LESOTHO REPORT TRAVEL.

 

The next morning, the lodge manager calls me a taxi which for 40 Rand takes me to the Bus Station in St Georges Street Bloemfontein, where at 6 A.M. at Gate 10 there is the Bus to Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. You can also buy the ticket on the Pulman at the price of 70 Rand.

The journey takes about 3 hours, including several intermediate stops.

Get off at the car park adjacent to the Maseru Bridge South African border, which is easily crossed (sometimes there are queues). Then you have to walk for a few hundred meters, crossing the bridge over the Mohokare or Caledon River that divides the 2 countries.

 

You can also easily cross the border of Lesotho, thus reaching an open space where you can take a taxi which at the price of 40 Loti (the Rand is also accepted without problems, which has the same value), which travels about 2 km. separate from the center of Maseru, the capital of one of the smallest states in the world.

Maseru is a small and quiet town at least during the day and can be easily explored on foot.

Pian della Mussa mt. 1800 in Val d'Ala (To).

 

NAGORNO KARABAKH TRAVEL REPORT.

Train with sleeping car in third class, daily departing from Tbilisi (Georgia) at 10.15 pm and arriving in Yerevan (Armenia) at 7.30 am the next morning. Price: 29.77 GEL

Private taxi from Yerevan Train Station to Kilikya Bus Station. AMD price 3,000, big jab, because the right price is AMD 3,000.

8.30am international bus between Yerevan (Armenia) and Stepanakert (Nagorno Karabakh): AMD 5,000 (approximately 7 hours). There are also some Marshurutkas that make this route taking over 1 hour less. Winding path in the middle of the mountains not recommended in winter. We pass through Goris.

The Nagorno Karabakh Visa must be obtained when you are already in the country because without it they won't let you leave the country. So as soon as you arrive in Stepanakert you have to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs located in Viale Azatamartikned at 500 meters. approximately from the Bus Station, in front of the Hotel Europe. The staff are very kind and after filling out the form, giving the passport photo and paying 3,000 AMD in 10 minutes, they stick the visa on your passport or if you prefer on a sheet of paper because in the first case you can no longer enter Azerbaijan for 5 years .

I sleep in the Guest House in Via Sasuntsi in Stepanakert (Nagorno Karabakh), offered to me by a gentleman who offers it to you at the bus station. Cost: 5,000 AMD per night, including transport to and from the bus station and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the visa.

The center of Stepanakert (Nagorno Karabakh) can be easily explored on foot.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2015/08/viaggio-in-iran-e-nel-caucaso.html

SWAZILAND REPORT TRAVEL.

  

There I take the parking lot above the railway tracks, an area notorious for thefts and muggings, where I take the minibus to Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland for the price of 200 Rand. Logically the same starts when full

You cross the easy border between South Africa and Swaziland on foot and then after about 4 and a half hours you will reach Bus Station near Swazi Plaza_Mbabane_Swaziland.

In the Swazi Plaza Shopping Center in Mbabane (Swaziland), photography is prohibited and several guards guard the area.

I spend the night at Thokoza Church Center Hotel in Mbabane (Swaziland) at the price of 340 SLZ (Rand is also accepted without problems, which has the same value) per night in a Double room, including a hearty English breakfast. This is a nice and quiet place, located about 1 km from the center. It can be reached on foot but not at night (pitch dark).

 The next morning I stop a ride to a kind gentleman and take me back to Bus Station near Swazi Plaza_Mbabane_Swaziland, where I take a minibus taxi for the price of 15 SLZ (Rand is also accepted without problems, which has the same value) in about 35 minutes. takes me to the center of Manzini (Swaziland).

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2016/10/viaggio-in-sudafrica-lesotho-swaziland.html

DOMINICA TRAVEL REPORT.

  

Punctual as never before from Vc Bird Int'l Airport in Antigua at 06.00 my plane n. 581 of the LIAT Airline Company in the direction of Douglas-Charles Airport in Dominica, (ticket price including taxes: USD 86.75).

 

Free drinks and snacks are not served on the plane.

 

I therefore arrive at 06.40 am, at Douglas-Charles Airport in Dominica, located about 47 km north-east of Roseau, the capital of Dominica. There are 5 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.

 

A visa is not required to enter Dominica for tourism purposes and for a period not exceeding 90 days. It is sufficient to be in possession of a passport, with at least 6 months of residual validity at the time of entry into the country. Sometimes you will be asked for a return or onward flight ticket and a hotel reservation.

 

It is necessary to fill out a form to be delivered to customs, part of which must be returned when leaving the country.

 

There is no bank to change money at the airport, but you can withdraw cash with an ATM or credit card.

 

In Roseau, on the other hand, you can exchange money at an exchange office. I changed like this: 1 Euro = 2.7 EC $.

 

The currency of Dominica is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC $), but American Dollars (USD) are accepted everywhere (Hotels, Buses, Taxis, Shops, Restaurants, Supermarkets, Ferries, etc.) American Dollars (USD), even if using the latter. these are considered with the following value 1 USD = 2.5 EC $ instead of the official rate which is 1 USD = 2.7 EC $.

 

In Dominica, the official language is English.

 

In Dominica, driving is on the left and is driven by Minivans, which do not have written on the windshield containing the route number and the final destination, from 6.00 to 19.00. You pay the driver before getting off. The service is very poor on Sunday.

 

To reach the Capital Roseau from Dominica Douglas-Charles Airport, located about 47 km north - east of the same by public transport, you need to walk about 1.5 km southwards, until you reach the northern outskirts of Marigot, where they pass, at least in the morning, quite frequently Minivans for the capital directed to the West Bus Station of Roseau, located near the Roseau River. The journey through the Central Forest Reserve takes approximately 1 hour and costs 10 EC $. You pay the driver before getting off. Another solution is to take the shared taxi that leaves the airport when full (4 people) and costs EC $ 80.

 

In Dominica I slept, at the Chelshayde Apartment and Studio, located in Swez Canal, Salisbury (Baroui), about 23km north of Roseau. Free Wi. Wonderful view of the sea below. Price per night: 40 USD. To reach it from the capital take a minivan from the West Bus Station towards Portsmouth and get off after about half an hour at Salisbury. Travel cost 4 EC $. From there, walk the uphill road for about 700 meters. and ask the locals who know Chelshayde Apartment and Studio very well.

 

If you want to visit Portsmouth, Dominica's second largest city, located 44.5km further north, you need to take a Minivan from Roseau's West Bus Station. The journey through the beautiful east coast takes about 1 hour and costs 9 EC $. You pay the driver before getting off.

