Next Stop: Italy!

Italy is a country that is full of rich culture and history. Located in Southern Europe, on the Italian Peninsula and it’s bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Italy is a beautiful country that is full of art and high end fashion. All these are what captivate tourists from all over the world. 

Want to travel to one of the beautiful countries in the world, but on a tight budget? Fret not. Budget wanderers are here to give you the essential information on getting around Italy and to visit gorgeous places, without having to burn a hole in your pockets.

First up, staying in a dorm or hotel is more affordable.  http://www.bootsnall.com/ offers reasonably prices dorms as low as USD15.

Next, why spend money on transport when you can walk. Walking is one of the best ways to see the top sights and you get to meet all kinds of people on the streets and experience a lot of things just by walking. And the best part, it is free!

Michelangelo Moses

Thirdly, visit the churches. Italy’s churches hold may treasures worth seeing and the best part is that you can see them for free. Works of many famous artists can be seen in the churches. One such church would be the Michelangelo Moses in Rome. Entrance to most of the churches is free. So make use of this opportunity and visit the beautiful churches. 

Trevi Fountain 

The Trevi Fountain in Rome is a sight that you cannot miss. When in Rome, you would definitely see a crowd gathered at this fountain. Why? Well, this fountain has made guest appearences in many popular movies such as Roman holiday and When in Rome. 

Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra)

Capri's Blue Grotto is known throughout the world for its size, the extreme blue tones of its interior and the magical silvery light. Visitors can make their way to the Grotta Azzurra either by bus or taxi from Anacapri; or by boat from Marina Grande.

In order to enter the Grotta Azzurra, visitors board small boats, with a capacity for two to maximum three passengers and they enter the low and narrow mouth of the cave. 

The cheapest way to get to Capri is by the Interegional train.  Tickets cost 10 euro. However, the only downside is that the journey takes nearly four hours. 

Leaning Tower of Pisa 

Previously known as one of the 7 wonders of the world, the leaning tower of Pisa is a attraction not to be missed. Standing at 60 metres, this building took over 200 years to be built. The tower has eight stories, including the chamber for the bells. The bottom story consists of 15 marble arches. Each of the next six stories contains 30 arches that surround the tower. The final story is the bell chamber itself, which has 16 arches. There is a 297 step spiral staircase inside the tower leading to the top. Visitors have to pay just 18 Euros to enter this building. 

Lastly, the Spanish Steps. End your day in a romantic way by visiting the Spanish steps. The Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti in Italian) is, a long and grand staircase in Rome which connects two piazze.

It is open all day and admission is free. 

Hope you have enjoyed reading this post, do stay tune to the next!

If you need more ideas or helpful suggestions feel free to contact us, leave a comment!

Enjoy your time in Italy!

Next Stop - Bienvenue à Paris!

We bid London goodbye and welcome Paris. Knowing that flying to London does not exceed SGD $1,000, are you guys there already? Let’s welcome Paris with our arms wide open for stunning and breath-taking sceneries from this beautiful place.

Do you know? Instead of flying from one place to another within Europe, you can simply pay a small toll fee every time you enter another country by bus! This way, it’s less taxing on your wallet!

Bienvenue à Paris!

(That means Welcome to Paris!)

Why go Paris you may ask.  
Paris is a picturesque city split by the River Seine, filled with museums like the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, gardens like the Tuileries or Luxembourg, monuments like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, and churches like the Sacre-Coeur and Notre Dame, as well as chic shopping and renowned restaurants galore. Paris, being the City of Lights has a reputation for très cher hotels. Of course, budget options are available, too.

(1) Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower has come to represent an elegant and contemporary Paris. The iron tower, which was built for the 1889 World Exposition by Gustave Eiffel, was wildly unpopular with Parisians when it was unveiled, and was nearly torn down. It has since attracted over 220 million visitors, and it would be hard to imagine Paris now without it. Thinking of seeing the breath-taking view from the top of the tower? Getting up to the tower will cost you a maximum of €14! Not to mention, kids under 4 get to go on the tower for free! Visit http://www.eiffel-tower.com/preparing-your-visit/rates-and-visiting-conditions.html for more information about the pricing! 

  

(2) The Louvre

To learn the Louvre in and out, one might need a lifetime. Therefore to experience the best out of your trip there, Budget Wanderers’ tip is to go online and search for more information before heading there! The site of the world's largest and most diverse collection of pre-20th century painting, sculpture, and decorative objects, The Louvre is definitely one of Paris' best attractions. Not forgetting the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, bask in the works of Vermeer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and countless others. The adjacent Tuileries gardens are perfect for a stroll pre-or post-visit! If you all are already there, please feel free to share your experience with us below!

