Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Benvenuto a Milano !

Hey friends,



In 2012 my sister got married and for her bachelorette party we travelled to milan altogether. It was a very fun 48 hour trip and I am going to share some of my experiences with you !












*History*

Milan is one of Italy's most fashionable cities and one of the richest cities in Europe but it also holds several historic and artistic attractions, including the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, the Last Supper painting, and the famous La Scala Opera House. Travelers to Milan will find a fast-paced, glamorous city with a thriving cultural scene and a top city for shopping. Although the city was heavily bombed during World War II, much of it was rebuilt.
*Location*
Milan is in northwest Italy in the Lombardy region, about 30 miles south of the Alps. It is very near the Lake district, including Lakes Maggiore and Como. From Milan, Rome is reachable on a fast train in as little as 3 hours and Venice in less than 3 hours. 
*Transportation to Milan*
Milan has 2 airports. Malpensa, to the northwest, is a big international airport. The Malpensa Express train connects the airport to the stations of Centrale and Cadorna, near the historic center. The smaller Linateairport to the east serves flights from Europe and within Italy and is connected to the city by bus service.
The main train station, Milano Centrale at Piazza Duca d' Aosta, links to major cities in Italy and western Europe. Domestic and international bus lines arrive inPiazza Castello.
*Public Transportation in Milan*
Milan has very good public transportation, including buses, trams, and an extensive metro system. 
*Our hotel*
The hotel we stayed in with all the girls from the bachelorette party was the Maison Moschino Hotel. A really nice and fashionable hotel with great interior design and bedrooms. Like Armani, Missoni and Bulgari before it, the Italian fashion house Moschino has decided to dabble in the hospitality business. Its first project is the much buzzed-about Maison Moschino in Milan, which opened last spring to coincide with the label’s runway show. Here, Moschino designers have turned their attention to a neo-Classical railway house from the 19th century that anchors a rather drab intersection at the edge of the city center. Inside, they have created a strikingly modern and very whimsical world of oversize velvet dresses that double as headboards, suspended light fixtures in the form of poodles and sheep, and ball gowns that stand in for art installations.
Reference: nytimes.com
*Clubbing*
We had a major night out at Cavalli club where we had a three course menu and partied afterwards in the open area club above the restaurant.
 Here you can see the webpage: 
JustCavalliHollywood

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

2 days in Venice....

Venice is one of the most interesting and lovely places in the world, I personally have never been there so far, but I sure would like to visit someday.
This sanctuary on a lagoon is virtually the same as it was six hundred years ago, which adds to the fascinating character. Venice has decayed since its heyday and is heavily touristed but the romantic charm remains.





*Rialto food markets*

Of course Venice’s shopping is amongst the best, with glossy boutiques and delis lining every walkway. Yet for a truly unique Italian experience you must head over the Rialto bridge to the daily fruit and veg market and the fish stalls that appear most days too. Here you’ll find produce so fresh and sometimes exotic, plus, there’s bars and cafes a plenty to sit and take in the sights and sounds. This is a truly traditional experience in which to get totally immersed!


*Hunt for the best restaurants*


Venice’s best restaurants are off the beaten track and not near the tourist traps. So leave the designer facades behind because for great value food that the locals love you have to get a little adventurous. Even the darkest of alleyways may lead to the most beautiful courtyard, littered with bistro tables and candlelight. The area between Rialto and St Marks Square provides some of the best while a Prosecco Bellini aperitif and a seafood risotto are a must off any menu.
*Try one of Venice’s many street bars*

One of our favourite street bars, or ‘holes in the wall’ is down a tiny street off of Salita Pio X, heading towards the city from the Rialto Bridge. Following signs to St Mark’s Square, look left immediately after the bridge and you’ll see locals and travellers alike tumbling on to the street, listening to live music from the charming little bar and its efficient serving window! Visitors have scribed their memories all over the walls whilst the super-helpful staff will advise on the best wine from their exquisite menu and the right cured meats and cheeses to sample with it. The place is no more than five metres square but the experience will be worth its weight in gold.

