13 Amazing Facts About Copenhagen Nyhavn

January 20, 2018

Copenhagen Nyhavn is the most famous street in the Danish Capital City… lined with colorful townhouses, seen in countless postcards. Nyhavn has accumulated some amazing history over the past 350 years, read on to discover some of its secrets…

Time lapse Video, Nyhavn Pier in the Old Town of Copenhagen, Denmark, September 2017 #Timelapse #Copenhagen #Denmark

Music – Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain (license CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US) pic.twitter.com/Tu08KBUjQO

— Anshar Photography (@anshar) December 3, 2017

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History of Copenhagen Nyhavn

The brightly painted townhouses are as colorful as the history of Nyhavn. Here are just a few of its historical highlights…

King Christian V built Nyhavn Canal between 1670-1673. But of course he didn’t have excavators and dump truck trucks back then. Instead he used forced labour from Swedish Prisoners of War. Under those circumstances one would assume it was dug by hand. Nyhavn canal is literally made from Swedish blood, sweat and tears.

The Canal was a working maritime port for 3 centuries. As you would expect, it was a renowned hangout for sailors, drinking and prostitution. Nyhavn was indeed the seedy side Copenhagen for many years.

Nyhavn was also popular with famous artists and some of the more colorful characters of Copenhagen. I’m certain you will recognise at least one of them!

Copenhagen Nyhavn boat cruise — Enjoying a Nhyavn boat cruise

Current Day Nyhavn

These days Copenhagen has realised the tourist potential of this historical port. It is now lined with renovated town-houses that have been transformed into bars, restaurants, eating places and live music venues. It is an entertainment strip, and a perfect place to watch a Danish Sunset.

Also Nyhavn Canal really comes alive during Christmas, and is renowned for its Classic Scandinavian Christmas atmosphere. Consequently the canal takes on an authentic Christmas ambience complete with Christmas theme dining, decorations and Christmas markets.

Historical wooden sailing ships line both sides of the canal. Moreover anyone with an interest in maritime history will be thrilled to stroll along Nyhavn and marvel at the beautifully restored sailing vessels.

Nyhavn Canal is also the hub for all the canal boat tours in Copenhagen. Additionally there are on-site ticketing booths where visitors can embark on a one-hour cruise along the Copenhagen waterfront and canals.

Amazing Facts About Nyhavn Canal

No 9 is the oldest building along Nyhavn Canal, built in 1681. In fact this house has not been modified since construction.
The “Sunny Side” is the name for the colorful Northern side of the canal, the side with most of the pubs and restaurants. The “Shady Side” is the Southern side of the canal.
The architectural style of the colourful houses along Nyhavn canal is authentic 17th century style.
Famous Danish fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen lived in 3 of the Nyhavn houses – No. 20 from 1834-1838, No. 67 from 1845 – 1864, and No. 18 for his final years until he died.
Also No.18 currently houses a Hans Christian Andersen themed souvenir shop.
Nyhavn actually means “New Harbour” or “New Port”.
This area was once a red-light district, right up until the 1960’s when it began a new era of ‘rebranding’.
“The Longest Bar in Scandinavia” is the nickname for Nyhavn. This is due to the long strip of bars, cafes and eateries along the canal.
Some Nyhavn bars, cafes and restaurants are open 24 hours a day.
Also at the front of Nyhavn Canal is The Great Memorial Anchor (Mindeankeret). The anchor comes from the Frigate Fyn (Funen) from 1872, and is commemorating more than 1,700 Danish Navy servicemen who perished during World War 2.
The Lord Mayor declared Nyhavn Harbour a “Veteran Ship and Museum Harbour” in 1977, then pedestrianized in 1980. Nyhavn has never looked back, and is now one of the most popular spot in the land.
There is a real 17th century palace located on the Shady Side, called Charlottenborg Palace. It is located on the corner of Kongens Nytorv, and houses the Royal Danish Academy of Art.
The world’s oldest functioning tattoo parlour is located in the basement of Nyhavn 17. In fact it has been operating since 1884. Notably their most famous client was King Frederik IX.

The Canal in Nyhavn, Copenhagen
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— Sezgin Keskin (@sezginkeskin719) December 21, 2017

Take a Boat Cruise at Nyhavn

If you’ve come this far to see Nyhavn you can’t leave without going on a scenic boat cruise along the Copenhagen waterways and canals. With this in mind I recommend you choose a boat cruise with an open top if the weather permits; there are also others with closed tops if the weather is bad.

While you can purchase tickets online in advance, you can also go to the ticketing booths located near the Great Memorial Anchor.

As a matter of fact you should be able to pick up a quality one-hour boat cruise for just $10-15 per person. If you’d like to check or book your Nyhavn Boat Cruise in advance click HERE.

Things to do in Copenhagen nyhavn canal — Boat cruise ticketing booths

Don’t miss Nyhavn in Copenhagen

Whatever you do, don’t miss a visit to Nyhavn on your Copenhagen holiday. Visit a waterfront Danish pub, watch a sunset, enjoy a boat cruise, or just take some picture perfect postcard photos. Nyhavn was my number one attraction in Copenhagen, what’s yours?

Copenhagen Nyhavn famous nyhavn anchor — Copenhagen Nhyavn Memorial Anchor

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Luxembourg City World Heritage Walk

Ramon Perry

January 3, 2018

Luxembourg City is a perfect place for a self-guided walking tour. On this walk were discover the “Wenzel Walk” which takes in some breathtaking views over the World Heritage Luxembourg Fortress. Also we look inside the Bock Casemates, a literal rabbit warren of fortifications built into the terrain at side of the Alzette River.

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This UNESCO World Heritage area truly is an eye-popping place to visit, and as an added bonus it can be seen as a free self-guided tour.

There is so much to see in this area that it has been divided into 2 videos. Part 1 covers the Bock Casemates and the Bock Promenade. Then, crossing the Alzette River, Part 2 covers the fortifications on the opposite side of the river, and a walk along the Alzette and Petrusse Valleys.

World Heritage Walk in Luxembourg City

Luxembourg City was one of the most fortified cities on earth, from the 16th century up until 1867. What remains today is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the City of Luxembourg – It’s Old Quarters and Fortifications. This area was known as “The Gibraltar of the North”, and is an astounding area to visit even to this day.

Where to Find More Information?

There is an outstanding map produced in a leaflet format, which we found in our wonderful hotel the Hotel Central Molitor. This map is really easy to follow, but quite strenuous due to the amount of stairs and steep hills.

Alternatively you can download the PDF of the map HERE.

Finally you can go to the Luxembourg City Tourist Office at place Guillaume II. There you can pick up a leaflet map, and it’s also a great starting point for this walk.

What Attractions Can You See in Luxembourg?

Here are the main attractions which we cover in this VLOG:

First start at he “Old Town” and then walk to the nearby Bock Casemates. You can see the Alzette River Valley from here in a spectacular panorama.

Then start walking down into the Alzette River Valley, and accross the Castle Bridge. Next you will pass the Grund Gate and the Second Gate of Trier, on your way up to Wenzel Wall. Near the Second Gate of Trier is the Moat near Wenzel Wall.

Then as you walk up the other side of the valley you will see Jacob Tower, the “Old Gate of Trier” and more of Wenzel Wall. Finally as you descend back down into the valley you will pass Krudelspuert and Neumünster Abbey.

This entire area is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, formally listed as City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications. Naturally it is a protected area.

Prefer to Take a Guided Tour?

Want to try a guided tour through Luxembourg City, leaving from Brussels? Click HERE for more details.

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2 Day Itinerary in Santa Barbara California

Ramon Perry

January 1, 2018

Santa Barbara is famous for its wide beaches and stunning natural beauty. Just 2 hours drive north of Los Angeles, this coastal location is the perfect getaway for anyone seeking a beautiful beachside getaway with easy access from Los Angeles.

