Travel The World

We Choose the Global Pass Flexi to travel Europe

2010-09-26T06:48:00.000-07:00

Exactly a year ago I ventured on an exciting trip to Europe with my mom and my sister. Since we came from the Philippines, traveling to Europe is a long way. We took the Korean Air from Cebu and stopped over Incheon Korea for about 15 hours. Luckily, the Incheon airport in Korea is a very beautiful airport with the best and most comfortable seats I have seen in all the airports I have been to. We were given a hotel while waiting for the long stay so it was a real nice way to start a long and beautiful trip. Our holiday consist of going for a week trip to Toronto before heading to Europe and then back again to Toronto for the Christmas holiday. We had a total of 90 days holiday. We had a long and exciting trip ahead. A long stay in Incheon kinda' prepared us for a much longer and more interesting trip ahead.

After a week stay in Toronto, It was time to go to our ultimate destination- EUROPE. We left Toronto at about 7ish pm of October 6. I was particularly excited to have my mom in this trip together with me and my sister for the first time. I have been to Europe twice but only with my sister. We stopped over London to change plane going to Switzerland. About 2 in the afternoon of october 6, 2009 we arrived in Zurich, Airport.

I always think that Switzerland was our first stop even though we passed by Toronto and London. It was in Switzerland where we started this Rail travel in Europe. We bought the Global Flexi Pass for our trip. We bought the rail passes while we were still in the Philippines. The Flexi pass allows us to save a bit on the rail pass since we were to travel together all the time. The Global Pass Flexi allowed us 30 days unlimited travel to 21 countries all over Europe on consecutive days. Since we were planning on visiting a lot of countries within a period of 1 month, we decided that the Global Pass Flexi was the best way to go for the kind of itinerary we had. There are different types of Eurail Passes. Each one offers different options. You can ask your travel agent which is the best pass to get for your itinerary. You can also visit the Eurail Pass website to be better informed.

First stop Switzerland.

Travel Europe By Rail

2010-09-26T04:52:00.000-07:00

I always want to go back to Europe as many times as I can. Europe has so fascinated me with its beautiful scenery and awe inspiring architecture. We all know that visiting Europe can sometime means spending our fortune. However, there are some ways to limit your expenditure and instead enjoy more.

Europe is very well known of its efficient railway system. This is very important in allowing you to visit as many countries as you want without spending so much. You can also choose to visit this continent by taking tour buses or by taking a car to different places. In my tour last year with my mom and my sister, we choose to take the train as our primary way of transportation.

The train offers a cheap way to go and visit from one country to another. Hopping from one place to another is easy and convenient with the train. There are few things to know once you decide to travel by train in Europe.

If you decide to take railway travel you need to decide how many days you are going to spend in your holiday. Are you going alone or with a group? what countries are you interested to visit and how many? These are some of the relevant questions you need to ask yourself before buying your rail pass.

A Eurail Pass is a very practical way of enjoying your holiday in Europe. What is better way to tour this beautiful continent that by train. It allows you to relax and enjoy the passing view on your way to the next destination. The train offers all the convenience you want for an exciting trip. This offers a diner, a bed for over night trips. It also allows you to meet a lot of of other travelers along the way.

Flagstaff Arizona, A beautiful Base point before going to the Grand Canyon

2009-05-18T05:30:00.000-07:00

The North America Rail pass was one great find we had during our U.S trip. We had the option to go wherever we want, in whatever time within a one month period. We had a 3 day stay in Florida and had so much fun in Universal Studios. From Florida we headed to a one of the highlights of our trip....the trip to Grand Canyon.

We left around 8 am from Florida. From Orlando we passed by Washington D.C, Philadelphia, and some other states( I already forgot to count) before reaching New Mexico. I think we had almost 2 days on the train before reaching Flagstaff, Arizona. It was about 11 pm, I was so anxious to get off the train because it was already late and I still need to look for our hotel.

I didn't realized that my watch was actually set to central time, which was an hour ahead compared with Mountain time. I was relieved to know it was still 10 p.m when we reached our destination. We arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona and the place looked peaceful so I was even more at ease. We checked in at the hotel and I was glad we had a prior reservation. Besides being assured of a room even when it's already late at night, we also paid for a lower rate. One couple came in and took a room and they paid 20 dollars more than what I paid for. So, I was so glad we had made prior bookings to all our destinations.