*Discover hidden gems and craftsman*


Italy is undoubtedly the home of true craftsmanship and there’s a couple of areas to explore where age old traditions are practiced in their droves. We love the area south of the canal for its galleries and stores showcasing Murano glass creations by local artisans.
The area around Palazzo Contarini Minelli dal Bovolo and Campo Manin is the place to find leather with some of the major fashion houses still commissioning cobblers in the area.

Reference: www.oliviapalermo.com

New York, New York....

New York is easily one of my favorite cities in the world. The atmosphere, the buildings, everything is overwhelming and incredible. I have been there twice so far, and I would like to return as many times as possible. In this post I would like to give you a few recommendations and tips, if you visit New York City for the first time.

*The flight*

From munich you can reach New York within about 10 hours and many airlines fly to one of the three of New York's airports.
In my opinion it is best to visit around September/October or April/May. The weather is really nice, not too cold or too humid.

*Our hotel*

New York is really expensive in everything you can do there. Still it is possible to find really nice hotels in the best districts in the city, that are affordable and of good quality.
We stayed at the Ace Hotel, a boutique hotel which located near the famous Flatiron building in the Flatiron district. Within a few minutes you can reach Herald square and several metro stations.
Click here to see a Map, which shows you exactly where the Hotel is located.

This is the description from the hotel itself:

"Ace Hotel New York lives in a historic, turn-of-the-century building in Midtown Manhattan, invested with the spirit of its surroundings, the culture of the city and the ancient bones of the building. Ace New York has become a central hub for New Yorkers, Brooklynites and international travelers, and a hotbed of startups, freelancers and people who just want to kick it. However bustling the lobby gets, the hotel is a respite from New York's mayhem — full of local art, thoughtful details and the best beds in the universe.
We're centrally located, so it’s easy to get to museums, shops, restaurants, theaters, parks, arenas, bars or wherever you may be going by foot, cab, bike, train, bus and pogo stick. We also have some of the best dining and shopping right in the building, so even the agoraphobic will find everything they need without ever stepping foot outside. New York, however, is one of our favorite cities in the world, and there's a lot to explore — we can help you discover and navigate in the wild as well."

If you visit NYC for the first time, I recommend to bring lots of time and good shoes ;) 
Here is a guide for a one-week-stay with the most popular things to visit and a few hidden spots!


*Day 1*


The first thing to do, when arriving in a new city, is to get to know your public transportation. I have already discovered that for a relatively low price, I can buy a 7-day metro pass. This will be my lifeline, and my first purchase. This card is good for seven days from first use, not a Sunday - Saturday week.

Understandably you will want to find your hotel, check it, stow your baggage, and then kick back out to the streets. But where to go first? What to see? Everything will be so overwhelming  At this point the light will be failing, and darkness will soon overtake the streets. Clearly there is but one place to go: Time's square.

With the bright lights in this big city, you will be able to take your first memorable photographs of the city.


*Day 2* 

Waking up early on the next day, you want to take your first walking tour of the city. Each tour was taken from my New York City guide book. I transposed the most interesting of the walks into my custom Google Map, so that I could see what areas of the city I'll cover by doing these alone. 

The first walk you will be taking is Bowling Green to Schermerhorn Row. Clocking in at two and a half hours, this walk will take you from Castle Clinton, across Wall Street, and over to the historic seaport district.

As luck would have it, the first walk ends right at the beginning of the second: City Hall to Washington Square. It will take me from Ground Zero, past St. Paul's Chapel, on route to city hall. From there I will walk through Little Italy, and onwards to Washington Square.

Taking about two hours, this walk will lead you very close to 177A Bleeker St, Dr. Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum.

By this point, you will probably be starting to feel all the walking, but there can be no ending yet. This is your first time to New York City, and who knows when you will next be back. From the home site of Marvel's most Arcane Magician, you will make your way to Greenwich Village, walking past all manner of used, vintage, and other hipster-esque stores.

With miles of New York under your belt, and a good understanding of what is to come, you feel you can safely leave the rest of the day undecided: however much time there may be left.