This area enjoys pleasant temperatures all year round aka Mediterranean climate, and has lots of gorgeous Spanish architecture. Santa Barbara is rather spread out and quite hilly. Consequently a car is definitely the best way to appreciate Santa Barbara and all it has to offer.

We hired a car upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you can read all about how to do that by clicking HERE.

2 Day Itinerary in Santa Barbara

Old Mission

The Old Santa Barbara Mission is a wonderful place to just stroll around and enjoy the historical scenery. You can take self guided tours paying $9 for adults and $4 for children. Founded in 1786 the Old Santa Barbara Mission was the tenth of twenty-one California Missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans.

More than 200 years later, the Mission continues to be one of the iconic landmarks in Santa Barbara, and attracts tourists by the bus-load. The Mission website states “The Mission’s commanding position and grand proportions, graceful lines and soft, blending colors all reinforce her title, Queen of the Missions”. I’ll go along with that.

Santa Barbara old mission — Ramon at the front of the Mission

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

This is located right behind the Old Santa Barbara Mission so it’s a good idea to see this right before or after the Mission. Outside the museum there’s a 74-foot Blue Whale skeleton. Once inside visitors are treated to several exhibit halls where they are shown all about the wildlife, topography and human history of Southern California, especially the Santa Barbara region.

The museum is dripping with Spanish architectural charm which also shows in the gardening styles. There are also large gardens to stroll around and a creek side walk. 2-3 hours should be allowed for this interesting museum, the cost is $12 for adults and $7 for children respectively.

blue whale at Santa Barbara natural history museum — Blue Whale at the front of the Museum

Stearns Wharf

The main wharf in Santa Barbara is named Stearns Wharf. It is rather touristy however it does offer great views of Santa Barbara and the surrounding hills. There is free parking (time limited) and plenty of eating options at the wharf. You can watch a variety of yachts, paddle boards, kayaks and jet skis all strutting their stuff in the surrounding waters. You can also watch the pelicans and gulls on the wharf, or look to the surrounding buoys to see some Sea Lions.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Centre

This museum is located on Stearns Wharf and offers a range of interactive exhibits for children. It offers them the opportunities to work like scientists with many hands on activities. It also has a theatre which showcases the wonders of the Santa Barbara Channel. The cost is $8.50 and $6 for adults and children respectively.

stearns wharf Santa Barbara — Marine life on Stearns Wharf

Moby Dick

If you want a great place to eat Moby Dick on Stearn’s Wharf if a great choice. As well as enjoying outstanding waterfront views they have a great range of sea-food on offer. Be warned, the meals are BIG!

Beachfront

There is a beautiful white sand beach near Stearns Wharf where visitors can stroll around. There are volleyball nets set up, and a lovely bike path running along it. Bike rentals are available in the area.

Santa Barbara sailing — Favourite activity just off the main beach

Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens are in the foot-hills on the outskirts of Santa Barbara. They are a place of natural beauty with a canyon and creek forming a wonderful wildlife corridor. There is even a redwood grove planted in the 1930’s, these trees are huge already.

walking around botanical gardens Santa Barbara — View from the Botanic Gardens

There is a wonderful picnic location about 10 minutes walk from the car park, on the opposite side of the road, where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Santa Barbara Channel. Entry is $12 for adults and $6 for children.

Santa Barbara botanical gardens — Taking a break under a Giant Redwood at the Botanic Gardens

Santa Barbara Courthouse

The Santa Barbara Courthouse is actually used as a courthouse. As well as lovely gardens to stroll around, the Courthouse is a wonderful example of Spanish Colonial architecture. You can go inside and walk around, and during our visit there was a real live court case taking place! A walk up to the top of the bell tower is a must, where you will get unimpeded views of Santa Barbara, the mountains and the ocean.

Santa Barbara looks very different from this angle, because you see the red-tiled roofs which give this city it’s Spanish look. You can take an elevator however I highly recommend the stairs. The long way up the stairs offers some lovely views of the old mosaic tiles, and also an open window viewing of the clock and bell mechanisms in action.

view from Santa Barbara courthouse — View from the top of the courthouse

Whale Watching

If you want to splash out and purchase an unforgettable tour, try a half day whale watching tour in the Santa Barbara Channel. Humpback Whales, Blue Whales and a host of other marine mammals are normally seen on these tours. To read all about this tour check out our blog post here.

If you would like to spend a little more on a Full Day Private Sailing Trip to the “Galapagos of North America”, check these options to book your very own Yacht:

Channel Islands Full Day Sailing Trip aboard your economy yacht.
Channel Islands Full Day Sailing Trip aboard your luxury yacht.

Santa Barbara Whales — Humpback Whale breaching

Where to Stay in Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara has many options for accommodation to suit all budgets. Our budget was modest so we booked ahead on Booking.com for a great deal at the Sandpiper Lodge Santa Barbara. We chose the Sandpiper Lodge because it had a very high customer review score of 8.0 when we booked, this is our golden rule for booking on Booking.com. Overall we spent a lovely 2 nights in Sandpiper Lodge, the rooms were large and well appointed, the breakfast was complimentary and delicious.

How Long to Stay?

Although we only visited for a couple of days, we really fell in love with Santa Barbara. It has a lovely relaxed feel and is a charming place to visit. It is a delightful place just to stroll around. 4-5 days would be a much better time frame to spend here, hopefully you can find a bit longer than us to spend in Santa Barbara.

walking the streets in Santa Barbara — Roaming around the streets in Santa Barbara

On the whole Santa Barbara is one of the most relaxing an interesting places we have stayed. There are heaps of things to do and we only just scratched the surface. This place is highly recommended for a family getaway.

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Yosemite National Park Camping

Ramon Perry

January 1, 2018

Yosemite National Park is home to awe-inspiring vistas, massive granite icons and breath-taking waterfalls. It is also home to some outstanding camping opportunities. The Park is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and is within easy reach of both Los Angeles and San Fransisco.

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Yosemite National Park Camping waterfalls — Classic Yosemite Scenery

It’s Easy Camping in Yosemite National Park

We visited the Yosemite National Park at the end of May 2017 and stayed in the Housekeeping Camp for one night. Housekeeping Camp is perfect for those who love camping but don’t want the hassle of putting up a tent. That sounds like us!

Yosemite National Park Camping scenic drive — Beautiful driving into Yosemite near Mariposa

When to Go to Yosemite National Park

Late spring is the best time to Yosemite National Park. The temperature is fairly comfortable, roads should be open after the snow melt. And best of all, the waterfalls should be thundering after the snow melt.

We arrived right at the end of May and discovered that the nights were rather chilly at about 40 degrees fahrenheit. No problem, $15 sleeping bags from Wal-Mart was all we needed to combat the chilly nights. Daytime temps were high 60’s and sunny, perfect for hiking the many trails in the park.

Yosemite National Park Camping overhanging rocks — Driving through rocky country from Mariposa to Yosemite

During our spring visit we were fortunate to see the Waterfalls in all their glory. Although there are many attractions in the park, it is the waterfalls which make it truly spectacular. The best thing is there are loads of waterfalls all the way along the valley. Not just regular waterfalls, but towering, thunderous waterfalls which are stunning to see.

Yosemite National Park Camping mist at lower Yosemite fall — Getting saturated in powerful, misty Yosemite Falls

How to Book Your Camping Trip to Yosemite

Our 9-year-old son absolutely loves camping, so a camping adventure was at the top of the list for my family. Initially I wanted to have a 3 night camping adventure at Housekeeping Camp. I went onto the Yosemite Lodging website about 3 months prior to our trip.

