Day-trip Visit in San Marino Fortress

Schengen 2nd Week-end Solo Trip: Malta and San Marino

September 07 to 08, 2018

Day-trip Visit in Mdina and Valletta of Malta

Day 2: September 08, 2018 Saturday
0630H ETA Rimini; return bus 10
0700H ETD Rimini
0745H ETA San Marino; Fortress walk tour; Breakfast 8; Souvenirs 12
1030H ETD San Marino; Rimini Center Walk Tour
1410H ETD Rimini
2030H ETA Rome Airport; Check-in
2200H ETD Rome Airport
Total: 30 EUR

Day-trip Visit in San Marino Fortress

Spain Tour; Side Trip to Rome, Italy

8 Days Self-Guided Budget Summer Europe Trip with My Mother

August 18 to 25, 2018

Spain Tour; Side Trip to Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica

This was my 2nd visit in Rome, Italy following the 2013 Solo Europe Trip. After we finished sight-seeing Vatican City's Museum and Basilica, we walked straight to Piazza del Popolo, Piazza de Spagna, Fontana of Trevi, Pantheon, Piazza Navona and The Colosseum as our last stop. We bought cheap souvenirs in between Fontana of Trevi and Piazza Navona. I bought a roundtrip bus ticket from airport for 9 Euro. We left Rome Central terminal station by 1830H and left Rome aiport around 2200H going home.

Spain Tour; Side Trip to Rome, Italy

Spain Tour; Side Trip to Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica

8 Days Self-Guided Budget Summer Europe Trip with My Mother

August 18 to 25, 2018

Spain Tour; Side Trip to Lisbon, Portugal

This was my 2nd visit in Vatican City following the 2013 Solo Europe Trip but I only visited St. Peter's Basilica. From Ottaviano metro station around 0800H, we walked to St. Peter's Basilica first (free admission). The highlight of the sight-seeing inside the Basilica are the huge size statues of the Saint, Pieta sculpture and the Dome by Michelangelo and St. Peter's Tomb at the basement. Then, around 0930H, we went to Vatican Museum, it is advisable to booked your tickets online. Admission fee costs 17 Euro + 4 Euro if bought online. The highlight of the sightseeing inside (can take 3-4 hours) Vatican Museum is the Sistine Chapel's ceiling by Michelangelo and the spiral exit.  Photography and video taking is allowed inside both buildings.

Spain Tour; Side Trip to Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica

8 Days Self-Guided Budget Summer Europe Trip with My Mother

Spain - Andorra - Portugal (Lisbon) - Vatican - Italy (Rome)
August 18 to 25, 2018

23 Days Solo Autumn Experience in Central Europe (Oct. 2013)
23 Days Solo Summer Adventures in Central, Southern and Northern Europe (Jun. 2015)

"Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works collaborate with the creator." - Antoni Gaudi

My 5th time to visit the European continent following the 12 Days Solo Backpacking in Summer Russia (Trans-Siberia Train Ride) last August 2017 and 3rd time for Schengen Adventure following the Germany-applied visa for Summer Solo Trip last June 2015, 2nd trip with my mother abroad following the Winter Japan last Feb. 2015, total of 71 countries visited so far (total of 29 in Europe) and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Schengen Area guarantees free movement within territory of 26 countries. As of 19th of December 2011, Schengen Area consist of 26 countries (of which 22 are EU states): Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Being part of the area without controls at internal borders means that these countries no longer carry-out border checks at their internal borders and have stepped-up controls at the external borders. 

SPAIN
timezone - UTC +0200H    capital - Madrid    language - Spanish    currency - Euro (EUR)

visa - Philippine passport holders need to apply first before travel

8 Days Self-Guided Budget Summer Europe Trip with My Mother

The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Inferno" Tour

sightseeing the intriguing places in Florence, Venice and Istanbul mentioned in the Novel

"The human mind has a primitive ego defense mechanism that negates all realities that produce too much stress for the brain to handle. It’s called Denial." - Chapter 50, pp. 176-177

I made this post due to curiousness and fascination on Dan Brown's famous novels, on how he played my imagination while reading his book and incorporating my backpacking passion to wander them around. The adventure started in Florence, Italy last October 2013 where I headed to Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens first going to the Vasari Corridor, to Palazzo Vecchio where I found the mysterious Dante Alighieri's Death Mask, to St. John's Baptistry and its Gate of Paradise, then to St. Margaret's Church also known as Dante's Chapel. The pursuit continues on the same month in Venice, Italy by visiting the four horses in St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace. Finalizing the itinerary to Istanbul, Turkey last July 2014 in Sultanahmet's Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern.

Inferno's film adaptation to be released on October 14, 2016 with Ron Howard as director and Tom Hanks reprising his role as Robert Langdon. Filming is due to start in April 2015.

The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Inferno" Tour

The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons" Tour

sightseeing the intriguing places in Rome and Vatican mentioned in the Novel 

“Faith is universal. Our specific methods for understanding it are arbitrary. Some of us pray to Jesus, some of us go to Mecca, some of us study subatomic particles. In the end we are all just searching for truth, that which is greater than ourselves.” - Chapter 31, pp. 86-87

I made this post due to curiousness and fascination on Dan Brown's famous novels, on how he played my imagination while reading his book and incorporating my backpacking passion to wander them around. The adventure started in Rome, Italy last November 2013 where I walked first to The Pantheon, then to Piazza Navona and all the way to Castel Sant' Angelo. Then, continuing in the morning next day to State of Vatican  by visiting the St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Basilica.

Angels & Demons (also known as The Da Vinci Code 2: Angels & Demons) is a 2009 American mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard and based on Dan Brown's novel by the same name. It is the sequel to the 2006 film, The Da Vinci Code, also directed by Ron Howard. Filming of Angels & Demons took place in Rome, Italy, and features Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor and Ayelet Zurer.

The Viewing Deck Collections; Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons" Tour

The Viewing Deck Collections; Medieval Europe Castles

A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe during the Middle Ages by nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble. This is distinct from a palace, which is not fortified; from a fortress, which was not always a residence for nobility; and from a fortified settlement, which was a public defense – though there are many similarities among these types of construction. Over the approximately 900 years that castles were built, they took on a great many forms with many different features, although some, such as curtain walls and arrowslits, were commonplace.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle

The Viewing Deck Collections; Medieval Europe Castles

Budget and Safety tips in Solo Backpacking Central Europe

France-Switzerland-Luxembourg-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy
October 10 to November 02, 2013

Central Europe Hostels and Dormitories I checked-in

Europe solo backpacking is very, very expensive. This was the most ultimate and extreme budget deficit I ever had in my traveling life. Imagine for just Schengen visa processing, I spent more than $600 for total combined cheapest round-trip tickets, hostel accommodation, travel insurance, and other visa fees. By the way, read and understand travel insurance policy. Bring the original copy and have a scanned copy just in case as this might come in handy. In addition, I decided to travel in Autumn season because of the off-peak treatment aside for the major reason of 1st time travel with Foliage and not-so chilling ambiance. Off-peak season is from October to March while peak season is from April to September. Peak season fares and prices (train, accommodation, food, service, etc) can boost to almost 50%. 

In terms of security, what was mostly being reminded in all crowded tourist spots especially in Paris and Rome is BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS. Though I always bring my important stuff with me at all times, I constantly checked its presence at least 20 times a day . This was my first time being so much attentive to my things, I'm not like this before. Although there were no gut feeling of suspicion and people here are more smarter, I have to not lower my guard at no time. Even when I'm sleeping in hostel, I hug my important things with me in bed.

In terms of kindness, everyone is absolutely accommodating and willing to help. Though I experienced a little pissed-off moment in Paris and Vienna, most of the time I was overwhelmed of their kind attitude, especially Belgians and Dutch. Embrace the adventure, feel the local way of living. I asked mostly the local resident to challenge my social skill and adapt local language.

