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Venice ( 16 – 18 April)

The closest BH and I ever got to Venice was The Venetian at Las Vegas and Macau.. haha.. I clearly rem that the skies at The Venetian were clear blue – I thought that it was just the artists’ impression of the place. I was so wrong.. the real Venice is indeed v pretty! The skies are blue and every picture you take is nice!

From Paris, we took Easyjet to Marco polo Airport. We only reached at night, 8pm. We took the booked the Water Taxi on Viator to bring us to our hotel. It’s a pity that it’s late and dark, we didn’t take any pictures on the water taxi. In fact, when we reached Venice it was quiet .. like a ghost town

we checked into our hotel and rested early that night – I was still feeling horrible because of my cold :/

Our hotel is The Westin, Europa and Regina We paid US$100/night as we managed to claim our SPG points for it. We were hoping to get a free upgrade to a room facing the waters BUT we didn’t. We only got upgraded to a suite.. oh well.. better than nothing

The next day, we woke up bright and early… it was a beautiful day!

We had a hard time looking for food which is affordable. I mean.. Venice is VERY touristy and it’s an island! Price of food/drink is high! We walked around and settled for food at a cafe (where there’s a lot of locals) Order your food BUT DON’T find a place to SIT The price of coffee when u sit and stand is different! We paid 2X more coz we sat. eeks!

So Venice is about walking around and getting lost… a map doesn’t help much

We spent the day walking around and chilling out at a cafe when we are tired.. it was really relaxing.. nah.. we didn’t take a gondola ride as it was kinda ex

We only spent a short time in Venice… after about 2 days, we left for Florence via Train. You can reach Venice train station easily by taking the Water bus ( it’s the last stop) and a stone throw away from the pier (literally)

Oh yes.. our FREE mask from the hotel

How scary! Got it free because the hotel forgot to give us a welcome gift as SPG members. In the end, we got the extra points + the mask! Yes, it’s so bulky but we lagged it back home in 1 piece

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Florence (18-20 April)

This is the 1st time we are taking the train in italy. There’s no need to go thru’ security checks or check in your luggage. It was really ez and convenient + the trains are v punctual and well maintained

After a few games of Hangman with BH – we reached Florence

We stayed at an Airbnb apartment This place is super cool and nice! Love the kitchen! Just that the climb up the flight of stairs (6 floors!) with luggage is a HUGE turn-off!

I personally feel that Florence was a little boring.. the weather was really wet too.. and it makes travelling v sianz..

Below shows the 3 BEST things in Florence (in my opinion)

Beautiful view of Florence.. it was a HUGE wow~~~~ The journey to this place was painful and tedious… we took a bus and it took v long… the traffic is extremely bad. We were really lucky because the rain stopped for the 30-45mins when we were there

Trattoria il Contadino is the BEST place we have eaten at! The price is affordable and the food is good! This restaurant does not have a fixed menu, the menu changes everyday! The server will tell you what they are serving for the day and you choose 3 courses + drink for $12euros! (Yes, the server repeats the menu to EVERYBODY) We ate here 2X. Thanks to our host who told us about this place! I only found out much later that this place was highly rave about on tripadvsior. We have our dinner around 6pm – it was still empty… The line gets super long when its around 7!

Space is the Prada + Mui Mui outlet! How can I miss that! haha.. I am not the only one who shopped, BH also bought wallet and belt. I am truly blessed to have a husband who likes shopping! well.. we reached Space at 10am, the place opens at 10.30am! Our no. is 23 and 24. You need to take numbers to go into the outlet for payment purposes. The Space outlet deserves an entry by itself. I will blog more in detail on another entry

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Pisa ( 19 April)

We used Florence as a base to make a Day Trip to Pisa.

The weather was really bad – it was drizzling… we didn’t go up to the tower :/ Pisa pretty much have nothing besides the leaning tower… we snapped a few pics and headed back…

At some angles, the tower don’t look slanted.. haha..

ok.. next (and last stop) ROMA!