 

The most important and most visited waterfalls in Dominica are the Trafalgar Falls, located in the beautiful Roseau Valley over 7km north-east of Roseau. They are open every day from 8.00 to 17.00. Admission to the same costs 13.5 EC $ or 5 USD. To see them it is necessary to walk uphill for about 10 minutes along a path and many steps. The falls have a maximum drop of 60 meters.

 

To reach the above waterfalls by public transport, go to Boyd's Aya in Roseau, near the entrance to the Botanical Gardens and take a minivan to Trafalgar Village (30 minutes, 3.5 EC $) and then walk less than 1 km uphill to the falls. Keep in mind that there are also Minivans going to the falls but less frequently.

 

To make excursions in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is necessary to reach the Village of Laudat, located in the beautiful Roseau Valley over 9 km north-east of Roseau.

 

To do this by public transport, go to the Valley Rd stop in Roseau, near the entrance to the Botanical Gardens and take a minivan to Laudat (40 minutes, 5 EC $). Please note that this minivan also stops at Trafalgar Village less than 1km from the waterfalls of the same name

 

To reach the beautiful villages of Soufriere and Scotts Head, located on the west coast over 10km south of the capital, you need to go to the stop near the Old Market in Roseau, and take a minivan to Scotts Head (30 minutes, 5 EC $). It starts when all the seats are occupied. You pay the driver before getting off.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2017/11/traversata-dei-caraibi-da-nord-sud.html

Katima Mulilo (Namibia) report travel.

 

Back in Kasane I take myself to the bus station and stand in front of the sign indicating “Namibia”, waiting for an unlikely bus. Instead, a private taxi arrives that shuttles every day twice a day between Kasane and Katima Mulilo for the price of 60 Pula (over 100 km the journey that takes less than 2 hours including stops at the easy borders of Botswana and of Namibia, for which a visa is not required for Italian citizens).

The taxi driver drops me at the address I want, specifically at Mukusi Cabins Lodge in Katima Mulilo (Namibia) which has a minimum rate of 240 Nad per night with shared bathroom, including tea and free coffee in a double room for single use. In Namibia they also accept Pula and Rand, but with the same exchange rate as the Namibian dollar and therefore you get lost, but you don't have the burden of exchange.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2016/10/viaggio-in-sudafrica-lesotho-swaziland.html

GUINEA BISSAU REPORT TRAVEL.

 

There is a 1 hour time zone compared to Italy.

To enter Guinea Bissau an entry visa is required, both for tourism and for work.

The same, for tourist reasons, can easily be obtained at the Consulate of Guinea Bissau in Ziguinchor (Senegal), located in Quartier Santhiaba apres Boutique expresso. Au Radier take the Rue à Gauche. The visa office is open from 8.00 to 14.00 from Monday to Friday, but if you call the following numbers: 775126497 or 775560960 and pay a supplement for the trouble, you can get a visa even outside office hours. Please note that the Embassy staff speak French and Portuguese. The documents to be presented are: passport, passport photocopy, and 20,000 CFA in cash (other currencies are not accepted). Usually the visa is issued without problems in less than half an hour. The tourist visa occupies a page of the passport and is valid for 30 days for 2 entries.

Keep in mind that there are very few vehicles on the roads of Guinea Bissau, with the exception of large cities such as Bissau;

In Guinea Bissau the Official Language is Portuguese, although some people also speak French. English is not widely used.

Religions: Muslim (45%), Christian (5%), animist (50%).

In Guinea Bissau the Police are generally kind to foreigners and do not bother foreigners with requests for money.

Keep in mind that at the land border post of Sao Domingos, between Senegal and Guinea Bissau, there are no money changers as the currency of Senegal is the same as that of Guinea Bissau and that is the CFA.

From the Border Post of Sao Domingos, in Bissau, there are several checkpoints, where you are sometimes forced to get off.

Taxi Brousse coming from Ziguinchor, leave you on the western outskirts, about 4 km from the center of Bissau, which can be reached by taking a collective taxi at the price of 500 CFA, which can drop you off right in front of your hotel if you have stayed overnight at the Pensao Creole.

An hour's walk from the town is the beautiful Ofires Beach. The same can also be reached with a motorized vehicle at the price of 5,000 CFA, for the round trip, including one hour of rest. In this case I shared the expense with 2 other Italian tourists.

One of the cheapest solutions to sleep in the center of Bolama is to stay overnight at the Fishing Training Center, located less than 300 meters away. from the port. Cost for a room with shared bathroom: 12,500 CFA. Wifi not present. Breakfast included in the price.

To reach Bolama Island, keep in mind that almost every morning at 7.00 or 8.00, from the Port of Bolama, there are Pirogues or the Public Ferry Boat. The cost of the Pirogue Ticket is 2,500 CFA, while for the Ferry it is 3,500 CFA for residents and 8,000 CFA for foreigners. In theory, you can get a ticket the same morning by showing up at least half an hour before departure, but in order not to risk running out of tickets, it is better to buy it the day before, as I did. The trip lasts at least 3 hours and it is much safer to do it with the Ferry boat than with a pirogue that sinks from time to time.

The historic center of Bissau appears deserted and a bit disturbing on Sunday. Avoid wandering around the same after dark. However, during the day the capital of Guinea Bissau appears safe and can be explored on foot.

From Av. Francisco Mendes in Bissau I took a collective taxi which, at a price of 300 CFA, took me to Paragem, located 4 km west of the center, where the Minibuses (Transporte Misto) leave for Quinhamel. They leave when they are full. The fare is 500 CFA. You pay on board. The journey takes approximately 1 hour.

Quinhamel, offers nothing special.

Once back in Bissau, I asked the driver to leave me as close as possible to the Paragem where the buses for Gabù leave and then he left me on the main road between the airport and the center of Bissau, about 5 km west of it. , from which a dirt road branches off that I had to walk for almost 1 km, before reaching the aforementioned Paragem. From there, when they are full, the Sept Places leave regularly for Gabù. The fare is 3,100 CFA. You pay at the desk before boarding. The trip takes about 3 hours.

Gabù is a city that can be explored on foot even if it has very little to offer to tourists,

To change money you have to go to the Gare Routiere, near the Piazzola where the means of transport to the border with Guinea Conakry are parked. There is usually a Dude here who applies the following exchange rates: $ 1 = GF 7,000 (if you have $ 50 or $ 100 pieces), $ 1 = GF 4,000 (if you have $ 20 or $ 10 pieces), 1 Euro = 8.400 GF.

One of the cheapest solutions for sleeping in the center of Gabù is to stay at the Hotel Visiom, located about 500 meters away. from the Gare Routiere. Cost for a double room with private bathroom: 10,000 CFA. No wifi and air conditioning. Breakfast not included.

