Military Travelers Anonymous

Thanks for Your Patience!!!

2010-09-25T23:21:00.000+02:00

Hello, Everyone,

First of all, I would like to thank you for your patience while I move. I will start back posting as soon as I get settled into my place. Please remember that you can send a message, post a comment, make a suggestion, or ask a question at ANY time. I receive any comment updates via email and will try to answer within 24 hours.

Contributors are always welcomed. If you've visited a place and would like to give tips and information let me know. My hopes are that in the near future I will be able to offer incentives for contributors.

Feel free to browse through any of the old posts. Please continue to pass along my info.

Look forward to my Halloween post - Translyvania and other highlights of Romania.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter. Your "likes" and "follows" are appreciated!

2010 Mega Cruise Sale: $42/night per person deals

2010-09-11T05:51:00.000+02:00

Walt Disney World's Armed Forces Salute 2010

2010-08-11T14:34:00.000+02:00

From January 3, 2010 to *August 31, 2010, Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and active members of the National Guard or Reservists, may purchase 4-Day Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute Tickets for themselves and up to five (5) family members and/or friends for $99.

The base ticket is valid for four days of admission into one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks. The Park Hopper option allows guests to visit more than one park each day. The Water Park and More option gives guests a total of four visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions.

During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel may make a one-time purchase of up to a maximum of five 4-Day companion tickets (one theme park per day) for $99 per ticket, for family members (including spouse) or friends. Although this ticket for family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper or Water Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, per option. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be activated by September 26, 2010. Block out dates 3/27- 4/9/2010 All locations. 7/3-4/2010 Magic Kingdom only. Tickets expire September 30, 2010.

* A program extension from July 31, 2010 to August 31, 2010 was announced in late April 2010.

Shades of Green® on WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort is an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) located in Central Florida. The newly expanded Shades of Green is one of two AFRC's located in the continental U.S. The Shades of Green Resort is a true resort destination; offering the perfect mix of exceptional resort accommodations and friendly hospitality. Visit http://www.shadesofgreen.org/ for the latest military deals.

Walt Disney World's Armed Forces Salute 2010 (and other) tickets are available for purchase at Shades of Green.

Visiting Rome

2010-07-30T11:01:00.002+02:00

Rome, Italy

Okay, guys. A few people are going to Rome this weekend so I'm throwing this information up to help facilitate their trip. I will come back and make it all pretty and neat later, so please excuse the mess!

Rome (Roma in Italian), located in the Lazio region, is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated municipality.

Its history spans over two and a half thousand years. It was the capital city of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, which was a major political and cultural influence in the lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea for over seven hundred years from the 1st Century BC until the 7th Century AD. Since the 2nd Century AD Rome has been the seat of the Papacy and, after the end of Byzantine domination, in the eighth century it became the capital of the Papal States, which lasted until 1870. In 1871 Rome became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, and in 1946 that of the Italian Republic. Since 1929 it is also the site of the Vatican City, an independent city-state presided over by the Pope.

Rome has been nicknamed "Caput Mundi" (Latin for "Capital of the World")[10] and "The Eternal City".[11] The city is, in addition, an important centre of pilgrimage in the Christian, notably the Roman Catholic Church,[12] and St Peter's Basilica, found in the Holy See, is often called "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".

Its historic centre is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.[33] Monuments and museums such as the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum are amongst the world's 50 most visited tourist destinations (the Vatican Museums receiving 4.2 million tourists and the Colosseum receiving 4 million tourists every year).

Major labels such as Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Versace have luxury boutiques along Rome’s prestigious and upscale Via dei Condotti.

Sistine Chapel - the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture, evocative of Solomon's Temple of the Old Testament, and its decoration which has been frescoed throughout by the greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and Sandro Botticelli.

Vatican City – (Stato della Città del Vaticano in Italian) - is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. It has an area of approximately 44 hectares (110 acres), and a population of just over 800. Vatican City was established in 1929. It is distinct from the Holy See, which dates back to early Christianity and is the main episcopal see of 1.166 billion Latin and Eastern Catholic adherents around the globe.

The Pope is ex officio head of state and head of government of Vatican City, functions dependent on his primordial function as bishop of the diocese of Rome. The term Holy See refers not to the Vatican state but to the Pope's spiritual and pastoral governance, largely exercised through the Roman Curia.[21] His official title with regard to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City.

