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Had to adjust our hotel booking due to changes to flights. The Milford hadn't been our first choice and so a hasty decision was made in booking it.
Do we regret it? Well, yes and no. It's a bit sad and needs updating so if you are after a bit of luxury, it's not the place for you. Other than that, the staff are helpful and efficient and security is very tight. The rooms, although dated, were clean and tidy.
We were out of the hotel 12- 14 hours a day so even if it was all-singing, all-dancing we wouldn't have used such facilities. Cheap and cheerful sums it up. It was very busy with guests and we weren't aware of anyone making any complaints so I guess most people were of the same mindset that it was simply a bed for the night and nothing more. We've paid more for much worse accommodation and service in the UK and other countries.
It's a great location on 8th and 45th, with so much on its doorstep. I would expect if it gets an expensive makeover in the next couple of years then the room rates will go up accordingly. Get it booked while it's still reasonable value.
8th Ave and 45th St, Midtown Manhattan
Yes, I know that Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, not Ethiopia, but this little eatery specialises in Ethiopian-style dishes - and you can hold the predictable jokes too.
There's a limited but great-value repertoire here, and on an empty stomach the all-in get-your-hands-dirty dishes are to die for. If there's a group of you, order a variety of mains (all served on a stodgy bed of pancakes) and you can pull off a massive dinner for under 15 Euros per head.
Rapenburgerplein 6
+31 20 6223485
Bus no.22 from Centraal Station
It’s a perfect apartment block/hostel.
Boris, the owner, is really friendly and will meet you from the ferry port. He will happily tell you the best beaches, restaurants, etc. He will also sell you wine grown locally by his family. I bought three litres (it worked out at only about 75p a bottle!) and as he will tell you, it doesn’t taste too hot until the second glass, but then it's actually really nice.
The personal touch in these apartments is really welcomed. Boris seemed to be into providing value for money, and a pleasant experience to the traveler, and not making massive profits.
I went in September 2007 and he was in the process of refurbishing the entire building to a very high standard. The rooms are large, clean, and most look out to the garden that has limes, pomegranetes, oranges, olives etc. He was also about to put in a terraced BBQ in the garden with seating area among the fruit trees.
The apartment's location is about a 5-10 minute walk from the town, and 15 minutes' walk in the other direction to the Zlatni Rat beach (the one in the brochures).
If he suggests you go to a restaurant called Mendula - GO THERE! It’s really romantic, cheapish, and the custom is for the waiter to offer everyone a free drink after your meal. They also have a help yourself salad bar that is free when you order almost everything on the menu. (Be warned though; it’s a bastard to find so get Boris to draw you a map!)
Web; www.bolbeach.com
E-mail: croatia@bolbeach.com
Phone: 0038521642012,
+385989619534 AND +385989113313
Only a few minutes from the railway station, bus station and Vaparetto stops, but tucked down a quiet alleyway.
The price is good (85 Euros for a single ensuite, 110 for a double) and the rooms, though small, are comfortable and spotless. Recommended for those on a budget who want a no-frills but pleasant place to stay in Venice.
I booked through www.venere.com but other agencies list the hotel as well.
Cannaregio 219 - Calle Gioacchina, Lista di Spagna, Venezia, Italia 30121. Turn left out of the train station down Lista di Spagna. The hotel is down a small alleyway about 3/4 of the way down.
Fantastic local curry house. A tiny little place in a run-down back street in SW8. Fantastic east-African food with real flavour and very cheap. Bring your own drink. Regularly changing specials. Particularly good for vegetarians.
Wilcox Close, London, SW8.
Nearest tubes Stockwell and Vauxhall.
Nearest bus routes 2, 88, 77, 87, 196.
I stayed here this year, and had a wonderful four days meeting people, swimming in the sea, sunbathing on the beautiful sandy beach. The resort is run by Fijians and is laid back, the accommodation is good, and it's quiet (if you want peaceful).
Burger joint in Queenstown. The tagline goes that Ferg gives good burg. Well, he certainly does.
42 Shotover st, Tel: 03 441 1232
www.fergburger.com/
Great pizzas and pasta. It's a very busy restaurant and you have to be prepared to share a table with other diners as soon as places become available. However, as a result you do get to meet people and hear other travellers' tales.