In 2004, my family joined a Europe tour and visited Paris.
At that time, BH and I only dated for 2 years. I remembered that in the tour group there was this newly wedded couple and the husband bought the wife a Gucci bag! haha.. I was quite envious.. I don’t even own any branded bag!I told myself tt if I ever get married, I not only wanna go to Europe for honeymoon BUT I want my husband to buy branded bags for me! heh.. what childish thoughts! besides buying branded bags, I’m just glad that BH did more things for me

Who would have known that after 8 years, I re-visited Paris with my husband and had a totally different experience!! I feel so blessed and I thank God wholeheartedly for all these things I don’t deserve

From BCN, we flew to Paris via Easyjet We choose Easyjet instead of Ryanair because we feel that Ryanair is kind of shady? haha… that’s our opinions.. anyway, Easyjet’s price is about the same as Ryanair, so we booked it.

We were pleasantly surprised by how NEW Easyjet was.. the aircraft was WAY NEWER than the rubbish AA flight we took.. It was so much more comfy than our long haul flight. The air steward is sooooo good looking!! OMG! I wanna take a pic of him BUT didn’t get a chance to! wasted.. We later discovered that Easyjet was only 4 years old! heh.. so…. take Easyjet!!

At Paris, we choose to stay at an Airbnb apartment It was relatively cheap at US$97 at a good location! I was really glad that we stayed in an apartment because we saved $ on breakfast and water since we have a mini kitchen. There were also supermarket nearby to buy food should you be sick of eating hard and often cold baugette :/ I have no idea why Parisians enjoyed it

First, we went to -

Sorry for the bad reflection on the pictures. This is a pest control shop which was mentioned in the Pixar movie, Ratatouille. I wondered if those rats were ONCE REAL because they are seriously HUGE!

We purchased a 2 days Museum pass $39 euros/pax which allows us to enter MOST of the museums and we could bypass the LONG lines for buying tickets! How cool!

Of course… we went to…

Most of descriptions/explanations of the exhibits are in french. Yes, there are some boards with English translations BUT you got to wait to get your hands on the board. We didn’t rent the audio guide, so most of the time we were quite lost. I mean.. we are not exactly artsy people .. so we just zoom to the more popular exhibits like the Mona lisa ( which is ALWAYS crowded , bottom left pic)

IF Spain loves Antoni Gaudi.. I think France’s fave is Leonardo Da Vinci …EVERYTHING Leonardo is ‘wah’!! haha.. u get the picture. Yes, I agree that you can spend days in the museum BUT you need to
1) read/understand french OR
2) rent the audio guide OR
3) do your homework/research beforehand
…..to fully enjoy the museum.

Unfortunately, we didn’t do any of the above… BUT we have Rick Steves’ guide!!! OMG!!! Our host from Airbnb actually have a Rick Steves!!! I tell u that book saved our life!!! We followed his guide – we not only saw the IMPORTANT exhibits BUT we also understood the history/story behind it! Phew… A must buy – Rick Steves’ guide for your Europe holiday!!

With the museum pass, we also went to

Pictures are not allowed here BUT I was really lucky to take this clear picture ( without anyone inside !!) before I realised it! Ok.. this museum is less crowded than the Lourve.. Good to go IF you have the museum pass!

what about the food??

If you are thinking of saving money on food in Paris… DON’T!! I mean.. the food is really expensive.. McDonald is also expensive… so.. I suggest just eat at any cafe. It’s a lose lose situation because no matter how, no matter what THERE ARE TOO MANY TOURIST in Paris… so you will be served the tourist menu ( usually set meals) – It’s better than eating bread/pastries all day long… believe it or not BUT the ice-cream was the softest thing I ate in Paris.. haha… before i forget.. Do try Nutella Crepes..

It’s sold in stores like this and it’s quite tasty!

At this point… I was so stuffed with bread… and really wanted American or Asian or best still… a REAL kitchen so I can cook!!! OMG!

This attraction is covered in the museum pass too BUT the line to go up to the top is awfully LONG! I will strongly recommend that you wait in line ( we waited for 1 h) because you will NOT be disappointed!

It is a long climb up BUT worth every single step or breathe! It’s better than the top of Eiffel. I think we spent a pretty long time there.. and loved it! I feel that Notre dame is the Best attraction on the Museum pass (better than Lourve Museum)

NOW… the icon of Paris …

We didn’t go up the tower because we felt that it’s pointless. When we are on Eiffel Tower, we can’t see it anymore.. what’s the point?? right? [That's y we feel that it's better to go up to Top of The Rock in NYC than Empire state Building] Anyhow, BH really wanted to stay until the lights were up (8pm) It was extremely cold and chilly at night and I was kinda under-dressed. I caught a cold the next day! booo!