Holy See - is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. Although it is often referred to by the ambiguous term "the Vatican", the Holy See is not the same entity as the Vatican City State. Ambassadors are officially accredited not to the Vatican City State but to "the Holy See", and papal representatives to states and international organizations are recognized as representing the Holy See, not the Vatican City State. While all episcopal sees are "holy", the expression "the Holy See" (without further specification) is normally used in international relations, as a metonym, (as well as in the canon law of the Catholic Church)[2] to refer to the See of Rome viewed as the central government of the Catholic Church. The Holy See as legal person bears many similarities with the crown in the secular Christian monarchies.

Getting to and around

Roma Pass

If you'll be staying in Rome for at least 3 days, consider purchasing the Roma Pass [17]. The cost is €25 and entitles holders to free admission to the first two museums and/or archaeological sites visited, full access to the public transport system, reduced tickets and discounts for any other following museums and sites visited, as well as exhibitions, music events, theatrical and dance performances and all other tourist services.

By foot

Once you're in the center, you are best off on foot. What could be more romantic than strolling through Rome on foot holding hands? That is hard to beat!

Crossing a street in Rome can be a bit challenging. There are crosswalks, but they are rarely located at signaled intersections. Traffic can be intimidating, but if you are at a crosswalk just start walking and cars will let you cross the street. While crossing watch out for the thousands of mopeds. As in many European cities, even if the cars and trucks are stationary due to a jam or for another legal reason, mopeds and bikes will be trying to squeeze through the gaps and may be ignoring the reason why everyone else has stopped. This means that even if the traffic seems stationary you need to pause and look around into the gaps.

By public transport (ATAC)

Tickets must be bought (from a 'Tabacchi' - look for the big 'T' sign, these shops are plentiful, or from a kiosk selling newspapers), before you board the bus, Metro, or tram. Metro stations have automated ticket kiosks, and major Metro stations have clerked ticket windows. Some of the rare trams have single ticket machines as well. Tickets for regular ATAC buses, Metro, and trams are the same fares and are compatible with each other. Options as of March 2010 were the following:

a single ticket ride ('Biglietto') - €1 - you can change buses or into and out of the metro on one journey (valid for 75 minutes)

Integrated Daily Ticket ('Biglietto Giornaliero') - €4 (Valid until midnight).

Integrated Tourist Ticket ('Biglietto Turistico') (3-day) - €11

Integrated Weekly Ticket ('Carta Integrata Settimanale') (7-day) - €16

Monthly Pass ('Abbonamento Mensile') - €30

Annual Pass ('Abbonamento Annuale') - €230

When you board the bus or metro you should validate the ticket ('convalidare') in the little yellow machine. The last four types of ticket on the list above must be validated the first time you use them only. On the whole, the integrated passes are not economical. Unless you take many rides spread all over the day, the single ticket ride option is preferable. Calculating if a pass is worth it is easy since a single ticket ride costs €1. For example, for a daily ticket (€4) to be worth it, you would have to make 5 or more trips at intervals greater than 75 minutes apart on a single day. Many visitors just walk through the city in one direction and take a single ride back.

Bus

Roman buses are reliable but crowded. They are the best way to get around the city (except walking). Free maps of the bus system are available. Others can be purchased(€3.5 at Termini). Signs at the bus stop list the stops for each route. Ask for assistance. (In Rome, there is always somebody nearby who speaks English).

Some bus lines have arrivals every ten minutes or so. Less popular routes may arrive every half hour or less. If heading outside the center beware that bus schedules can be seriously disrupted by heavy traffic. Quite often trips just get cancelled.

One of the most popular and useful lines is the 40, which arches from the Termini station through the historic center and then up to the Castel Sant'Angelo, near the Vatican. It is considered an express route, so its stops are spaced about 1/2 mile (2/3 km) apart; but it is also very frequent, very convenient for most places that the Metro does not go to, and very fast moving, especially compared to other routes.

The 64 also goes from Termini to the Vatican. Beware, it is a favourite with pickpockets.

The 116 and 117 are little electric buses which wind through the Centro Storico.

Night buses could be useful due to the closing of the Metro stations at 23:30 and the stopping of regular lines of buses and trams at midnight. During the summer (until 23rd September) and on Fridays and Saturdays, the frequency of the rides is halved, which can vary among 10, 15, 30 and 35 minutes depending on the line. In any case they are much more punctual than during the day, as traffic is much less jammed. This makes the drivers drive at high speeds, allowing passengers to experience a strange mixture of adrenaline and (the city's) classical views. Hubs of the night buses are Termini and Piazza Venezia.

