Pisa

The train ride from Rome to Pisa was supposed to be a relaxing journey as we had a lot of time. After taking our breakfast we did a quick shopping round but didn't buy anything. We walked over to the nearby railway station and had a lot of time to wait before the train left. We kept looking at the board but they didn't seem to show the platform to Pisa so we thought there was a delay, again. When it was around 15 or 20 mins to board the train, the info came out. We quickly made our way to the platform which was quite a distance away. When we finally reached the platform, we asked the conductor which coach to board. To our horror, she told us we were on the wrong platform. We quickly turned back and walked as fast as we could because the train was supposed to leave in 5 mins. Luckily, another conductor pointed to us that the train was just on the next platform. To make sure, I waved at the driver and showed him our ticket. He nodded his head and shouted something and pointed to the back. So we quickly boarded the nearest coach and slowly made our way to our coach. We barely sat down for a few minutes before the train moved. At first we weren't sure whether we were on the right train, despite the driver's nod, but later when the conductor came to check the ticket, we sighed a relief and sat back to have a proper rest. We learnt our lesson. Trains are not like planes! We should check the train number rather than check the destination when looking at the schedule board! Our train to Pisa was actually to a further destination. Luckily the platform was just next to it, otherwise we'll have to get a refund and then get new tickets.
Our B&B was just outside the railway station. This was the best place we stayed in on our Europe trip. The 2 connecting rooms we took only cost 130 euros with breakfast and the place was spotlessly clean and tastefully decorated. Moreover the owner Michel is such a nice guy who gave us good tips and guide to visit Pisa.
Pisa is famous for the Leaning Tower. It takes about 20 mins to walk there from the railway station. Michel told us not to take the bus as the bus will take you a big round to get to the Tower. He was right, the streets were so narrow no bus can get in. Everyone seems to be walking in the heart of the old town. By walking we get to see more of the town, and enjoy the scenic views on the bridges and River Arno.This is the Scoula Normale Superior, actually a university for post graduate studies. Many famous Italian scientists supposedly studied here.
There isn't really much to see in Pisa, but the visit was worthwhile. Actually the real beauty is the cathedral beside the Leaning Tower. It was such a pity that the Leaning Tower took away all the glamour. Anyway, we had a lot of time to take pictures, front view , side view, leaning view, upright view, day time view, night time view!

When you see it at night it is even nicer. The interior is also very nice, but after seeing so many beautiful cathedrals in Paris and Rome, we were not so fascinated anymore.

From Paris to Rome

The train ride from Paris to Rome is about 15 hours. We took an overnight train with sleeping berths. The cheapest berths have 6 beds (they called it couchettes) in a cabin. We opted for the 4 in one cabin for privacy. The fare is of course a lot more. I remember paying around 500 euros for 4 tickets. The 6 bedded ones will cost 300 euros for 4 persons, but then you risk having to share the cabin with 2 strangers. Its worth paying the fare as we not only save one night's hotel rate but also save one day's travelling. We expected to reach Rome at 10 am but had to endure a 2 hour delay because of workers strike in Rome. On reaching. we walked straight to the hotel, checked in and took the metro to the main sight seeing area of Rome. Most of the places are easily accessible and with a map (provided by the hotel or you can print some from google), you can go anywhere!

Our first stop was the must see destination, the world famous Trevi Fountain, made famous by the many hollywood movies and the song, Three Coins in the Fountain.

The Spanish Steps (Piazza Spagna) , also a famous landmark, is within the same vicinity.
And when in Italy, of course we made sure we sampled the famous Italian food. We tasted so delicious pasta there that when we went back to Malaysia the Pizza Hut pasta tasted so horrid by comparison!


The Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are very near to Piazza Navona, where you can see street performers. There are many restaurants in the square. Its here we had our delicious Italian food, not forgetting the famous ice cream gelato!

The Roman Pantheon is also within walking distance. But I think the Paris Pantheon is more impressive, even though the interior is actually quite nice, too.

On the next day, we went to another must-see...the Coliseum!

The Roman Forum and Platine Hills are all within walking distance. Also the Hero's monument, where you can see the Roman Changing of the Guards. Its actually nicer than the London one, I don't know why its not much publicised

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You need to spend at least half a day for these places.

