Europe – livingmydream.travel

Travel Tips: How to travel with just a carry on..

With airlines increasing the cost of baggage plus the hassles of checking in and the chance of your bag being lost, carry on is the way to go.
I used to think that for long trips you cannot survive with just a carry on, not without compromising on style, but I was wrong. We traveled to Europe for 2 weeks with a carry on each. It was so convenient to just have small carry on bags when constantly moving from one place to other and it kept us organized as well.

So without further ado, lets see our little hacks and tips on how to travel light with a carry on.

Know the airline luggage policy

The first and foremost thing is to know the airline policy regarding the size and weight of your luggage. While there is no weight limit for carry on, most airlines have a size limit that measures 9″x 14″x 22” (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) including wheels and handles. In addition to your carry on, most airlines allow a personal item which may include a laptop bag or handbag or small backpack as long as it fit under the seat. While most airline has same restrictions regarding dimension, but make sure to check your airline for any restrictions.

Invest in good quality carry on

A good quality carry on makes all the difference when travelling for long/short trips. If you are planning to buy a new one we would suggest to get a four wheeled spinner which is much more practical and easy to carry than standard 2 wheel versions. We bought a Samsonite hard case carry on luggage, but everyone has different opinion regarding choice of brand or style. Do your research before you invest in the right cabin luggage that is easily maneuverable, light weight and can hold all important things that you need for the trip.

Roll your clothes don’t fold

Rolling your clothes rather than folding will optimize the space in your bag and keep your clothes wrinkle free. However, rolling technique doesn’t work for bulky items like sweaters or jackets which end up taking more space when folded.

Get yourself air compression packing bags or packing cubes

This was the life savior for me. I didn’t know about air compression bag up until recently when I had to pack for my Europe trip. The air compression bag frees up lot of space but tend to wrinkle clothes, while packing cubes keeps your clothes more organized and wrinkle free. I used packing cubes for my husband’s luggage as his clothes were more prone to wrinkles and for me I used compression bag as I had more stuff to pack.

Pack versatile clothes

When you plan on traveling light, you cannot carry your whole closet with you; you have to plan ahead and choose pieces of clothing which you can re-wear or mix and match. Pack outfits that can be layered so that you don’t have to carry your bulky jackets. Choose solid color which can go with multiple outfits. Wear your bulkiest piece of jacket and shoes during your flight to save space in your bag.

Keep your toiletry to a minimum

As airlines have restrictions on the amount of liquids allowed in the cabin, its reasonable to carry only the bare necessities on the flight. Please check TSA guidelines here.

Things you cannot take in your carry on

Liquids over 3.4 ounces (100 ml): You can take toiletries or other liquids in containers limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. These items must be packed in a one quart sized zip top clear bag. Liquids more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml not must be packed in checked baggage.

Sharp Objects: Sharp objects that aren’t allowed includes box cutters, knives (except for plastic or round bladed butter knives), scissors more than 4 inches from the pivot point, pocket knife, razor type blades, Swiss army knife.

Other items include sporting goods, guns and firearms, tools, self-defense items, explosive /flammable materials, and other dangerous items.

Check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for the latest restrictions.

Time for some more tips!

Remember that with compression bag you can fit more items and therefore it will increase the weight of your luggage.

Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag, but you have to declare these items at checkpoint before inspection.

If your hotel or Airbnb doesn’t have iron and your clothes are wrinkled, just hang in your clothes in the bathroom while you shower to steam iron your clothes.

Opt for solid version of Shampoo, body wash, deodorant which is a great alternatives to liquid toiletries.

Don’t forget to pack some first aid supplies like band aids,wipes, pain reliever, some indigestion tablets or whatever is your essential requirements, do check TSA guidelines related to medications.

Carry some extra bags, you never know when you will need them to pack your dirty laundry or if you are like me who always end up doing some shopping.

Do check with the country you will be flying to for their policies before packing.

Don’t forget to carry universal travel adapter.

Don’t over-pack! If you left something, you can always buy it at your destination.

2 days in Amalfi Coast, Italy

During our recent trip to Europe we spent two days in Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We started our trip by first visiting Sorrento and from there we headed to Positano and the town of Amalfi.

The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline on the north, located in the Province of Salerno of southern Italy. With beautiful landscape and culture, the Amalfi coastal towns are sure to take your breath away. It’s known for its sweeping water views , the quaint alleyways and small shops selling ceramics, lacework and marquetry (woodwork) and limoncello ( an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy ).

Arriving in Sorrento

The city of Sorrento has well connected public transport. You can reach Sorrento by taking any of these mode of transport.

Take a train from Naples to Sorrento: We took a Circumvesuviana train from Naples Centrale train station to go to Sorrento. The Circumvesuviana station is on the lower level of the Naples Centrale train station, below the high speed train platforms. Take the stairs down from the center of the station. For more details you can check it online.