Flagstaff, was a charming place. We looked for a church the following morning since it was May 10, my dad's birthday. We saw some beautiful shops where we bought some souvenirs. There were also a lot of tourists roaming around the area. Flagstaff is the gateway to the Grand Canyon. This is usually the place most tourists choose to their base before going up the the Grand Canyon. It is about 80 miles from the Grand Canyon, about 2 hours drive.

I Miss My Blog

2009-02-14T00:59:00.001-08:00

I have been juggling between designing several kitchen units, installing them and designing the interior of an office, residence, and a hotel room for HRM students. Its fun nevertheless. During my daydreaming moments, I am planning another trip this time hopefully with my mom. Probably another European trip. There is so much to see in Europe and my mom have been praying to visit Lourdes ,Rome and some other religious places.

I have not yet written much about my previous travels but I wish to travel more and share with you my escapades.

However, now I have to get back to work and save, save , save for my future trip.

Re-Tracing Back My North America Rail Trips

2009-01-14T04:14:00.000-08:00

The Amtrak rail service works a little differently compared with the rail system in Europe. Although the train travel system in Europe is very efficient, I also find it a little more stressful compared with my trips using Amtrak. With Amtrak, I was forced to be in the station an hour before my scheduled trip. It works similarly like taking the plane. This gives me time to relax while waiting for my trip.

Our first Amtrak trip was supposedly from Toronto to New York. However, my cousin offered to drive us all the way to New York from Toronto, an 11 hours drive. We toured around New York and visited famous landmarks including the Empire State building, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller, Times Square and so on. From New York we visited a friend in Delaware. From Delaware, our friend drove us to Washington D.C. In D.C we took a day tour and visited the white house and the surrounding tourist areas. Stayed over for two days and then headed to Florida.

We left the Union Station in Washington D.C. around 3p.m and headed to Orlando, Florida. We stopped over Philadelphia Union Station for our dinner and continued our trip to Florida. At 8:30 a.m the following day, we arrived at Orlando, Florida. From there we took a taxi going to our hotel near the Universal Studios. We stayed in Florida for 3 days. From there we continued our trip and headed to Flagstaff, Arizona. The trip from Orlando to Flagstaff almost took us two days, if I remember it right. We arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona about 11 p.m. according to my watch set to central time. Check time zones when travelling. Arizona is under mountain time which is an hour earlier than central time.

Prior to travelling, I have already looked for a tour operator going to the Grand Canyon. I was so glad I found the AMERICAN DREAM TOURS. Their service was outstanding. Our guide, Kevin gave us a very personalized tour complete with high powered telescopes, lunch with champagne, and loads of fun along the way.

From Arizona we proceeded to L.A. Unfortunately in L.A. I booked a hotel almost an hour away from the City Center. Spend $100 for taxi alone which was not worth it. Anyway, frustrations are part and parcel of any trip, but you have to go on and not let disappointments ruin your holiday.

From L.A we went to Chicago on board the AMTRAK SOUTHWEST CHIEF. The route coming from L.A to Chicago is very historical, passing along New Mexico, the reservation area, it was such a fun and educational route. There is usually a tour guide on board these routes. It took us almost 3 days in the train but it was fun nevertheless, meeting friends and people along the way. That's the beauty of every trip we make. Meeting people and gaining friends not just visiting places. It is more our interaction with people and seeing life unfold before our eyes as we look out through our train window.

From Chicago, we went to Milwaukee and stayed for a week visiting friends and family, After which we travelled to Denver, Colorado and then Colorado Springs. After three days we went back to Wisconsin and then Toronto.

We enjoyed our trip no matter how long. We could not have done it if not for the North America Rail Pass. We were able to travel miles and miles, saw places and people. We could have spend thousands if we took the plane or spend arduous hours on the road if we drove to those destinations.

Booking Train Tickets Using Your Rail Pass

2009-01-08T05:09:00.000-08:00

As per experience the best thing to do in order to completely utilize and enjoy the benefits of the North America Rail Pass is to plan your travel. Scheduling is important. You need to know where you want to go. Get a map and plot the places you want to visit. Check for places of interests or visit an old friend along the way. After plotting the places you want to go, decide how long you will stay in a specific place. Do you want to stay for three days gambling in Las Vegas or spend a night or two in the Grand Canyon? the Amtrak website shows detailed train schedule. This is very helpful in planning your trip. It will help you estimate the time of your travel, how long it will take you to travel from one destination to the other.