After this, we went to the Vatican city for lunch and visited St Peters Square and Basillica. St Peters Basillica is the world's largest cathedral. When you're inside, don't miss out on one of the most famous works of Michelangelo...La Pieta, a sculpture depicting the body of Jesus in the arms of his mother Mary after the cruxificion.Don't forget to join the queue of tourists who wait in line to kiss or touch the foot of the bronze statue of St Peter to ask for mercy and forgiveness. We're not Christians but nevertheless we touched the foot, too. The right foot is now so worn out after all the touching that the toes are no longer visible , only a stump remains!To those who intend to visit the Basillica, be aware that they have a strict dress code: no bare shoulders and knees. There will be officers stationed outside and also at the door to make sure this is followed. Just bring along a shawl or jacket if you insist on wearing your singlets in the hot summer days. You wouldn't want to go all the way there and have to stand outside and wait for your friends!
We had 2 nights and almost 2 days in Rome. On the third day, we took a train to Pisa..........

Second stop - Paris

As this was my first visit to Europe, Paris was inevitably one of the choice locations to visit. Staring from London, we moved on to Paris via the Eurostar. The tickets are cheaper if you book in advance. If you book from the Eurostar website, you get to choose seats. If you're traveling in a group, it would be nice to select seats facing each other with tables in the middle for you to have your meals. There is a cafeteria in the train but we bought food at the St Pancras Station and ate on the train. The Eurostar arrives in Gare Du Nord, so if you are looking for a hotel you should consider one near the Gare du Nord or any one which is near the metro stations.

To move around in Paris, the metro would definitely be the best mode of transport as the metro stations are everywhere in the city. We used the Paris Visite Card which costs 20 euros for 3 days. It is definitely much cheaper than buying trip tickets because you'll be using the metro a lot. Another option would be to get the day pass. It depends on your itinerary. You can also get 20% discounts on certain entrance tickets including Arc du Triomphe and the Pantheon.We arrived in Paris in the afternoon, checked in at the hotel and still had time to go sight seeing as sunset is 9 something. Our first stop was Place de La Concorde.

Here you can see the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries
A very common sight in many parts of the park and also in other parts of Europe.

and also walk across to the Louvre.

Next, we went to Arc du Triomphe .

The climb up the stairs can be tough for some people, but the view from the top is worth the trouble. And there are many interesting exhibits inside.
From here you can stroll along Champ Elysees.

The good thing about visiting Paris on your own is that you get to see the places at different times of the day. On our first day we enjoyed the evening and night view of Eiffel Tower. The best view of the famous landmark is from Trocadero. From 9pm the twinkling lights are turned on for 5 mins at every hour.

On our second day, we visited many places. Starting from the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, we went to the Jardin Du Luxembourg and then walked to the Pantheon which is a few minutes walk away. The inside of the Notre Dame and the Pantheon is a sight to behold. The Pantheon is in the Latin Quarter where the Rue Mouffetard Food market is. You can have lunch at the many restaurants in the area or get some pastries and sandwiches from the bakeries there. After lunch we went over to Eiffel Tower. You can pre-book tickets online and skip the queues.

The entrance tickets to the Louvre are discounted on certain days. We planned our trip to visit on Wednesday at 6 where the tickets are priced at 9 euros. I think its free for those under 26 yrs. Inside the Louvre is where you see the famous Mona Lisa painting and many other famous works. While waiting for 6pm, we hopped over to the famous La Fayette shopping centre just to check out the priceWe didn't buy anything there but took our dinner at their 4th floor. There suddenly you see so many fellow tourists..from Malaysia and Singapore, because its where you can get cheap food..McDonalds!

After the Louvre, we took a sunset cruise on the River Seine. And sunset means we start at 945 pm!

On the third day, we visited Sacre Coeur, walking distance from our hotel.But to go up the hill, we took the Funicula train. The Paris Visite Card comes with the fare. Our last destination was the Les Halles shopping area. This is where you can get real bargains.

After that we headed to Gare du Bercy to take the overnight train to Rome.