Let’s just assume that most of you have the same habit as me when it comes to city trips. I tend to take the plane rather than car to get there, meaning I have to rely on public transport to get around town once arrived … but then I can think of very few major cities where I would consider driving around in a car a good idea (actually I might struggle to think of any?). Visiting Rome was no exception. If, like me, you need to know the easiest way to get around Rome, you have come to the right place.
Travel Tips & Advice
Visiting Rome on a budget
As with so many major cities, visiting Rome can be a costly affair. Starting with accommodation… it is near impossible to find a decent hotel for less than £100 per night if you are looking for something nearish the town center. And in addition you will have to pay a city tax of 6 Euros per person per day for the duration of your stay (and this is not included in your hotel fee when booking). But don’t despair. There are ways to see it all, even if you are visiting Rome on a tight budget.
Shopping Guide to Rome
I am not a big fashionista, but I love to shop. And can do so for hours, given the chance and in the right company. So it might not come as a big surprise that I had to go and explore the shops on offer here in Rome. And put together this handy shopping guide to Rome.
There is no shortage of shops obviously. Handbags, shoes and small leather goods come in plenty. So do the various designers.
How to get from the airport to Rome
If you are travelling to Rome, chances are you will arrive at one of two airports: Fiumicino (or Leonardo International Airport) or Ciampino. And needless to say, neither is right in the center of town, therefore you will need to know how to get from the airport into Rome center.
Rookie mistakes in New York City – and how to avoid them.
I love New York. And I love being a tourist in New York City. After all, there are loads of things to do and places to see that you know from TV and movies or have read about… so take your time to explore them all. But be careful not to waste time and money. I have already talked about my Top 5 Things to do in New York City a few weeks back, so this time I want to share the other side of the coin. Things that are not worth spending any money on. To help you avoid the same rookie mistakes in New York City that I made.
Which airport is best for London?
Like many major cities, London has more than one airport. Six to be precise. Not all airlines fly to all airports, so depending on your route you might not always have a choice. However sometimes you do, so I thought it would be helpful to learn the pros and cons of London airports. To help you decide which airport is best for London.
How to speed things up at the airport
For some people arriving at the airport is the start of their holiday and they have all the time in the world. Lucky them. For others (like me) it might be the start (or end) of a busy work day. Which is why I like things to run smoothly and efficiently… and why I totally loath those people with absolutely no clue what to do. So don’t be that person.
OK, I grant you, if you are 85 and flying for the very first time, this might all be a little confusing and you need some time to adjust… fair enough.
For everyone else, here is a handy list of how to speed things up at the airport.
How to stay hydrated whilst flying
Ok, let’s not make this sound more scientific than it really is. The trick to staying hydrated whilst flying, or in any situation really, is to drink water… lots of it and on a regular basis. But this is not what I mean.
Most of my flights are short haul, so I don’t have to worry too much about dehydrating really.
But even if my flights are rarely longer than one or two hours, I need some water in between, so I almost always end up buying a bottle at water at the airport… after security obviously, so that the 100ml fluid rule does not apply.
Visiting London on a budget – even if you are broke
London is the greatest city in the world (well if you ask me, which is why I (and a couple of million other people) chose to live here. But London is also one of the most expensive cities in the world. And for many that is enough to scare them off. Money aside, London has so much to offer, it would be a shame to miss out on that … and not everything comes with a hefty price tag. So here are some handy tips on how to make the most of visiting London on a budget.
Stand on the Right – Rules for riding the London Tube
Almost five million people use the London tube network every day. If you’ve ever waited for a Central Line train on a Monday morning during rush hour, you’d be convinced every single one of those five million shared the very same platform with you that morning.
As long as us commuters stay amongst ourselves, it all works well. We move at a rushed pace, we know exactly where we want to go, where to stand on the platform to ensure the quickest exit when getting off. And we don’t need to consult a tube map, let alone ask someone for direction. But throw in some random tourists and this whole subterranean eco system falls apart.
If you are one of those nasty tourists, let me introduce some simple rules on how to survive your tube ride: