Fun in Barcelona

If there is one Spanish city that reminds me of Cebu, it is Barcelona. I love the laid back and relaxed feel of this place. Like Cebu, the beaches and mountains are nearby. There are great outdoors stuff to do as well.

But the unique thing about Barcelona, for me, would be, how it was designed. You can see it clearly when you get a map of the place.

So, as I always tip my friends from the Philippines who ask me of the cheapest way to get there, there's nothing like calling travel agents, going through several websites and calling the airlines to find good deals. There usually are, depending on the season.

I always advise people to check on the weather and the season you decide to fly. Barcelona is not as cold as other cities like Madrid but it can still get cold. Well, that depends on a person's own definition of "cold".


Just pack everything you need, and more importantly, be prepared. Do a lot of reading about Barcelona before your trip, and not during! You may spend a lot of time asking around what to see and do first, thus wasting a lot of precious time.


I think that Barcelona is not as cheap as Madrid, but relatively cheaper than many European cities. So, you may be able to find a reasonably priced hotel, pension or hostal. But the problem would be finding a vacant one. Barcelona is packed with tourists. That is why, I suggest to always booking way in advance.

The next thing to consider is where would you prefer to be located. Personally, I prefer a place that is more central and accessible to most of the sites. You may be the type who would want isolated but peaceful locations but some areas can be inaccessible, but not me.

These are some of the different areas of Barcelona, Montjuic, Eixample, Ciutat Vella or Barri Gotic, Les Corts, Passeig de Gracia, Sagrada Familia, San Marti, Gracia, Sarria San Gervasi, Horta Guinardo and Nou Barris San Andreu.


I would say that the area of Las Ramblas is centrally located in terms of tourists spots and activities. This area is a bit too noisy for my taste. If you want a more quiet area, then El Born could be an alternative.

Barcelona's airport, El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto can be reached by metro, taxi or bus. Being the budget traveler that I am, I take the metro. It may be a bit difficult to drag your heavy luggage all around, but that's the budget traveler in me.

If you don't fly in and take the train, remember that Barcelona has 2 train stations, the Barcelona Francia and Barcelona Sants (the main station). The main station is big and a bit confusing, but just go to the nearest information counter to help you make your way to your nearest exit point. From there, you can take a taxi or the subway to your hotel.



Being the Cebuano that I am, I could spend more than a month in Barcelona. It feels a lot like Cebu, for me. There is so much to do in this city!

But if you only have less than a week, here are the must see things to see and do while you are in Barcelona.

Of course, check out Gaudi’s Temple de la Sagrada Familia or his famous Parc Guell and also the Casa Batllo.


There is also the busy Las Ramblas which is the hip place to be at. From Ramblas, explore Barri Gotic where you can find the Catedral de la Seu, Plaça del Rei, the Catalan and Barcelona government palaces in Plaça Sant Jaume.


Set a few hours to reach the top of Montjuic. There you will see the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, which has an impressive collection of Romanesque art. But what is more amazing would be the view of the city of Barcelona below. In that area, one can see the Olympic venues where the summer games where held in 1992.


I love parks and open spaces of Parc Joan Miro, Parc Guell, Plaça Catalunya, Plaça d'Espanya or Parc de la Ciutadella.


Remember I was talking about the city’s unique development? So check out L'Eixample. It is a fascinating part of the city.

I love the Barceloneta because of the beach, people watching and the seafood restaurants.


You will surely see the Columbus Monument, the Zoological Museum, the Maritime Museum, Port Vell, Boqueira Market, the Chocolate Museum, because they are all near each other.


You can do all this on your own, or take the hop on and hop off bus. You can find many of these at Plaza Catalunya. The tourist office is at the basement of the park, the entrance steps would be the one facing the big building complex of the department store, El Corte Ingles. Translated, means, the English Cut.

If you want go around by yourself, it is cheaper if you buy the T-Dia Pass, for unlimited bus and metro ride. You can ask about this from the tourist office.


For some good Catalan specialties, try the "esqueixada" (salad) "escudella i carn d'olla" (stew) or the "espinacs a la catalana" (spinach).

The locals would recommend to try the "zarzuela", the local fish stew or the ever famous, "paella"


If you like sweets, then, "crema catalana" (a yummy custard) is something you could fall in love with. For any Filipino, we would recognize this as "leche flan". By the way, the street "Carrer de L' Argenteria" has a great ice cream shop!

From what I could tell, there were many shopping areas along Passeig de Gracia and the pedestrian zone. But there were many flea markets at the Ramblas as well.


Just keep your eyes open for the word, MERCAT, which means, Market. You will definitely enjoy yourself in those places.

Barcelona is what it is, a city of fun. I recommend you just take it all in, night or day.

