Category Archives: Europe

Montevideo to Madrid, Spain

23 March 2017Europe, South AmericaLANTAM, Madrid, Melia, SpainGrace

Flying from Montevideo to Santiago, Chile over the Andes Mountains which stretch along South America’s western side, is among the world’s longest mountain ranges. Its varied terrain encompasses glaciers, volcanoes, grassland, desert, lakes and forestation. The mountains shelter pre-Columbian archaeological sites and wildlife including chinchillas and condors. From Venezuela in the north, the range passes through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. So much more to see of South America and one destination on my ‘return list’. LANTAM have an extensive network right across South America and destinations such as Spain is well serviced.

Australian passport holders do not require a visa to enter Chile. You will receive entry for up to 90 days with multiple entries.

Australian tourists entering Chile through Santiago International Airport are required to pay a ‘reciprocity fee’ and at the time of writing this blog – USD117.00 per adult. The fee can only be paid by cash or credit card upon arrival before clearing immigration. Transit passengers (like myself here) are not required to pay.

Contact the http://Embassy or Consulate of Chile in Australia for updated information.

The LANTAM Lounge in Santiago offers a place to relax with fast wifi and facilities for a shower before heading off onto a long-haul flight with LANTAM being part of the Oneworld Alliance. Flying on a Boeing 789 from Santiago, Chile to Madrid is approximately 13 hours and being able to unwind beforehand is worth being a member of the group. On a commercial ticket just think of all those points you’ll accumulate!

Delicious canapés and drinks are available for passengers who qualify for entry.

Arrival at Madrid Airport is quite efficient despite its size, with a Visitor’s Desk nearby to the baggage carousel, they are happy to advise your options of ground transport and city attractions.

The Metro in Madrid is one of the best and fastest ways to make your way around a city whereby its population exceeds 3.3 million. For less than 20 Euro you can purchase a three-day Metro Pass or around 26 Euro a five-day Pass.

As a travel agent, I’m off to check out some of the best hotels Spain has to offer – Melia Hotels are superior and quite unique in their own right, not just in its own country, but they’ve been expanding further afield for sometime now. Let’s take a sample of what’s here in Madrid.

For starters, hotel of choice is Melia Princesa which is 50 metres from the Ventura Rodriguez subway – phew no taxis required! It’s truly an affordable luxury hotel with a polished entrance (which I might say from the street is a little deceiving). The smart interior design shows off some striking ornaments in the foyer with staff gushing to take all your stresses away after a very long flight from South America.

The Level rooms are exclusive – located on the 12th Floor and allow entry to the Member’s Lounge on the ground floor. One interesting aspect of the hotel was the delightful staff member Sandra who asked me to choose a scent for my room. She chose the right person to ask as exquisite fragrances are one of my passions – lovely bouquets and the aroma filled the room after I’d returned from a relaxing time in the Lounge area.

Magnificent panoramic views over the city; felt very comfortable here with a nice desk to catch up on some work.

Breakfast was more than sufficient with an interesting drink cart to choose a wake-up brew and the coffee was one of the best. Trust me, us Aussies are fussy about their caffeine. Alternatively, the Lounge was also available for qualifying guests.

Moving onto Plaza Santa Ana there’s a vibe worthy of a visit and shopping in Madrid has some of the best brands, eateries and bargains. So kick your heels up and make your way over there! Not a place to be missed and loved by locals.

The ME Madrid Reina Victoria Hotel right at the Plaza offers a welcome drink of sparkling wine or water which certainly adds to the feeling of satisfaction you’ve chosen a great hotel. Staff were extremely pleasant and enjoy a bit of a chat too. I’d almost forgotten what it was like to speak English again …

This Hotel radiates chic and an urban culture and, oh so stylish at the same time. Very modern with my ‘Mode’ room which looked straight out over the Plaza along with its ceiling to floor length windows and the abundant natural light into the room made it feel like home. Just how we like it in Australia!

At night a visit to the hotel’s ‘The Roof’ Bar looks right out over the very busy Plaza, allowing you to relax without feeling you need to be a part of the buzz at street level. Just kick back, admire the view of the lights and sip those yummy cocktails. The sound/video equipment is cutting-edge technology and a drawcard for anyone who considers they’re a ‘cool cat’ at night.