From Gabù in Guinea Bissau, if you want to reach Labè, the capital of the Fouta Djalon Region in Guinea Conakry, it takes a whole day.

From the Gare Routiere in Gabù, when full, the minibuses (Transporte Misto) leave for the border post of Buruntuma. The fare is 1,500 CFA. You pay at the desk before boarding. The trip takes about 2 hours. I showed up before 7.00, and I had to wait more than an hour for the bus to fill up and in fact I had to pay 200 CFA, to get it going faster.

At the Buruntuma border post, I got the Guinea Conakry exit stamp pretty quickly.

Then I took a motor taxi to tackle the 2 km of dirt road that separates the Guinea Bissau border with that of Guinea Conakry, paying 500 CFA.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

https://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2018/11/viaggio-in-mauritania-nouakchott.html

Mozambique report travel.

  

After having visited it, at the Manzini Bus Station I take a Minibus Taxi to Maputo (Mozambique) at the price of 80 SZL (Rand is also accepted without problems, which has the same value). Logically it starts only when it is full and therefore you can wait even 1 hour.

I do the Visa at the Mozambique border, which is certainly not usual. Therefore this operation becomes very long and expensive (one hour of time and 80 USD, or 60 Euro). Fortunately, the minibus awaits me even if the occupants are very angry. The Visa is also issued in Manzini in the day and costs about half or in Italy Logically.

 The minibus crosses the mountains in Mozambique and then after about 5 hours it arrives at the Bus Station Fabrica De Cerveja Laurentina in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Stretching about 20 Rand, the driver takes you to the address you want.

This brings me to the Backpachers Base Hostel (Rand 110 per night), located 1 km to the east of Praca de Indipendenza. Internet for a fee. Free tea and coffee.

I visit Maputo aboard a Tuc Tuc at a cost of 130 MZN per half hour of rental (price to be negotiated).

Then from the Port of Maputo I take the ferry to Catembe at the price of 5 MZN.

The journey takes about 10 minutes. Crossing the Bay I come to Catembe, which offers an excellent view of the capital.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2016/10/viaggio-in-sudafrica-lesotho-swaziland.html

Lago di Malciaussia mt 1.805, nella Valle di Viù.

 

Zimbabwe Report Travel.

 

After visiting Katima Mulilo, I return to Kasane with the same taxi driver mentioned above. But this time I pay 90 Pula because I ask him to take me to the Kazungula border, between Botswana and Zimbabwe. I cross it on foot (about 400 meters).

The visa for Zimbabwe is taken at the border and costs 30 USD (you can also pay with Pula).

Several shared taxis take you to the center of Victoria Falls, to the address you want for the price of 70 Pula (1 hour short journey). They only leave when they are full.

I sleep at the Shoestrings Lodge in downtown Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe for the price of 11 USD (they also accept South African Pula and Rand) per night in a 4-person dormitory. There are also pitches for tents. There is a swimming pool, a bar, paid internet, a kitchen. In the evenings they sometimes do very nice shows for free. There are people from all over the world.

Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side can be reached from the center of Victoria Falls on foot (1.5km) or by taxi (USD 2, but you have to bargain). Entrance to Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side costs 30 USD, or 240 Rand, or 220 Pula, or 20 Pounds or 20 Euros. When there is the Full Moon there is a ticket that is valid both for the day and for the evening which costs 40 USD.

Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side (located near the border) are easily accessible on foot, not much walking. The only negative thing is that it almost always gets very wet from head to toe.

The next day with a taxi (USD 14 round trip, to be negotiated), I go to visit the Zambezi Nature Sanctuary (cost USD 5, including guided tour), where I see dozens of Crocodiles and a Lion and I watch the meal of the same.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2016/10/viaggio-in-sudafrica-lesotho-swaziland.html

CASABLANCA (MOROCCO) REPORT TRAVEL.

Punctual as never before from the Modibo Keïta Airport in Bamako (Mali) at 2.35 am, my plane no. AT0522 of the Royal Air Maroc Company in the direction of Terminal 2 of the Mohammed V Airport of Casablanca (Morocco), (multi-route ticket price including taxes from Malpensa to Nouakchott (Mauritania) and from Bamako (Mali) to Malpensa with a stopover in Casablanca: Euro 484.84).

Dinner is served on the aforementioned aircraft.

Punctual arrival at 6.50 am, at Terminal 2 of Muhammad V Airport in Casablanca (Morocco).

There is a 1 hour time zone compared to Italy.

Entry without a visa is allowed for tourist stays of a maximum duration of three months. For reasons of work, study, etc. it is necessary to obtain the relative visa, to be requested from a Moroccan diplomatic / consular office in Italy.

Once the form with personal data has been filled in, the airport border can be crossed quite easily, thus obtaining the entry stamp on the passport.

At the Muhammad V Airport in Casablanca (Morocco), there are several currency exchange counters, which change Euros, Dollars, etc.

The easiest way to get to the center, from Casablanca Muhammad V Airport (Morocco), is to take the train (second class Dh43). Trains are comfortable and reliable and depart every hour from 6.32 to 22.32, plus one at 24.00. By train you can also continue to Rabat (Dh80) or Kenitra (Dh 95) but, in this case, you need to change at the Casa Voyageurs or Ain Sebaa train station. Trains depart from the underground station of the building that houses Terminal 1 of the Airport, first reach the Casa Voyageurs Railway Station after 35 ', which is the furthest from the center of Casablanca but well served by the Casa Tramway tram and then after approx. 55 minutes from the Casa Port Railway Station, located 700 meters away. northeast of Place Des Nations Unies.

Casablanca is not one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco, but it is the country's economic capital. The things to visit are: the Hassan II Mosque, the 5th largest in the world, with its 210 meters high minaret, the highest in the world, La Medina, Place Des Nations Unies and Place Mohammed V.

From the Casa Port Railway Station, I took a taxi for the price of Dh 10, to reach the Hassan II Mosque, located 2.5 km north - west.

From the Hassan II Mosque, I took a taxi for the price of Dh 10, to reach Place Des Nations Unies, located, 2.5 km south-east.

The Medina and the center of Casablanca can be explored on foot.

From Place Des Nations Unies I took the Casa Tramway, until reaching the Casa Voyageurs Railway Station in just 15 minutes. I bought the ticket at the special machines, located near each tram stop, paying 8 Dh 8.

The easiest way to go to Casablanca Muhammad V Airport (Morocco), from the Casa Voyageurs Railway Station, is to take the train (second class Dh43). Trains are comfortable and reliable and depart every hour from 6.26 to 22.26, plus one at 4.40. Trains arrive at the underground station of the building that houses Terminal 1 of the Airport, after 35 minutes.