Sadly, for our 17 day road trip there were only single nights available, meaning it was not possible to stay more than one night inside Yosemite National Park. Lesson learned: book many months ahead if travelling to Yosemite.

On a positive note, the nightly rates were very affordable at Housekeeping Camp. They were only slightly higher than our cheapest Airbnb our 17 day California Road Trip.

Yosemite National Park Camping housekeeping camp tents — Standard tent-sites available in Housekeeping Camp

Preparation and What to Bring

Since we were visiting from overseas, our camping equipment was virtually non-existent. I called the Yosemite Lodging hotline and they informed me that they have bedding packs available for rent (pillow, blanket, sheet) for a very low-cost, around a couple of dollars each.

The catch is they have only a certain amount, and it’s rented out on a first in-first served basis. They advised me that they cannot guarantee bedding availability for late arrivals.

Yosemite National Park Camping housekeeping camp rental desk — We visited the rental desk to pick up chairs and bedding at Housekeeping Camp

So our Yosemite shopping list at Wal-Mart ended up something like this:

3 Sleeping bags ($15)
3 Pillows ($9)
1 Large bear box – mandatory if you have any trace of food or water ($20)
Assorted sealable food containers ($20)
Padlock ($7)
1 Marshmallow pole & marshmallows ($9)
2 Head lamps ($20)
Disposable picnic plates and utensils ($10)
Water ($8)
Assorted snacks

Total cost was around US$120. Considering that none of this is required if you stay in a normal lodging, you really should factor this in when budgeting for accommodation.

caOur cosy campsite in Housekeeping Camp

As it turned out, we arrived at about 7pm and were one of the last cars to arrive. There was still plenty of bedding for hire at Housekeeping Camp so we did not really need to purchase sleeping bags. We were able to hire chairs for $2 each.

The cooking sets (stoves) were all hired out and not available. No problem for us as we had planned all uncooked meals. There is always the option of buying cooked take away food at the store as well.

housekeeping camp car park — Our rental car parked at Housekeeping Camp

Bear Essentials

Lockable bear-proof boxes are provided at every tent at Housekeeping Camp, and it is mandatory that they are used. Make sure you research all the bear-proof food regulations before your visit. The main ones are:

Use the lockable bear-proof storage locker
Bring a large bear-proof container and smaller sealed food containers
Don’t leave any scented items in your car including food, drinks, coolers, toiletries, and trash.
Don’t park your car next to a “people mover: car. Seriously, they say bears are smart enough to target “people movers”.

Yosemite National Park Camping campfire marshmallows — Roasting Marshmallows outside our Housekeeping Camp tent

Getting to Yosemite

We drove in from Monterey, about a 5 hour drive through a town called Mariposa. From Mariposa to Housekeeping Camp is a fairly easy drive, because it follows the Merced River up through Yosemite Valley. There are some mountainous places but it’s a fairly easy non-stress drive.

Yosemite National Park Camping park entrance — Driving through the park entrance on the Mariposa side

The other way is to come from the South through Oakhurst and Fish Camp. This is much scarier drive than the Mariposa route, and much longer as well. Most of the journey is at high altitude through the mountains on very windy roads. If you don’t like windy mountain roads, best to go through Mariposa.

Yosemite National Park Camping driving in — Yosemite View Lodge is one option for accommodation

Mariposa is also a good option for accommodation, and day-tripping into Yosemite National Park. The town has heaps of accommodation and convenience stores, and is set up as a base for exploring the park. It’s about a 1 hour drive each way to the main part of the park, however it’s not really a difficult drive compared to the Oakhurst route.

Yosemite National Park Camping lower Yosemite — Yet another waterfall on the drive in through Mariposa

Housekeeping Camp

We were allocated a tent site right in the middle of the camp. Some campers were lucky enough to be located riverside, however the river had burst its banks during the snow-melt so it was not the best time for riverside camping. It seems that all campsites have clean bathrooms nearby.

There is a great little food shop on site to purchase pre-cooked food or cooking supplies. You can also purchase firewood for $15 per bag, and every tent site has it’s own fireplace. We purchased 2 bags and had more firewood than we needed for our one night stay, especially since all campfires have to be extinguished by 10pm.

Yosemite National Park Camping upper Yosemite fall — The stunning view from Housekeeping Camp

What to See at Yosemite

There are convenient free shuttle buses which drive around in a loop inside Yosemite National Park, stopping at all the major attractions. We were there on the Memorial Day long weekend so the crowds were probably a little inflated, which loaded the transit system to its limit.

The buses looked like city peak hour buses from 11am to 3pm. Buses were every 20 minutes, but I saw at least 2 buses continue because they were full, and passengers needed to wait for the next bus.

Yosemite National Park Camping Yosemite shuttle bus — Here comes the Yosemite shuttle bus!

Since the buses were so full you might think that driving your car is a better option. Think again, because many of the car parks were also full and very difficult to find a parking space.

The attractions we visited were Vernal falls and Yosemite Falls. Vernal Falls is a reasonably strenuous walk of about 1 hour each way, and you get to witness many stunning mountain vistas and waterfalls along the way. I was warned by several hikers not to take my SLR camera or it will get wet, due to the mist blasting off the falls.

Sure enough, about ¼ mile from the lower falls there was a steady mist. From there on it was waterproof camera country. No wonder they call it the Mist Trail!

Yosemite National Park Camping vernal fall — Hiking along mist trail to Vernal Falls

Yosemite Falls was a similar situation. However you could get much closer at Yosemite Falls before being blasted with mist coming off the falls. If visiting during the snow melt, definitely consider taking waterproof photography equipment!

Yosemite National Park Camping lower Yosemite falls — Yosemite Falls are very popular

There are many other vista stops along the roads where you can pull over to photograph stunning waterfalls, massive granite outcrops and beautiful meadows. You could fill your photo album from the roadside stops alone! But I am so glad we experienced at least one of the hiking trails.

Glacier Point

On the way out we took the Southern Route. Along the way, a tourist convince us to make the detour to Glacier Point. They told us it’s only 20 minutes drive from the road, however it’s a dead end so you must return the same way. They insisted that 1 hour should be enough. We decided to go for it, our last stop in Yosemite National Park.

What we found was the slowest, windiest road we had encountered in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. But then at the end was the most stunning scenery I’ve ever witnessed. It’s know for being the most awe-inspiring lookout in Yosemite National Park. Snow capped mountains, several waterfalls, granite mountains, panoramic views – it’s got the lot.

Yosemite National Park Camping Clark range — Clarc checking out the Clark Range at Glacier Point

It was absolutely amazing, particularly because of the snow and the raging waterfalls. It took about 10 minutes to walk from the car park to the viewing point, and then I felt like I just wanted to stand there mesmerized by the magnificent beauty of this place.

Yosemite National Park Camping glacier point view — Glacier Point is LIKE WOW.

Whilst at Glacier Point we also saw several wild deer, and got to play in the snow. A 1 hour return trip does not do this place justice, I recommend allowing 2-3 hours from the turn off, you won’t want to rush this awesome stop.

Yosemite National Park Camping glacier point viewing area — Part of the extensive viewing area at Glacier Point

Highlight of the Trip

Overall our camping trip to Yosemite National Park was the highlight of our California Road Trip. The unique experience of camping at Housekeeping Camp was magical. The driving was wonderful with endless photo stops. The walking trails inside the National Park were seriously good fun and not too strenuous.

Yosemite National Park Camping half dome — Half Dome is another famous sight in Yosemite

There were plenty of take-away food stops inside the park to buy lunch. And the bus system was well laid out and easy to use. About the only negative was that we did not stay long enough. I would have loved to take in a couple more hiking trails, in particular Mirror Lake. I guess that’s a splendid reason to go back a second time around!