The ME is also located perfectly at the pulse of Madrid’s major theatres, nightclubs and museums. It’s a destination of its own – no need to go too far away for anything else really.

If you feel you’re wanting a luxury five-star retreat in the heart of Madrid, the Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques is the one – look no further than this magnificent palatial building which is virtually at the epicentre of the Royal Palace’s location and surrounds.

And indeed, the hotel was a 19th century palace itself and still maintains an air of royalty with the staff doing their utmost to make you feel warm and welcomed. And staff member Hector deserve a special mention for his willingness in giving me an insight of the hotel’s historic beginnings and in particular the art work which is embedded as part of the interior design, in particular Velázquez’s Meninas.

The roof top view can’t go unnoticed.

A contemporary swimming pool is a relief (with an infinity outlook over the Royal Palace) after a big day out visiting the sights such as the Teatro Real, the Almudena Cathedral and the Sabatini Gardens. Serious shopping is a short walk up the hill, not only top brands, but interesting labels which Madrid is well known for having new and emerging designers. By the way, there’s also a Jacuzzi on the top floor for those aching muscles from all your day’s walking; no need for a vehicle as it’s all here.

What I’ve enjoyed so far with the Melia Hotel group is that they are all unique and not the normal ‘copy cat’ style of say other leading hotel chains. This hotel The Gran Melia, is not just at the top of the echelon, but it exudes a rare style and elegance which is synonymous with its own décor and surrounds.

My room had a spa bath and Clarins amenities (love ’em) to make it even more enriching. The bed was two metres long and fitted me perfectly as I’m 183 cm tall (6′) and the pillows were so, so soft. Fast wifi is a must for me and no problems there. Good size safe and easy to use.

So, if you’re looking for an experience where you know everything will be taken care of, then this hotel is not to be missed. And, I do have to mention, it has one of the finest breakfasts I’ve enjoyed – reading a paper (in English) whilst the staff make you feel like royalty …

For bookings see https://www.melia.com/

And yes, a quick two-minute walk down the road and you’re at the Royal Palace and Sabatini Gardens!

Grounds of the Royal Palace nearby.

Well it’s bye to Madrid for this year – a city which never disappoints – architecturally, its culinary delish and culture cannot be missed.

I know where to direct my clientele in future should they wish to experience intimate details of an amazing city with its centrally located hotels.

Freiburg to Frankfurt, Germany

18 September 2016EuropeFrankfurt, FrieburgGrace

Christmas Markets in Freiburg, Germany and anyone thinking of visiting Europe later in the year would have to stay for the festivities, especially in Germany where it’s almost a cult.

Hanging out at the Market with my gorgeous young cousin and her special man Tomasi who is a world-class Tattooist. One day I will have my own special little tattoo – just like actress Dame Helen Mirren decided it was time, I too will do so, but I need some more gluhwein! Maybe yext year …

Instead I’m here sporting my new gangster hat bought in Palermo, Sicily.

I wish I could say this is my backside, but obviously not. However, I do have admiration for work which is innately tribal and represents a desire to be an individual artistically.

Seeing Tomasi Suluape Tatau Samoa’s work today at his studio, he’s the only official Sua trained Sulu’ape tatau artist based in Europe, keeping the traditions and the family name alive through his tattooing. Each piece, whether machine or traditional is a completely unique customised work of art with an unmistakable style.

Onwards to Frankfurt to travel home, one of the most recognisable buildings in the city and a favourite. Westendstraße 1 is a 53-storey, 208 m skyscraper in the Westend-Süd and close to my hotel, you can always spot it coming into the Hauptbanhof (main train station) and for me it means either arriving in Europe or departing … Almost time to head home to Australia.

However, there’s always time to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the atmosphere before heading off to the airport for the arduous trip.

Bratwurst – yum! Today who cares? I’ll have two thanks.

Liquorice stall at the markets – so much colour and beautifully presented.

Frankfurt Christmas Markets are crowded and they’re always open till late in the evening.

Take a stroll, listen to Christmas carols and church bells, smell the aroma of roasted chestnuts and almonds, cinnamon stars, mulled wine and Feuerzangenbowle.

Everyone including families being able to enjoy the amusements.

