Tour of Niš, Serbia

I stayed one night in Niš, a city in Serbia. The next morning, I took a self-guided walking tour with the help of google map.

Niš main attraction within the city is the fortress and the Nišava river.

From my guesthouse, it is a 20-minute leisure walk to the main shopping area, where there are some statues.

Beyond the shopping area is the Nišava river and a bridge leads into the entrance of the fortress.

The fortress covers a sizeable area and can be explored on foot. The pavements make the walk easy and there are helpful signboards with descriptions of the ancient structures within the fortress.

There is a path leading to the top of the city wall.

There are not many tourists around on that day. Hardly any asian tourists, if any.

After some exploration of the fortress, I went to MacDonald's for a meal. With a corner window seat on the second level, the view of the city centre is quite impressive. There is a supermarket in the shopping area as well.

Overall, Niš, Serbia is worth a visit. Its city centre is small and compact. It is safe to walk around, at least in the daytime.

B&B Sweet Home guesthouse review, Nis, Serbia

I took an afternoon flight on Ryanair from Bratislava, Slovakia to Nis, Serbia.

At the airport, I exchanged some currency for use in the city. As I will be staying a night in Nis, I will certainly need some cash to pay for food and transport. The helpful airport security guard pointed me to the exchange office which can be accessed from outside the airport building. 

After that, I took the airport bus into the city. The airport bus stop is to the far right of the small airport terminal building. The bus stand is not too obvious. But then I saw a bus coming along and stopping over there, so I guess that must be it. The only public bus operating from the airport is bus 34A and 34B, operating in opposite directions, looping in the city and terminating at the airport. The bus ride itself is not crowded. Nis is not exactly a big city, and certainly not too many tourists too.

With the help of google map, I alighted at the nearest stop to my guesthouse. This particular guesthouse proved difficult to find. Google map isn't really showing the accurate location. I had to seek the help of a friendly hair salon owner to call the guesthouse owner and gave me directions by pointing. English isn't widely spoken in Nis, I guess.

Turns out, the guesthouse is located in an apartment building in a residential area, shared by local residents. So there is no label at all on the street level. The only label is right at the doorstep.

The owner is a kind lady, who informed me that I'm the first Singaporean she has hosted in the guesthouse, haha!

Note that payment is by cash in the local currency only, so I was informed.

I have booked myself a one-night stay in a single room. This is the room, the first room to the right from the entrance.

The room is kept very clean, almost like a home. The single bed is very comfortable, reminds me of home. A desk and chair is provided. On the desk is a travel brochure of what Nis has to offer to the tourists.

From the top of the wall, there is a window that can be pushed out using a stick, giving me this view during daytime.

There is a shared toilet just beside my room.

There is a shared kitchen as well though I didn't make use of it. The only other guest I came across was another asian as well, whom I met on checking out of the guesthouse the second day.

There is a convenience store located across the street to stock up on supplies. Prices were helpfully labeled.

Yup, by the time I checked into the guesthouse, it was turning dark. So I explored the city only on the second morning.

In conclusion, B&B Sweet Home is a nice guesthouse to stay. That single room reminds me very much of home. 

Locating this guesthouse can be a challenge. Fortunately, friendly locals help me out on this one, just like in other countries. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have located it. But I'm not sure how else this can be improved. Maybe the owner could provide an airport pick up for a fee.

For the price I paid, I highly recommend it!

Bratislava hostel review - Freddie Next to Mercury

Bratislava is the stop which I first stayed overnight on my trip. In a bid to reduce my travel budget, I have tried all means to reduce the number of nights which I need an accommodation. This is done either by taking red-eye flights or by overnighting at the airport.

I'm scheduled to fly out of Bratislava only next afternoon, so a night in the city would be most appropriate for me. Browsing through travel sites such as Expedia, I came across Freddie Next to Mercury. It's located close to the rail and bus station. A 30-minute walk to the old town. Most importantly, it costs just S$13 for a night in the shared dormitory.

The hostel stay turns out to be unmemorable and I realized that I didn't even take pictures of the place. Anyway, a great benefit of this hostel is that it has a free computer for guests' use and printing services. In my case, after checking in, I seek the help of the very friendly reception to print my Ryanair boarding passes.

The dorm is located a few units from the reception down the same street in a residential area. It is roomy and kept clean. The bed is fairly comfortable. For the price I paid, this is alright for a night's stay.

The airport bus stop is located a short walk from the dorm. Convenient for those departing or arriving from the airport.