Yosemite National Park Camping tunnel view — Sight-seeing is thirsty work at Yosemite National Park

Do you have any questions about visiting Yosemite National Park or Housekeeping Camp? Drop us a comment and we’d be happy to answer your questions.

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Tokyo Disney Sea – Planning Your Trip

Ramon Perry

December 29, 2017

Tokyo Disney Sea is the BEST DISNEY THEME PARK anywhere in the world. That’s according to the Disney Tourist Blog, and seconded by us at NiceRightNow. At last count there are 11 Disney Parks around the world. To be the best of this elite bunch of parks is mind-blowing, don’t you think?

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Amazing Japan

Combine that with Japan itself being such an amazing holiday destination. Well, what are you waiting for? Treat your kids to some Disney Magic at Disney Sea Tokyo! You won’t regret it, it’s worth planning an entire holiday around. It is hands down the best theme park we’ve been to so far, and we’ve been to quite a few.

If you’ve been to more than one Disneyland you will know that they’re, well, kind of the same. We’ve been to Disneyland Hong Kong and Disneyland Tokyo, and we saw plenty of similarities. Disney Sea offers so much more.

Disney Sea still keeps the Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Disney themes, however it is toned down a lot from the kid-friendly Disneyland. What it does do is bring in more of the famous “all ages” Disney themes – 10,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones. The list goes on, and so does the fun.

Mickey Mouse at dockside stage — Mickey doing a show at Tokyo Disney Sea

Planning Your Trip to Tokyo Disney Sea

Our Japan family travel adventure was 2 weeks in late 2016. As much as we love theme parks we know they can get very expensive. And tiring. So we planned to choose only one theme park for this holiday. Disneyland was the hands down winner as they have a unparallelled reputation for building quality theme parks.

The only decision left is whether to see one or two Disney theme parks, since they are right next door to each other. In my humble opinion, if you’ve come this far to see Disneyland you may as well see both of them. A trip to either of the Disney parks is a HUGE day out for parents and kids.

Best if you can leave one or two days in between your visits. But if you are time constrained like us, you might be forced to see them both on consecutive days. This can also be a huge relief for your budget because Disney friendly accommodation doesn’t come cheap!

Tokyo Disney Sea partner hotel shuttle — Tokyo Disney shuttle bus from the Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay

Where to stay

Like anything, you can choose an option to suit your budget.

Option 1 – Least Expensive

The 2 Disney parks are next door to each other which is super convenient. And there is a dedicated monorail train line at the Disney complex which connects to the Tokyo Metro train system at the Maihama Station. That is a huge bonus and opens your options dramatically.

So your first option is to catch a train from anywhere in Tokyo using the Tokyo Metro. Do this if you want to save heaps of money on accommodation. Tokyo has the biggest subway system in the world, so you have unlimited options to connect to the Disney Resort Monorail. Just head for Maihama Station on the Keiyo line.

Mickey Mouse mickey pop — Mickey Pop at Disney Sea

Option 2 – Moderately Expensive

There are a group of hotels promoted as ‘Tokyo Disney Resort Parter Hotels’ or ‘Tokyo Disney Resort Good Neighbor Hotels’. These are not owned by the Disney chain but they do share special privileges with the Disney Resort. These have frequent complimentary shuttle buses to take you from hour hotel lobby directly to the Disneyland and Disney Sea.

They also have a dedicated Disney ticketing and souvenir shop right in the hotel lobby. These hotels are moderately expensive, US $250 per night and up. We stayed at the Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay and booked through Booking.com. This is a Tokyo Disney Resort Parter Hotel. We thoroughly recommend the Oriental Tokyo Bay Hotel, and here are our reasons.

- Is connected to a Tokyo Metro train station by a footbridge, only a 2 minute walk. It is the Shin-Urayasu Station on the JR Keiyo Line/Musashino Line.

- It is about 17 minutes by rapid train from Tokyo Station.

- Has a giant shopping district/mall on the opposite side of the street.

- Has a “Lawson” convenience store in the hotel lobby. This is like a super-charged 7-11 store.

- Has complimentary buses to Disneyland / Disney Sea.

Staying guests can ride the Tokyo Disney Resort® Partner Hotel Shuttle Bus, which takes about 15 minutes to get to the park.

To find out more about the Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay, including user reviews and rates, click HERE.

Tokyo Disney Sea oriental hotel Tokyo bay — View from the Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay showing the bridge to Shin-Urayasu station

To get to the Oriental Tokyo Bay Hotel you could catch a train from anywhere in Tokyo. See out blog post on the Tokyo Subway. Or you can catch the Airport Limousine Bus directly from the airport like we did, a very easy option.

Option 3 – Most Expensive

Stay in one of the authentic Disney Hotels. We stayed in one of these in Hong Kong and they are definitely worth the experience, if you can afford it. These hotels are dripping with Disney character but you will be paying well over US$500 per night.

Be warned, you should book this option 6-12 months in advance because they are fully booked early. Particularly in Tokyo, where you should book 12 months out, as per Japanese norms.

Tokyo Disney Sea resort and monorail — Tokyo Disney Resort with monorail in the foreground

How Much Does a Trip to Tokyo Disney Sea Cost?

Total cost of a Tokyo Disney Sea adventure (based on our actual spending):

Transfer from Airport by Limousine bus 2,450 yen/adult, 1230 yen/child
Hotel Accommodation – 29,000 yen per night
Food at Disneyland – allow 2,500 yen per person per day
Souvenir shopping at days 2,000 yen
Eating at night – allow 2,000 yen per person per day. This is for take-aways, can increase dramatically for restaurants.
Disney tickets 2 day passport – 13,400 yen/adult, 11,600/child
Note there’s nothing you need to spend inside Disney Sea except for food, drinks and souvenirs.
Total for 3 night visit with 2 days in the Disney Parks is roughly 147,000 yen (US $1,300)

Tokyo Disney Sea monorail — Tokyo Disney Monorail

Preparation – What to Bring

Standard Theme Park Equipment

- Full camera equipment including video. Make the kit as light as possible.

- Good walking shoes, you will be doing miles of walking.

Umbrellas and/or several ponchos. Tokyo can be a very rainy place.

Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay — The Disney Shop inside the Oriental Tokyo Bay Hotel

Unique to Tokyo Disney Sea

Padded ground sheet. For the evening show there is no option except sitting on the hard concrete ground. Make allowance for this by bringing a cushion and/or groundsheet. Preferably a zip-up, compact padded ground sheet. You will be sitting on it for 1-2 hours so make sure it’s comfortable. Make sure it is nothing elevated or the staff will politely ask you to sit on the ground so people behind you can see the show,

- Phone app for ride waiting times. The best rides can have 2 hour plus lines, it’s best to have an app so you can quickly find a ride with a small line. There are a few available, for example TDR wait times for Tokyo Disney.
  Resort.

Familiarise yourself with the park and identify any popular rides you want to go on. Go straight to this attraction first, to beat the crowds. After that forget about it because you may have 2 or more hours to wait.

Tokyo Disney Sea crowds — Inside the front gate at Disney Sea

Arriving at Tokyo Disney Sea

At every Disney theme park we’ve been to the arrival area is incredible. Tokyo Disney Sea does not disappoint with a very amazing static display. Make sure you stop here and soak up the atmosphere.

Everyone here is super excited to enter the park, there is such an amazing buzz in the air. Go nuts with your cameras, these are treasured memories you will want to look back on again and again.

Tokyo Disney Sea entrance — Incredible park entrance to Disney Sea

Next episode we will take a stroll through the Tokyo Disney Sea park and start looking at the attractions.