Ebbelwei-Express stop can be found directly to the southern end of the main Hauptbanhof.

The fun costs €8.00 for adults and €3.50 for children and teenagers up to the age of 14 and includes an audio tour lasting one hour. Not only will you enjoy an extraordinary journey, the ticket price also includes your choice of a bottle of cider, apple juice or mineral water and a bag of pretzels. Other beverages can be bought additionally.

Hammering Man is a series of monumental kinetic sculptures designed by Jonathan Borofsky which have been installed in various cities around the world and this one being in Frankfurt is unmistakable.

Shopping in Germany is such a pleasure with so many delicacies and treats on offer.

Heading home on the unmanned train between the two terminals is quick and easy, just check your electronic ticket if your airline is departing from Terminal 1 or 2 as Frankfurt Airport is one of the busiest in Europe.

Well it’s bye for this European trip, but I’ll be back …

Turin, Italy

3 September 2016EuropeItaly, TurinGrace

Turin with its art, history, nature, sport and tradition has an exceptional appeal. In the province there are endless discoveries to be made, from learning about Italy’s first capital to the Alps of the Olympics and from the hills of Canavese to the summits of Gran Paradiso.

People watching people in the Piazza Castello.

Statues watching people in the Piazza.

First stop at the Tourism office whereby this lovely lady helped me find the best spots for a quick run around the city in a day. Apparently she’d spent her honeymoon at Kangaroo Island, South Australia – I’ve not been there yet … too busy exploring one of my other favourite countries – Italy!

The royal gates of the palace have a golden Medusa symbol embossed on them in order to fend off intruders.

Interior of the Royal Palace which also houses artwork throughout and along the beautiful staircase by Filippo Juvarra.

See what happens to metallic monuments etc when they stick their fingers (or toes) out?

Beautiful architecture to be admired, just heading off for an espresso. The first machine for making espresso was built and patented in 1884 by Angelo Moriondo of Turin. Thank you Angelo for making one of the best-loved machines the world has ever known.

National Museum of Cinema is one of the most important of its kind in the world as the vast collection has many different scientific and educational activities included within.

Black Wolves Exhibition – the installation was created for the University of Turin in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Culture in Beijing and the Confucius Institute of Turin.

However, only good canines come here and are spoilt for choices. Wolves not allowed.

You can see the Cathedral from any direction within the Piazza.

Archaeological dig in the middle of Turin.

The Palace also includes the Palazzo Chiablese and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, the latter of which was built to house the famous Shroud of Turin. In 1946, the building became the property of the state and was turned into a museum. In 1997, it was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list along with 13 other residences of the House of Savoy.

Copy of the The Shroud of Turin or Turin Shroud, a length of linen cloth bearing the image of a man, is believed by some Christians to be the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth.

The original Shroud is kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin.

End of the day ready to find a nice spot to eat a fresh crusty bread roll with some beaut Italian cheese …

Vatican City and the Papal Audience.

18 August 2016EuropeRome, Vatican CityGrace

Fountains of St Peter’s Square, this is one of two fountains created by Carlo Maderno (1612–1614) and Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1667–1677) to decorate the square in front of St Peter’s Basilica.

Crowds moving in with high security in place when entering the Square.

Pope Francis arrives and moving freely around the crowd with his minders of course – it’s what everyone’s been waiting for since early morning.

People Papal Audiences: Every Wednesday morning Pope Francis (when in Rome) holds a General Audience open to the public with thousands of people from all over the World.

Not as crowded in early December and an excellent time of the year to visit. Summer is almost impossible …

Christmas tree and Nativity Scene leading up to the usual festivities at this time of year.

Message to the Celestial heavens, even priests need to be connected …

On the 29^th of April 2013, the coffin containing the body of Pope John Paul II was disentombed before his beatification in the Vatican. The coffin was removed from the crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica as top Vatican officials and some of the late pope’s closest aides watched and prayed. Pope John Paul II was beatified on the 1^st of May 2013 at the Vatican.

On another of my previous trips and at the time of Pope John Paul II’s passing, it was time to chose a new Pope and the smoke (chimney on screen) would turn white when a decision had been made and about to be announced to the public.

