Kamorkoli greš, pojdi z vsem svojim srcem!
Maybe we went to Amsterdam with a little misconception – that this is yet another of many European cities, that the way of life is just the same as we are used to it from home and that we practically will not see something particularly impressive or new. But it wasn’t like that. We were surprised about Dutch capital. Positively!
Looking for the meaning of Christmas? Holiday spirit? Or you just want to taste the festive goodies, which includes mulled wine and freshly baked sausages? All of this can be found on the officially most beautiful Advent fair in Europe this year and also last year. No, this is not one of the fabulously decorated squares in Austria or Germany, but with this title can boast the capital city of Croatia, Zagreb.
Let us explain why… the city is full of Christmas spirit. There is no square without wooden houses, in which they cook various drinks, bake or fry »mice«, different sausages and at every step you are accompanied with shining lights and other beautiful decorations. You got everything you wanted. Well, a little bit of long-awaited snow would be nice, which would definitely make city even more magical. All of that can be even better with a good company, so don’t forget to take your friends and family with you.
Said and done! On the way home from Budapest, we made 200 kilometres long turn. Well, maybe there were two. You know one left and one right 😛 …joke aside. We went to the capital of the country, whose flag and name are very similar to ours (if someone forget, our country is small and beautiful Slovenia). Well, you may already red at the title that we are talking about Slovakia and its capital city.
Bratislava is located approximately 20 minutes away from Hungarian border. When we were choosing between buying a vignette or driving along the »old road« – of course won the €10 savings and a ride through charming rough roads. And yes… the GPS did not disappoint us, this time there wasn’t so-called »calculating« from friendly lady from the mentioned device. To avoid parking fees in the city, we left the car in a shopping center Eurovea, where parking on weekends is free for first five hours – during the week is free for first three hours, but for any further you will be charged with €2,50. In addition to this benefit, you can enjoy some quality shopping after the sightseeing.
Days around the first of November, we traditionally spend with our loved ones and remember those who are no longer with us. However, this year we put those morbid things aside, took advantage of extra-long weekend, and went on a short road trip. Yes, back to the neighbours. But this time to those who speak such a different language that you don’t understand a word, they are known to be a masters of goulash and when you have, in addition to euros, in your wallet their money, you think you just became a millionaire. Yeah… Hungarians are really special and cool.
Of course, we had to see with our own eyes if Budapest is truly one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe, as alleged by some travel magazines. Are you interested in how to get there? If you go there from Ljubljana, then just straight down the highway – not a single bend in total of 500 km (Ljubljana – Budapest). For this endless straight road, you need a vignette, which costs about 10 euros and is valid for 10 days.
It is true that several times a year we afford some a bit shorter and one longer trip, but nevertheless on our calendar every year appears the best 10 days in the end of July, which could be call a real vocation. Holiday, which don’t need further planning – we are not thinking about, if we will have enough time for sightseeing; where can we find the internet, that we can write about our experiences, so you and our closest family and friends can follow us; don’t need to worry about where to eat and especially what to eat and so on…
We saved the best for last. The most famous and most visited place in Tuscany – Florence. Full of museums, top restaurants, pastry shops and teeming masses of tourist who overwhelm the streets and many bridges over the Arno river.
From the town of Montecatini Terme to the suburb (Scandici) of Florence, we were driving half an hour down the highway and left the car in front of the famous shopping center Coop (Ponte a Greve), where the parking is free of charge. We get to the center with a tram. The ticket price is € 1.20 – you can use it for 90 minutes and applies to travel by bus also. You can buy it at vending machines or tobacco shops.
Priority of road trip? You have opportunity to visit places that are practically inaccessible with public transport. This time we use this and embarked on a panoramic journey, road winds between Tuscan hills overgrown with vines and huge plantations of yellow sunflowers.
Not this exit, but the next one! No next one, the last was the right one! Have you found out, what was that talk about? Of course, this was not our argument, but Borut just wanted to figure it out, where the hell this GPS device is trying to draw us. At the moment we were led to countless exits in huge Bologna, device misfires. Therefore, despite some minor inconveniences we still happily travelled 560 kilometres long road to our accommodation. Vintage Hotel is located in a small town, Montecatini Terme, situated between Pisa and Florence. Due to the location, orderliness, huge parking and because of a relatively good price, we would recommend it to anyone. Just compliments for the mentioned hotel! In general, the city is also great starting point for the route to all major towns, villages and sights in central Tuscany.
Where to go first? 46 km away to the Wonders Square in Pisa. The main attraction is undoubtedly the skewed tower, and there is thousands of tourists, who would like in one or another way, to straighten it up.
Summary. We visited all the major attractions, as a total atheists heard the Italian mass in the middle of Vatican square (we didn’t understand a word, of course), weaved to Pope (from distance he looks like an awesome guy)… used a bus without buying a ticket, our mornings started with a cup of energetic machiato, we tested special pizzas and ate an ice cream for € 8 (shock). Joyful 😃
Well, of course, a word or two with regard to the rest of…
Rome has two airports, the main Fiumicino and smaller Ciampino, we arrived on the first, which is approximately 30 km from the town centre. The best and cheapest connection with the city (railway station Termini) are shuttle services. The return ticket cost € 8. But you can also choose between slower train and sinfully expensive taxi.
Our European tour continues – slowly but steadily. After last year’s visit to London, Paris and Barcelona, this time, we choose the Eternal City, the capital of Italy – Rome. They say that this is a city and a museum in one… if this is true, we will definitely tell you. We are already looking forward to seeing all architectural and other magnificent achievements.
That would be the capital of Italy even more special, makes the Roman Catholic Church. Amazed? In the heart of Rome is located the smallest independent state in the world, Vatican City respectively for some – Holy See. For good recognisability thereof, from year to year more and more concern Pope Francis, who is at his tender age of 80, completely modernised. He started using social networks such as Instagram and he regularly