UK - London Day 4

12 May 2016 (Thurs):

Our 2nd last day in London.

We continued with the various sights such as Tower Bridge, Tower of London, saw London Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross Station, St Paul's Cathedral, Borough Market, etc.

And more shopping along the way - clothes, souvenirs, foodstuff, etc.

Harry Potter's platform 9 and 3/4 for the Hogwarts Express. When we arrived at King's Cross station, we saw only platforms 1 - 6. Then where is 7 - 10? Much less to say 9 and 3/4???

Something made me to walk to the other end of the station and we found platform 9 and 3/4. It was only a drawing on the wall... lol. But there were many people queuing just to have their photos taken by professionals where they will give you props - wands, cloaks and will teach you how to jump and face the camera.

You can buy your photos for a fee. 

This is easily mistaken for London Bridge. Take note: this is the Tower Bridge, not London Bridge.

St Paul's Cathedral.

We caught a musical performance - The Lion King. It was a very good performance. If you are going to London, do not forget to watch one of the many musical performances there. Depending on the month of the year, there will be many different performances throughout.

Note: It is definitely cheaper to watch in London than in Singapore, although you pay in UK Pounds.

And with this, we end our trip in London. We will be leaving for Singapore tomorrow. It has been a great experience. Thank you, London for the wonderful memories! We hope to come back again soon!

UK - London Day 3

11 May 2016 (Wed):

It was another full day tour to Windsor Castle (45 mins journey from London City), Roman Bath - another about 1 hour from Windsor Castle and Stonehenge, about 2 hours journey.

We were picked up from our hotel and transferred to Victoria Station where we board our coach. Victoria station was huge and one would be lost if not for the clear, given instructions from the guide.

Windsor Castle.

Roman Bath

Stonehenge.

UK - London Day 2

10 May 2016 (Tues):

We woke up to a rainy morning. We have made a booking for a walking tour to Buckingham Palace and the rain sort of spoil our mood. We had hoped for a good sunny day.

Nevertheless, we proceeded for breakfast and bought our Oyster Card - similar to our EZ Link card. This card can be used for travel on the underground, public buses and sightseeing buses.

We met the guide for the Buckingham Palace and we saw the parade. It was hard to take photos in the rain. With an umbrella in one hand which we borrowed from the hotel and the camera in the other, I had to carelessly fidget with photos and video to be taken at the same time. Its either you risk getting yourself and the camera wet by putting down the umbrella and get a good take or u get blurred and not-so-clear photos with only 1 hand.

We also visited other sights such as Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, etc.

And guess who we saw?

Scrumptious breakfast at the hotel.

Oyster Card for travel.

London Sights.

Prince Charles and Princess Camelia.

UK - London Day 1

09 May 2016 (Tues):

On the last day, we took a 1.5 hours ferry from Calais, sailed across the English Channel and arrived into Dover. Another 2 hours drive should take you to the London Reception Centre or to the Hilton Kensington Hotel if you are extending your trip.

Hey! We are in London. We will be extending in London for another 3 nights where we will see Harry Potter's 9 and 3/4 platform at Hogwarts Express... Lion King Musical, Windsor Castle, Roman Bath, Stonehenge, Tower Bridge, Oxford Circus, Marble Arch, Harrods, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and many many more.

Oh... for a thought... here's some extras. FOOD! On the top of everyone's list... but i put it at the bottom..haha.

Breakfasts were mainly served Continental Style – bread, croissants, juice, yogurts, sausages, cereals, cheese and seasonal fruits.

You can get a variety of different cuisines throughout Europe. From simple baguette (French loaf) to sumptuous steak, seafood and veal dishes. Pizzas and pastas were readily available too.

Europe - France, Paris Day 2

08 May 2016 (Sun):

City Sights of Paris – Eiffel Tower, Are de Triomphe, Versailles Palace, etc.

Eiffel Tower Illuminations – the sparkles and glitters lighted up only at 10pm when were there. We were lucky to watch it. The Travel Director knows the timing. 

Europe - France, Paris Day 1

07 May 2016 (Sat):

The last city we visited. Paris, France.

A visit to Paris without watching the Moulin Rouge performance is equivalent to not visiting Paris at all. Spectacular show!