Video of the Entrance to TDS

So you made it this far, you may as well watch our (very shaky) video of arriving at the park. Just click on the below picture.

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Tokyo Disney Sea Attractions

Ramon Perry

December 29, 2017

You just entered the front gate of the best Disney theme park in the world. Tokyo Disney Sea stands before you in all its magnificence. Where do you go from here?

Which Attractions at Tokyo Disney Sea?

You have a park map under one arm, and thousands of excited kids scurrying to their pre-chosen destination. You had better decide where to go quickly because the best rides fill up fast.

When you enter Tokyo Disney Sea you’ve got 2 quick decisions to make.

Which of the popular rides do want to go on first?
Which parades and shows do you want to see?

The best way to answer these important questions is to familiarise yourself with the park before you enter. Check out the Tokyo Disney Sea Planning page.

Be sure to also check out the Tokyo Disney Sea Map page before you arrive.

Tokyo Disney Sea rides — Just one of the crazy rides

Tokyo Disney Sea Fast Pass

Some of the rides are seriously popular. Without proper planning you may have to stand in a line for around 2 hours. Option 1 is to arrive at the park early, before 10am. That way you will probably only have to line up for about an hour for the best rides. Option 2 is to get a Fast Pass. But how do you get a Fast Pass? Inside the park you will not see them on sale anywhere.

Overall there are 7 fast pass rides and 2 fast pass shows.

- American Waterfront
  - - Tower of Terror
  - Toy Story Mania

- Port Discover
  - Nemo and Friends Sea Rider

- Lost River Delta
  - - Indiana Jones Adventure – Temple of the Crystal Skull
  - Raging Spirits

- Arabian Coast
  - The Magic Lamp Theatre

- Mermaid Lagoon
  - The Mermaid Lagoon Theatre

Mysterious Island
- - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- Journey to the Centre of the Earth

Tokyo Disney Sea 20,000 leagues under the sea — Lining up for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea ride

How to get a FREE FAST PASS

Here is one amazing fact about Disney Sea Fast Passes. They are FREE. We did not realise that when we visited. We assumed you had to purchase them like at other big theme parks. But they are absolutely FREE. If we had know that we could have enjoyed more of the Free Pass rides. As it was, we only went on one fast pass ride, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. We had to line up for 80 minutes to enjoy it, whilst watching all the Free Pass people walk straight past us to the front of the line.

Here’s the Fast Pass explanation from the Disney website.

This is a system that lets you minimize the amount of time waiting in line at certain attractions by assigning you a specific time to enter the attraction.To receive a FASTPASS ticket, just go to the FASTPASS ticketing machines near the entrance of the FASTPASS attraction you want to ride and hold your Passport ticket under the reader. Then return during the time period printed on the FASTPASS ticket and enjoy the attraction without the wait.

How to Use Disney’s FASTPASS®

1. Check the FASTPASS and Standby wait times at the attraction entrance.

1. Hold your Passport ticket under the reader of the FASTPASS ticketing machine and receive a FASTPASS ticket with the designated time period printed on it.

1. Until the designated period starts, you can use your time effectively at other attractions, shops, or restaurants.

Once the designated period starts, return to the attraction and enter through the FASTPASS entrance.

Tokyo Disney Sea bridge to Indiana jones ride — Looking across to the Indiana Jones ride

Getting around Tokyo Disney Sea

Tokyo Disney Sea is a big park to walk around.The best way to get around Tokyo Disney Sea is by boat or by train. Each of these is an entertaining ride and marvellous sight-seeing adventure.

1. The Disney Transit Steamer Liner has several stops throughout the park and is the quickest way to go. There is a giant circular waterway which goes full way around the park.

The Disney Electric Railway typically has much longer lines than the Disney Transit Steamer Liner, however it is well worth doing at least once. The railway line is not circular, it’s just a single track which goes from one end of the park to the other.

You will probably use the Disney Transit Steamer Liner at least a couple of times during the day if you are serious about covering a lot of ground.

Tokyo Disney Sea Disney transit steamer — The Disney Transit Steamer in action

Waiting Times

Like any big theme park, Tokyo Disney Sea can vary dramatically in waiting times. In our September visit the popular rides had wait times of 50-70 minutes before lunch time. Then between lunch and 4pm it extended to 70-100 minutes. After 4pm it jumps to 90-120 minutes. After 6pm it really becomes quite difficult because practically every ride has enormous lines. It is worth saving all those attractions which do not require lining up until late in the day. Those are:

- Fortress Explorations

- Ariel’s Playground

- Pirate Ship

Exploring ‘the big ship’ SS Columbia

Food and Drinks

There’s absolutely no need to take food or drinks into the park. Most food establishments specialise in full sit down meals. Not only are these very expensive, they are very busy and hard to find a seat. Our recommendation is the hot-dog wagon in the American Waterfront. It is right next to the entrance of the first station of the Disney Electric Railway. Not only is it moderately priced, these are a proper meal of gourmet hot-dogs and other snacks. The hot-dog wagon was our favourite, hands down.

Tokyo Disney Sea hot dog van — All American Hot Dog van

Popcorn

We love popcorn. One pleasant surprise for us is that the park is dotted with popcorn outlets selling all different flavours. Some of these we have never seen anywhere and they were all delicious. Our personal favourite was the Black Pepper Popcorn.

Our hot tip is to check the bottom of the map for the location of each flavour. Here’s the full list:

- Black Pepper popcorn

- White Chocolate popcorn

- Caramel popcorn

- Milk Chocolate popcorn

- Salt popcorn

- Curry popcorn

Herb-Tomato popcorn

Extreme Rides

My 9-year-old son does not like scary rides like roller coasters, thus some rides were not on our list. These rides are typically the main attractions for thrill seekers. If this is you, I suggest you go straight to the ‘big 4’ extreme rides.

- Tower of Terror

- Indiana Jones

- Raging Spirits

Journey to the Centre of the Earth

Tokyo Disney Sea Indiana jones ride — Part of the Indiana Jones ride

Best Rides at Tokyo Disney Sea

There are plenty of rides to suit even the most timid of park-goers. My 9-year-old son especially liked the 20,000 Leagues under the Sea ride. You enter an underwater kingdom in tiny submarines, it is breathtaking for kids.

Ariel’s Playground was surprisingly entertaining also. We thought it would be too kid-friendly, aimed at 4-5 year olds. Kids right up to 10-12 will have a blast in here, teens might find it a little boring. Kids will happily spend an hour or two in here, there’s also a couple of moderately priced cafeterias inside.

Pirate Ship

This is in the Mediterranean Harbour and is not actually listed as a ride. That is great because there are no lines and you can spend as long as you like at the pirate ship. It is basically a life-size replica of a pirate ship. You are welcome to explore all decks and even fire the cannons. Young boys will love it. Right near the Pirate Ship is Fortress Explorations which has a medieval planetarium inside. The whole area is amazing to explore, best to save this for when the rides are super busy.

Aquatopia is the other one we most liked, although it is fairly short. It is on some weird aqua bump-car looking contraptions. It is probably the most unusual ride you will see.

Tokyo Disney Sea pirate ship — Aboard the Pirate Ship

SS Columbia

Yet another free attraction, This is a good way to spend 20 minutes exploring the front half of the ship. You get a great view of the whole park from the bow of the ship.

Souvenirs

There are a few smaller souvenir shops dotted throughout the park, but they target souvenir shoppers on your final exit out of the park. Try to avoid this at all costs as it is shoulder to shoulder at closing time, trying maneuver through the hordes of souvenir shoppers. If you want to avoid carrying your souvenirs around all day, at least plan on getting your souvenirs 2-3 hours before closing time.