1st time collection of cheapest ref magnet comprising of the 9 countries of Central Europe

Central Europe Hostels and Dormitories I Checked-in

France-Switzerland-Luxembourg-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy

October 10 to November 02, 2013

Train travel experience and tips in roaming Central Europe last part

* 5 star is the highest, 1 star lowest. Recommended means the hostel/dormitory passed my overall qualification based on satisfaction stay.
* All booked accommodation have 10% reduction in their actual price during payment on arrival. This is due to the 10% payment did on hostelbookers website.
* Italy requires 2 Euro city tax for every night stay.

Friends Hostel, Paris (booked) Oct. 10-13, 2013, 3 nights for 54 Euro
- just infront of barbes rochensuart metro stn, very cheap & walking distance away to souvenir items and red light district
-somehow rude staff, only 1 outlet for 6bedroom dorm, very narrow bathroom, scheduled wifi(9am-6pm) & lots of bystander blacks infront
- somehow recommended (2.5 stars)
 
St. Charles Train Station, Marseilles Oct. 13-14, 2013.
- I intentionally sleep inside train station due to the ff;
1. I must exchange my booked online ticket to the SNCF counter (opens at 0500h) due the machine does not accept Mastercard intl, only Mastercard europe
2. I finished roaming around the city by almost 11pm and my etd was 0506h the next day. Its a waste of money for approx 5hrs sleep.
3. St. Charles stn is very clean and safe. I slept discreetly (on seating postn) behind the stores inside.

Hotel Glocke Backpacker, Bern

Train Travel Experience and Tips in Central Europe last part

France-Switzerland-Luxembourg-Belgium-Netherlands-Germany-Czech Republic-Austria-Italy
October 10 to November 02, 2013

Train travel experience and tips in roaming Central Europe 1st part

NETHERLANDS (HISPEED)
- booked tickets were Brussels to Amsterdam and Amsterdam to Cologne, both valid only on booked date but open time.
- no power outlet, no upper bank and no wifi onboard. Seats are comfortable, even the toilet.
- IC train bound to Amsterdam was stopped to more than 1hr due to technical problems
- though I booked in Hispeed website, most trains assigned were not their owned.
- my supposed to be night train sked from Amsterdam to Cologne has stopover of more than 5hrs in the middle of the night. Thus, sleeping outside station again.

GERMANY (DBAHN)
- booked tickets were all domestic trips (Cologne to Hamburg, Hamburg to Berlin, Berlin to Fussen and Fussen to Munich)
- credit card is required to show on inspector onboard together with print-out eticket
- no power outlet, no upper bankand no wifi onboard
- train seats are less comfortable compared to the SNCF, SBAHN and HISPEED.
- no english translation onboard audio announcements
- mini led display for the route reservation on that particular seat. If none indicated, these means that seat is open to anyone.
- no human/machine inspector for the metro tickets. When I purchased my ticket to a vendo, there is only one small validation machine nearby the platform. 
- Tickets bought are valid only on the date and time it was purchased. All details are included in the online eticket, ensure you understand accordingly.
- Berlin to Augsburg stop-over was delayed by 30mins, good thing the stop-over duration is 35mins so I still have time to analyze the station on the next destination.
- very stunning vivid meadow views on the left side of the train from Augsburg to Fussen, prepare your camera.
- in Munich, I have a sudden changed of plan due to boredom. I bought Bayern Bohmen ticket for 25 Euro which entitles for 1day unlimited ride in Bavarian region (RE/RB/CN trains only). I went for a short visit in Nunsberg. This is very, very economical knowing that I can immediately hop to any trains I want despite of peak periods.
- no wifi onboard and no 220v outlet. Trains are comfortable, even the toilet.

Czech Republic (CD) Train

Vatican City last part; 551 Steps up to St. Peter's Basilica Dome

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Vatican city 2nd part; inside St. Peter's Basilica 

Welcome to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. Here the impressive majesty to Michelangelo's architecture where the sky seems so close, the view of the Vatican hill, sanctified by the blood of the Apostle Peter and numerous other martyrs, offer an occasion for profound meditation. May the history of the place, its art and nature evoke in your heart the desire of pure beauty and a humble invocation of God. Be respectful of this place to be worthy of walking through the splendor of its artistic genius and heroism of sainthood.

