Barcelona - Insider Tips from a Local...

My "insider" recommendations for Barcelona Eats are,

La Boqueria Market; once inside the market, try Pinotxo or Quim de la Boqueria restaurants. Go early (1 pm'sh) because it will be packed afterwards.

Pizzaria La Verònica, in Rambla Raval, in my opinion, has the best pizzas. Most are vegetarian but they also have very modern (creative) ones. Quimet & Quimet is a very special place to eat something light before dinner or to eat dinner standing. The wine prices are low, as if purchasing wine directly from a wine shop. The place is located in a old bodega and they close at 22:30 pm, but you can stay inside 2o or 30 minutes more, no rush.

Buen Apetito!

Story, courtesy of Iker Guimarães

Rome - The Colosseum

When in Rome, make sure you visit the Colosseum, one of the most important and impressive historical sites of the city.

To get there, either walk from the hotel to the Colosseum (about 20 minutes), or take the Metro from Plaza Barberini to the "Colosseum" Metro stop or you can also ride the "get-on-get-off tour bus" and get off at the Colosseum (this is just one of many stops of this tour bus around Rome's historical sites). By the way, these buses run every 20 minutes and cost 15 Euros for 24 hours.

For a bit of history on The Colosseum before you go, it was built around AD80 in the old grounds of Nero's private Domus Area and it was originally called The Flavian Amphitheatre. It is a huge structure, meant to seat more than 50 thousand spectators at a time and it was where gladiator fights and wild animal shows took place for free, sponsored by the emperor for the amusement of the public. Some of these shows, or "games" lasted for more than one hundred consecutive days, during which thousands of gladiators and animals were killed, purely for entertainment.

To get in to the Colosseum, you'll have to cough up 15 euros and guided tours are available for an extra fee. The Summer schedule of operation is: from 9am to sunset, daily; In the winter, from 9am to 4:30 pm. You can view the Colosseum from the street quite well if you don't wish to spend the 15 Euros. This sight is particularly spectacular at night, when it's all lit by flood lights.

Here are some fantastic photos of the Colosseum from Josie-Lim Mcauliffe's (dcasw) recent trip to Rome.

Do you have any favorite places in Rome? Share them with us for publication, by submitting them to postcards@me.com

ROME - The Vatican City

Tour Rome on a Budget: Every last Sunday of every month, the entrance to the Sistine Chapel and the St. Peters Basilica is free till 12:30 pm. Otherwise it will cost about 16 euro for both entrance fees.

For 1 euro take the metro towards Musei Vaticani and as soon as you exit you should be able to see signs for the Vatican. I suggest you visit the Sistine Chapel first and try go as early as possible, for they close the door at exactly 12:30 pm and the later you go the more people you'll find in line. By the way, the line will look really long, but it goes really fast...

After seeing the Sistine Chapel, walk around the back to the Piazza Vaticani (The Vatican City) you will see St. Peters Basilica and you will have a spectacular view of the Piazza. The lines are not as long as at the Sistine Chapel, and this line also moves very quickly. Reminder, dress appropriately, shoulders should be covered and long shorts or pants are acceptable.

After the Vatican City, the "get-on/get-off Tour Bus is a great way to see the rest of the city. The cost is 15 euro for 24 hrs or 20 euro for 48hrs. These buses runs every 20

Enjoy!!

Photos and story by Josie-Lim Mcauliffe (dcasw)

BEIJING - The Great Wall

If you want to see the Great Wall and other sights in Beijing, especially on a budget, you can hire a driver for the whole day for about 500/700 RMB's ($70.00 - 115.00).

The drive to the Great Wall takes a little over an hour, and an early morning visit is highly suggested. If you leave Beijing by 6:30 am, you can see the sunrise over segments of the Wall and it's a spectacular view!

The other benefits of getting there early, are:
1). No crowds there that early
2). You can practically have the Wall to yourself
3). You can get back to the city and see the other great sights, like The Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, and still squeeze shopping after the sightseeing.

To hire a driver, call Susan and/or Bobby's at 13601255592 or 13701188206 - Beijing numbers.
to email ahead, write to: susan@sohu.com.

Have a great time!

Photos and story, courtesy of Josie-Lim Macauliffe (dcasw)

Spain - Barcelona Scene

I just traveled to Barcelona to see my friend Txell. She is from Barcelona and we studied
German together years ago.

I spent the weekend, Friday to Monday with her, and we managed to do quite a lot. She lives in Gracia, where there are lots of lovely cafes and restaurants, however, this time of year, at the end of August, it's more quiet than usual, since all the locals are on holiday. All the shops are closed and people leave to travel to other parts of Spain or farther away for holidays.

My favorites places in Barcelona, thus far:

Candal Restaurant - It has THE Best Tapas!

Cerveceria Catalana - is an amazing restaurant in Carrer de Mallorca

El Born - "the trendy" area in Barcelona that you don't want to miss!

Ra Restaurant

Hotel 1898 - at the very top, there's this great bar with an amazing view of the city and it also has a great ambience.

There are about 10 nice beaches near the city. Just take the subway and get off at the Barceloneta Exit. Once there, you'll have your choice of a lot of different scenes!!!

Salud! desde Barcelona!!
(Cheers! from Barcelona!!)

Story, courtesy of Kayra Martinez (FRASW)
Photos, courtesy of Kayra Martinez (FRASW)

Munich - Day trip To Neuschwanstein Castle

Photos and story by Josi-Lim MCauliffe (dcasw)

From the Hauptbanhof Station:

For a group of five or less, you can travel together on one ticket called "Bayern-ticket", it is about 30 euros good for one day for the whole group. The ticket allows you to travel anywhere in Bavaria's buses as well. When buying your ticket, specify that you are going to 'Fussen' and ask for the timetable for trains to 'Fussen'. Direct trains to 'Fussen' run every 2 hrs.

After purchasing a ticket, go to track 27 or 28 - that's where they usually leave from. There is no food or drinks on the train, so pack or buy your snacks and refreshments before you get on the train, because it's a 1:45 ride to 'Fussen'.

Changing trains:

Make sure you clearly understand if you need to change train or not. About half of the trains going to 'Fussen' require you to change in 'Buchloe or Kaufbeuren'. This is not a big deal, since the train you are meeting is directly across from the train you arrive on. Almost everyone on the trains are going to 'Fussen'.

When you get to 'Fussen', take the bus #73 or 78 to Schwangau. The bus will take you up the hill (your group ticket works on this bus). When you arrive in Schwangau, walk about 100 yrds and buy the ticket to see one or both of the famous castles. There are 3 ways to get up to the 'Neuschwanstein" castle.

1). You can take the bus (1.80 euro) and it will drop you off at 'Marien-brucke' (Maries Bridge) for a first great view on the castle. You have to walk about 10/15 mins to the castle. Make sure to go 'Maries bridge' where you will find the best view of both castles.

2). Take the horse-carriage to 'Neuschwanstein' (6 euro uphill and 5 euro down) and it will take you as close as possible and a small walk 5/mins to the entrance. The walk down is refreshing!

3). Get your walking shoes and hike the 45/mins walk.

* Reminder: make sure you have the timetable for the bus back to 'Fussen' and the train back to Munich (they usually coordinate with the times). It was worth every minute...Have fun!

Story and photos by Josi-Lim Mcauliffe (dcasw)

Moscow - Photos by Josie

Photos of Moscow - August 2009
Josi-Lim Mcauliffe's (dcasw)