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The best place to stay in Vilcabamba on a budget. What it may lack in spa and pool facilities (which somehow have become synonymous with the village) it more than makes up for with beautiful, clean and comfortable rooms, hammocks around the courtyard garden, great breakfast, and the best power showers in Ecuador. The friendly French owners will help you out in any way possible. And all located within easy walking distance of the village square. Relaxing and stress-free, even by Vilcabamba standards.
Address: Calle Diego de Vaca Vega 6-43.
Telephone: (593-9) 2191180
Website: www.rendezvousecuador.com
Email: rendezvousecuador@yahoo.com
Best backpacking hostel in town run by friendly owners. Clean rooms, fab showers, quick internet connection, great ambiance. Very laid back. Lazy sofas, bar and pool table too! Lots of activity taking place in the evening. There is a buzz and great place to meet other travellers and locals.
www.milhousehostel.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/n9xxrs
Poci's is a typical bustling noisy Italian place full of kids and families enjoying the great food from the list of daily specials, a la carte menu or the menu for kids.
The servings are typically huge, the service prompt and cheery, all at reasonable prices. Enjoy!
417 Hampton St Hampton,
VIC 3188
Tel: (03) 9598-7477
Fax: (03) 9521-0893
a few hundred metres north of
Hampton Station
www.pocis.com.au/index.asp
If it's daytime, and you are travelling within the medina or the New Town, insist the meter (le compteur) is on. It starts at about 1 dirham 60. If they say it's broken, tell them to stop and get out. There are lots of other taxis.
The only ones you negotiate with are the Grand taxis. Petit taxis only take three people. Taxis can be difficult to get during rush hours, 8 - 9.30, 12 - 2 (that’s when they change over drivers too) and 5 - 6.30.
At night, they charge 50% more. Rides in the medina are generally about six dirhams, from the New Town to the medina generally about ten dirhams.
Make sure you have small change.
Getting a taxi from the medina to the airport on the meter is about 25 dirhams, but getting one from the airport to the medina is negotiable. Published tarif is about 60 dirhams, but you may have to pay 100, depending on number of people and amount of luggage and time of day.
After that, how much you tip is up to you.
I think that the Lido is fantastic. I am not a great swimmer but I loved the sea water pools here. One is really large with volcanic rocks in it. The water is deep enough to swim but you can stand up anywhere in the pool. No nasty big waves appearing to submerge your head. It only costs a couple of pounds to get in and you can stay all day.
You can't miss it on the prom in Puerto de la Cruz
I know that most people get off the plane at Girona and head straight for Barcelona. However, if you are looking for somewhere that's not so busy for a couple of days, consider Girona. I really like it along the riverside with the painted houses. There are several museums, the medieval part of the city and a great choice of restaurants where you can have a set 3 course meal for around 12 euros.
I have some accommodation suggestions at:
www.europealacarte.co.uk/Spain/girona/index.html
If your legs are aching with walking in, out and through casinos, you’ve got time to spare and you wouldn’t mind a cheap sightseeing tour of The Strip then I’d suggest hopping on the Las Vegas Strip Trolley.
A replica of an old-style trolley bus the Strip Trolley runs up and down the Strip from the Mandalay Bay in the south to the Stratosphere in the north stopping at various hotels/attractions in between. There is a set fare (exact fare only, no change is given) or extra for for an all day pass. Depending on traffic the Trolleys run every 15 to 20 minutes, weaving in and out of hotel driveways and, if you are lucky enough, with drivers who will give you a running commentary – not about the hotels but rather their feelings about the other drivers on the road.
It’s not the fastest way to travel the Strip but it’s cheap, convenient and, if not too busy, rather pleasant.
Up and down the Strip
They are called tapas in Spain, meze in Cyprus, and appetizers almost everywhere else. But in Greece, they are Orektika or Mezedas. These are the bite size yummies that are served hot or cold, and are supposed to be your starter but can actually be your entire meal. The appetizers in Greece are very special and can be found nowhere else. If you are on a budget, this is the best food to order, because they are tasty, inexpensive, nutritious and filling.
In Greek Tavernas, Ouzarias, and Mezedopolios. See here for more on Greek food: www.travelswise.com/greekfood.htm
The cheapest accommodation on the strip, only a short bus ride or walk away from downtown. Friendly people, perfect for those on a tight budget.