*Day 3*

The next night will come early, as much sleep is required for the morning and day that is to follow. So why not allow this to be a slower-paced day? One in which there will be no quests, no long walks, just simply sights seen and relaxation felt.

And where better for that, than Queens? You will start your day out in Forest Hills, wandering Spider-Man's old stomping grounds. From his Aunt May's house, you will explore the neighbourhood, eventually leading you to Forest Hills High School where, as Peter Parker, our hero attended both as a student, and later a teacher.
On the way back into the city you will make sure to stop by P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Centerand 5 Pointz to view the local graffiti.

A leisurely ride on the F Train, and a trip across the water on the Staten Island Ferry will hopefully round out this low-key experience, and allow you all the time I need to rest up.


*Day 4*

You will get up early enough to plant yourself along 5th Avenue to watch the world's greatest shops. And why not visit something else delightfully, like the Statue of Liberty?

Make sure you are going to take that chance and visit Central park by bike, because it is huge.


*Day 5*

Today you start with a trip to the Bronx Zoo. When done viewing all the animals you can see, you will attempt to make your way into Harlem to see the Apolo Theatre and then, head to Park Ave. and East 106 Street where you can see the graffiti Wall of Fame.

The morning will be packed, unfortunately rushed, and full of mass transit. But, with only a few days remaining, and so much left unseen, there is no time to pause for everything.

Breaking into the cultural side of the city, as many museums as possible will be fit into the remainder of this day's hours. Those missed, will be unfortunate, but - again - in one week, there is only so much one can accomplish.


*Day 6*

One full day, followed by another. Is there any other way to do a giant urban expanse? Most likely not. Today will see you exploring from Macy's to Rockefeller, as well as walking42nd to UN. The second walk will grant you the chance to view Time's Square during the day time, the Public Library, Grand Central Station, the Chrystler building, and finally the United Nations headquarters.

The first self-directed tour, however, will be a very different sort of affair. It will take you through shopping districts, and past the Radio City Music Hall. Obviously, it will include Macy's and the Rockefeller Center - and where it heads north on 6th avenue, will put you quite close to both the Brooklyn Superhero Supply and the Marvel Comics headquarters, both located near fifth avenue between 35th and 38th street.

The Empire State Building will also be on the docket for today's explorations, as will a number of shops that you would like to visit, such as Forbidden Planet, located over at 840 Broadway.


*Day 7*

Waking up on the last full day in New York City will be bitter sweet. So many things will have been seen and done by this point, but the understanding that there are so many other things still waiting to be explored - not to mention all that which exists off the beaten path, presently unknown by you.

Today you will wander Chinatown, and attempt to find some delicious dumplings, or sweet and sour pork. From there, you will walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, and set down the path of your final walking tour: Brooklyn Heights. Were it not part of New York City, I read, it would be America's sixth largest city. Though I know very little about Brooklyn - aside from the Jackie Robinson story - you will, without a doubt, gain a great insight into this district before my time is done.

In the evening you will try to take a whirlwind tour of both the Museum of Modern Art (free on Friday's from 4-8) and the Guggenheim Museum (also free on Friday's from 6:00 - 8:00.). Again, as a perfect allegory for the city itself, while you will experience so much in these locations - there is so much more that will remain unknown.

http://www.oneyeartrip.com/2009/03/week-in-new-york-city.html

*Tips*

** If you like Cupcakes, visit Magnolia Bakery. Best cupcakes ever!















Image source: www.the guardian.com


** You want to safe money and love sightseeing? Get a New York Pass in advance and spare lots of money, with pretty much everything you do in NCY.

Here you will be guided directly to the official webpage: New York Pass Official



*Impressions*

Here are some impressions from my trip to New York City in 2009 ...






Paris, mon amour...

Paris, the capital of France is most definitely a city worth visiting. Wether you visit for a short weekend trip as I did in 2011 or for a whole week, this experience stays in mind.

I am going to share a 48-hour travel guide with you and a few other spots and hotels where it is nice and affordable to stay in.
Make sure to click on the words witten in italics, I put links on them, which guide you directly to their webpage or pages with other interesting information.
Let's get started:

Day One: Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and the Moulin Rouge

The Eiffel Tower from below*Morning*
If you have a special skip-the-line ticket to the Eiffel Tower you won't have to wait and spare a great amount of time. Afterwards you can visit the backstage engine room.