Hop on / Hop off Buses

A popular alternative to city and pre-planned tour buses are the hop-on/hop-off buses. In the last few years there has been a veritable explosion in the number of such buses, and at the last count there were seven different companies. An all-day ticket runs about 18-20 Euros, can be purchased as you board at any stop, and provides unlimited access to available seats (upper deck highly preferable in good weather) and earbud headphones to plug into outlets for running commentary on approaching sights. Commentary is offered in nearly every European language. Most companies follow more or less the same route, starting is sight of Termini station but there are also two different tours of "Christian Rome" and the Archeobus, which will take you to the catacombs and along the Appian Way.

One good tactic for first-time visitors is to ride a complete Ho-Ho loop, making notes of what interests you. Then stay on until you arrive at each point/area you wish to visit, do so, then hop back on another bus (for that bus line) for the next point/area of interest. Even with a prompt morning start, seeing/doing all that's available with some thoroughness can easily consume the whole day. If you're there more than one day and like the approach, on subsequent days look for different bus lines that take different routes, e.g., most of the same points/areas but in different order.

For example:

City-sightseeing
Adult: €18.00
Child (5-15yrs): €10.00
Family (2 Adult + up to 3 Children): €51.00

Green Line Tours
Open-decker panoramic tour cost just € 20.00 for 24 hrs
Open-decker panoramic tour cost just € 30.00 for 48 hrs
Open Tour + Lunch Hard Rock € 31

Metro

There are two lines, crossing at Termini station. Line A (red line) runs northwest past the Vatican, and southeast. Line B (Blue Line) runs southwest past the Colosseum and northeast. Line A usually stops running at 11PM. On Fridays and Saturdays the last trains of Line B leave from the stations at 1:30AM and the line closes at 2AM to re-open at 5.00. The Metro is the most punctual form of public transportation in Rome, but it can get extremely crowded during rush hour.

Click here for a layout of Rome

How to find your train - this is a very useful link

Metro map

Where to stay

Rome Hotel search

Are You A Travel Addict?

2010-07-24T13:59:00.000+02:00

You Might Be Addicted to Travel If...

-Coming home is more like a vacation from traveling

-On your home-ward flight, you’re already planning your next trip

-Once home, you’re already booking your next trip

-Staying in the same place for more than one week makes you fidgety

-Films, books, music, pictures (hell everything) makes you want to travel

-Every day brings a new destination idea

-You don’t wait around for people but take off on your own

-Thinking about all the places you haven’t been makes you feel anxious

-When you’re not traveling you fantasize about traveling

-You say you could stop traveling whenever you want

-You’re happiest on the road

-You’re constantly counting countries and continents

-Booking flights gives you an amazing high

-When you’re mad or upset you feel better after planning a trip

-Your passport is with you at all times, just in case.

-While surfing the internet, you find yourself on a travel site 10 times out of ten, with no memory of how you got there

-The vast majority of your Facebook friends live across the world

-You have more than one currency in your wallet, just in case.

-When people ask what your hobbies are, you can’t say a sentence not containing the word travel.

-You’re talking to somebody and you can’t remember what country you’re in or what the last country was

-Your window shopping consists of travel agencies

-You don’t have paintings on the wall, you have maps.

-You take toilet paper everywhere you go out of habit.

-You keep a packed suitcase handy.

-You run multiple travel websites

-You spend two hours each day reading travel blogs and travel websites.

-When you think of prices, you value things in terms how many trips you can take or how many days in your next destination it costs. “At that price do you know how many trips I could take!” “At that price I could spend 10 days in Egypt! Let’s get this one- it’s only 5 days!”

-You pretend you are a travel writer.

-Some people cry when they leave home. You cry when you have to go back.

-When your friends ask you what country are you visiting this weekend

-When your friends are shocked if you stayed home for a weekend

Budapest, Hungary

2010-07-06T14:25:00.000+02:00

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest is the capital and largest city of Hungary. In November 1873 it became a single city occupying both banks of the river Danube with the unification of right (west)-bank Buda and Óbuda with left (east)-bank Pest.

Its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world's largest thermal water cave system, second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building.

Our flight was late on Friday. We flew from Rome Fumicino (FCO) into Budapest on Wizzair. The roundtrip flight was about 80 euro. We took the train from Aversa to Rome Termini and then the Leornado Express from Roma Termini to the airport.

