Travelaggio

FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Hotel Booking

2017-07-05T18:51:00.000+03:00

I have just selected links to the best discounted hotel offers lists in host cities of World Cup 2018. By the way you can compare to those prices at the official FIFA site.

Hostels and apartments are listed as well. You need only to fill in the dates of your stay and book. Anyway make a bookmark on this page.

Here is official FIFA match schedule for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia:

Hope it will help you to choose the right dates at each city but hurry up - most of them have not enough hotels for such a global event!

Hilton Plaza (Hurghada, Egypt)

2011-10-21T11:30:00.000+04:00

Actually we've chosen it occasionally while looking for windsurfing spot with convenient accommodation and reasonable price. We decided to try but were not absolutely self-confident to visit such dedicated places as Dahab or so.

Hilton Plaza seems the only 5 star branded one in Hurghada having the ideal conditions for learning. The details about our windsurfing part of the trip will follow later.

Overview.

General view from the sea with windsurf storage and yellow excursion boats in the foreground

The hotel is very compact both indoor/outdoor. Situated near mosque and former centre of the city. However the territory is isolated well enough from the environment so you feel absolutely relaxed. The left border is with another hotel. And the right one – marina with a great number of diving and excursion boats. Diving club is here as well.

Hotel consists of the main building and bungalows in front of it. Rooms in bungalows are mostly more spacious and expensive than those standard of the main building. The width of the territory merely equals the width of the building. And the walking distance to the beach is 3-5 minutes. So it is really small. But don’t be afraid to get lost in the crowd. There are only 225 rooms (or the like). A vacant sun bed is guaranteed all day long.

On the way to the beach

Internal structure

The main levels are:

- The level of the entrance (from the street), lobby, restaurants, swimming pool, shops

- The level of the beach (two floors below the entrance), bungalows, the lowest living floor of the main building (1st floor), fitness & spa center, kids club. Actually the beach is even lower and accessible through a number of leading down walking paths.

There is one more living level between the 1st floor and the lobby – 2nd floor and three more above the lobby: floors 3-5.

Two transparent old fashioned elevators and the stairs nearby. There are two more outdoor top-to-bottom staircases (at the left/right end of the building). Don’t forget to visit for some panoramic photos.

Several more staircases around the pool connect lobby level and the bottom one. The fitness, spa together with kids club is right below the swimming pool – at the far left end of the 1st floor.

What else should be noted? The rooms of the 1st floor (standard ones) have twice more spacious terraces than those on higher floors. Though somebody would probably not be happy with the footpaths proximity. For me large terrace is great and paths are separated by a wide lawn and a bit lower.

No matter what exact room or bungalow you get the sea view is in the box as well.

The pool.

The only one pool is on the large open terrace two floors above the beach level. The pool itself is not so large. It has kids’ area and bar in the middle. No more information as we didn’t try it at all.

The fitness.

The fitness room is not so spacious but even rarely half-occupied. A couple of elliptic, a couple of running belts and cycling. Power trainers are not duplicated anyway gathering dust. The open hours are fixed but I used to come at 6-7 in the morning – the doors were open.

Restaurants

All inclusive board covers almost all the restaurants and bars so forget about hunger and thirst but don’t overuse otherwise your scales wouldn’t please you afterwards.

Main restaurant in the lobby – Coral Café is used for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the format of buffet within comprehensive all inclusive board. It is big enough. Though there’s a strong lack of outdoor sitting places at dinner time.

Lobby bar has only beverages both all-inclusive list and extra.

Lobby bar

Beach restaurant – Bambuti offers a la carte salads-pizza/pasta-burgers menu. Short list of all-inclusive dishes is served as well. A good alternative to take a break from boring main buffet or just to stay by the beach (or surf).

Kalian terrace and beach restaurant in the background

Beach bar has ice-cream and drinks (all-incl.).

Additional advice: fruit shops are within a walking distance from the gates (to the left, near the mosque). Mango is a must. Figs or something else is up to preferences. Fresh made juices are also recommended. Tons of happiness cost a couple bucks.