My "ins and outs" of Paris

I love Paris. It’s a city where at almost every corner, I felt like saying out loud, “wish you all were here to see this!”

Paris is filled with fascinating architectural works, huge collections of exquisite art and an array of culinary delights, no wonder people refer it to the capital of fashion, fine cuisine and the arts. It is a city that is for me, beyond comparison to any other I have seen.

Now, could I have a budget trip to the City of Lights? I believe I did. But first things first, finding a cheap ticket to get there.

I decided on a trip later in the year, and to my surprise, Paris looked great even in fall and late winter. In fact, things were a lot cheaper then. I did not know that there was more than one airport in Paris, so it is always good to check if one flight arrives at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Roissy, which is northeast of Paris, or at Orly, which is south of the city.

Normally, I would always take a shuttle bus or metro to the city. There is a bus operated by the Paris Transit Authority, runs between Charles de Gaulle and the Opéra. These are some of the cheaper alternatives to get to the city. I love to commute the regular way. Why rush, when one is in Paris, enjoy the sites!


Finding a budget hotel was a difficult since there due to options of locations. Though Paris can be more expensive than other European cities, there still can be bargains to be found. I suggest familiarizing oneself with the city lay-out of Paris in order to select a good district which suits your budget and feel for the area. My preferred districts or “arrondisement” would be the 5th or 6th, which is the Latin Quarters and Saint Germain.


I try to select an area which is accessible to public transportation. Do some research and find a city map that shows the Metro Station stops. Public commute is very efficient and can get you to many places in the city. Personally, I prefer taking the bus in Paris. I felt that if I rode the subway, I wouldn’t be able to admire the beauty of the streets!

There are several things to do in Paris, even for free. My favorite would be walking along small alleys and discovering small book shops and quaint stores, and there were many.


I am sure many are familiar with the tourist spots in Paris. To remind you, they are the Tour Eiffel, the river Seine on the Bateaux Mouches, and the Arc de Triomphe, just to name a few. Take a stroll down the Champs Élysées, then cross to the Place de la Concorde and make your way to the Jardin des Tuileries and finally to the Louvre.

Many say, a good tip is to see the Louvre early to avoid the crowds. It can take a whole day if you want to see a large portion of the Museum. I took a walk on boulevard de Clinchy and found the famous Moulin Rouge.


From there, it was I think around half an hour to the Montmartre, via place des Abbesses would also features the church of Sacré-Coeur, where there's a good view of the city before you.


The Musée d'Orsay has a lot of modern and Impressionist paintings, if you are a museum kind of person. If not, you can always walk to the nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is beside the Latin Quarter district. In this neighborhood, both the Panthéon and Jardin du Luxembourg can be found.


There are so many things to see and do in Paris, but I can’t stress how advantageous it is to read more about it or ask a friend who knows a bit about Paris. By familiarizing yourself with the layout of Paris city, your chances of getting lost are lesser and second, it will be easier to plan what you want to see first.


To see Paris, I prefer going on foot. If not, there are métro and RER (Réseau Express Régional, or the Regional Express Network) lines crisscross Paris and the suburbs.

All métro tickets and passes are valid not only for the métro but also for all RER and bus travel within Paris, just check the Zones for each ticket. Last time I checked, Métro tickets sold in batches of ten called a carnet (10 tickets) is of better value. If you are staying long in Paris, a good deal could be the unlimited usage carte orange ticket, sold according to zone.

Try asking about the one-day (Mobilis) and the two to five day (Paris-Visite) tickets because they have unlimited travel on the the major transportation networks in Paris.


Since I prefer walking, I got to see more of the city upclose. Come to think of it, Paris isn’t that big a city after all. But still, don’t forget to bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Though, I am not very much into fancy dinners, but Paris has a lot to offer. A trip to any Bistro, Café, Brasserie or Patisserie will do just fine for me. If you want to save a bit, then, a trip to a local grocery store or the supermarket is the best thing to do for buying your basics food items. Big supermarkets are not that common, so ask for a neighborhood grocery to get your basics there. If you wish to dine out and spend a bit more, try to ask for the menu of the day, “plat du jour”. You may be able to spend around 10 Euro to 15 Euros for such an offer. It really depends on where you look.


Shopping has never been a priority in any of my trips, but I do know that Paris is a great place to shop. There are several shopping options in Paris which cater to almost everyone. You can shop at chic shops and department stores, or bargain hunt in flea-markets found in small neighborhoods and second hand stores.


After reading this, I hope that you’ve readied yourself for that trip to Paris. Be also prepared for the unexpected surprises the city has in store for you. I have rarely heard of anyone NOT enjoy Paris. I do hope you’ll enjoy it as well!