With your completed travel plan call the Amtrak customer service and book all train your trips. An issued ticket is required everytime you take the train. Once everything is booked, go to a train station and present the booking reference provided by the Amtrak customer service during reservation. Tickets will be issued to all your rail trips, just show your North America Rail Pass.

Aside from booking your trips, it is also advisable to book your hotels ahead in time. Early bookings will save you a lot of money. Most hotels and their booking affiliates offer lesser rates compared with the regular rates given to walk in clients. There are internet travel sites like Agoda which offers cheaper hotel rates for early bookings. Besides saving hundreds of dollars from early hotel bookings, this will also provide you the assurance and security of getting a hotel room especially when arriving late in your destination. You don't want to go checking for a hotel which suits your requirement at 1am in the morning after arriving from the train station. Pre-booking will also allow you to choose the best hotel that is suitable to your taste and budget.
You can also arrange to have a hotel transportation service. This is especially important when arriving at your destination during very late hours.

Where To Get the North America Rail Pass

2009-01-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

I was surprised that most people I talked with don't know about this type of rail pass. I asked some Canadian friends and they never heard about it. I went to a rail station in Toronto(not a major one though)and asked the staff about it but they only gave me a puzzled look.

I checked some travel agencies but they don't know either, well at least the few I approached had no any idea what I was talking about. I was so frustrated. Where could I get this pass? it should be available in any train stations or a travel agency according to the research I did in the internet.

I found my way to Toronto's Union Station- the main train station. Finally, I got hold of a North America Railpass ticket. Then realized that these types of passes can only be obtained from the main train stations.

With the pass in my hand, I can now travel to as many destinations in the U.S and Canada as I can in one month.

North America Rail Pass

2009-01-07T03:59:00.000-08:00

The Europe rail travel system gave me an idea to tour the U.S. and enjoy the scenery by train.

Internet research led me to the best deal I ever wanted- The North America Rail Pass. This Pass enables you to travel both U.S. and Canada and enjoy the scenery of both countries in one month. You can go to practically any place in U.S. and Canada through Amtrak and VIA trains. Connecting buses can also serve on routes which are not accessible by train. Imagine traveling from New York to L.A, or Toronto to Seattle. How about visit Miami beach or Washington D.C, Whistler, Rocky Mountain National Park. Do you fancy having your picture taken in Grand Canyon or Mount Rushmore? Why not gamble a few bucks in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Visit the Mansions in Rhode Island. Visit the Parliament in Ottawa or practice your french in Quebec plus you will be overwhelmed with the beautiful scenery along the way. Some historic routes like New Mexico even have tour guides on-board. You can make as many stops as like. Visit the 50 states or all the provinces of Canada. The possibilities are endless. You are only limited by your imagination and energy.

USA By Train

2009-01-06T19:23:00.000-08:00

Traveling around Europe is easy with the very reliable European Railway system. The synchronized travel system makes traveling by train a breeze. Expect no delays especially if you are traveling around the Suisse Area. A second late means you have to wait for the next train to come by but don't worry it won't take long. Trains comes every few minutes so enjoy the scenery while you wait for your ride.
However, will traveling to North America be the same experience? Can you get a fast, reliable, state of the art railway system in the U.S? Not quite! America is mainly an automobile country. However, they still ran a railway system but don't expect it to be as reliable as the one's in Europe. I overheard one European passenger on the train I took going to Toronto commenting that America's trains are lazy.
The passenger rail service provider in the U.S. is AMTRAK and VIA is its counterpart rail service provider in Canada. Train travel is a good and cheap way to tour North America. Traveling by train maybe time consuming but it is more exciting that taking the plane.

What To Do Before Starting A Trip

2009-01-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

After a visit to Switzerland, my sister ( my travel buddy) then decided its time to hit the road again and visit North America. With such a huge continent how can we ever tour the entire area like we did in Switzerland? and of course with cheap travels in mind. We are just travel lovers not millionaires so cheap travel but with lots of adventure and fun is our priority.

Before starting a trip, I always make sure to check everything necessary for my international travel. Do I have a travel insurance to cover me when accidents happen? I also have a travel guide handy for the destination I am intending to visit. Checking with your travel agents for any last minute travel deals is also helpful. Anyone will always want to save on their trips and checking the latest travel deals might just save you a few more hundred dollars for shopping.

Researching for tours in the internet for a specific travel destination will save time and money. It will provide you a lot of choices which will suit your needs and requirements compared with choosing from tour operators the hotel provides. Reading travel guides, places of interest, local customs and traditions about the place you are intending to visit will enhance your travel experience. It is also helpful if you know few conversational phrases which will make your trip easier. Locals will love hearing their language spoken by tourists especially if these are spoken well.

