The Island Explorer

We woke up to a new year relaxed and energized again. We decided to have a late lunch after a hearty breakfast at the hotel. We ended up going to Madeline, and find a good restaurant there using our Blackberries.

Though very much against our will, we had to say goodbye to beautiful Venice. It would just be too costly to change plans, and we were to spend our New Year in Paris.

Ah, Venice. We woke up refreshed and ready for a day of exploration in beautiful Venice. And the beauty begins with our hotel, Palazzo Paruto.

We were to leave Rome in a few hours, and we realized we haven't gone to one of the wonders of the world. So, we woke up early, had breakfast, and took a taxi to the most visited landmark in Rome next to the Vatican.

Probably one of the most compelling reasons to go to Rome is the other country situated within its boundaries: the Vatican. Our second day in Rome was to be spent in the holy seat of Catholicism. We got up to a pleasant breakfast facing the Pantheon in our hotel.

So we made it to Italy. We took an Easyjet flight from Orly in Paris to Ciampino in Rome. Ciampino is somewhat like the budget terminal of Rome, and is nearer the city center. We had a difficult time getting a cab in the airport, as the cab driver imposed a high fixed rate to go into the city.

We were already getting bored with Paris, so we opened our guidebook and read through the walking tour options. Our choice was the quaint town of Montmarte, popularly known as the bohemian capital of Paris.

So it was Christmas, and the sun shone for the first time since I arrived. The pleasant weather was perfect for Day 3 of our European escape. We wanted to see more of Paris, hence we decided to go to the Eiffel Tower. 

I woke up at 5AM to meet Lizzy and Kats in the Latin Quarter area, where our next hotel was situated. I was supposed to stay for two nights at Cuadron, but since I arrived in Paris a day late, I had to spend just one night. We checked in Albe Hotel, which had a very good location in the Latin Quarter, just off Saint Michel station.

This begins my account of my first trip to Europe last Christmas 2010. I took a KLM flight to Amsterdam from Manila. However, the flight from Manila was delayed, so we missed our connecting flight to Paris. We were billeted overnight in Ibis Hotel at the Schipol airport, and boarded a morning flight to Paris the next day. So, I arrived in cold Paris after lunch, still dazed by the fact that my schedule got messed up, and I had one night in my hotel foregone. I was also in limbo because I couldn't believe I was in Europe. I had a very busy year, and just before my flight, I had to attend several Christmas parties.