Madrid, Insights from a Cebuano Budget Traveler

Madrid, being the capital city of Spain, has all the interesting monumental structures, landmarks, museums and government offices one would expect to find in many capitals all over the world. What I do like about Madrid is its geographical local within Spain. It lays right smack in the middle of the country, making it an easy jumping point to many other Spanish cities at the same time, I can use it as a base for my Spanish travels.

As a budget traveler, I like to start with looking around with the different airlines that travel to Europe. Remember, it is cheaper to fly during off season than during peak season. Call travel agents and ask around for their rates.

I always plan my trip way ahead, I can get find good bargains for airfare, hotels and other deals. Then, checking the weather and the season of your dates of travel is also important. If you travel on the European travel season, it may be more expensive in Spain since many would be traveling, hence hotel rates are higher.

But summer means lesser thick clothing, so you will have to bring a large suitcase full of thick clothes. Pack wisely. That is key in successful traveling.

When you do get to Madrid, you may arrive at the older Terminal 1 or 2 buildings or the latest, Terminal 3, but either way, you will need to get to Terminal 1, where the airport shuttles to town are located. Usually, I would take metro if I am not bringing a lot of stuff with me. If you have a small piece of luggage and are willing to rough it up a bit, you can head down the subway, which can take you directly into town in less than 30 minutes. That would depend where you want to go and how many subway changes you will need to make. It is also important to note, that some subway stations do not have lifts or escalators, so lagging with you a heavy piece of luggage is not a good idea if you are carrying something really heavy!

It would be ideal to get the 10 Viajes (trips) which is a ten tickets pack, saving you a considerable amount of money since a single trip ticket is 1 Euro.

If not, I take the airport shuttle bus. The taxi is not expensive if you are four person, since you can split the costs.

Looking for an affordable place within Madrid is quite easy because Spain is relatively cheaper than other European cities. Rather than staying in hotels, try to stay in hostals, which are small hotels without many amenities such pools, business centers, hotel restaurants, etc. These are basic places to stay that provide clean rooms and decent bathroom.

Madrid has a huge range of places to stay, from the high end to the many affordable budget hotels. My best advice, look for "hostals", because they are a lot cheaper. If you aren’t picky and want to rough it up a bit, it’s worth saving on those extra Euros.

Another tip would be home stays. Spain has a lot of these type of accommodations and they are quite good, considering the small price you have to pay.

For the first time traveler, though a bit more expensive, hotels in the city center are more convenient. That is, because the city center has everything from shops, restaurants, tourist spots and entertainment. Also, the city center is small enough to walk to the nearby neighborhoods, if your feet are up to the task. Getting an accommodation outside the center could be a cheaper alternative, but not as convenient, since most tourists spots are not as close by.

That is why, I find it very important to research on the location of your planned accommodations. Though Madrid does have a good pubic transport system, there is nothing like a nearby walk to places of interests.

Before deciding on your hotel, familiarize yourself with the lay-out of Madrid. Ask friend who has been there or do a bit of your own research. Others may have their own opinions on which area they loved most about Madrid. But just remember, the center of Madrid isn’t very big so you can actually take a leisurely walk around it.

If you would ask me, I would look for a hotel in either Gran Via, Sol/Opera, or Retiro, that would be better because they are centrally located. It is a lot more convenient to move around by foot from those areas.

The very heart of Madrid would be Puerta Del Sol, a big oval plaza where many hotels and shops are located. This is also where many tend to congregate in the afternoons till late in the evening, since malls are not a big thing in Europe. So, if you do decide to stay in this area, get a room not facing the plaza. It can get really noisy at night, and during summer, you often have the tendency to keep the windows open. Air-conditioning is not very popular in certain European cities.

Directly beside Puerta Del Sol is Plaza Mayor and the Opera. Personally, I prefer this area, which is just a block away from Sol, because it is next door to Parque Oriente and the Palacio Real, so the views are much greener. Besides, Burger King and McDonalds is much closer from the Opera too.

In front of the gardens of the Palacio Real is a street that would take you to Plaza de España, another big square that faces Torre España and Edificio Europa buildings. Here, you can also find the bronze figures of Don Quixote and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza as well as the monument to Miguel de Cervantes and Queen Isabel II.

Facing the Edificio Europa, you are now along the famous Gran Via, a popular main avenue which has many shops, restaurants and hotels as well. It is a bit busy and crowded, but one should not miss strolling along this magnificent avenue to catch glimpses of many historic buildings as well as glitzy shops and department stores.

Northeast of Plaza España is Argüelles, a small part of Madrid that consists of narrow, crisscrossing lanes in between the big avenues of Pintor Rosales (which runs along the edge of the Parque del Oeste) and the shop-lined Calle Princesa. Eventually, you will reach Moncloa, an area filled with student haunts because of the university in the area.