   

(3) Notre Dame Cathedral

No first trip to Paris is complete without a visit to this marvel of gothic architecture. One of the most singular and beautiful cathedrals of Europe, Notre Dame Cathedral's dramatic towers, spire, stained glass and statuary are guaranteed to take your breath away. This particular spot was once the heartbeat of medieval Paris, and that took over 100 years of hard labor to complete. Climbing the North tower to see Paris from the hunchback Quasimodo's vantage is essential, too. You'll soon understand why Notre Dame is one of Paris' top attractions.

 

(4) Musée d'Orsay

Walk over the bridge from the Louvre to the Musée d'Orsay and see the bridge between classical and modern art. Housing the world's most important collection of impressionist and post-impressionist painting, the Musée d'Orsay's light, airy rooms whir you through three floors of modern wonders, from Degas' ethereal dancers to Monet's water lilies, all the way to Gaugin's leafy jungles. Major works by Van Gogh, Delacroix, Manet, and others await you, too.

  

Hope you have enjoyed reading this post, do stay tune to the next!
If you need more ideas or helpful suggestions feel free to contact us, leave a comment!

Enjoy your time in Paris!

20 Packing & Safety Tips for Travelling to Europe

1.      Address Book 

Smallest you can find to keep in touch with everyone you meet. Trust us, you will lose those little scraps of paper.

2.      Alarm Watch/Clock

For early departures or sleeping on the train. Get one that lights up in the dark.

3.      Backpack - We’ve found that it’s better to get a pack that opens by way of zipping all the way around, rather than one that opens only at the top. This way you don’t have to annoyingly dig through your entire pack to find something last minute.

4.      Daypack - Smaller backpacks are great for carrying your stuff around all day. Many larger backpacks come with a smaller day pack that zips on and off from the larger pack.

5.      Earplugs - Buy the foam type for noisy hostels, hotels and while on the bus, train or plane.

6.      Flip-Flops - For showering in a shared bath (dirty, wet floors), on the beach.

7.      Journal - Essential for a memorable trip. Use it…don’t be lazy…and you’ll thank us ten years from now.

8.      Laundry Detergent - Although most hostels sell 1-load packs of detergent, a small travel size packet comes in handy when you spill wine on your favorite shirts or need clean socks/underwear and there’s no overnight laundry service.

9.      Money Belt - You probably know this one, but we can’t stress it enough for safeguarding your $$, passport, etc.

10.    Padlock - For luggage storage or securing your luggage to an overhead train/bus rack while you sleep.

11.    Plastic/Nylon Bag - A good place to temporarily put dirty or wet clothes.

12.    Rain Pullover - Get the cheap foldable ones (if you’re traveling in the summer).

13.    Swiss Army Knife - There are several cheap ones available...very handy (airport security WILL require you to pack this in your checked luggage).

14.    Towel - Often forgotten and necessary. Try the small, super absorbent towels that dry instantly and fit very nicely in your pack.

15.    Ziplock Bags - Take a couple and you’ll find dozens of uses: leftover food on a train, wet toiletries, etc.

Many large European cities are known for their high incidence of pickpocketing and thievery. Travel smart: be on guard, yet be reasonable. Be curious, but trust your instincts. Here are a few tips.

16.    Valuables - Keep your money and valuable documents (passport, airline/rail tickets) close to your body – preferably in a money belt that is strapped under your clothing next to your body.

17.    Copies of Documents - Keep a copy of your valuable documents (passport, tickets) and credit card emergency numbers in a separate place from the originals and leave a set of copies at home. Some websites offer secure document storage for little or no charge.

18.    Pickpockets - Don’t get caught in large crowds (3 or more) where pickpockets can easily overwhelm you.

19.    Luggage - Keep your luggage within eyeshot, or if you plan on sleeping on the train, fasten it to the rack with a padlock. 

20.    Day Pack - If you have a day pack, keep it at the front of your body so that it cannot be zipped open without you knowing. Use small locks for extra safety to avoid the petty thieves

 

We hope all the tips above will help all our readers to be caution and stay safe while travelling abroad. Everyone here at Budget Wanders wishes all to have a fun-filled and safe trip! Bon Voyage!

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