a point to indulge in some gelato at the famous Emanha.

Porto – The land of the Port wine, Porto is Portugal’s riviera. The Douro river snakes through Porto with houses and wineries on either side of the river. Without a doubt, this is Portugal’s most romantic city and a great honeymoon destination. The Clerics Tower provides a great view of the city of Porto. In addition, Porto also has Palacio da Bolsa and the historic Porto Cathedral. Of course, no trip to Porto is complete without wine tasting and there are plenty of wineries that offer tours and wine tasting along the banks of Douro.

Batalha – Located less than two hours by car from Lisbon, Batalha is one of Europe’s greatest Gothic masterpieces. It was built in the 14th century to commemorate King João’s victory over the Castillians in the Battle of Aljubarrota. A statue of Nuno Alvares Pereira, the king’s commander at the battle, stands at one end of the monastery. The magnificent stained glass inside complements the Gothic decor and the tomb of King João lies inside the Founder’s chapel.

Fatima – 30 minutes from Batalha, lies Fatima, a place of great religious and spiritual significance. The name Fatima, derives from a local Arabian princess named Fatima, who was captured and converted to Catholicism, and baptized before marrying the Count of Ourém in 1158. The Marian shrine in Fatima attracts a large number of Catholics, and every year pilgrims fill the country road that leads to the shrine. Fatima is one of the largest catholic churches in the world and a sight to see with its large sprawling grounds and its white stone walls.

Portvgalia – Portvgalia (pronounced Portugalia) is a chain of restaurants in Portugal that serve some of the best, and most traditional food in Portugal. While not cheap, Portvgalia is definitely not expensive and the food is nothing short of amazing. Bitoque (steak with eggs), Prego (steak sandwiches) and Acorda de Camarao are just some of the delicious recipes cooking at Portvgalia. Oh and if you like seafood, they have tiger shrimps the likes of which you have never seen.

So you see, Portugal, in all its beauty and diversity, offers a vast array of activities and opportunities to make your vacation there memorable. Don’t skimp on your days in Portugal. It offers more than some of its better known counterpart countries in Europe, yet offers it for a lot less.

Venice (also known as Venezzia) is one of those cities that seem out of this world. The city is built on and around water and the only real means of transport is via water ways and canals. I bet more people here own boats than cars. In fact, apart from taxis, cars are a rare sight in Venice. The public bus is called the Vaporetto and takes people heading to work or tourists to major stops all over this island city. Then there are water taxi’s, a la limo service on water. These are private, more expensive mode of transport.

Some may argue that Venice is the most romantic city, even more so than Paris. I have to say, I agree. The people are friendly and life in Venice just seems to be in a daze.

The Rialto bridge marks the center of the city. It is also one of the historical landmarks of Vencie. If you are staying in Venice, it is a good idea to find something close to the Rialto Bridge. Local restaurants, the meat and produce market and shopping – all happens within a few minutes of each other, on and around Rialto.

Gondola rides may be cliche now, but worth every bit. In harsh times like today when tourism is declining due to the falling dollar and economic recession, gondoleers are willing to bargain down their prices from 100 euros to 60 euros to get patrons. If you’ve taken a gondola ride at the Venetian in Las Vegas, make no mistake; the real thing is completely different and out of this world. Gondoleers are friendly, smiling guys. looking to please. I still remember vividly, the melodic “Oye Oye” they call out before rounding a corner, to warn oncoming fellow gondoleers.

Old buildings, water ways, bridges, small streets and the smell of pizza and cheese add to Venice’s unique ambience. Dining by the water, while expensive, and compromising of food, is still a wonderful experience.

San Marcos square or Piazza San Marcos is a huge square which is famous for the San Marcos Basilica, Doges Palace, and pigeons. The basilica, with its golden dome interiors, frescos and the four bronze horse statues and view of the Piazza from the terrace is a rare one of its kind. Doge’s Palace, with its sprawling grounds, hundreds of large rooms with art for every taste, is typically Italian and memorable. While there, make sure you see the underground prisons and the Bridge of Sigh’s, named after the sighs that prisoners would let out as they saw their last view of the city before being marched to year’s of underground captivity.

Shopping in Venice is expensive and should be avoided. If that is your cup of tea, consider a day in Naples, where shopping is amazingly cheap. However, two things that you should definitely buy here are a mask, and something made from Murano glass. Venice is the authentic place to buy both these things.

For me, two days in Venice is the right amount of time, and the best way to enjoy Venice is to discover it by foot. The city is the most unique I have ever experienced and gives Paris a run for its money in terms of romance.