On the same chilly night.. we also went to .. Triumphal Arch

The background picture was taken on top of the Arch.. the view was great! You got to climb more stairs to reach it ( about 200 steps one way) I think we climbed alot of stairs in our trip.. luckily we went to Paris YOUNG!

AND…It was super cold (as usual) BUT Bh really wanted to capture more pictures… so… I not only caught a cold the next day BUT a very BAD cold.. BOO BOO!!

The next day… we went to the Pharmacy to get cold medicine ( sigh.. i have no idea how I forgot to pack my medicine pouch in my bag!!) Anyway, there’s tonnes of Pharmacy around. One more thing… DO NOT GO TO PARIS ON SUNDAY! everything is closed (think shopping mall) except for museums..

We planned for Versailles Day trip ( Train cost $6.50 euros/pax RT)

Ok.. it was super crowded… we read all about it on Steves’ guide… so we kinda know the more popular things to look at.

We didn’t go inside the palace’s garden as we need to pay ( not covered in museum pass)+it was drizzling+I was down with cold+we had no umbrella. In fact, the Versailles trip only took 1/2 a day! I feel that the outside was really stunning… its interior was just as stunning… a pity that it was just too crowded :/

We spent the other 1/2 of the day going into random museum covered in the pass and called it a day early

The last day in Paris, we went to the biggest shopping complex (I won’t even call in a mall) – This place was bursting with tourist from China. I was even approached by a Chinese national to help her to buy Chanel bag because her passport had been maxed out ( there is a limit on the no. of bags one can buy)

Anyhow.. I was super disapted that I didn’t find the bag I had been yearning for… so I just splurge on a MuiMui wallet (bad idea.. because MuiMui is cheaper in Italy) I felt happier after spending money though

We discovered that there’s a GOOD viewpoint of the Eiffel Tower on the top level of Lafayette. Admission is free!!! There’s also a food court in Lafayette which you can eat for slightly cheaper and enjoy the view of the Effiel Tower!

Last but not least… a picture just to remind BH (if he ever reads this blog) that he owe me something… wahahah..

Overall, Paris is just a ok place for us. I mean.. there’s just too many people + tourists. It reminds me of NYC! The place is not exactly clean and people smoke a lot.. and they smoke as they walk!!! I feel that it’s quite inconsiderate!! If I live in Paris, I think I’ll die a passive smoker. eeks! If and only if I ever go to Paris again, I am going to bring a lock and put it on the Alexandre III Bridge…haha.. “Lock u up!” I told BH

Next stop… Venice~~~

Finally down to blogging about our trip

Our 1st destination was Barcelona.. I ALWAYS wanted to go to Barcelona.. I saw many amazing pictures of this place and I wanted to put these pictures in my head into reality

well, our flight was at 7am so we need to reach the airport at about 5am. That’s very early BUT we are extremely thankful to Julius who sent us to the airport on a MONDAY w/o complains!! Thank you!!

We checked in and the lady at the counter was like ” You guys are going to Barcelona! ” haha.. I don’t know why BUT I felt like I was in a dream!! OMG!!! Are we really really going to Barcelona??!! I mean.. the name itself sounds so exotic already!! I know I know.. alot of people had been to Barcelona… BUT it’s finally me turn!!! I was ecstatic!! I tried not to think about the million things which will mk me upset… I’m just gonna be really happy.. and very happy!! I looked over to BH and smiled.. I am not going on this adventure alone.. I am going with my fave person! A sudden joy and bliss filled me/us – we are gonna enjoy these beautiful sights together!

The flight (American Airlines) was really really uncomfortable. The food was really bad. The whole time.. I can’t wait to just land at BCN and enjoy our trip! I was also thankful that we didn’t pay full fare for the air tix, in fact (and I am very proud of it) WE ONLY PAID US$50/pax! It’s really cheap for a long haul flight!