Once the form with personal data has been filled in, the airport border can be crossed quite easily, obtaining the exit stamp from Morocco.

Punctual as never before, my plane no. AT0950 of the Royal Air Maroc Company in the direction of Terminal 1 of Malpensa Airport (Va), (price of the multi-route ticket including taxes from Malpensa to Nouakchott (Mauritania) and from Bamako (Mali) to Malpensa with a stopover in Casablanca: Euro 484 , 84).

I arrive on time at 5.50 pm, at Terminal 1 of Malpensa Airport (Va), where my journey ends.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

https://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2018/11/viaggio-in-mauritania-nouakchott.html

La salita al Colle del Nivolet mt 2612, in Valle dell'Orco, con partenza da Ceresole Reale mt. 1620.

 

Descrizione della salita asfaltata ma chiusa al traffico al Lago di Telessio, in Val di Piantonetto.

 

PANAMA REPORT TRAVEL.

  

Punctual as never before my United Company Airplane leaves from Newark Liberty International at 08.05 towards the International Airport of Tocumen (Panama), (price of the multi-route ticket including taxes from Malpensa to Panama City and from Mexico City to Malpensa with Newark airport: Euro 669.75).

 

The plane is full.

 

I therefore arrive at 13.30, with impossible heat, at the Tocumen International Airport (Panama), located about 35 km north-east of the center of Panama City. There are 7 hours of time zone, compared to Italy.

 

To enter Panama you do not need a visa and Customs at the Airport is usually cleared without problems, as happened to me. The mandatory requirement to be in possession of the return flight ticket necessary to enter the country is almost never requested by customs personnel.

 

The currency of Panama is the US Dollar.

 

The cheapest way to get to Panama City from the aforementioned airport is to exit the terminal, go right and then walk towards the state road for about 300 meters. Then cross it until you reach a shelter where buses run to the Panama City Albrook Bus Terminal every 15 minutes. The cost of the ride, which lasts about 1 hour, costs $ 0.25, but in theory to get on you must have a rechargeable card that I did not have. I still managed to puncture it by giving $ 0.25 to a passenger who used his card for me. The bus stops often and willingly to pick up and drop off passengers.

 

Once inside the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City, I bought the rechargeable card at a cost of $ 2 that can be recharged as much as you want and is needed to use the Urban Buses ($ 0.25), the Metro, for pay the terminal toilets and the $ 0.25 terminal fee required to take the National and International Buses (in a nutshell to access the terminal gates);

 

To reach from the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City, Casco Viejo, that is the historic center, you can either take a taxi at a cost of $ 3 on Sundays and $ 2.5 during the week or you have to exit the Terminal and take an urban bus x the Bus Station in Plaza 5 de Mayo and from there take another which, however, leaves you in the infamous north-west area of ​​Casco Viejo, about 100 meters away. west of Parque Santa Ana. (Let the driver tell you when to get off). The cost of the bus for each leg is 0.25 $ payable only with the rechargeable card.

 

The historic center of Panama City called Casco Viejo has been beautifully redeveloped in recent years and appears safe at least during the day and in the evening and south of Via C11 Este, where the terrible decay begins. Below this bar it is therefore beautiful to walk around and there are a myriad of Restaurants, Clubs, Hotels and Hostels that are sold out almost every day in the high season.

 

Not having found accommodation for the night in Casco Viejo, for the aforementioned reasons, I had to fall back on Hostal Amador, located not far from the historic center which offers dormitory beds at the price of $ 16.5 for one night. It includes free internet, kitchen, space for recreation, ect. Very nice and clean. To reach it I had to take a Sunday taxi for $ 3.

 

The next morning I go back to the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City, with the same taxi as the previous evening for $ 2.5.

 

To reach Portobelo, located on the Caribbean Sea, whose fortifications have been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, you have to take one of the numerous buses (former American school buses) departing for Colòn, from the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City and get off in Sabanita (3.15 $ - 1 hour scarce). Turn the corner on the right and wait for another of the frequent buses with the indication "Portobelo" on the windshield, coming from Colòn which reaches Portobelo in less than 1 hour for the price of 1.5 $. The clerk passes by to collect the money after departure. The bus stops often and willingly to pick up and drop off passengers.

 

Portobelo, it turns very well on foot.

 

From Portobelo I reach the City of Colòn, which has dangerous neighborhoods even during the day, with a bus at the price of 2 $. The clerk passes by to collect the money after departure. The bus stops often and willingly to pick up and drop off passengers. The journey takes an abundant hour.

 

Then from the Terminal de Transporte Centenario in Colòn, located in a disreputable area of ​​Colòn, numerous buses leave for the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City for the price of $ 2.90. The clerk passes by to collect the money after departure. The bus stops often and willingly to pick up and drop off passengers. The trip takes about 2 hours.

 

To see the Panama Canal you need to go to the Miraflores Visitor Center, located 12km northwest of downtown Panama City. To achieve it there are 2 solutions:

 

1. Take one of the many buses with the word "Miraflores" on the windshield outside the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City, which takes you in about 20 minutes in front of the visitor center. The cost of the bus is $ 0.25 payable only with the rechargeable card.

2. Inside the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City, take one of the numerous buses bound for Paraiso or Gamboa. These buses, which run along the main road along the canal, drop passengers after less than 20 minutes at the sign with the words "Miraflores Locks", from which the visitor center is a 15-minute walk away. The ticket price is $ 0.35. The clerk passes by to collect the money after departure.

 

The visitor center of Miraflores is open every day from 9.00 to 15.00 and the cost of the ticket for foreigners is 15 $. It offers panoramic terraces with incredible views of the Panama Canal, its Locks and the huge Ships and Merchant ships that pass through it every day (about 1 per hour). There is also a small traveling theater where videos are continuously shown in Spanish and English explaining the history of the canal and its functioning.

 

To reach San Josè, the capital of Costa Rica, the most convenient solution is to take the direct bus of the Tica Bus Company departing every day from the Albrook Bus Terminal in Panama City at 11.55 pm. The trip costs $ 40.10 and takes approximately 16 hours. (Keep in mind that Costa Rica is one hour behind Panama). The same service is also provided by the Expreso Bus Company, but with departure at 11.00 pm every day. Tickets must be purchased at the Company Desk located inside the aforementioned Terminal.

 

At the Paso Canoas border on the Panama side you pay $ 1 before you are stamped out of the country. Then your luggage is checked in a room. Then you have to walk 300 meters to reach the Customs of Costa Rica.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2016/04/traversata-del-centro-america-da-panama.htm

IRAN TRAVEL REPORT.