A night tour of Bratislava, Slovakia

From Bratislava airport, I took bus 61 to the city railway station stop. The bus stop is towards the right after exiting the the airport terminal building. Ticket can be purchased from the ticket machine at the bus stop, using coins only. I arrived prepared as I had done my homework on the airport bus. 

After alighting at its last stop, I then walked the remaining distance towards my hostel for a one-night stay. By the time I checked in and ready to explore the city, it was turning dark in the winter afternoon. 

My hostel was about half an hour walk away from the old town. There are some impressive architecture to marvel while wandering around the old town.

The main attraction within the old town is the castle, a long walk uphill. The night light-up is a beautiful sight.

 

From within the castle grounds, there is a great view of the city skyline and the river.

Once done exploring the old town, I began to walk back to my hostel, stopping on the way in a mini supermarket to stock up on food and also at a cafe for a waffle and cappuccino.

Bratislava is a walkable city. The old town at night is a pleasant stroll and the castle is majestic. In the next post, I shall review my pleasant, one-night stay at my Bratislava hostel. 

A short trip to Sofia, Bulgaria

Happy Chinese New Year ! Today's the third day of the festive season. In Singapore, the first two days are set aside as public holiday to celebrate this occasion. 

For me, I decided to embark on a short adventure in Bandung, Indonesia. I left on the morning of Chinese New Year eve as I need not work on that day, and I returned on the afternoon of the second day of the holiday, making this a three day trip. It also marks the first time I flew with Garuda Indonesia, a five-star airline, on their B738 aircraft. Turns out to be a great trip for me and I enjoyed myself !

I shall review this Bandung trip after my mega trip last december. Just barely started. Haha !

I took the overnight flix bus from Bucharest, Romania to Sofia, Bulgaria. The bus arrived and departed pretty much on time. I was really relieved to board the bus as the wait was becoming unbearably cold in winter.

The bus ride itself was alright. It turned out to be quite full.  

The passport check was conducted with all passengers seated in the bus. The driver collected all passports and handed it over to immigration officers. Soon after, the officer would board the bus and call out passengers with issues. Otherwise, the stack of passports would be returned to all passengers where the driver called out the names one by one.

The bus is soon on its way and arrived at Sofia train station pretty much on time. I was in no particular hurry as I was waiting for the money exchange office to open for the day and for daylight to explore the city.

After exchanging some currency to spend in Bulgaria, it was daylight. I made my way to the nearby metro station. This involved some back-trekking as the directional signs wasn't exactly clear. The metro ticket prices was extremely cheap and affordable by European standards. The metro ride itself was comfortable and safe.

Prior to arriving in Sofia, I had done some research and found out that the tourist attractions are only a few stops away from the train station.

After a breakfast at the MacDonald's, I began my self-guided, half-day tour of the city of Sofia. There were hardly any other tourists around the whole time I was there. The city is walkable and there are helpful signs for tourists that point to major points of attraction along the sidewalks.

Nevertheless, I spotted some impressive architectures.

There is a sprawling underground passage comprising of shops, archaeology and even connected to the metro station.

After exploring the city, I took the metro to the airport, just a short ride away.

Unfortunately, my wizzair flight departs from the other terminal, so I need to take the free inter-terminal bus.

My second time flying on wizzair !

Sofia is an interesting city to visit. And the archaeological displays are very intriguing. Hardly any tourists around, at least in december. Being the only Asian tourist around, as far as I can tell, I felt safe at all times in the city, even with very few passers-by on the streets. Even in the train station, where security guards are in plain sight in the early morning hours.

With that, I'm flying off on wizzair to my next, night adventure in Bratislava, Slovakia 😀

Visiting Bucharest, Romania

Upon reaching Bucharest airport, I took the airport bus to the city. There are two airport buses, 780 and 783. Bus 780 connects to the railway station while bus 783 goes into the city centre. Tickets can be bought at the manned counter beside the bus stop at the airport.

I had wanted to get to the railway station directly, but somehow I boarded bus 783 instead. So I alighted at a city centre stop with a nearby metro station, then transferred to the metro to get to the railway station. A bit of detour, but I managed to get to my destination eventually.

I bought my train ticket to Sinaia, the closest station to Peles Castle. While waiting for the train, I had my lunch at the MacDonald's in the train station. That's where I learnt Romania is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The train ride itself was fairly comfortable. I was assigned a seat within a six-seat enclosed cabin, where a row of three seats faced another row. There is luggage storage on top of the seats.  

There are some folding-down chairs along the aisle.

Once at the Sinaia station, I used google maps to follow the path to get to Peles Castle on foot. Along the way, I passed by the monastery. 