Behind the main avenue of Gran Via, is the small neighborhood of Chueca, Madrid’s gay center. There many small intersecting alleys that are filled with trendy bars, shops and restaurants, making this area a very hip part of town.

Malasaña, centered around the famed Plaza Dos de Mayo, is another area popular for nightclubs and bars.

Chamberí was built outside the old city walls, has a focal point known as the circular Plaza Olavide. This small part of Madrid has a lot of restaurants, bookshops, art galleries, and museums, such as the quaint Museo Sorolla.

There are affordable things to do as well. Let me outline the must see things to see and do while in the area such as the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, Retiro Park, Almudena Cathedral, Puerta del Sol, Bullfighting, Cibeles Square, Reina Sofia Museam, Plaza Espanya, Atocha, Gran Via, Plaza de Oriente, Plaza de Colon, Casa de Campo and Museo De Jamon.

You don't have to spend a lot to eat well in Madrid. Ask around where you could visit a regular tapas bar. Want to save on your meals? Drop by a local grocery store or the famous Corte Ingles supermarket is the best thing to do for buying your basics food items. If you wish to spend a bit more, ask for the “menu del dia” which means, menu of the day.

There are flea markets on Sundays like the Rastro, where one can find great finds and deals.

You will be able to have an affordable vacation in Madrid. Just take the time to research, look for the best deals and when you are there, ask the locals. They know the best deals on a daily basis.

But the most important thing to remember, the best things in life are free, so enjoy beauty of Madrid!

Architecture and the Glorification of Man

I love architecture. I love watching documentaries about architecture, ancient structures and monuments. You know, stuff like the pyramids, huge churches, tombs, and all that. I could spend hours just watching how they were built and what people went through just to get them built.

But as I got to watch more and more of these documentaries, I began to see a pattern in many of these structures. A lot of them were built for the glorification of a person. It was basically for the vanity of one.

Whether it was an emperor competing to supersede his predecessor, or a bishop, proving a point or a rich nobleman intimidating his enemies, it all seemed like many of these structures had a purpose. That was to glorify a human desire.

That made me question, how many architectural wonders are made to fulfill a desire to help mankind and how many were made for a more carnal desire?

END

Is 50$ US Dollars a day in Europe possible?

A lot of people think that going to Europe is expensive. Well, if one plans carefully, sticks to a plan and learns to live within their limited resources, then, it is possible to see Europe on just 50US dollars a day.

First of plan, plan your route. I found it really practical to do short distance traveling using the bus instead of flying or taking the train. That way, I saw more of the country, spent less time on the road and of course, saved a ton of money as well.

Next, try to find out the rates of affordable accommodations in the area. Personally, I would look for home stays rather than hostels. Most hostels I have been to are filled with young, loud teen-agers who love to party and stay up late. If you want to have a good night's rest, this may not be the place for you.

Hostel rates can be anywhere from 10Euros (15 US dollars) to 25 Euros (35US dollars), depending on the city or country. There could be other charges as well, for example, sheets, towels, lockers, etc. So check on these things first before booking a room.

Aside from the internet, you can check with the local tourism office. I do that in some places like Germany or Spain. You give them your budget, and they see what they can offer you based on how much you are willing to spend.

I found out that staying in rural settings, for as long as there is a public mode of transportation to get to the city to see the sights, was an affordable option for accommodations. That way, you save a whole lot of money and still get to see all the attractions for a fraction of the cost.

So, even if you spent around 25 US Dollars on your accommodations, you still have half to spend on food and transportation.

Meals is a tricky thing for those who want to eat good food every single time. I am a person who can survive on sandwiches for a very, very long time. So, a large bottle of water, a loaf of bread and a pack of cold cuts goes a long, long way with me. But for those who prefer a decent meal, I do suggest asking the locals where they eat.

My cousin who traveled with me once, noticed I had no qualms about asking anyone on the street for directions, recommendations or other advise. Well, who better to ask than someone who knows their own city by heart, right?

If you do a bit of asking, you will be surprised to know, that eating on a budget is possible as well.

As for sight seeing, well, my philosophy is always, the best things in life are free. That holds true for many places in Europe. I love parks, open spaces, churches, quaint streets and open fields. These places offer great photo opportunities as well. You will be surprised to note that some of your best photographs were taken in places where you hardly spent a cent.

Finally, I suggest that you make friends in every place you go to. There is nothing like seeing the city or country the way a local sees it.

Being a Filipino, it was easy enough to spot Filipinos in every city in Europe. Thankfully, almost all Filipinos I have met were very warm and friendly. There were some who invited me to dinner, some took time to tour with me while others even offered a room for the evening. It made me totally glad to see how the kindness of Filipinos still exists even in foreign lands.

So, if you still think it isn't possible to survive on 50 US dollars a day in Europe. I've done so, and it wasn't at all like living off the streets and sleeping in train stations!

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