Paris – Renaissance La Defense.

The Renaissance La Defense, though located in the commercial area of Paris, were conveniently located. There was a shopping mall, just a 2 mins walk from across the hotel. We stayed here for the last 2 nights of our trip.

Europe - Switzerland, Lucerne

06 May 2016(Fri):

We drove about 5 hours from Venice to Lucerne. A cabrio ride up Mount Stanserhorn. Beautiful!! The top of the mountains were still covered in snow; ankle deep. Breath-taking view and scenery.

Singapore is 10.325km in the pointed direction.

Lucerne – Grand Europe Hotel.

This is an Authentic accommodation, dating all the way back to 1875.

Europe - Italy Day 4

05 May 2015 (Thurs):

Venice - The Romance of Italy.

Where Gondolas ride were the main public transport as the city were surrounded by waters.

St Mark Square for shopping... and a good 4 hours... errmm, we were sort of complaining ... too little to shop in too much of time. 

Venice – Novotel Hotel Venezia Mestre

There is a bar and grill just directly opposite the hotel, so if guests did not want to dine in the hotel’s restaurant, a walk across will fulfil your hunger. Do bear in mind, the food portions are big.

Europe - Italy Day 3

04 May 2016 (Wed):

The next day, we were off to Florence. There we saw Galleria dell' Accademia and The Duomo. It was an intensive walking day.

That evening, we has short walk back to our hotel. Florence – Grand Mediterraneo.

Rooms here in Grand Mediterraneo were small and warm. We thought the air condition were faulty but apparently, the rest of the guests felt the same way.

Another Optional up the Tuscany Hills where we had tremendous fun and laughter. We had all warmed up to each other. Even our coach captain provided a whale of a good time when were going downhills on the coach.

Europe - Italy Day 2

03 May 2016 (Tues):

Rise and shine. We had a Welcome Reception the evening before and we hit our pillows early.

We had a long day of flights the day before - SIN/DXB for 7 hrs, transit another 4 hours and then DXB / FCO for another 7 hours... waited for the complimentary for 2 hours..

We did the orientation drive in Rome – a site of ancient ruins, rich in culture and history, saw The Vatican City and the Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica, Piazzas and Fountains of Rome.

The Vatican City

St Peter’s Basilica 

Here’s a group photo, taken at the Colosseum. Our group people were mainly from The United States.

Piazzas and Fountains of Rome. This was done on the early evening. We walked through the alleys and corridors with our Local Specialists and has Gelato ice dream.

This was where we stayed for 2 nights. The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rome was wonderful. The rooms were big and spacious and wifi were readily available in the rooms.

Europe: Dubai Transit - Day 1

02 May 2016 (Monday):

Hooray! The long awaited day has come. I am going on a FAMIL Trip. Nver have i been to Europe before... my very 1st time... I hope its not the last though.

This is a trip to Central Europe which covers Italy, Swiss, Paris and onwards to London, UK. I am flying on Emirates which will transit in Dubai. But luckily i am not alone, I have my colleague from the accounts dept who will be joining me on this trip.

I will not be saying much, except for some intro of the attractions here and there. ( Frankly speaking, I only upload these post now in Dec 2016, although you see the dates were in May 2016 but there were many stuff i have forgotten)

Ahem! I copied mainly from my report. Yes, I have to do a report after the trip.

European Dream ~ 02 May 2016 – 09 May 2016

Travel Director: Sophia Belliveau

Driver: Alessandro Mari

Our itinerary starts from Rome and ends in London, with 2 nights in Rome, 1 night each in Florence, Venice and Lucerne, followed by 2 nights again in Paris. We will sail across the English Channel via ferry, from Calais into Dover and lastly, we end the trip at the London Reception Centre or the Hilton Kensington Hotel.

We had a transit in Dubai via Emirates and it was 0450hrs when we arrived at Dubai. Thinking it will be an empty airport since we arrived at such odd hours but I was so wrong. The airport was busy and there were many people everywhere.

 Emirates meals and entertainment on board. There were many channels to choose from. I watched at least 5 movies throughout the flight from Singapore to Rome via Dubai. There were also international languages to choose from as well.