After a fairly long walk past a row of makeshift stalls selling souvenirs, I soon reached the Peles Castle.

After spending some time admiring the castle, it is time to head back to Sinaia train station.

The train timings are available on google as well, which makes for easy planning. After reaching Bucharest train station, I transferred to the metro, then followed by a short walk to get to the bus station, to begin my long wait for my overnight bus ride to Sofia, Bulgaria.

There wasn't much facility, if any, at the bus station. The only convenience store was closed early. There was a supermarket nearby in a separate building nearby, but it closed soon as well. There wasn't an enclosed waiting room for the buses, so in winter, it makes for an unbearably cold wait. Fortunately, the flix bus arrived on time and I was soon on my way to Sofia !

In conclusion, Bucharest is definitely worth a visit, especially Peles Castle. I didn't get to visit the interior since it was past the opening hours. I had originally wanted to visit the famed Bran Castle as well, but again there wasn't enough time. Finally, the bus station in Bucharest doesn't have enclosed waiting rooms. Something to note during winter.

Tour of Milan, Italy

From London, I flew with budget carrier Easyjet to Milan, one of the fashion capital of the world. Easyjet allows mobile boarding pass so I need not print out the ticket. This is my first time taking Easyjet. The flight is uneventful. Legroom and comfort level is similar to other budget carrier. 

At Milan Malpensa airport, there are manned counters at the arrivals area to purchase the airport bus ticket from one of two companies. The bus stop at the airport isn't clearly labeled but luckily the airport isn't really big so I manage to locate the waiting bus soon after. I took the bus to Milan central station to begin my one day tour of Milan, my first time in the city.  

As I was not planning to stay at a hotel in Milan, I left my luggage at the office in the Milan central railway station for a fee.

The Milan hop-on-hop-off ticket can be purchased at another end of the railway station. The stop for the bus is opposite the railway station building.

The star attraction in Milan is the beautiful duomo

An elegant, covered shopping arcade

Milan Castle

At the end of my self-guided tour, I proceeded back to Milan central station, get my luggage, and took another airport bus to Milan Bergamo airport. The bus ticket can be bought from the personnel stationed outside the railway station.

There are only limited seating/sleeping areas at Milan Bergamo airport, used mainly by Ryanair and other budget carriers. And this is where I spend the night.

By next morning, I will be on my way to Bucharest, Romania !

London by night

I arrived in London on a direct Norwegian flight from Singapore in the afternoon. As it is the winter, the sky has turned dark by the time I made it into London city.

Previously, I travelled from London Gatwick airport into town by train. This time round, I took the National Express bus into town. The bus is frequent and comfortable. The ticket, in the form of a boarding pass, is cheaper than the train, though the duration is longer. It can be bought at the airport manned counter. It is even cheaper if bought online in advance, but the timing is fixed so I'd rather buy it over the counter for a bit more. This is fine with me since I'm not really in a hurry.

From Victoria coach station, I walked by the Buckingham palace in the dark.

My original plan was to get to Leicester Square to buy a ticket for a London West End show. Once there, however, I decided against it and instead just have a walk in the area. Saving this for my next London trip haha! 

I have been to London a few times previously but this is my first time in the Leicester Square area. Turns out, the night scene is very lively and packed full of people. There are plenty of entertainment options and stores.

I wandered into the Lego store and on display was a London underground train built from lego bricks.

I followed my original plan and went in search of the one and only London Old Chang Kee store, located along a narrow, less crowded street, complete with Singapore flags.

There are limited seating in the eatery but fortunately there aren't many patrons so I get to sit down and have a puff. For the novelty !

With that, it's time to head back to Victoria coach station. Over there, the bus ticket can be bought at the ticket kiosk. The bus arrival time and platform number are displayed on the tv screen. My bus ride to London Gatwick airport is equally uneventful. 

I spent the night in the airport terminal. There are two terminals at London Gatwick, North and South terminal, connected by the free airport train, both with limited seating options with armrests. It is safe to spend the night at the London Gatwick airport, as there are people around at all hours of the night.

There are paid computers with printer facility to print my Ryanair boarding pass in the airport terminal. Probably the only disadvantage of taking Ryanair flights as I can only print the ticket a few days before the flight. So I cannot print it prior to leaving Singapore. Next time I should just take Easyjet or Wizzair flights instead since they offer mobile boarding pass.

An early morning breakfast of porridge in London Gatwick departure area before my flight to Milan !

In my next post, I shall review my first-time trip to Milan, Italy.