We purchased Wizzair transfer service that took us from the airport to Madach Square which was in walking distance from the hotel. We stayed at Mercure Hotel Budapest City Center (there are several Mercure Hotels so you have to specify “city center”) that was located on the famous Vaci Utca. The hotel is in a very good location. The Danube, Madach Square, Deak Square and shopping were all easily accessible by foot. If walking is not an issue for you it is possible to walk to the Zoo as well (about 40 minutes by foot). Deak Square is where all three metro lines meet.

That Saturday, we participated in two tours: the Budapest City Tour and then the Night Stroll and cruise. We had plenty of time between the two to explore the city on our own and do a little shopping. The next day (Sunday) our flight wasn’t until 1955. We slept in for a little, went to eat at a Thai restuarant and decided to go to the Zoo.

Our original plan was to walk but we ended up walking to Deak Square and taking the Yellow line to Heroes’ Square and then we walked about 5 minutes to the Zoo. We stayed a few hours and then left to catch our transfer back to the airport. If you have time, Vidampark (amusement park) and the Hungarian State Circus are located right next to the Zoo. There is also a waterpark called Aquaworld. It is One of the biggest indoor water theme parks in Europe and has free transfer to and from Heroes’ Square.

This was a very enjoyable trip!

Photos copyright and courtesy of Sparkleling Photography.

Marmore Falls - Umbria, Italy

2010-06-17T13:56:00.001+02:00

Marmore Falls (Cascata delle Marmore)
Umbria, Italy

Marmore Falls (Cascata delle Marmore) is a man-made waterfall created by the ancient Romans. It one of the tallest in Europe and the tallest man-made waterfall in the world. It is located 7.7 km from Terni, a provincial capital of the Italian region of Umbria.

An entrance fee (5 euro) is charged to visit the falls and the surrounding area. Visit http://www.marmorefalls.it/indexen_GB.php for times and more information.

We took the train from Aversa to Terni. The intercity train was about 23 euros one way. We purchased a regional train for about 9 euros to come back. I would recommend taking the intercity or Eurostar train. We stayed at Hotel Michelangelo Palace which is right in front of the Terni train station (less than a 1 minute walk). We took bus #7 from in front of the hotel to get to the falls. The bus ticket is 1 euro each way and can be purchased from the bar located in the train station. It was about a 15 to 20 minute ride to the falls. Bus #21 also runs from the train station to the falls.

You can actually see the falls from the road. This is how you know when to request a stop. It was breathtaking. There are various paths that you can take to view the falls from different angles. Some are easier than others.

There is shopping within walking distance from the hotel. Also, dinner at the hotel was nice. We had Tagliate di manzo (thin beef steak with corn salad & cheese) and panna cotta for desert. It was absolutely delicious.

This was a very relaxing and peaceful trip. I highly recommend it. Feel free to post any questions or let me know if you need any help booking this trip.

Photos courtesy of Sparkleling Photography.

How to Use Local Transportation (Naples Area)

2010-06-14T14:14:00.000+02:00

HOW TO USE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN

THE SUPPORT SITE AND:

Aversa: Take the CTP T63R bus across from the base (Via Boscariello) to Aversa (get off at Via G. Mazzini, near Hotel Del Sole). The bus continues through Aversa. From the Support Site it runs every hour, (5 minutes past the hour), from 0705 to 2005. From Aversa it also runs every hour, (30 minutes past the hour), from 0730 to 1930.

Piazza Garibaldi (Naples): Take the CTP T63R bus across from the base (Via Boscariello) to Aversa Train Station (get off at Via G. Mazzini, near Hotel Del Sole). Take the train from Aversa Train Station to Piazza Garibaldi Station.

Capodichino: Take the CTP T63R bus across from the base (Via Boscariello) to Aversa Train Station (get off at Via G. Mazzini, near Hotel Del Sole). Take the train* from Aversa Train Station to Piazza Garibaldi Station. Take ANM bus 14, 3S or Alibus.** Get off at Viale Ruffo di Calabria (stop is right before the Barilla sign). Another stop is outside of the Capodichino Airport.

JFCN (Bagnoli): Take the CTP T63R bus across from the base (Via Boscariello) to Aversa Train Station (get off at Via G. Mazzini, near Hotel Del Sole). Take the train* from Aversa Train Station to Piazza Garibaldi Station. Take the metropolitana train to Bagnoli Train Station.

“Fleet Landing” (Stazione Marittima or Porto): Follow directions to Capodichino. Take the Alibus from Viale Ruffo di Calabria to the Port.