Entrance to the dome is on the left side of the Basilica. Admission fee costs 7 Euro with the use of elevator but still has 320 steps to go while 5 Euro for on foot stairway with 551 steps. Opens daily from 0800H-1700H. Please keep in mind for the old, the suffering and the cardiopatic people: as to go up to the dome there are 320 steps, beside the lift.

Vatican city last part; 551 steps up to St. Peter's Basilica Dome

Vatican City 2nd part; Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Vatican city 1st part; An independent state within a country

According to the one of the civilian guards, Basilica will be open at 0730H. In this regard, I planned to visit it at that time to take the opportunity of fun shots with almost absolutely no crowd around. Free admission. Photography and video is allowed inside.

St. Peter's Basilica (Italian: Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano) is a Late Renaissance church located within Vatican City. Designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peter's is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and remains one of the largest churches in the world. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Basilica

The Pietà (1498–1499) is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica. It is the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. This famous work of art depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion. Thn. Michelangelo's interpretation of the Pietà is unique to the precedents.
 

Vatican city 2nd part; inside St. Peter's Basilica (La Pieta)

Vatican City 1st part; An Independent State within a Country

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Rome city last part; photowalk at night

My 27th country state to visit where 1st of only 2 observer state recognized by United Nations, 25th solo backpacking trip, 5th visa application for tourism on entire single page, and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

Vatican City State (IStato della Città del Vaticano), 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, and a population of around 840. This makes Vatican City the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world by both area and population. Vatican independent city-state was established in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Gasparr. Vatican City State is distinct from the Holy See. The two entities have distinct passports: the Holy See, not being a country, issues only diplomatic and service passports, whereas Vatican City State issues normal passports for its citizens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_City

Vatican City, independent state within a country (at night)

Rome City last part; Photowalk at Night

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Rome city tour 3rd part; other tourist spots

Intentionally walked at night to see how the lights illuminated on major tourist spots. Started around 1900H from Castel Sant' Angelo going back to Roma Termini. Tripod is allowed to use and no fees collected as everything pictured outside.

Rome city last part; photowalk at night (Castel Sant' Angelo)

Rome City Tour 3rd part; other Tourist Spots

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Rome city tour 2nd part; the Forum and Palatino

Trevi Fountain is a fountain in the Trevi district designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. Standing 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Pantheon is a building commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome.

"Mole Adriana" now called Castel Sant' angelo, was originally built between 123 and 139AD as the monumental grave of the Roman Emperor Publio Elio Adriano and was used as a tomb by the imperial families up until the death of the Emperor Caracalle (217AD). What to see inside are ; (1) "Marcia Ronda" with the four corner bastions designated with the names of the Evangelists (2) helicoidal ramp that goes up through the core of the Roman structure (3) courtyard of the Angel and Alexander VI (4) Papal apartments with frescoes and (5) Terrace of the Angel.

Rome city tour 3rd part; other tourist spots (Trevi Fountain)

Rome City Tour 2nd part; the Forum and Palatino

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Rome city tour 1st part; inside the Colosseum 

Admission fee to Forum and Palatino is 12 Euro that includes Coloseum. 

Palatine Hill (Mons Palatinus) is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It stands 40 metres above the Forum Romanum, looking down upon it on one side, and upon the Circus Maximus on the other. 

Roman Forum (Foro Romano) is a rectangular forum (plaza) surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Forum
 

Rome city tour 2nd part; the Forum and Palatino

Rome City Tour 1st part; Inside the Colosseum

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Pisa tour last part; 300 steps to the top of Leaning Tower 

Starting from the hostel where I checked-in first and which is only around 80 meters away from Roma Termini, I roam the city again by self-guided walk by a free map provided, starting back from Train Station. Admission fee is 12 Euro that includes also Romano and Palatino. Photography and video is allowed.

In 72AD the emperor Vespasian used the spoils of his Jewish campaign to build Rome's first permanent amphitheater to host hunting spectacles and gladiatorial combats. This cunning political move restored to Rome's citizens the area privatized by Nero for the construction of his new palace, the Domus Aurea. The building was inaugurated by Vespasian's son Titus in 80AD with a hundred days of festivities. The amphitheatre of the emperors thus takes its modern name of "Flavian amphitheatre" but it is more commonly known as the Colosseum after its proximity to a gigantic bronze statue known as the Colossus. 