1208 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Tel: 702 868 0222
www.sincityhostel.com
Climb up to the Nonnberg Nunnery and follow the path upwards to the Museum der Moderne and from there onwards to the Humboldt Terrace viewpoint. There are a number of viewpoints on the way giving fantastic views of the city (as seen in the Sound of Music). It's also a beautiful woodland walk. Carry on down the hill towards the Augustiner Abbey for a stein of beer.
Nonnberg Nunnery to Augustiner Abbey
Mamas is quite possibly the best guest house in the world, and it is really one of those things that you have to experience to understand.
It's like everyone there is collectively visiting their grandma, and that grandma is mama, that's the best way I can think to describe it.
The food is plentiful and cheap, the rooms are nice, and cheap too. And mama.... well you'll just have to go.
For more, check out this post on our blog:
flashpackers.blogspot.com/2006/03/lijiang-and-mamas.html
Ring her, you will find her cards around the town, or ask someone.
These are two sites I see as essential for anyone who is planning a trip to Vegas.
The first one, Las Vegas Advisor is a great source of information, coupons and message boards.
The second one, Cheapo Vegas is a great site to find deals and hilarity about Vegas.
Lift tickets for Silver Mountain are very reasonably priced, and price reductions are given to seniors, and students. Also if you keep an eye open many of the gas (petrol) stations have 2 for 1 vouchers available. Also if the snow isn't to your liking you can return your ticket for a 100% refund! So there is no fear of going up the gondola only to find poor skiing conditions (very very rare).
Stay at the no-frills Motel 6 in the Salt Lake City suburb of Murray just off Interstate 15 south of the airport for under $40 per night, with an easy, 30-minute drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Alta/Snowbird, or a 45-minute drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Brighton and Solitude.
Utah is a ski bum's Paradise, and Salt Lake City International Airport is the Pearly Gates. Nowhere in the world is the skiing better for a comparable low price. World-class areas such as Alta (lift tickets still less than $45), Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, and the entire Canyons-Park City-Deer Valley resort complex can be reached from the Salt Lake City International Airport in less than two-hours driving time, with Alta/Snowbird a mere 45 minutes away.
One of the finest foods in the world. You are unlikely to eat another bread product as delicious as a freshly baked Kettleman's bagel - available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
On Bank St, at the South end of 'the Glebe'.
www.kettlemansbagels.biz
Les Premices is a great, cheap restaurant with an excellent location over looking the Djema el fna square. It has excellent service, food, and cocktails, and is the perfect place to watch the square come alive.
Overlooking the Djema el fna.
Buffet-style restaurant serving range of traditional Moroccan dishes. High quality, excellent choice, elegant dining room. In the evenings, you pay £10 and get a 3-course buffet meal, with as many repeat tastings as you like. Excellent for those that want to try a range of Moroccan foods.
In front of the Koutoubia, opposite the Place de Foucault.
Shopping in the souks is an experience that no one ever forgets. But it is a shopping experience quite unlike any other. In order to get the best from the souks, haggling and shopping around is a must as the sellers significantly inflate their initial price for an item you want. There are no hard and fast rules just walk away from a price you are not happy with, but at the same time keep a smile on your face! Remember no trader will ever sell at a loss! Also take a compass to find your way out again - it is so easy to get lost!
Just off the Djamma el Fna
The Water of Leith Walkway will take you along about 12 miles of river through the heart of Edinburgh from Balerno to Leith. One of the nicest stretches is the walk from Stockbridge to the Dean Gallery and Modern Art Gallery, which consists of a mile of picturesque woodland, including a Victorian mineral well guarded by a rather grand nymph-type and wander through the very pretty Dean Village. The best bit is that when you get to the fantastic galleries, you can reward yourself with chocolate cake (Dean Gallery Cafe - highly recommended). Alternatively, walk in the opposite direction (towards Leith) and after three miles pop out onto The Shore in Leith for an excellent feast and pint at the King's Wark.
Water of Leith: www.waterofleith.org.uk/
National Galleries of Scotland:
www.natgalscot.ac.uk/
King's Wark:
www.bestpubs.co.uk/layout0.asp?pub=143236
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