 VISA IRAN

The visa for Iran can also be obtained at the airport but sometimes the local authorities deny it without apparent reason and send you back home and therefore it is better to do it before leaving by following the following procedure:

go to the consulate of Iran, in Via Monte Bianco n. 57 in Milan, from Monday to Friday from 9 to 12.30, with passport (with expiry of not less than 6 months), insurance certificate (the one stipulated on the website www.viaggiaresicuri.com is fine), 2 recent passport photos, completed form , downloadable on the consulate's website (the addresses of the hotels where you will stay must be entered on the form).

After the kind employee (Gabriele) has checked the documentation, you have to fill in another form.

Then you have to pay 50 euros of fees by credit card, debit card or cash (in the latter case you must go to pay them in a bank indicated by the Consulate.

Once you have paid, if this is your first time, take 10 fingerprints.

Subsequently the employee hands you a sheet, with which there is written the date of collection of the passport with the visa which is usually ready after 3 or 4 working days. (in this period, in fact, the Consulate requests authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran).

Anyone with the aforementioned sheet can collect their passport when it is ready.

TRAVEL REPORT

Punctual as never before, my plane of the Turkish Company Pegasus leaves from Milan Orio al Serio at 2.00 pm towards Teheran (Iran), with a stopover of 5 hours at the Sabina Gokcen Airport in Istanbul in Turkey (one-way price including taxes Euro 132 , 00).

I therefore arrive at 03:35 in the morning of the next day, Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran, the capital of Iran (2 hours 30 'time zone, compared to Italy). I pass the not difficult Iranian border.

From Tehran's Imam Khomeini Airport, there is theoretically a minibus every hour to Tehran National Airport and Azadi Square in Tehran for a fare of IR 60,000 (you pay when you get off), but I expect it , pressed by taxi drivers, for more than an hour and I do not see him and then I get inflamed and I take a taxi (unofficial) that takes me in about 20 minutes to the Haram_e Motahar metro station at a price of IR 200,000.

 The ticket for the clean, safe and modern Tehran Metro costs IR 5,000 for a single journey, and IR 8,000 for two tickets.

The center of Tehran can also be visited with a free tourist train that passes adjacent to the Bazaar and Golestan Palace, a World Heritage Site;

The best place in Tehran to change money is Ferdosi Street where there are numerous money changers starting from the homonymous square located further north, reachable by Metro.

The Bus_e Jonoob Terminal in Tehran can be reached with Line 1 of the Metro.

From there I take one of the numerous buses that reach Khashan (Iran) every day in abundant 3 hours at a cost of IR 110,000. They offer you a snack on the bus.

The bus drops you off in Montazeri Square, on the north-eastern outskirts of Khashan (Iran). Numerous private taxis are waiting for you here. With strong bargaining I was able to rent one for half a day at the price of IR 200,000.

From Montazeri Square, on the north-eastern outskirts of Khashan (Iran), there are frequent buses to Tehran which stop after about 1 hour and a half in Qom, in Haftad Square (large roundabout) at a price of IR 50,000. You pay the ticket to the conductor.

From the large roundabout of Haftad Square in Qom, located 5 km north of the center, I hired a taxi for a short time to visit the City, for the price of IR 100,000.

Back in Haftad Square in Qom, I take one of the numerous buses that every day reaches the Bus_e Jonoob Terminal in Tehran in about 2 hours for a price of IR 60,000. You pay the ticket to the conductor.

From the Bus_e Jonoob Terminal in Tehran, reachable by metro line 1, I take one of the numerous comfortable buses that reach Mashhad (Iran) every day in about 13 hours at a cost of IR 475,000. They offer you a snack on the bus.

From Mashhad Central Bus Station, I hired a taxi for a short time to visit the city and then take me to the Meraj Bus Terminal, at a price of IR 190,000.

From the Meraj Bus Terminal I took the bus to Quchan, the small town located 100 km north-west of Mashhad. The ticket can be taken on the bus at a cost of IR 35,000. The trip takes about 2 hours. It also makes several stops in the center of Mashhad. There are frequent departures every day.

In Quchan you have to get off at the large roundabout on the state road, adjacent to the city center. Here the taxi drivers are ready for carriers everywhere, but to get good prices you have to negotiate with decision. For a taxi from Quchan to Bajgiran (90 km, about an hour long uphill mountain road trip with interesting views), I paid IR 250,000.

In the small village of Bajgiran, located about 1,400 meters. of altitude, on the border with Turkmenistan, composed of beautiful mud houses, there is a hotel located on the left at the beginning of the country. It is the Hotel Bajgiran in fact, but it is constantly closed and is opened specifically at the request of tourists who have to cross the border the following morning. Then the taxi driver, wandering around the small town, asking here and there, making some phone calls, managed to track down the owner who arrived in front of the hotel about 1 hour and a half after our arrival in Bajgiran.

He speaks almost no English but thanks to the honest taxi driver, who among other things did not ask me for any additional fees for all the additional services he has done for me (phone calls, waits, searches, etc.), I am able to make myself understood.

The Hotel is opened especially for me and the price of a double room with cold shower is IR 500,000. There are no single rooms. My passport is collected and kept in a safe. A photocopy of the same is not accepted.

The following morning at 7.00 the owner gives me my passport and at my request takes me with his van to change money in a grocery store in town. Here it is better to change the Dollars as the Euro is devalued badly.

Then he takes me to the Iranian border, located on a pass, about 2.5 km uphill from the Hotel Bajgiran (800 meters to get to the Iranian checkpoint + 1.7 km to get to the actual border).

The owner of the hotel for transportation with his van asks me $ 1.

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

https://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2015/09/viaggio-in-iran-e-nel-centro-asia.html

 

SOUTH KOREA TRAVEL REPORT.

PART N 1

Punctual as never before from Milan Malpensa at 11.10 am my plane of the Qatar Airline Company towards Seoul, with a stopover in Doha in Qatar (round trip price including taxes Euro 570).

The beautiful and very young Hostesses with the characteristic red headdress. Honestly, they didn't seem to be citizens of Qatar, but from other countries of the world.

Very nice and friendly they fill you with food and drink continuously.

The plane is full and therefore I cannot lie down.

I therefore arrive at 19.10, with impossible heat in Doha, the capital of Qatar (2 hours time zone, compared to Italy).

I remain in the very large and well-maintained transit area for 7 hours. It is a sea port as from here direct planes pass through for the whole world. At 1.55 am I have a plane to Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

In Doha they are very precise and therefore begin to board passengers 1 hour and 20 minutes before the flight. The plane is packed and so once again I can't lie down on three places to sleep.

The hostesses this time are all Korean and bring the food twice.

A little spicy on one occasion but pleasant.

After about 9 hours of flight, I arrive at Inchehon Airport.

It is 16.30 '(6 hours ahead of Italian time). Logically, my cell phone doesn't work here too.