Tokyo Disney Sea ss Columbia — Aboard the SS Columbia

Parades and Shows

Dockside Stage

The big surprise for us was the Dockside Stage (American Waterfront) presentation. This show has all the popular Disney Stars in an all singing all dancing stage show spectacular. What surprised me was that my 9-year-old son absolutely loved it. And he’s not really a Donald and Mickey fan. We all loved it. This is a great show to catch and it runs several times per day, so there’s no excuse for missing it.

Fantasmic

This is spectacular light show which is the grand finale of the daily activities.

You will be required to get in early to get a good vantage point. You will have to sit on the ground, so it’s great if you brought your own ground sheet. If there is no wind they have a fireworks show, however we were not lucky enough to have a calm night. But the show itself is breathtaking, perfect in every way. By this time you will probably be exhausted and want to go back to your hotel. I strongly recommend you stick around for this last show.

Tokyo DisneySea night attractions pic.twitter.com/ACI0ubi50K

— Marischka Prudence (@marischkaprue) March 21, 2016

Summary

Overall we do agree with Tokyo Disney Sea’s reputation of being the best Disney park in the world. It’s great after a day at Tokyo Disneyland, where you are bombarded with all things Mickey Mouse for the entire day.

Disney Sea does still have Mickey, but nowhere near as much as Disneyland. There are so many more dimensions to Tokyo Disney Sea, and greater surprises around every corner. Whilst every kid deserves to see Disneyland once, I believe it is only the luckiest of kids who get to sea Disney Sea. Do yourself a favor. Do you family a favor, treat them to this utterly amazing theme park, the best Disney Park in the world!

Tokyo Disney Sea Ariel's playground — Inside Ariel’s Playground

Where to Buy Your Tickets

We were fortunate that we stayed at an excellent Disney Resort Partner Hotel, and purchased all our Disney tickets in the hotel Disney Shop. Click here to check out the Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay.

Alternatively you can purchase online Tokyo Disney Sea passes by clicking HERE.

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Paris to Palace of Versailles by Train

Ramon Perry

December 23, 2017

Palace of Versailles Day Trip Neptune Statue

Have you ever dreamt of visiting the spectacular Palace of Versailles, near Paris? Have you ever wondered what is the easiest and most cost effective way to get there? Discover how easy it is to travel from Paris to Palace of Versailles by train for a wonderful day trip from Paris.

Where is the Palace of Versailles?

The Palace of Versailles is a World Heritage site located about 20 km from the Paris city centre. The Palace of Versailles was first built in 1624 as a hunting lodge. It went on to house the French court and government in 1682. These days the Palace of Versailles has over 2,300 rooms and is spread over 63,154 square metres. It is also a public museum, and makes for a great day trip from Paris.

In this video blog we take the train from our Airbnb accommodation near the Eiffel Tower to visit the Palace. You can view our video by clicking the below link.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

Paris to Palace of Versailles by Train

Getting to the Palace is simple by train. The Paris train network is one of our favourite train networks, it is extremely easy to navigate and also relatively cheap. There are also plenty of customer service windows, and the staff are all quite fluent in English.

The journey took 45 minutes by train from our nearest station at the Eiffel Tower (Champ de Mars station). About the only trick is to get on the RER C line, which is color coded yellow. Once you are on the RER C line, virtually all trains lead to Versailles! Our train tickets cost a total of 23 Euros return fare for 3 people.

@DelarueJC #SOSUsagers @RERC_SNCF #QML @TUForg

⚠sur le #RERC
La voie est en panne à Versailles Château (Rive Gauche) pic.twitter.com/w83vLkpq1X

— Dsens (@D_cence) March 23, 2017

There are three train stations in Versailles, the closest one the Palace of Versailles is Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche station. In our case, we just let Google Maps do all the thinking for us, and followed the Google directions. From the station, it is a simple 15 minute walk to Versailles Palace along an easy, flat walking path. Along the way you will find McDonald’s, KFC, other cafe’s and loads of souvenir shops.

Tip: Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche station is about 13 minutes walk closer than the Gare de Versailles Chantiers station. Make sure you get off at Rive Gauche station!

Paris to Palace of Versailles front entrance — The grand entrance to Versailles Palace

Which Entry Ticket Should You Buy?

When you get to the palace you need to decide which ticket to purchase. Note that the Palace of Versailles is huge, to see the whole place you will need a full day and then some. You would need to arrive very early to see the palace interior as well as the gardens and other inclusions.

Since we arrived around lunchtime we decided that we’d skip the admission tickets into the Palace and the Estate of Trianon. These give access to tour around the massive interior of the Palace, which is undoubtedly the most popular attraction at Versailles Palace. Our theory was that we had only 5 hours of daylight, so a Palace tour and a garden tour was literally impossible.

Paris to Palace of Versailles garden designs — Part of the symmetrical gardens

Instead we opted to tour the expansive gardens behind the Palace of Versailles. Entry is free, all you need to do is walk around the side of the palace and you can wander around to your heart’s content. The gardens are said to cover some 800 hectares, so there’s no problem of running out of gardens.

The Gardens of Versailles Palace

The Gardens of Versailles are a masterpiece, and also part of the World Heritage listing. They are a massive work of symmetry, starting with a complex series of fountains and manicured gardens immediately behind the palace. The gardens were designed and created in the 17th century, they are living medieval works of art.

Paris to Palace of Versailles main fountain — Looking from the Palace down to the Grand Canal

Our visit was in November, and there was one thing missing. The flower beds were all dug up and barren, with only the green hedges remaining. This made the gardens fairly bland but still amazing. I can see that the attraction of the gardens would be many times greater in spring and summer when the flower beds are in bloom, providing an explosion of colors and aromas.

Paris to Palace of Versailles palace gardens — The gardens behind the Palace

Behind the flowered gardens are many hectares of wilder gardens. These gardens are still in perfect symmetry and are still carefully manicured, but they are fully grown trees. These are divided up into 12 different areas, each one with its individual them and unique symmetrical patterns. Each of these is a magnificent parkland work of art.

Paris to Palace of Versailles rear gardens — The BIG gardens out the back

Getting Around the Gardens of Versailles Palace

Little Train

We caught the “Little Train” around the gardens. This is a cute little shuttle train which goes from the Palace of Versailles all the way to the far corners of the property. It is useful for seeing a large amount of garden in a short time, and it’s a hop-on hop-off system. There is a ticketing booth just behind the Palace, and the cost is 7.50 Euros per adult. The little train is great value!

Golf Buggies

You can also hire golf buggies to get around. They are a little more expensive at 34 Euros per hour, and they can carry 4 people. This is a great way to see a lot of parkland in a couple of hours, particularly if you have little ones or elderly people in your group. Once again the hire point is right behind the palace.

Paris to Palace of Versailles ring sculpture — The scale of the gardens is enormous

Bicycles

Not only is cycling the healthiest option, it is also the most enjoyable option for getting around. The paths are all wide, flat and straight so it’s very easy cycling. Cost is around 8.50 Euros per hour. These are hired from Little Venice at the Grand Canal.

Row Boats

Our hands down highlight for the day was hiring a row-boat in the Grand Canal. The cost is 17 Euros per hour and the boats can take 4 people. It’s not overly exciting, you get to row up some long straight canals lined with symmetrical trees. But it’s an awesome novelty, particularly if you have kids. It’s easier than it looks too.

When to go to Versailles Palace

Our trip in November was thoroughly enjoyable. We had a wonderful day exploring the gardens and Grand Canal. But at this time of year there were some downsides.

The 300 or so magnificent statues in the gardens were covered up with canvas hoods. We did not get to see any of these.
The fountains were all turned off.
The flower beds were all dug up, so there were no blooming flowers on display. As you can see in this tweet, it does get more colourful at other times of the year.