When we land, the first thing we saw was FCBarcelona store… haha.. then we left the airport via Aerobus

We stayed at a hotel Hesperia Carlit – You can read my review on tripadvisor here

The first place we went -

Admission fee: FREE!!!! (If you want to visit museums inside the park, you need to pay)

This is one of the BEST attraction ever because the view is stunning and it is FREE ADMISSION! We went there 2X during our stay love it so much! IF you don’t wanna take a ‘group picture’ with a whole bunch of strangers, GO EARLY!! We stood at a good ‘spot’ and took a zillion pics to get the above pic of us with the lizard.. haha.. this lizard is super popular!

And yes… I feel that Barcelona is ALL ABOUT GAUDI! If you see something nice… It gotta be Gaudi! No doubt about it!!! hehe

Next -

Admission fee: $15 euros/pax ( able to get discount if you buy the tourist pass, which we didn’t)

We didn’t plan to go into La Pedrera.. Just that we had nothing better to do..haha.. so we decided that since we are here, might as well go up. You know what??In my humble opinion, THIS IS THE BEST PAID ATTRACTION! Once you enter the rooftop, it’s like you are in another world, Gaudi’s world… and the rooftop is something which you can’t see on the street level. No wonder it’s part of UNESCO World Hertiage Site. The weather was super nice too… it’s such a perfect day.. The pictures really don’t do justice to this place.. It’s really cool!!! well, there’s other exhibits below this rooftop and it’s pretty interesting!

Example:

Don’t think that this is just a’twin’ chair BUT much thought had been put into the design. It’s meant to mk conversations easier w/o turning the head much! How cool!!! I want this chair can! No surprise who designed it right? hahaha…

Like all other attractions, GO EARLY! We are glad we did because after we left, there’s a LONG line to buy tickets… and the pretty place was flooded with people! *gasps*

A MUST-SEE in Barcelona -

Admission fee: $16 euros/pax (includes the climb up to tower – lots of stairs!!)

This place is a BIG WOW! I mean… It’s sooo HUGE… the designs are so intricate and precious! As usual, it’s VERY CROWDED. We reached at 9am BUT lined up for about 1/2 hr to get tickets

A dinner treat at Restaurant 7 Portes-

This is a posh restaurant. Let’s just say super posh! Do dress up! we went there because of August’s recommendation. Prior to that, we saw the menu and the prices were affordable + great reviews on tripadvsior! why not!

The thing about me is.. I always want to save $ so BH got quite upset with me as he felt that we should just enjoy ourselves when we are on a holiday ‘Money is not an issue’ in his words. Ok, at first I ordered only 1 entree (Paella w seafood) BUT after the server gave us a weird look, we ordered another entree (Cod fish) Right.. we also ordered 2 glasses of muscat.

Let me show you the restaurant’s super cool toilet! Wave your hand to bring the toilet seat out!

haha.. I later realised that this is a handicap’s toilet.. :X

Back to where I stopped ~~~

While we happily wait for the food… the server brought us a bottle of wine. We were like ‘did we order this?’ BUT we kept quiet because BH did ask the server about wine, so we thought he misunderstood us

Anyhow, we finish the food… BUT the bottle of wine was VERY HARD to stomach.. I mean.. at home, we need to finish a bottle in 2 occasions. To finish 1 bottle of wine for dinner by the 2 of us… was near impossible. We took our time.. and finally finished it… The bill came and……

They did not charge the wine! The server managed the orders wrongly! If I knew, I won’t have finish the wine!! grrr.. BH still paid for the wine by giving the cost of it as tips. Luckily, the wine only cost $10 euros! ( We felt that it’s cheap for a bottle of wine in a restaurant! It would have cost more in the states)

If you are wondering… because of the wine.. (I didn’t get drunk) I got a BAD hangover.. OMG.. the next day, we were flying to Paris early and I have a bad headache + I felt like vomiting!!! sigh..and we forgot to bring the medicine pouch which I packed!!! gosh… after a long while….I finally vomited at Barcelona airport before boarding the plane (thank God!) and felt better after… phew…

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Overall, Barcelona is a GREAT place.. Public transport is VERY convenient! The trains are like the MRT in Singapore. No.. THEY ARE THE MRTs in Singapore.. the kind you take in NE lines… clean and new! OMG!! So who followed who?? haha… At the end of 3 days, I was tired of not understanding spanish and eating pastries ( I love pastries… but it’s too much!!)… I was really craving American food!!! hahaha….

The next post… PARIS~~~