Rooms

Are waiting for renovation but not dramatically – remember where you are. Cleaning is rather individual. Some of the guys (i.e. cleaners, no women) really do their best.

Sea

The sea is Red. Blue colored Red Sea. By the way the whole region is named Red Sea with the centre in Hurghada.

From the room (1-st floor)

All the swimming area is a part of artificial lagoon with sand specially brought. There are no big waves – almost ideal for families with kids – though a bit disappointing for those fish watching snorkelers.

By the way windsurfers are training in the separated part of the same lagoon.

The beach is large enough considering the number of guests. Beach volleyball area, football field, playground, mini golf figures are in the second line.

Entertainment

We used to entertain ourselves and usually are against most aggressive forms of animation. However animation team of Hilton Plaza was delicate enough and thus not so annoying. We even attend some night shows and beach games.

Total

The hotel is perfectly balanced in terms of price – package value. Could be recommended for families with small kids. Highly recommended for those who dare to try windsurfing and want to feel comfortable enough and not to spend a heap of money for all of it.

North Wind windsurfing school is just by the hotel beach

The link to Hurghada Hilton Plaza at booking.com

Other hotels in Hurghada

La Taverna del Buongustaio. Restaurant in Naples (Napoli), Italy.

2011-04-04T01:40:00.000+04:00

You are unlikely to come here on your own initiative. The place seems not to be a tourist attraction. We were brought by our guide. There are few tables - it's better to book.

Very simple, oilcloth on the tables, cartoons on the walls. Orders are accepted by the owner. Salvatore - his name.

He also makes fun of the guests and brings dishes. Be ready with all your Italian knowledge (note in Napoli Italian is a special one): there is no written menu. You will be told about every course in detail. Whether you'll be able to understand is quite another question.

Frankly I don't remember what exactly we ate. Absolutely sure white vine was above enough. May be that is a reason. Everything was tasted and from each other as well. By the way after pasta unanimously ordered main course. Delicious and with home atmosphere. Costs are 70 Eu for 4.

PS An oldman entered. Played his mandoline, got some coins and left. Seemed frequenter.

PPS Contacts, as promised here.
Via Basilio Puoti, 8 - Napoli. Tel. 0815512626 Cell. 3386707731 Do nit forget to dial +39 .

Phone photos - dslr was provocative to pull out - too intimate around.

This is the street the tavern is situated in. One of the most common in centro storico. The signboard is in the left bottom part (click on photo to enlarge)

Napoli weekend diary. Step last - photos.

2011-03-30T15:49:00.003+04:00

Time spent in family - something like that. Written on the window of toys shop at Rome airport

On the way from Capri to Napoli

Capri

Fishing boat. You see a big fan. As we were told they use it to pull out the net.

Sorrento coast from Capri.

Round the isle of Capri.

Capri. Port.

Diner right at the port. Nontouristic as well.

Napoli Passenger Port.

Napoli weekend diary. Step last.

2011-03-30T15:48:00.000+04:00

Now finishing and resuming the trial already after the trip. Generally it's rather time and effort consuming if you try to do it from start up to the end. Sometimes I do not want absolutely take phone photos mostly because my hands are occupied with normal camera. But this normal one can't publish. So the format is usable for infrequent ocasions.

So there are photos left. Just to finish here they are: in the next post.

Napoli weekend diary. Step 10;

2011-03-26T02:30:00.000+03:00

After dinner we go from Salerno to Sorrento along Amalfitan coast and through all of these small towns: Amalfi, Maiori ,Positano, etc. Photos again from dslr will be later.

Napoli weekend diary. Step 9. The place.

2011-03-25T14:21:00.001+03:00

Simply. Tasty. Perfect. You would hardly come here occasionally. Salvatore is serving dishes himself. A man playing mandolin has come in to earn several coins.
Took a business card - will post it as soon as I find.

Napoli weekend diary. Step 8.

2011-03-25T14:06:00.000+03:00

Our Napoli excursion is coming to its finish at some recommended tasty place to try local dishes and non touristic atmosphere. So I take my phone again for a pair of usual pictures of Napoli centre.

Napoli weekend diary. Step 7. Next morning views.