[Oh my France! ] ❤ Have you ever dreamt of living in the beautiful Palace of #Versailles? #LiveTheDream pic.twitter.com/oCpSCuyNuw

— TV5MONDE AsiaPacific (@TV5MONDEapac) December 16, 2017

The upside was that crowds were quite good and it did not feel over crowded. If you are travelling to the Palace of Versailles during the winter months, my advice would be to focus on the Palace Tour (paid tour through the interior of the Palace). That should be a perfect tour all year round. As an added bonus the ticketing office will not have long queues in winter, as they would in summer.

Paris to Palace of Versailles Fountains — Expansive gardens with fountains galore

Should You Take a Guided Tour?

Although we found the self-guided train tour easy and inexpensive, you might prefer to take a guided tour from Paris. Here are some great options available for you on GetYourGuide.com.

Back in Paris

The trip back to Paris is just as easy on the RER C trains. When you arrive in Paris you will probably be looking for some new adventures. We have a whole bunch of sightseeing ideas for you on our Paris National Monuments video blog.

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Luxembourg to Amsterdam on Ouibus

Ramon Perry

December 16, 2017

uxembour to amsterdam bus trip via Antwerp Belgium

The longest leg of our European Holiday was the Luxembourg to Amsterdam Trip. This was a marathon 8 hour trip aboard Ouibus, leaving at 12:30 pm, arriving 8:30 pm. I had booked the tickets online about 4 weeks before the trip, and they were crazy cheap. Less than 60 Euros for the 3 of us! Whilst we could not complain about the price, we needed to make sure this trip was a comfortable trip not a nightmare.

You can check out our VLOG by clicking the below image.

Leaving Luxembourg City for Amsterdam

Finding the Ouibus bus-stop was a little bit tricky. My ticket showed it was opposite Luxembourg Central Station, so it should have been really easy to find. At one end of the station there is a local bus terminal. At the other end there is a long distance bus terminal.

After checking both of these and asking a few people, I was still unable to find the Ouibus stop. Nobody seemed to know. Until I asked an information office guy, he pointed me up the road and instructed me to go into a car-park.

Sure enough, I did this and found our Ouibus waiting there for us. Upon checking the ticket, I discovered that Google maps would have taken me straight to the correct location, had I tried that.

uxembourg to amsterdam bus trip Luxembourg central station — Luxembourg Central Station – not the starting point!

We got chatting with the bus driver, and he informed us that the bus only had 10 passengers. They weren’t even travelling all the way from Luxembourg to Amsterdam, they were all getting off at Brussels, except for us.

Great news for us, because we got to sit anywhere we wanted to on the bus! We took advantage of this and sat right up the front.

uxembour to amsterdam bus trip statue in Antwerp — Statue outside the Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp

Was the Bus Comfortable?

Our bus was brand new and very comfortable. Seats reclined, and there was overhead air conditioning and USB charging. Each seat had a little fold down table. The seats were nice and comfortable. And the on board toilet was well equipped and clean.

Our only complaint was that the little tables were a little dirty, and there were lots of food crumbs on the floor and seats. In other words, the bus could do with a little bit more cleaning. But for 20 Euros, who’s complaining.

Luxembourg to amsterdam bus trip Antwerp town square — Grote Markt buildings in Antwerp

Bonus Antwerp Stopover

A pleasant surprise for us was that we stopped at Antwerp for 1 hour. We all had to leave the bus, but we were permitted to leave our stuff on the bus as it was locked up in a parking lot. This allowed us to walk around Antwerp for some sight seeing.

The bus was parked only 10 minutes walk from the City Hall, Town Square and Church of Our Lady. This is a World Heritage area and a spectacular area to check out. I would have loved 2-3 hours, but we made do with the 1 hour we had available.

Luxembourg to amsterdam bus trip Our Lady Cathedral Antwerp — Our Lady Cathedral in Antwerp

Arriving in Amsterdam

Arriving in Amsterdam was fairly uneventful. The bus stopped at the main centre of Sloterdijk, a major railway junction to the west of Amsterdam Central Station. We could have easily taken a train from Sloterdijk to Central Station, however we were travelling with heavy baggage so we decided against this option.

The bus stop was right next to a Taxi Rank, and Uber was also available. Funny but we tried hailing an Uber but the pick up location stubbornly wanted us to walk quite a long way. So we caught a Taxi for 19 Euros into the city central. Uber had quoted 18-23 Euros so on this occasion the Taxi was just as good as an Uber.

Next stop was our hotel, the Budget Hotel Tourist Inn. We chose this hotel because of it’s proximity to Amsterdam Central Train Station, to provide us with a cheap airport transfer on our outward journey. This is excellent hotel for budget minded travellers, and is in a great position for transferring from Sloterdijk Station to the hotel.

Luxembourg to Amsterdam Ouibus Summary

Ouibus is a great option for travelling from Luxembourg to Amsterdam, Brussels, Antwerp, or Rotterdam. It is inexpensive, effortless, and comfortable. I feel it was an easier option than catching a train, because the train involved 2 change-overs. And easier than flying due to not having to transfer to and from airports.

Buses are the way to go in this part of Europe, as long as you don’t mind sacrificing a little comfort. Ouibus scores an 8 out of 10 for me, a couple of points lost only due to the cleanliness of the bus. Good job Ouibus, we would love to give you more of our business!

Luxembourg to amsterdam bus trip bonus tour of Antwerp — Het Steen the oldest building in Antwerp

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Things to do in Paris – National Monuments

Ramon Perry

December 9, 2017

Everyone loves Paris! Some people love the Paris cafe life, some love the Paris fashion, whilst others fall in love with the romantic atmosphere. As for me, I love the rich history and the famous sites, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral.

It’s no secret that Paris has a massive collection of famous sites and national monuments. Come with us as we catch the subway around inner Paris to find some awesome things to do in Paris.

Check out our VLOG of this tour by clicking the below image.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.

How To See the Best Paris National Monuments

Hop-on-hop-off bus tours are a great way to find things to do in Paris in a small amount of time. At first we had a look at catching the Big Bus Tour in Paris. This is a great option, where you can get a full day of unlimited bus touring and a boat tour for 45 Euros. That is great value.

We compared this to an all day ticket on the Paris Subway network, which costs just 10 Euros for a zone 1-3 pass for a full day. We chose the train as a cheap option to see all the sights.

Excellent Paris Subway System

Another thing we considered was the excellent subway system in central Paris. There are so many subway stations that you are literally never more than 8 minutes walk from a subway station. Most of the famous sites are right next to subway stations, so it turned out to be an efficient option to find things to do in Paris.

What to see in Paris by subway — Paris Subway

Eiffel Tower

You can’t go wrong with a tour of the Eiffel Tower as a starting point. Grab a bunch of photos from all around the tower, or pay to take the stairs and elevator to the top. Either way you can’t go wrong.

The other great things about Eiffel Tower is that you can photograph it from virtually all over central Paris. We found the best places to photograph it were from the top of the Arc de Triomph, and from the top of the Sacre Coeur Basilica. But I’m sure there are dozens of equally great spots to snap a great photo.

What to see in Paris Eiffel Tower — Eiffel Tower see from Arc de Triomph

Seine River

Starting from the Eiffel Tower, the Seine River is actually a World Heritage Site. This is because it is jam-packed with historic sites along the river banks. We chose to cross the Seine River at the Point d’Alma bridge to access the Alma-Marceu subway station. This gives direct access to our next stop, another World Heritage site.

Along the way we passed by a new landmark, the Sainte Trinite Cathedral. This is a Russian Orthodox Church which was finished in 2016, and makes for some interesting photo opportunities with the nearby Eiffel Tower in the background.