Rome Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome. Built of concrete and stone, it was the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, and is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. It is the largest amphitheatre in the world. The Colosseum, was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. In 2007 the complex was also included among the New7Wonders of the World.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum

Rome city tour 1st part; inside the Colosseum

Pisa Tour last part; 300 Steps to the Top of Leaning Tower

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Pisa tour 1st part; strolling the Campo de Miracoli

Admission fee to the Leaning Tower of Pisa costs 18 Euro on scheduled entrance (one-time entry only). Distance of the Piazza from Pisa Train Station is just around 1 kilometer away.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre pendente di Pisa) is the campanile, or freestanding bell tower, of the cathedral of the Italian city of Pisa, known worldwide for its unintended tilt to one side. It is situated behind the Cathedral and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo) after the Cathedral and the Baptistry. The tower's tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight. The tower leaned at an angle of 5.5 degrees, but the tower now leans at about 3.99 degrees. This means that the top of the tower is displaced horizontally 3.9 metres (12 ft 10 in) from where it would be if the structure were perfectly vertical.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa

Pisa tour last part; 300 steps to the top of Leaning Tower

Pisa Tour 1st part; Strolling the Campo de Miracoli

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Florence city tour last part; other tourist spots 

I planned this itinerary for a short-visit only just see the world famous leaning tower. Coming from Florence, Town of Pisa is just 1 hour train travel away.

The Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), formally known as Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), is a wide walled area located in Pisa, Tuscany, recognized as an important center of European medieval art and one of the finest architectural complexes in the world. Considered a sacred area by the Catholic Church, the square is dominated by four great sacred edifices: the Pisa Cathedral, the Pisa Baptistry, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Camposanto Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery). Partly paved and partly grassed, the Piazza dei Miracoli is also the site of the Ospedale Nuovo di Santo Spirito (New Hospital of the Holy Spirit), which houses the Sinopias Museum and the Cathedral Museum. The name Piazza dei Miracoli was created by the Italian writer and poet Gabriele d'Annunzio who, in his novel Forse che sì forse che no (1910), described the square as the "prato dei Miracoli" or the "meadow of miracles". The square is sometimes called the Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles). In 1987 the whole square was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_dei_Miracoli 

The heart of the Piazza del Duomo is the Duomo, the medieval cathedral of the Archdiocese of Pisa, entitled to Santa Maria Assunta (St. Mary of the Assumption). This is a five-naved cathedral with a three-naved transept. The church is known also as the Primatial, the archbishop of Pisa being a Primate since 1092.

Pisa tour 1st part; strolling the Campo de Miracoli at night

Florence City Tour last part; other Tourist Spots

Central Europe last part; 5-days solo wandering in Italy

October 28 to November 02, 2013

Florence city tour 3rd part; Sta. Maria Cathedral, Campanile and Baptistry 

Academy Gallery (Academia de Galleria) is the hottest spot in Florence as it houses the Michelangelo's most famous works including the ORIGINAL David in all its glory. Believe the hype and deal with the lines because this one fit fella you'll never forget. Also Michelangelo's Prisoners unfinished works trapped in the stone and St. Matthew also Giambologna's Rape of Sabine Woman (a wonderful example of art rape). Entrance fee costs 11 Euro. Photography and video is NOT allowed. Souvenirs available inside. 

Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi) is the big one, take a long walk through some of the most famous paintings in arguably the most prestigious of European Galleries. For painting lovers the hours fly by. Entrance fee costs 11 Euro. Photography and video is NOT allowed. Souvenirs available inside. 

Dante's House (Casa de Dante) is where you know the life and inspiration of the Great Poet in this Alghieri's family house. If not you may laced in the Inferno's Hell or worse Purgatory and heaven. Entrance fee costs 4 Euro. Photography and video is allowed. Souvenirs available inside.

Florence city tour last part; other tourist spots (a night shot from Piazza Micheangelo viewing deck)