At Inchehon International Airport, I go downstairs, where I buy the ticket for the Train, for Seoul Achasan (east of the City) at the vending machines. (cost 4750 wo, including 500 won deposit, which are returned to you when you return the magnetic card to the appropriate "Refoundable" distributors, located in the Hall of each metro and train station. Logically the cost of the ticket depends on the distance you travel and it calculates it automatically when you buy the ticket at the machine. There are also indications in English).

Train change at the Gimpo Airport Railway Station.

Inchehon International Airport remains on an island more than 50 km away from the center of Seoul, but my hostel remains close to the Achasan metro station (east of the city) and therefore it takes almost 2 hours to reach it.

The Seoul subway is state of the art, it is one of the largest in the world and there are also written in English.

I am surrounded by Koreans that I have never even seen so many together. Nor of Westerners

However, they are very kind and helpful and I have always liked Korea.

I leave the subway at 8 in the evening. It is dark and there are 7 degrees centigrade.

In 2 minutes on foot (about 100 meters) I am at Phil Guesthouse (price of 8.81 Euros per night including breakfast, free internet and sheets.

Beautiful, very clean: inside each room there is a refrigerator, kitchen and bathroom. The electrical outlet is adjacent to the bed and is like the Italian one. The kitchen and common room are beautiful, spotless and very spacious.

Now that I have reached the dream of a lifetime, Seoul, the capital of South Korea, I can also go to sleep, because tomorrow is another day and I have to reach Gyeongju, in the south-east of South Korea, where I booked the hostel as this time I went back to basics and decided to book all hostels from home.

 

I go through a hell of a night because of the time difference and the impossible heat. I sleep almost nothing but despite this at 6.30 am already up to have my say.

I have a hearty breakfast with bread, jam, tea and coffee and then at 7.30 am I leave in pursuit of the next hostel.

At Achasan Station, I buy the metro ticket to Cheongnyangni (1,400 won) with the machine with the writing in English and then I throw myself into the ocean of Koreans going to work.

We are all piled up like sardines. I arrive at Cheongnyangni Station, after a good half hour. The first difficulties arrive there as I have to take the train to Chuncheon, but there are no counters to buy the ticket but only the machines but with the writing only in Korean. I try to stop someone to help me but everyone is in a hurry. Logically, I am the only foreigner and in fact I wonder where all the foreigners who get off the plane every day by the thousands end up. Anyway, in the end a compassionate girl stops and helps me get the ticket.

I therefore take the train at a cost of 6,000 Won, which also has the written stops in English.

Eventually I arrive at the Chuncheon Railway Station which is located near Uiamho Lake, in the north-east out of reach of everything and therefore I take the train to Nam Chuncheon Railway Station (1100 won, including 500 won deposit, which they are returned when you return the magnetic card to the special "Refoundable" distributors, located in the Hall of each metro and train station). Then I walk for a while and reach the bus station where I take out my Korean translations to book the bus to Daegu. (18,300 won).

After 3 and a half hours of travel I arrive in Daegu but logically at the only bus station in the city that is not served by metro and train and moreover located in the ass of wolves.

So with my translations in Korean I book the bus to Gyeongju (5,500 won one way) which leaves at 19.30. In this bus station there are few buses a day for the aforementioned town.

I arrive at the Gyeongju bus station at 8.30 pm and look for a taxi to reach the hostel as city buses are very difficult to understand where they go. But even the 13 taxi drivers don't charge me because they don't understand where my hostel is located, even though I showed them the maps in Korean, downloaded from the Internet, but they don't understand them.

So I have to go it alone and use the last remaining energy and my orientation skills to find the hostel, walking in the middle of the mountains of earth that are the tombs of the Kings.

Then in the end I arrive near but I can't find it and I can't even call because my phone doesn't work. It's 10pm and a very kind Korean who speaks English calls for me (not many speak it). Thanks to him I find the Guesthouse Santa, located in the center and I go up but when I get up, the owner is not there, but instead a Japanese guest welcomes me who does not want me to enter and says I have to go to the office and takes me down in the office but logically it is closed. I try and try to explain to him that I have already booked and insist and in the end she lets me in. Then comes the boss, I pay my 11.20 Euros for one night including breakfast, free internet. I also pay the bike rental for the next day (5,000 won one day). The hostel is beautiful and very clean and I am here. In the end it took me 15 hours to reach the Guesthouse Santa hostel and now I can still have my say. Tomorrow I have to arrive in Busan, the second largest city in South Korea, by evening and I will do everything to get there on schedule. Anyway, not even the shadow of Europeans.

In Guesthouse Santa it's just me and the 30 year old Japanese girl.

Unlike Seoul, it's colder inside, but I prefer it that way.

In the end even though she doesn't speak English very well and I don't even make friends and I show him my blog.

Tira, mola, tambala (by the way we discovered that it means tambala ????) it is 2 o'clock.

This time I sleep little but well and at seven I am ready to leave with my Graziella bicycle rented at the hostel for 5,000 Won a day.

I visit Gyeongju with the Graziella in the midst of the tombs of the great kings and go also to Lake Bomun, located 5 km north of the City.

Then I take the Bus n. 10 for the Bulguksa Temple for the price of 1500 Won (you pay on the bus by putting the money in a box). Bus number 11 is fine too. Buses 10 or 11 can be taken at Gyeongju Bus Station or at 100 meters. about from that railway.

The bus takes about half an hour to reach the destination. Tell the driver where you want to get off otherwise the bus may not stop.

Anyway from the bus stop at the main entrance of the Temple you have to walk uphill for about 500 meters.

The entrance to the Bulguksa Temple, a World Heritage Site, costs 4000 Won. The temple is full of steps but is wheelchair accessible. It is located in the woods.

With the same bus mentioned above I go back to Gyeongju Bus Station, where I take the Bus Bus to West Daegu (Seobu bus Terminal) for the price of 5,900 Won one day. There are many of them a day. The journey takes an hour.

From there I then take the bus to Haeinsa (7,100 won one way), I despair in the Palgongsan Provincial Park in the middle of the mountains. An hour and a half the journey.

 Arriving at the tiny Haeinsa Bus Station, you have to walk for 1,500 meters, of which 1000 uphill to reach the Hapcheon Haein Temple, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but I make do with hitchhiking.

I'm out of this world and it's also late and I absolutely have to get to Busan before night falls.

I take advantage of the enormous kindness of the locals to get out of difficulties. Koreans always help you a lot. One even, since unfortunately I don't have a working phone, and he doesn't have a cell phone either, he asked all the

bus a mobile phone and then he found it and called the hostel for me saying I would be late, then he acted as a guide in Daegu buying me tickets

by metro from Seobu bus Terminal to Dongdaegu Railway Station (1200 won) and by the slower and cheaper train to Busan (7,200 won one way) and thus saving me a lot of time.

