Journeywoman's Best Tips of 2007
TWO HOTEL TIPS FOR ITALY --
writes Sunny from Tel Aviv, Israel -- I've just returned
from two weeks in Tuscany and Venice and have some practical advice
for other Journeywoman readers. (1) When you're choosing your hotel
remember to request rooms that are not facing a busy, noisy street.
In one case we booked a reasonably priced place near the train station
but didn't ask about our room's actual location. Big mistake. To put
it mildly, we didn't enjoy the noise that continued most of the night.
(2) As you can imagine hotels in Venice can be very expensive so we
got off the train at Mestre - a train stop before Venice. We found
a lovely little hotel called Ariston priced at one quarter of the
price of a comparable hotel in Venice. Each day we took a twenty minute
bus ride into Venice for only one euro. We saved a considerable amount
of money that way and it was really quite easy to do. Website: www.hotelaristonvenezia.it
Email: ariston@3starshotel.it
I
FOUND A GORGEOUS HANDCRAFTED DOLL IN ANTIGUA -- writes
Evelyn from Toronto, Canada -- This is a Grandma
alert! On a Caribbean cruise ship stop in Antigua I found a gorgeous
doll for my granddaughter's collection. Different from the ones I
saw in the markets, this cloth doll named 'Lady Bug' is made by hand
and the $25.00 price tag reflected the work needed to finish this
souvenir so beautifully. Complete with braids and colorful beads in
her hair, this little creation has a spunky Caribbean personality
that any kid (and her grandma) would love. I found 'Ms. Lady Bug'
(part of the Rainbow People collection) at Best Gallery, Redcliffe,
St. John's Antigua. Tel: 268.462.9758
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you love shopping when you are on holiday, you'll love our Journeywoman section called, She Shops, Shops, Shops.
WHICH
CRUISE LINE HAS THE BEST BATHROOMS AFLOAT? -- According
to Linda Coffman, the author of Fodor's 'Complete
Guide to Caribbean Cruises' it's the Silversea Line that takes top
honours. Their 'double vanities, marble-clad showers, separate tubs,
and fluffy oversized towels are luxurious appointments, even in standard
suites.' Want to know more? Linda (creator of Cruisediva.com), is
also a member of our Journeywoman Network. She has cruise packing
secrets and other tidbits posted in our brand new section: A
Journeywoman Guide to Packing. Enjoy, everybody!
EATING
OUT IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN -- writes Ulla in
Stockholm, Sweden -- Eating dinner alone in a restaurant
can be boring, a pleasant alternative to that in central Stockholm
is to visit the food hall in the department store of NK.
At the place where they sell cheese by the kilo one can also sit down
and have a meal and a glass of wine. Select from the menu or choose
samples (cheese, ham, etc) from the disk. I sometimes eat there myself
after work when I am too tired to shop and cook at home. For visitors
to our city I recommend this as a perfect way to do some wonderful
people watching. Have fun, everybody!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Journeywoman lists over 150 women-friendly restaurants recommended by readers around the world. It's a must-read before you travel. Click here.
A
LOVELY MUSEUM CAFE IN LONDON, ENGLAND -- writes Clare
from London, England -- I must recommend The Cafe at the
Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington to other Journeywoman
readers. It's just a 10 minute walk from Harrods. They serve wonderful
food, reasonably priced, in a fantastic setting. According to their
website, 'The Cafe is located in the V&A's original refreshment
rooms, the Morris, Gamble and Poynter Rooms. These three rooms formed
the first museum restaurant in the world and were intended as a showpiece
of modern design, craftsmanship and manufacturing.' Their gift shop
offering over 2000 items is also well worth a visit. I was there last
year at this time and there were already plenty of Christmas decorations
for sale.
P.S. Wear comfortable
shoes -- this museum goes on and on and on. Museum website: http://www.vam.ac.uk/
COMMUNITY
RESTAURANT IN LONDON -- writes Maggie in London,
England -- Here's a good suggestion for your Journeywoman
readers. I've enjoyed several meals at this communally run vegetarian
restaurant, 'Bonnington Cafe' with its long tradition of exceptional
food served in a laid back, Bohemian atmosphere. The chefs, mainly
residents from Bonnington Square, work on a rotation system. They
open for lunch and supper. A 3-course meal is a bit under $10.00 including
tea or coffee. Alcohol is not sold but you can take your own or, if
you forget, buy from the off-license shop opposite the restaurant.
Check their site to see which local resident is cooking each day and
for enquiries or reservations. This is a great example of communal
living. 11 Vauxhall Grove, SW8 1TD. TUBE: Vauxhall, 2 minutes walk.
Website: http://www.bonningtoncafe.co.uk/
EDITOR'S NOTE: Check out GirlTalk London, our mini guide to London written from a woman's point-of-view. You'll find lots more helpful and practical information about enjoying the city. Click here.
I
LIKE THIS PARIS HOTEL -- writes Jean in Montreal,
Canada -- My niece and I recently visited Paris, France for
the first time and based on a recommendation I found on your JW web
site we stayed at the two-star, Hotel des 3 Colleges. We were really
pleased with the warm and friendly staff, the cleanliness of the rooms
and hotel, and most of all, the wonderful location on the Left Bank
(opposite the Sorbonne, in the heart of the Latin Quarter). We loved
the fact we could find great restaurants, many major attractions,
shopping and transportation close by. I highly recommend this hotel
to all of your readers who seek good, affordable accommodation in
Paris. I would definitely stay there again. Website: http://www.3colleges.com
P.S. I found your Journeywoman
newsletter and web site extremely helpful when planning my vacation
this year. Your hard work in compiling and maintaining this travel
information is greatly appreciated!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Need more recommendations for Paris Hotels? We have them. Simply click here.
Who is Journeywoman?
|
In
2007, we asked our readers to write in and tell us a bit about
themselves. With each new email that came in we were introduced
to delightful women living in all corners of the world and doing
what they do best. While our first languages may be different
and our food and cultures diverse, we learned for certain that
we all have one big pleasure in common. JourneyWomen love to
travel whenever and wherever we can. Meet some of these interesting
members... Best Travel Tips: 2006/2005/2004/2003/2002/2001/2000