*Lunch*

For lunch I would recommend to spend time at Chartier Bouillon. You will find Belle Epoque glamour and very tasty dishes in an old-fashioned environment there. And the best: lunch is less than 10 bucks.
Vintage French posters*Afternoon* 
Wander the cobbled streets of Montmartre on a 2-hour walking tour. Climb the steps of the Sacre Coeur Montmartre. Visit the last vineyard in Paris, and enjoy the bohemian atmosphere.

*Evening*

Stroll back to your hotel along the banks of the Seine, and get ready for a night of champagne and dancing at the Moulin Rouge.

Day Two: Champs-Elysees, Croissants, and Catacombs

Croissants fresh from the oven*Morning*
Champagne hangover? Grab a cafe au lait and sea salt croissant from Ble Sucre, then head for the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus with your 24-hour ticket.

First stop, The Louvre! Skip the line at the world's most visited museum, and let an art historian be your guide.
The beautiful Paris skyline and River Seine*Lunch*
Feast at Le Benoit. It's the only bistro in Paris with a Michelin star. Run by Alain Ducasse, the 3-course lunch menu costs €38.

*Afternoon*

Catch some sun from the top deck of the bus as you're driven down the Champs-Élysées. Hop off at the Notre Dame, where entrance is free. Wander the moneyed streets of the Marais district, then take a peek at the Pompidou.
Colorful French macaroons*Evening*
For a really special night, head to cozy L'Ambassade d'Auvergne for lentil and bacon salad, topped by the most decadent chocolate mousse in the city. As an alternative you can visit Entrecote, a very famous spot. But be aware that you will have to wait in line, because no reservations can be made.

Skip the line to the Catacombs of Paris, where the underground tunnels are lined with the skulls and bones of millions of Parisians, removed from the city's overflowing cemeteries in the 18th century.
Emerge back into the City of Light for one last stroll among the grand boulevards and secret courtyards.
*Local tip*
For a filmhouse that's as beautiful as it is unusual, La Pagode Cinema is a little piece of Japan in the heart of Paris.

*Unique pick*
You could just pick up the perfect macaroons from Laduree, I telling you, they are the best in the whole world.

*Get around*
If you're staying in Paris for a few days, save time and money by buying a carnet of ten metro tickets for €12.70.

*Getting into town*
Whether you're coming in from Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly, make life easy with a private transfer to your hotel.

P.S:
For your classic photos of the Eiffel Tower, head to the Palais de Chaillot at Metro Trocadero. Sunset is the best time to go, when the Eiffel Tower bursts into a million sparkling lights. Enjoy!


References: http://www.getyourguide.com/paris-l16/itineraries/48-hours-in-paris-new-in-town-i30/




 


















These are the pictures I took when I visited Paris in November 2011.

Here you can see the famous Louvre Museum by night.
Remember the movie "The Davinci Code"?








Bicycle tour through Paris with a stop at the Eiffel Tower.

Monday, November 25, 2013

A little bit about myself....

Hey guys,

so before I am going to start with "real" posts about my travelling experiences I want to tell you a little bit about me. I am currently doing a semester abroad in the Czech Republic, Ceske Budejovice. Normally I study Business Administration and Economics at the University of Passau in Germany in my 6th semester. I am 23 years old and originally from the beautiful city Munich!
The purpose of this blog is to show you cities I have been to in the past and places I like to visit in the future. It shows you which places are interesting to see, restaurants, sightseeing, hidden spots and so on...  I am going to share lots of these things about travelling on my blog.
I really hope you guys are going to like it!

Again, feel free to share, comment, like !!!

Laura

P.S. A little spoiler from my trip to London down below!!




Welcome to my blog !!

Hey everyone :)

Welcome to my blog. This is a project I am currently doing in college for the course E/M-Business. I hope you enjoy and please feel free to share, comment, like, whatever you want to,... so I am able to get as many clicks and followers as possible!


Thanks in advance,



Laura