*You can take all trains except for Intercity and Eurostar trains.
**Shuttle bus from civilian airport to Naples (ticket can be purchased on board)

CTP BUSES CONNECTING TOWNS SURROUNDING

GRICIGNANO & AVERSA:

T41B Aversa, S.Antimo, Naples
T45 Aversa, S. Antimo, Giugliano
T46 Aversa,Teverola, Frignano, S.Marcellino, Trentola
T47 Teverola, Aversa, Gricignano, A.Arpino, Succivo, Orta, Caserta
T49N Aversa, S.Marcellino, Frignano, Villa di Briano, Casal di Principe, S.Cipriano, Casapesenna
T49R Aversa, S.Marcellino, Casapesenna
T51 Aversa, S. Marcellino, Frignano, Villa di Briano, Casal di Principe, Villa Literno, Castelvolturno, Pinetamare
T53 Aversa, Parete, Giugliano
T53R Aversa, S.Marcellino, Trentola, Parete, Giugliano
T63R Teverola, Gricignano (Support Site), Aversa
T65 Aversa, Gricignano, S.Arpino, Succivo, Caivano
T70 Aversa, S.Antimo, Giugliano, Naples (Cardarelli Hospital) S120 S. Antimo, Aversa
S121 Orta di Atella, Succivo, S.Arpino, Gricignano, Aversa
S122 Orta di Atella, Succivo, S.Arpino, Gricignano, Aversa, Teverola
S123 Giugliano, S.Antimo, Aversa
S124 Teverola, Aversa
S127 Villa Literno, Casale, S.Cipriano, Villa Briano, S.Marcellino, Aversa
S128 Casal di Principe, S.Cipriano, Villa di Briano, Teverola, Aversa
S129 Trentola, S.Marcellino, Villa Briano, S.Cipriano
S130 Gricignano, Carinaro, Aversa, Teverola

TRANSPORTATION TERMINOLOGY

Airport - aeroporto
All-day ticket – biglietto giornaliero
Arrivals – arrivi
Bus – autobus
Bus stop – fermata
Cable car – funicolare
Central Station – stazione centrale
Departures – partenze
Destination – destinazione
Don‛t pass the yellow line – non oltrepassare la linea gialla
Entrance – entrata
Exit – uscita
Expressway - tangenziale
Ferry – traghetto
Hydrofoil – aliscafo
Interstate highway - autostrada
Late – tardi
Next stop – prossima fermata
No smoking – vietato fumare
Operating hours – orario
Restroom - bagno, W.C., toilette
Round trip ticket – biglietto di andata e ritorno
Station - stazione
Streetcar - tram
Strike – sciopero
Taxi - taxi
Ticket - biglietto
Ticket window - biglietteria
Timed ticket – biglietto orario
Track - binario
Train - treno
Train to Sorrento, Herculaneum, Pompeii - circumvesuviana
Underpass - Sottopassaggio
Weekend day ticket – biglietto week-end giornaliero

Phrases:
How much does the ticket cost? Quanto costa il biglietto?
When does the train depart/last train depart? Quando parte il treno/l‛ultimo treno?
From which track? Da quale binario?
I‛d like a ticket to… Vorrei un biglietto per…

"The Beautiful Tuscan City of Lucca"

2010-06-09T16:46:00.020+02:00

During my travels within Italy, I came upon a small but beautiful town called Lucca. Lucca is located in Tuscany, Italy coordinates 43 degrees 51'N 10 degrees 30' E.

The city itself is surrounded by a huge wall approximately 12 meters tall which can be scaled and walk upon for better viewing of the city.

Lucca is considered to be a "Hidden Gem" of Italy, because a lot of people overlook the town due to it's small size. Unbeknown to some is that within these high walls is a town with a insurmountable history!

With or without a tour guide to lead the way, the trip will be more then memorable. Limitless shops, dining, entertaining locals and literally a historical stature around every corner; it's a must see for any traveling enthusiast!

Now for those of you who would like to stay over night to better fulfill your Lucca trip experience. I recommend staying at the "Grand Hotel Guinigi"! It is a 4 star hotel by Best Western located 2.2 km from the city of Lucca.

All the way from car shows to goofy locals, prepare for a fun experience!

Paris, France

2010-06-07T20:12:00.003+02:00

Paris, France

Well, today someone requested information on France. As far as France goes, I’ve been to Paris and Corsica. In this portion I will talk about Paris.