2011-03-25T07:06:00.001+03:00

The views in the morning are fantastic enough to take my usual dslr and forget about phone photo for half a day.

Napoli weekend diary. Step 6.

2011-03-25T01:30:00.001+03:00

Night sea view from the balcony. Hope the weather will ok in the morning to compare.

Napoli weekend diary. Step 5.

2011-03-25T01:00:00.000+03:00

Finally home. Bristol hotel @ Sorrento.

Napoli weekend diary. Step 4.

2011-03-25T00:30:00.000+03:00

In Sorrento now. Have had late dinner/supper at Fenice - a strange restaurant or pizzeria open that late. About a midnight. Only English speaking guests. Did we take the wrong way? Pasta, vino, dolci, espresso, ... limonchella. Wow. Italy. Now we believe. No photos there - out of spare time. :)

Napoli weekend diary. Step 3.

2011-03-24T21:00:00.000+03:00

After short connection at Munich we are at Napoli. Take a car and going to the seaside - Sorrento. Breathing's great!

Napoli weekend diary. Step 2.

2011-03-24T16:36:00.001+03:00

Domodedovo airport. Nothing reminds about the recent explosion.

Napoli weekend diary. Step 1.

2011-03-24T13:34:00.002+03:00

A trial to make notes on the go. A short trip to Napoli and Roma just to drink some wine, to feel some spring, etc. Photos are telephonical - sorry.

There is some challenge to leave in the very middle of a working day. Just postpone some extremely urgent tasks for Monday morning and switch off. The airport shuttle is waiting.

Shopping requires sacrifice

2011-03-09T17:39:00.001+03:00

Sacrifice, in fact, was not required. Almost.

Target.

View Larger Map

Serravalle Scrivia, or just Serravalle which is near Genova perhaps the most famous application point of efforts and money of compatriots and not only. At least those who care what and at what cost to wear.

Here is one of the trade centers of McArthur Glen designer outlets chain. Such a fashionable village. The place itself is quite remarkable and blissful in its own way.

Exciting dance of cherished fratelli rosetti, pal zileri, prada, gucci, ferragamo, pollini, vicini, etro… Uff! Too carried away. Atmosphere of creative chaos limited only by a credit line of overwritten plastic. Happy faces on both sides of the hospitable counters.

Having flown from Moscow to Milano, you realize that on Tverskaya you were shamelessly robbed. Having gone a hundred and fifty further to Serravalle, you begin to understand more and more.

Starting point.

View Larger Map

Val d’Isère, а very ski-ful place, is as cozy as the elegant and caressing eyes. Return here is a must, and absolutely impossible to leave it. It stays with you forever. It remains the magical crunch of croque monsieur, perpetual Christmas night lighting, deceptive accessibility of Face and very real availability of huge Espace Killy. And this New Year delight, almost forgotten since childhood (that also asks at least for a moment return) won't ever let you go!

large photos

Route.

To leave one paradise for another is always a sort of sacrifice. Nevertheless the logo of the first one involuntarily recalls about more down-to-earth side of life, though this respected brand is not presented in Serravalle.

Right route way takes 400 km. Do not believe Michelin, if the planned route would be around 300 or even shorter. This is a summer one. No way in winter. To be safe, you can put an intermediate point, for example, Moûtiers. As a result, a list of basic items is as follows: Val d’Isère, Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Moûtiers, Albertville, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Tunnel du Fréjus, Bardonecchia, Torino, Asti, Alessandria, Serravalle Scrivia.

At the border FRA/ITA, while paying for travel through the tunnel Fréjus, it makes sense to buy a return ticket (discounted), for the case you would like to get back.

Finally at the exit from the highway A7 Milano-Genova we are met by the pointer:

View Larger Map

How it was.

Skiing that day had to be cut heartlessly. Already in the dark driving into our destination. Lap of honor round the dormant outlets and begin to look for the hotel. Already at a decent distance attracted to three-star one with the picturesque ruins view. Рaving stone, provincial entrancement - stunningly! And now - to Genova! Dinner wanted!