Eventually me

he accompanied the platform and also gave me a box of Ferrero Rosche; I'm

the only European in these situations and many guys want to make friends with me and exchange i

contacts even if few speak English.

Arrival at Busan Railway Station after 1 hour and a half. I take the metro, located 100 meters. about outside and get off at Kyungsung University Puky Metro Station (1,400 won). The hostel is located just 200 meters away. from it but I can't find it but then thanks to the usual help of the people I can reach it

at 24.30.

There is a sea of people still on the streets. South Korea gives me the

feeling of a very safe country.

The Lzone Hostel is beautiful, is run by an American girl and costs only 14,500 Won per night including free internet.

I sleep well but little and at seven I leave from the aforementioned hostel to take the flight to Tokyo. I try to get out of the door but the lock is jammed and

then I ask for help from the first awake loser but he too fails and has to call the boss who miraculously unlocks it.

I then take the metro to Sasang for the price of 1,400 Won and there I take the train to the Gimhae Airport in Busan for the price of 1300 Won.

At 11.05 am, the plane is punctual as never before of the Air Asia Company (71,100 Won one way) leaves half empty for Tokyo. It goes without saying that I am the only European.

                                                                          PART N 2

The train is slow and makes many stops and therefore takes more than an hour and a half to get to the airport where a plane from the Airasia company at a price of Euro 78.14 which in less than 2 hours brings me back to Inchehon Airport in South Korea.

Here, compared to the first time, everything is easier because I already know everything.

So I go downstairs, where I get the ticket for the Train, for Seoul Achasan (east of the City) at the vending machines. (cost 4750 wo, including 500 won deposit, which are returned to you when you return the magnetic card to the appropriate "Refoundable" distributors, located in the Hall of each metro and train station. Logically the cost of the ticket depends on the distance you travel and it calculates it automatically when you buy the ticket at the machine. There are also indications in English).

Train change at the Gimpo Airport Railway Station.

Inchehon International Airport remains on an island more than 50 km away from the center of Seoul, but my hostel remains close to the Achasan metro station (east of the city) and therefore it takes almost 2 hours to reach it.

The Seoul subway is state of the art, it is one of the largest in the world and there are also written in English.

I leave the subway at 7pm. It is dark and there are 7 degrees centigrade.

In 2 minutes on foot (about 100 meters) I am at Phil Guesthouse (price of 8.81 Euros per night including breakfast, free internet and sheets).

Beautiful, very clean: inside each room there is a refrigerator, kitchen and bathroom. The electrical outlet is adjacent to the bed and is like the Italian one. The kitchen and common room are beautiful, spotless and very spacious.

The managers do

they remember me.

I have a good night this time.

At 6.30 am already up to have my say.

I have a hearty breakfast with bread, jam, tea and coffee and then at 7.30 I leave the hostel.

At Achasan Station, I buy the metro ticket for Yeouinaru Metro Station (1,400 won) with the machine with the English writing and then jump into the ocean of Koreans on their way to work.

We are all piled up like sardines. I arrive at Yeouinaru Station, after a poor hour.

From there I walk for about 300 meters. heading west until you reach Yeouido Park, where near the Mapo Bridge, there is the Kiosk that rents bicycles at a cost of 3,000 Won per hour, with an additional cost of 500 Won every 15 minutes more.

I cycle around Seoul and then take the train from Yeouinaru to Suwon for the price of 2,250 Won, including 500 won deposit, which will be returned to you when you return the magnetic card to the special "Refoundable" machines, located in the Hall of each metro station and Trains. Logically the cost of the ticket depends on the distance you travel and automatically calculates it for you when you buy the ticket at the machine.

From Suwon Railway Station, I walk for 100 meters. around the side of the big road heading north and I reach the Pensiline where I take bus n. Bus 11, but you can also choose 13, 36 and 39 for Paldalmun in 10 minutes at a cost of 1,200 won. There are several every hour. Tickets are bought on the bus (you pay on the bus by putting the money in a box).

Then I visit on foot the walls of the Hwaseong Fortress, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

I go back to the train station where I take a train to Osan (about 1 hour).

I visit Osan and then take the train to Incheon International Airport for the price of 5,100 Won, including 500 won deposit, which is returned to you when you return the key card to the special "Refoundable" machines, located in the hall of each station of the metro and trains. (2 hours abundant).

REPORT OF THE JOURNEY TO WALES AND ENGLAND.

  

Punctual as never before from Orio al Serio (Bg) at 11.50 am my plane no. 8263 of the Ryanair Company in the direction of Bristol International Airport (United Kingdom), (return ticket price including taxes: Euro 74.44).

 

Arrival on time at 13.00, at Bristol International Airport (United Kingdom). There is a time zone time compared to Italy.

 

To be able to set foot in the United Kingdom, it is sufficient to be in possession of a valid identity card or passport. Once you arrive at the border of the aforementioned airport, just put your passport on the scanner, wait for a photograph to be taken and if everything is ok, the automatic doors that allow you to enter the United Kingdom will open. If you have an identity card, you must instead go to the desk for identification.

 

If you intend to visit England, Scotland and Wales without using a car, you must use the bus or train bearing in mind that many remote areas cannot be reached and that the service on Sundays is very limited and in certain areas even suspended. Also keep in mind that the train is much faster but also much more expensive (about 30% more) and in a country where the cost of living is high is not a factor to be underestimated.

 

It is for this reason that you can consider buying the Skimmer pass online which is an unlimited and extremely cheap way to visit every corner of the UK. For just £ 69 (7 day pass), or £ 119 (14 day pass), or £ 199 (28 day pass) you can board any National Express service which is the UK's leading company. Print the Skimmer pass and present it at the National Express Desk at the Bus Station or directly to the driver before boarding or buy the ticket online for free by entering the Skimmer pass code.

 

The aforementioned airport is located about 13 km southwest of the city.

 

To reach the Temple Meads Train Station, or the Bus Station, or other stops in the center of Bristol, the cheapest solution is to take the Bristol International Flyer bus, with departures every 15 minutes. The journey lasts a short half hour. The ticket, which can be purchased online or directly from the driver, costs £ 7.00 one way or £ 11.00 return.

 

To reach the Bath Bus Station, a city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the cheapest solution is to take Bus X39 which leaves from Bristol Bus Station every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday and every half hour on Sunday. The journey takes 50 minutes. Cost of the ticket purchased from the driver: £ 5.00.

 

The most important attraction are the Roman Baths. Entrance fee: £ 15.50.