What to see in Paris Russian Orthodox Church — Cathedral de la Sainte Trinite

Fontaine du Palmier

This was not on our sightseeing to-do list, however we happened to pass it on our way to the next attraction. Such is the way in Paris, there are so many attractions and landmarks that you can easily get side tracked.

This is a beautiful fountain erected in 1806-1808, to celebrate Napoleons victories in the Egyptian campaigns of that period. It is on of 15 fountains built during that time.

What to do in Paris famous landmarks — The top of Fontaine du Palmier

Saint Jacques Tower

I was super excited to see this land mark in central Paris, because it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the remains of a 16th Century Church, and is in a flamboyant Gothic Style tower. The church is situated in a lovely park setting, and is World Heritage listed because it was once on the chemins de Compostelle pilgrimage trails into Spain.

What to do in Paris World Heritage Sites — Saint Jacques Tower in a lovely parkland setting

Notre Dame Cathedral

We then walked across the Seine River to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. This is a genuine medieval church, constructed in the 12th century. This is one of the best known and largest churches in the world, and well worth a visit.

Every aspect of the church is spectacular, from the outside gothic architecture to the indoor statues and decorations. Best of all there is free entry to go inside and inspect all aspects of this amazing church. This is a must-see for anyone staying in Paris, particularly those interested in medieval gothic architecture.

Things to do in Paris Notre Dame — Notre Dame Cathedral

Sainte Chapelle / Holy Chapel

Sainte Chapelle is just a couple of minutes walk from the Notre Dame Cathedral. This is yet another world-famous gothic church, built in the 13th century. Sainte Chapelle is renowned for its massive stained glass windows.

When we passed by the front of Saint Chapelle there was a long line in front waiting to enter. Unlike Notre Dame Cathedral, Sainte Chapelle does charge an entrance fee of 10 Euros at the time we were there.

What we noticed was that this line was very slow-moving. My estimate was that it would have taken us about 2 hours to get in. Being the impatient type, we decided not to spend our valuable time waiting in line. We took a few snapshots from the front, then moved on to the next attraction.

Things to do in Paris Sainte Chapelle — Sainte Chapelle Church

Sacre Coeure Basilica

This famous Basilica is visible all over Paris. That’s because it is a striking white colour and sits atop a small hill. It is easy to get to by metro train, and is free to enter. The catch is, photography is not permitted inside the main church dome area. You will notice a few tourists getting some sneaky photos and videos in, however generally this is frowned upon by the staff patrolling inside.

You can take the stairs up to the top of the dome for some amazing 360 degree views of Paris. There is a cost of 6 Euros for adults and 4 Euros for children, which is money well spent. The staircase to the top is the longest spiral staircase I’ve ever walked.

Catch the Fenicular

The other novelty at the Basilica is the Fenicular, a short steep cable train to get up the hill. The good thing is that you can use your metro train ticket to access the Fenicular, so in our case with all day metro train tickets the Fenicular was free. I highly recommend taking the Fenicular, particularly if you plan to climb to the top of the Basilica dome.

Things to do in Paris Sacre Coeure Basilica — The dome of the Sacre Coeur Basilica

Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile

Next we caught the subway to the Arc de Triomphe, another famous Parisian landmark. We were fortunate to arrive just before dusk to take full advantage of ‘Photographer’s hour’, and got some great shots of Paris.

Once again visitors are rewarded with 360 degree views of Paris. Note that there is an entry fee to climb the stairs to the top, 8 Euros for adults when we visited. Tickets are a little tricky to find, they are in the underground tunnel which you must take to cross the road to the monument. The view is well worth the entrance fee, and there’s a souvenir shop at the top also.

Things to do in Paris Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile — Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

Our next stop was the famous Louvre. We learnt that there’s a smaller version of the Arc de Triomphe across the road from the Lourvre, called Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. It stands a little under half the height of the first arch, and can be clearly seen as you walk to the Louvre.

The Louvre

Our last stop for the day was the biggest Art Museum in the world, the Louvre. This is home to the famous Mona Lisa, and thousands of other priceless works of art. It is also home to the giant glass pyramid at the front, which makes for a great photo opportunity.

The Art Museum was open until 9:30pm on the day of our visit, however our legs were not up to the demands of this huge gallery. Even if you don’t have the time of energy for a full tour, it is still well worth checking out the magnificent facade at the front of this museum.

Things to Do in Paris

We managed to see all the major sights and national monuments on our list. You could possibly find more things to do in Paris by catching the Big Bus Tour, but also a lot more expensive. With a little more effort we managed to make a big saving on tour costs, and also experience the efficient Paris subway network as well.

Overall we felt the subway was great value, and we never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a train. They were mostly very crowded though and we rarely got a seat on our 10 different train journeys.

Disappointments in Paris

I was disappointed not to see the interior of Sainte Chapelle. If I were to do this tour again I would go there first to try to beat the crowds. Overall the route we took was a good route and quite efficient. We are very happy tourists to be able to see some of the major sights and landmarks that Paris has to offer.

Things to do in Paris Museums — The Jacques Chirac Museum

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Eiffel Tower and the Seine River

Ramon Perry

December 2, 2017

Eiffel Tower is the iconic symbol of Paris. Its shape is unmistakable. It is instantly recognisable by virtually everyone on the planet. The Eiffel Tower also attracts more visitors than any other paid tourist attraction. We checked out the Eiffel Tower to see why so many people visit this attraction. Whilst we were there we took an interesting stroll along the Seine River next to the tower.

Note: Check out our VLOG by clicking the below image.

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Facts about the Eiffel Tower

The Tower is painted a special colour called “Eiffel Tower Brown”. The tower is repainted every 7 years using 60 tonnes of paint.
The Tower was built for the 1889 World Fair.
This Tower is 986 feet tall. It was the tallest man-made structure on earth for 4 decades.
Mr. Eiffel is also for helping to design the Statue of Liberty.
The Parisian Government planned to scrap the Eiffel Tower after 20 years and sell the scrap metal. It’s only the of the usefulness radio antenna during war-time that saved the Eiffel Tower from destruction.

Climbing the Eiffel Tower

We visited the Eiffel Tower website to book a ticket to go the top of the tower. We were disappointed that every time slot on every day of our 5 day visit was not available! Needless to say we did not book a ticket.

What we found at the Eiffel Tower was that lines were short in early November. I do not believe the tours were booked out at all.

We did not book a ticket mainly because the number of stairs involved to the second stage was a little daunting. However the opening times and prices are all shown below from the ticketing office at the Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower Prices — Eiffel Tower Opening Times and Prices

The Seine River

The banks of the Seine River in Paris is a Unesco World Heritage site. The river is on the other side of the road from the Eiffel Tower. From there you can walk along the river to see dozens of historic landmarks.

In this VLOG we stroll along the first section of the river, from the Eiffel Tower up to the Pont Alexandre III. Along the way we pass the following famous landmarks:

Pont d’lena
Bateaux Parisiens (what we dubbed ‘Chill Out Island’)
Pont De l’Alma
Passerelle Debilly
Pont des Invalides
Pont Alexandre III

The Walk Along the Seine River

This walk took about half an hour along the banks of the Seine River. Along the way we passed many boat cruises, where you can easily purchase tickets to travel along the Seine River’s length.

There were also playgrounds along the way with great climbing walls. And there were bicycle hire places where you can hire a bicycle for only 1.70 Euros per day. The catch is, the first half hour is free, so a savvy cyclist would return the bicycle every 29 minutes to keep it free.

The full explanation and map of rental locations can be found on the Velib website.

Do yourself a favour and check out the Eiffel Tower when you’re in Paris. Don’t forget to take a stroll along the Majestic Seine River, it’s right next to the tower and we highly recommend it!

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