Always pack lightly. You don't want to go around town looking for your hotel with a huge traveling bag. Sometimes you only need to stay in a particular place for a few hours Most train stations or Airports have lockers where you can store you luggage and check out the area.

Going for vacations can be very rewarding and educational. You can be your own tourist guide if you know well in advance and have researched the places you need to go. A friend who lives in the area can also help you discover the non-tourist sites which can make your travel more exciting.

When you are on a tight budget.....

2008-12-30T22:10:00.000-08:00

....you don't need to be with a tight stomach also. As with U.K and many other European countries, Switzerland is pretty expensive in most everything including food. If you will be going out for a long trip or even just a walk in the park, it is best to bring your own food rather than go to a restaurant when hunger strikes. Hotels and restaurants in Switzerland can be very expensive, even McDonalds can be expensive also if you compare it with the prices in the U.S. The best thing to do is pack you food ahead. You can also buy your food in the grocery stores like Migros and Coop. A bottle of coke or water can cost twice in the restaurant or the train stations than in the grocery stores. Some Migros and Coop branches have also restaurants which offer cheaper choices but are nevertheless good quality food.
I also find souvenir items cheaper in resorts compared with those found in the stores in Zurich or the Malls.
....AND the best tip if you want to enjoy your stay in Switzerland and spend less is to stay with a relative or a friend. If you will be staying for more than a week, it is best to stay with a friend rather than a hotel. Hotels are only good if you will be staying in resorts for a a day or two. Staying with a friend will not only be cheaper but you will meet a lot of new friends in the process. You will also experience how to live in Switzerland, in a real house not a hotel.
So plan your trip now.

The Swiss Pass- The Best Way To See Switzerland

2008-12-30T21:16:00.001-08:00

Switzerland is a relatively small but rich country. The landscape is just spectacular. It is almost a picture perfect scene most of the time anywhere in the country. If you love nature, then this is certainly the place to go. If you want to see glaciers, lakes, mountains, vast orchards and not to mention beautiful architecture at one time in two to three hours then you will be disappointed.

Visiting Switzerland is expensive but you can be creative and still truly enjoy this marvelous country. Because of its small size and thanks to its efficient transportation system, you can travel from one region to the other in a few hours. Zurich to Geneva is only approximately 4 hours travel by train. In a matter of hours you will be transported by the efficient Swiss railway system from the German speaking Zurich to the French speaking Geneva in the west.

Buying a train ticket on every trip will probably cost you a fortune especially if you are planning to stay for weeks in this beautiful country. So how did me and my sister survived with little money in our pocket and were still able to visit almost all of Switzerland?

The answer is the SWISS PASS. Before knowing that this exists, we were tied to the house of our cousins most of the time. The most we did was to hike around the area, which was not bad at all considering that the scenery was so beautiful. But we knew that there was so much out there waiting to be explored. Our cousins and friends were more than willing to show us around but they have to work too. Its good enough that we have a place to stay and somebody to feed us...especially helpful since food in Switzerland is really expensive.

The Swiss Pass is a ticket for unrestricted travel on the entire network of the Swiss Travel System including the train, bus, and boat. This is all you ever need to get to all of Switzerland. You can also take the Post Bus where the train could no longer go. We bought a Swiss Pass that is good for one month since we were there to travel and enjoy for more than a month. You can hop and get off the train, bus, tram, boat anytime you want leaving no room for you to worry whether you miss a stop or need to get another train. Its hazzle free and enables you to go around Switzerland for less. You can book for trains going to scenic routes, see the glaciers, visit Zermatt where the Matterhorn is, the possibilities are endless.

Schengen visa is now accepted to enter Switzerland

2008-12-30T20:33:00.000-08:00

as of December 12, 2008, schengen visas are now accepted to enter Switzerland. Anyone holding a schengen visa is now allowed to enter Switzerland without having to apply for a separate Swiss Visa. This also means that anyone holding a Swiss issued schengen visa can already enter any schengen state. Now this is good news to everyone. Visit this website for more informations:
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/eur/vbel/ref_visinf/visbel.html