 

Bath, you can easily get around on foot.

 

To reach Cardiff, the capital of Wales, the cheapest solution is to take one of the many National Express Company Buses departing from Bristol Bus Station. The journey takes 1 hour and a half. Ticket cost: free if you have a Skimmer pass, or keep in mind that the rate changes depending on whether you book several days in advance, or whether you travel during peak hours or not.

 

In Cardiff, National Express buses arrive at Sophia Gardens, just west of the Taff River and Bute Park.

 

In Cardiff I slept at the Nomad Hostel located in

Howard Gardens at n. 11, less than 1 km east of the center. The cost per night including breakfast is £ 22.00 for a bed in a dormitory. Deposit to leave is £ 10 or identity card, for the keys, returned upon delivery of the keys. Reception open 24 hours a day.

 

 

To reach the Pembrokeshire Peninsula from Cardiff, take the train from Central Train Station to Haverfordwest. Price one way: £ 25.80. Trip duration 3 hours scarce.

 

From Haverfordwest, then there are Buses to Tendy, St Davids, ect, not on Sunday though.

 

To reach Swansea from Haverfordwest, take the train. Price one way: £ 15.80. Journey duration 1 hour and 30 minutes approximately.

 

To reach Birmingham, the second largest city in England, the cheapest solution is to take one of the many National Express Company Buses departing from Swansea Bus Station. The trip takes approximately 3 and a half hours. Ticket cost: free if you have a Skimmer pass, or keep in mind that the rate changes depending on whether you book several days in advance, or whether you travel during peak hours or not.

 

In Birmingham I slept at Birmingham Central Backpackers Hostel located in

Coventry Street No. 58, less than 300 meters. from the Bus Station. The cost per night including breakfast is £ 12.50 for a bed in a dormitory.

 

To get to Stratford-upon-Avon from Birmingham, the quickest but not the cheapest option is to take the train from Moor Street Train Station. Price one way: £ 8.00. Trip duration 45 '. There are rides every half hour starting at 5.56 in the morning. However, with the X20 bus there are rides every hour at the cost of £ 5 departing from Moor Stret north of the Pavillon.

 

To reach Chipping Norton from Stratford-upon-Avon, there is only one solution: take bus no. 50 from Bridge Street. Price one way: £ 6.10. Trip duration 50 '. There several runs per day: 6.00, 6.20, 9.10, ect. Less on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased from the driver.

 

To reach Blenheim Palace, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site by Chipping Norton, there is only one solution: take bus no. S3 to Oxford and get off at the second stop in Woodstock Town, right in front of the Palace gate. Price one way: £ 4.10. Trip duration 25 '. During rush hour there are 3 trips per hour. Then for the rest of the day 1 per hour. Tickets can be purchased from the driver.

 

From the gate to the actual entrance of Blenheim Palace, you have to walk for almost 1 km. The cost of entry is £ 15.30 for the gardens alone, £ 24.90 for the interior of the Palace and for the gardens. Opening hours of the gardens: every day from 10.00 to 18.00.

 

To reach Oxford, there is only one solution: take bus no. S3 from Chipping Norton. Price one way: £ 3.20. Trip duration 25 '. During rush hour there are 3 trips per hour. Then for the rest of the day 1 per hour. Tickets can be purchased from the driver. In Oxford, the ride ends at Beaumont Street, near the Ashmolean Museum.

In Oxford, the university town par excellence, which can be easily explored on foot, you cannot miss some colleges. Here are a few:

• Christ Church: admission £ 8.

• University Church of Mary the Virgin: free admission except for a visit to the bell tower for a fee;

• Magdalen College: £ 6.

• New College: £ 4.

• Sheldonian Theater: £ 3.5.

 

To get to Bristol from Oxford, there is only one National Express bus a day at 9.30 am. But if you intend to leave in the afternoon, you can take one of the many buses to Birmingham, the last one at 16.00 (2 hours 30 'the duration of the trip) and then from Birmingham take one of the many buses to Bristol, the last at 19.00 (1 hour 50 'the duration of the trip). On Sunday the service is reduced. Ticket cost: free if you have a Skimmer pass, or keep in mind that the rate changes depending on whether you book several days in advance, or whether you travel during peak hours or not.

 

In Bristol I slept at the Rock N Bowl Hostel located in

Nelson Street at n. 22, less than 300 meters. from the Bus Station, on the edge of the historic center. The cost per night without breakfast is £ 14.00 for a bed in a 24 bed dormitory. Deposit to leave is £ 10, for the keys, returned upon delivery of the keys. Reception open 24 hours a day.

 

Bristol can be easily explored on foot.

 

Punctual as never before from Bristol (United Kingdom) at 8.35 my plane no. 8262 of the Ryanair Company in the direction of Orio al Serio International Airport (Bg), (return ticket price including taxes: Euro 74.44).

 

Punctual arrival at 11.45 am at the Orio al Serio International Airport (Bg).

 

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2018/01/viaggio-nel-galles-e-nellinghilterra.html

 

DUBAI (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) REPORT TRAVEL.

  

Punctual as never before, my plane from the Emirates Airline Company leaves Milan Malpensa at 21.25 towards Milan Malpensa (South Africa), with a stopover in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (one-way price with multi-leg ticket including taxes Euro 340).

The very young and beautiful Hostesses with the characteristic red headdress and white veil, coming from all over the world.

 

Very nice and friendly they fill you with food and drink continuously.

The plane is half empty and therefore I can lie down.

I therefore arrive at 6.40 am, with impossible heat in Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (2 hours time zone, compared to Italy).

I take myself to the arrivals hall of Terminal 3 and then to the Metro Station where I get the 1 day ticket for the price of 16 AED, valid all day on all buses and on the Dubai metro;

I take the metro to the metro station and then to the Al Ghubaiba bus station where I take bus n. 8 which runs west, passing by the Jumeirah Mosque, the Burj Al Arab Hotel, the Madinat Jumeirah to the Ibn Battuta metro station.

There you take the metro and visit the rest of Dubai.

The Burj Khalifa with its 828 meters. it is the tallest building in the world.

You can visit it for the price of 125 AED, arriving at the panoramic room located at 452 meters.

At 4.45 pm I have a plane to Milan Malpensa.

In Dubai they are very precise and therefore begin to board passengers 1 hour and 20 minutes before the flight. The plane is half empty and so once again I can lie down on three places to sleep.

Hostesses bring food twice: very pleasant.

After about 6 hours 30 minutes of flight I arrive at Malpensa Airport at 20.50

 

My complete travel report with map, photographs and videos is available at this link:

http://vivendosalendo.blogspot.com/2016/10/viaggio-in-sudafrica-lesotho-swaziland.html