Cow Lane, Queenstown. Tel. 64 3 442 8588.
I recently spent three of the craziest days fishing I have ever experienced.
Bungsamran Fishing Resort is the only place I know where you can catch a 40lb fish a cast!
They now also provide fully catered facilities, air conditioned bungalows, restuarants, shops and cafe.
My tip is to visit before demand pushes the prices up.
Italian restaurant right on main square - great food, reasonable price and beautiful setting.
Main square, Hvar Town
We had a fantastic week in Hvar, which has earned the reputation as the St Tropez of Croatia.
Some info that i would have found useful/interesting before going: Its reputation is accurate - it is fun and fashionable, and the price of eating and drinking is more comparable to western European cities than other parts of Croatia/other towns on Hvar island.
Hvar town is beautiful but very busy in July and August (although if you want to party then this is great!).
If sandy beaches are your thing, then Hvar probably isn't. The beaches are either pebbles or large rocks (can be uncomfortable).
There are sea urchins! Buy some rubber shoes.
Snorkelling is great, definitely worth investing in a snorkel kit.
Beautiful square right in the centre of the old palace walls, with cathedral lit up at night. We passed through at about 11pm and there were loads of people sitting on cushions on the stone steps listening to a woman with guitar accompaniment who was singing from a bar, and waiters were coming round to take drink orders - perfect ambiance in magical setting!
right next to cathedral
Take a small amount of euros in coinage: specifically 1 euro, 50 cent & 20 cent pieces.
This will facilitate a speedy entrance to the Metro system using the automated ticket machines, and a fast exit from the mayhem of Gare du Nord!
For a trip on the Seine at a fraction of the cost of Bateaux-Mouches, buy a day (or longer) ticket for the Bato-bus.
There are eight stops on both banks of the river, and you can get on and off as you fancy. All the stops are alongside tourist attractions, such as Notre Dame or the Eifel Tower, and there is a useful little outline map of the major sights to be seen from the boat when you buy your ticket.
It is not only a splendid way of seeing some of the main attractions of the city, is is a delightful way of getting about from one end of Paris to the other.
Eight stops from the Eifel Tower to the Botanic Gardens, including Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame, etc. There is a web-site.
To stay for a couple of nights for a fairly cheap price, I don’t think you can do much better than the Heron Court Hotel. Anything cheaper seems to be a bit nasty, and there is quite a jump up in price to the Norfolk/Stanley etc.
My husband and I booked ourselves into a very welcoming and friendly guest house (B&B). Spacious and affordable rooms. We paid £32 pppn for a lovely 4 poster room. Really helpful and friendly owners.
It is situated in the central area of Windermere in Lake District.
www.haisthorpe-house.co.uk/
Haisthorpe Guest House, Holly Road, Windermere, Cumbria, The Lake District, LA23 2AF
Tel: +44 (0)15394 43445
Amtrak and VIA Rail passes make train travel in the USA and Canada a bargain for those on a tight budget. The range of passes covers different regions or the whole country for periods of up to a month.
A typical Argentinian parilla. Order the bif de chorizo, which is basically a sirloin (nothing to do with the sausage!). You'll get one big enough for two; order potatoes (papas) any way you like (natural - boiled; fritas- chips). Bottle of Malbec or a Qulimes beer.
Follow with a helados (ice cream) and coffee. In June it set me back 40 pesos - including tip.
Definitely no fancy stuff here, this is a local restaurant full of portenos. Although tourists do know about it. Fantastico, I thought!
Stroll down the street to Bar Seddon afterwards. In fact, San Telmo is full of interesting bars, cafes and restaurants.
Avenida Defensa 858, San Telmo.
Subte: Independencia
Google map: tinyurl.com/kt38yq
Cheap accommodation not too far from the centre. Student halls of residence but open all year round. 24 hour reception and only 550kc for a double room.
Walk past the glass-fronted library behind the town hall, take the next right turning and it's the high rise block immediately on your left.
Friendly hostel run by Australian backpackers.
Centrally located and the cheapest place in town.
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