A few laps in the centre - everything is closed! Finally found, apparently the only one - thanks to the taxi drivers. Excuse me: forgot the name. Inside - not a living soul but queue of the waiters - waiting for! Ours introduced: Charlie Brown - and true - absolutely black. Well now, hold me seven! The holiday's next day, today - anticipation!

At 10 AM, to the very opening, but in another way we can't in fact. Ladies dissolve in a whirl of endorphins. Men cautiously make their way through the dangerous and alluring territory. Trunks and cabins are filled with packets. Packets are compressed then repackaged…

Two still young guys are sitting in the car and waiting for their forever-tireless girl friends. Silently. Half an hour. Not a word. Shopping SATISFIED!

Summer holiday house at the seaside: is that expensive?

2011-03-03T16:02:00.000+03:00

Italy. Friulia-Venezia-Julia. Adriatic coast. The place is called Lignano.

Why not Crimea or Caucasus? And who is interested? - Year by year, with rising prices no longer change anything. Rest on the edge of winning the seat in a miserable infrastructure. Oases of course happen among but the price tag is higher than Turkish one.

Allora, Lignano. 100 km from Venice driving to Trieste. The same distance from Treviso - fly there with lowcoster - Ryanair or Wizz air. 200 km - from Verona. The flight to Rimini is also possible (350 km).

Actually it is a promontory or peninsula - whatever you like. Consists of three main zones: Sabbiadoro - most prominent in the sea - Marinas, hotels, more expensive villas and apartments are here, Pineta - in the middle, pine trees give the name - mostly villas and apartments, Riviera - farthest from the cape - big camping, villas and apartments, marina as well right at the river (channel).

For families with children (or just the grandparents with children) - excellent. For teenagers and slightly older there are also places to hang out. But it is certainly not the world-famous resort. Do not wait for the stars here on tours and other celebrities. To go sightseeing - here you are: Venice (Venezia) (by public transport as well), Verona, Garda lake (Lago di Garda), Trieste. Slovenia and Austria are also in a driving range. Something closer: Porto Gruaro, Udine, Palmanova. Just ride around the neighborhood on a bike or go to the store - easily - at the information office (at the entrance to Lignano) bikes can be taken free of charge.

Cars, of course, cheaper to take upon arrival and return on the way back. But if only for a couple of days - right here at the real estate agency (!). Fiat Cinquecento will deliver a lot of impressions - pleasant from design and a bit less from driving. Navigator is highly recomended. nokia maps - more than enough.

Actual offers (http://www.agenziapineta.it/ ):

Villa bifamiliare MORASSI, Via dell’Allodola 8

This portion of the semidetached house is on the ground floor. It has a living room with a cooking area, TV with SAT-aerial, bathroom with shower, a double bedroom, second bedroom wit two beds and a folding- bed.

It has a private garden and is situated in a quiet and green area at about 800 m. from the beach. Parking in the garden.
From 21/05 to 30/07/2011:

The price is € 3.000,00 for the whole period, includes normal gas consumption, hot and cold water, electricity . (Off. N. 325)

Villetta CONTINENTI, Corso dei Continenti Semidetached house situated in a quiet area not far from city centre at about 500 meters from the beach.

The available one has a living room, with a wide covered porch, TV, kitchen, bathroom with shower, a double bedroom, a bedroom with two beds and a bedroom with one bed.
Parking place in the fenced, independent garden. Cellar with washing machine and enough place to deposit bike cycles/wind surfs..
From 21/05 to 16/07/2011:

The price is € 4.200,00 for the whole period, includes normal gas consumption, hot and cold water, electricity. (Off. N. 326)

These are not the whole houses, of course. But both have so called private garden. Thus the privacy is more or less ОК.
PS In Venice, a mandatory place to visit - the island of Burano.

Ski and therme. Who invented?

2010-05-14T11:11:00.002+04:00

Note: Cross posted from Proleisurer.

Read more...

Thermal Römerbad
at Bad Kleinkirchheim, Austria

The concept is rather widespread. Both Austria and Switzerland (and some others) have plenty of snow resorts with names carrying: bad-, bain-, and even therme-. ...