Well, I went to Paris for my 1st wedding anniversary. We had an absolutely fabulous time. One of our main goals was to go to EuroDisney. We did that and more.

Paris, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, is the capital and largest city of France. It is situated on the river Seine, in northern France. It is today one of the world's leading business and cultural centres, and its influences in politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities.

Ok, now bear with me as I try to remember some of the details of the trip. We stayed at Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel & Conference Center which is a beautiful hotel. I remember that we did two tours of Paris. One was a day tour that took us to the major landmarks of Paris. The other was a night cruise on the Seine River and a night tour of the city. I recommend doing both. To see Paris in the day and then again in the night is so different. We saw sights such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Montmartre and of course the Eiffel Tower.

I would be willing to go back because I did not go up the Eiffel Tower or into the Louvre.

I can’t remember the name of the tour agency, but I do remember that the hotel had various brochures. I also remember that the agencies picked us up from and dropped us back off at the hotel.

If you would like to see what tours are available visit MTA Tours at www.militarytravelersanon.com/citytours

You can also find more hotels by clicking HERE.

As always, if you have any questions or input please drop a line or two.

Florence (Firenze), Italy

2010-06-06T19:34:00.000+02:00

Florence (Firenze), Italy

Florence (Firenze in Italian) is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world,

Well, I must say that we truly “winged it” with Florence. This was our second trip there, but the first time was with a tour group. The only thing we had planned was that we were going to Florence and hopefully see David (the statue). Well, we survived. We shopped more than anything, but we didn’t get to see David.

How we did it:

We took a train from Aversa to Firenze Rifredi. The cost was 39.50 euro each way. It was about a 5 hour ride (on the train we chose). Nothing is at Rifredi. The main station is Firenze SMN. We transferred from Rifredi to SMN using the same ticket. (When you get off the train at Rifredi, follow the direction of Giuliani for toilets and information). We then tried to figure what hotel we would stay at. There are a couple of tourist information and hotel reservation desks in the train station. We ended up choosing Hotel Basilea which was 110 euro for one night for 3 people. It was in a good location. It was an easy walk from the train station and plenty of shopping and restaurants along the way.

After shopping our butts off, our stomachs started talking to us. We ate at Mostodolce which was good and inexpensive.

The next day we checked out of the hotel and left our baggage at the train station (deposito bagagli). We then took a hop on/off city tour of Firenze (Florence). The tickets cost 22 euro for 48 hours and you can use it for the public transportation buses.

I do wish we could’ve stayed an extra day. Regardless, it was still a good trip.

Let me know if you need any more information!

Bari, Italy

2010-05-28T16:27:00.000+02:00

Bari, Italy

Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia (Puglia) region in Italy. It is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas (now commonly identified with Santa Claus).

Places to see:

Basilica di San Nicola (Basilica of Saint Nicholas) safeguards the relics of Saint Nicholas and stands in the Old Town.

The Trulli are traditional stones dwellings of the region which have conical roofs. They can be found in the nearby town of Alberobello

Zoo Safari - Fasanolandia (Fasano) is a neat drive-thru zoo that also has a theme park and dolphin show.

How we did it:

We took the train from Aversa to Bari Centrale. We rented a car from the airport. We stayed at Barion Hotel & Congressi (5 minute from the beach). The first night we walked around the Old Town and saw the Basilica of Saint Nicholas. The next day we went to Zoo Safari and enjoyed the safari as well as the theme park and finally the dolphin show. Afterwards, we went to the town of Alberobello to see the trulli.

Tips & Notes: because of landslides in the area, there is a bus transfer between Benevento and Foggia (all included in the price of the train ticket). This adds about 1 to 1.5 hours to the scheduled train trip. When you go to the zoo, make sure you have plenty of 2 euro coins. It seems like that was the going price for almost everything! Also, make sure to buy lots of peanuts to feed the animals along the safari.

Welcome to Military Travelers Anonymous

2010-05-11T21:54:00.001+02:00

Welcome to MTA's blog site. The purpose of this site is to provide information and tips on various travel destinations. The name is Military Travelers Anonymous, but it's not just for travelers who are in the military. Anyone can benefit and contribute. If you have any questions about a particular destination, please feel free to ask it here. If you have any information or tips about a destination, please post it. Make sure to check out the "Travel Sites" links for more information. Visit www.militarytravelersanon.com/citytours to book tours and attractions from over 300 destinations across 80+ countries.