Applying a Visa for Switzerland

2008-12-30T19:55:00.000-08:00

I have been asked so many times how to get a tourist visa for countries like the U.S, Canada, and for Europe maybe because I have quite some experiences in this matter. Getting a visa is not easy especially if its your first time. You also need to know what are the visa requirements for a specific country. Most visa forms can be downloaded from the internet through the country's official website. I know a lot of people who have the money to travel the world but just don't have the patience, time or even guts to go to the embassy and apply for a visa. It is frustrating to apply for a visa and get denied even if you have the best intention of just being a tourist, no more than that...no hidden agenda or anything of that sort.
How exciting, frustrating, or nerve wracking is it to apply for a visa in any country? I was 27 and didn't have a job. I passed my board exam a few years back but didn't really wanted to practice dentistry. Then why not travel? i told myself. I wasn't doing anything just might as well go for an adventure...but where?SWITZERLAND!...sounds exciting!
I have few cousins who work in Switzerland for quite a long time already and getting a visa with sponsors may not be so hard.
So how one gets a visa for Switzerland?It was easier then in the '80's or '90's but if you have friends or relatives living there, it might still be not as frustrating as like applying a visa for the U.S or Canada.
Applying for a tourist visa for Switzerland during my first trip was almost a breeze. My cousin who lives there did all the processing for me. She went to the community office or Gemeinde in place where she lives. From there she gets the papers for sponsoring a visitor and have it approved by the police. Once it has the seal of approval, it is then forwarded to the the main Swiss Embassy of your country and in my case the Swiss Embassy in Manila. All you have to do is call the embassy and book for an appointment. Once you are there, it is almost as if your visa is already pre-approved. You just need to answer few questions to confirm your relationship with the sponsor.
Today, applying a visa for Switzerland has already changed procedures. Now you need to have an appointment with the embassy fill up an application form. If your travel will be sponsored by a relative or a friend, you need to send these papers to your sponsor in Switzerland who will have these processed in the Gemeinde and then return these back to you for another set of appointment with the embassy. A little more complicated than it used to be. If you are interested to visit Switzerland or have relatives there who are willing to be your sponsor, try to visit this website http://www.eda.admin.ch/manila . If you are planning to apply for a visa in any country, it is always best to have as much information as you can get from the internet before starting your application. The embassy's website will tell you how to apply and will give you very relevant information. It is more worthwhile than letting your travel agency do the processing for you. More often than not, the only thing these travel agencies know is to submit your application. It is also much better to asked those who have applied for a visa in that certain country, first hand experience is much better than relying on travel agents who might have not been able to travel or apply for visas themselves.
It is also best to get a Europe travel insurance. You can get one from axa travel insurance, AIG, or some other notable insurance companies. A travel insurance for Europe is a needed requirement for getting a schengen travel visa. You should always check your passport's validity before applying a visa and before travelling. Your passport should be at least 6 months valid at the time of your intended travel to avoid complications during your trip.

Can't wait to start ...

2008-12-30T08:43:00.000-08:00

Its 12:43 a.m. The long holiday break has left me with nothing to do but sleep and eat. One week has passed and I want to do something different. Maybe blogging is different from what I usually do....

I always want to go to places even as a child. My dad worked as a salesman then a manager of an appliance store. We changed homes like we changed our clothes. But we loved the adventure sans the packing of things and moving.
Locally, i have visited places of interest in my country. I have been to Baguio, Davao, Manila, Bohol, Tagaytay, and Bacolod. Those were interesting trips but my real adventure started when I had my first trip abroad.

Being a filipino, I have to go through a lot of hazzle getting a visa. This is one reason why even those who have the money to spend in a trip abroad get discouraged to travel outside the country. Most embassies in Philippines are located either in Makati City or Roxas Boulevard. People who don't have the patience to spend time in busy Manila and secure a visa are left with no choice but to stay and spend their holiday in the Philippines or in other Asian countries which do not require a visa. Getting a visa is not easy. You can get denied even with the purist intentions.

I have been denied a Canadian Visa 5 times but that was part of my adventure. Now I can coach applicants on what to do to be granted a visa.

This blog will tell you about the places I have been to, how to get there and my adventures getting visas from the countries I have been to. This will be a fun ride so please be sure to come back and check my blog.

The Creation

2008-12-30T07:45:00.000-08:00

Dec 30, 2009

After almost 20 years of using the computer and spending endless time in the internet, I decided to start my own blog. I have read a few blogs myself and thought that creating one might be fun.
I love to travel a lot and maybe i will be able to share with you how to go on trips without spending your fortune. However, if you have money to burn it would be different and it would be a different adventure. But for those who have less in their pocket but wants to see places then this is the blog to read.
Come journey with me!