The cardinals vote by secret ballot, processing one by one up to Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgment, saying a prayer and dropping the twice-folded ballot in a large chalice. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot are counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders. If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke.

When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope.

Source: http://www.usccb.org

Stairway down to the Pope’s Tombs within the Basilica.

Inside the walkways underneath the Basilica – a must-see regardless of your faith or religious status.

On this ancient bronze statue, St. Peter has his right toes worn down by centuries of pilgrims who traditionally touch the foot.

The Baldachin is at the centre of the crossing and directly under the dome of the basilica. Designed by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, it was intended to mark in a monumental way, the place of Saint Peter’s tomb underneath.

Under its canopy is the high altar of the Basilica.

Guards at the Vatican City gateway and time to say bye to Rome once again.

Vatican City Post Box to send off those prized postcards.

Buses to the airport and some information to note …

Trains to/from the airport are easy to use and a quicker option to move through a traffic-congested city. See http://www.rome-airport.info/in.html

Next stop Turin …

Rome, Italy

13 August 2016EuropeItaly, RomeGrace

Remember your first trip to Rome? How could you forget falling for one of the most romantic, sophisticated and yet historically significant cities in the world. Here at the Spanish Steps quite some time ago it was just delightful to hang about – considering it was my first European trip. However on this occasion, the area adjacent to the Steps were just being transformed and not yet complete … So I’ll have to show you around some other favourite spots of mine.

Running shoes on and about to revisit one of my most-loved cities in Continental Europe.

Undoubtedly, one of the big favourites – Trevi Fountain was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. Standing 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide, it’s the largest baroque fountain in the city and in fact one of the most famous in the world. It’s appeared in several notable films, including Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

The Colosseum is an oval amphitheatre within the centre of Rome, built of concrete and sand it’s the largest ever built. A must see …

Just situated just east of the Roman Forum, it could hold up to 80,000 spectators in its day and used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles and dramas based on classical mythology.

Not too far away is the Vespa Museum – Free Entry! Worthy of a visit.

And you have the chance to view Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck on their Vespa from the movie Roman Holiday. The Mouth of Truth can be located at the church known as Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs, Michelangelo achieved an unexampled sequence of shaped architectural spaces with few precedents or followers. There is no true façade – the simple entrance is set within one of the coved apses of a main space of the thermae.

Additionally, this Basilica is used for many ceremonies including the funeral of soldiers killed abroad.

Dedicated to the Christian martyrs – both known and unknown.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II) is a remarkably large building made of white marble. Although not having towers in its general design, the medieval structure still attracts attention from almost all parts of Rome because its colour stands out in an array of other earth-coloured buildings. It is situated between the Capitoline Hill and Piazza Venezia and features some statues, columns and grand stairways.

Basilica of St John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano), the present structure of the Basilica resembles the St Peter’s Basilica and the ancient church was residence of the popes until the coming back from the exile in Avignone (1377), when it was moved to the Vatican.

The central bronze doors are Roman originals from the Curia (Senate House) in the Imperial Forum.

Well, I’m just a tiny bit short these days from 183 cm/6′ tall, so you can imagine the height and weight of this pair of metallic slammers …

It’s for real. And not being used to seeing historical artefacts on display whilst walking around the streets, I’m thinking it’s not at all like my usual neighbourhood’s street art at home … Pleasantly surprised of course.

Time for a snack, hot-roasted chestnuts this time.

Followed by a proper Italian lunch of pasta, I just have to choose my sauce.

Not forgetting to call into the entrance of the Vatican City to check there’s still a ticket available for the Papal Audience which is held on a Wednesday morning in front of the Basilica. If you need less than 10 tickets you can normally pick them up without a reservation from the Swiss Guards at the “Bronze Doors” located just after security at St Peter’s Basilica.

For tickets and information see website http://www.papalaudience.org/tickets

Just checking the seating arrangements this time around as it’s been busy in the past, especially when it used to be inside the Basilica. I just happened to be lucky enough on my first visit to be in the front rows with Pope John Paul II officiating.

At the end of the day it’s time to go home and rest up. I’ve decided to stay an extra couple of nights now I’ve my ticket to the see the Papal Mass for the People.

Happy to have my ticket on show and looking forward to attending once again.

More of Rome to follow …

Travel Gracefully

May Grace be with you …