Take a boat from Naples to Sorrento: You can also take a ferry from Naples to reach Sorrento. Its faster and gives a great view of the peninsula, but its little expensive than the train. You can check the details here.

Take a bus from Naples Airport: If you are flying to Naples Airport, you can take a Curreri bus from the airport. The point of boarding is at PI parking area and takes around one hour thirty minutes. The bus will drop you near Sorrento train station. We took the bus service while going back from Sorrento to Naples airport. For prices and other details you can check here.

Take a taxi : If you are ready to spend some extra bucks, you can also take a taxi to reach Sorrento.

Day 1: Sorrento

Sorrento is a town overlooking the bay of Naples in Southern Italy. It is the gateway to everywhere in Amalfi coast as you can take buses or ferry to Positano, Amalfi, Capri and other coastal towns from here. It is a very pretty town with some amazing landscape. We spent our first day exploring this town. Here are two of our favorite spots:

Piazza Tasso

Piazza Tasso, named after a famous Italian poet Torquato Tasso is the center of this town where you will find nice cafes, restaurants and bars. Also great for spending some time wandering around and enjoying the view of water from the top.

Marina Grande

A beautiful small harbor and a fishing port. It is a short steep walk from the center of the town but is well worth the effort. You can also take a bus from Marina Grande to Piazza Tasso too if you don’t want to hike back. There are lots of restaurants and bars along the water where you can enjoy some wine and watch the beautiful sunset. It is also a beautiful place to click some amazing pictures.

Day 2: Amalfi & Positano

We spent our second day visiting town of Amalfi and Positano. We started our day by taking a ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi via Positano, which took around 1 hour 30 minutes. We spent some time in Amalfi and then took a bus from there to Positano and finally back to Sorrento. You can get the tickets and schedules from the counters in Marina Piccola.

Saint Andrews Cathedral, Amalfi town

Amalfi is the main town of the coast. The most famous monument here is the cathedral which is a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo. It is dedicated to the Apostle Saint Andrew whose relics are kept here. It is located at the main square of Amalfi town. At the top of a staircase, it overlooks the Piazza Duomo, the heart of Amalfi.

After visiting the church we spent some time roaming around the streets of Amalfi and browsing stores for some souvenirs. We also tried handmade gelato here which was really delicious.

Wander the vertical town of Positano

Positano is another beautiful city along the Amalfi coast. It is famous for its pastel colored houses , breathtaking views, beautiful black sand beaches. Be prepared to hike loads of steep stairs up and down! While this sounds tedious but it is definitely worth the effort . You will find many galleries, stores, cafes while wandering around those steep stairs.

Get yourself a customized pair of leather sandals/shoes if you are willing to spend some money, which also makes a great souvenir!

Enjoy food with heavenly views!

If you are a foodie, you are at the one of the best places in Italy. Positano is full of good places to eat and drink. One of our favorite place was Il Capitano. The food and drinks were really good with stunning views overlooking Positano bay.

If you have more time..

If you have more time, visit the island of Capri. Capri is famous for its rugged landscape, upscale hotels and shopping and handmade leather sandals. Blue grotto, a dark sea cave where the sea glows electric blue, is one of the biggest tourist attraction of Capri.

To reach Capri from Sorrento, you can either take a private boat tour or ferry from Marina Piccola. You can buy ferry tickets online or from the ticket counters in Marina Piccola. You can find the ferry schedules here. There are many private/small group Capri day trips available from Sorrento as well.

Tips!

We really enjoyed our two day visit to Amalfi coast. We suggest booking your stay in one of the town on the Amalfi coast and from there you can visit other towns by boat or buses. We chose Sorrento as the hotel rates were relatively cheaper compared to Positono and Amalfi. Book your stay well in advance because hotels can get really expensive especially during the peak season.

Don’t forget to try limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy, especially in the region around the Gulf of Naples, the Sorrentine Peninsula and the coast of Amalfi. Limoncello is the second most popular liqueur in Italy after Campari. You can order it at virtually any restaurants. We got a bottle of limoncello and some lemon candies to take home.

Rome in a day …

We only had one day to spend in Rome. We know that it’s not enough to explore the city but we still made full use of the time in hands. These are some of the top highlights of our one day visit to Rome in chronological order:

Explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

We started our day with museums of Vatican as it is the most busiest and visited attractions in Rome. There are 54 galleries in total containing roughly 70,000 works, of which 20,000 are on display. They display works gathered by popes throughout the centuries including several of the most renowned Roman sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world.

The Sistine Chapel is the official residence of the pope, in Vatican City. It is famous for its Renaissance paintings that decorate the interior, most particularly the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment by Michelangelo.

Words cannot justify the beauty of this place. It was absolutely breathtaking.
We recommend buying the ticket in advance to avoid long queues. Guided tours are also available at an additional cost.

St. Peter’s Basilica

One of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition. It is believed to be the burial place of Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, also believed to be first bishop of Rome. The entry to the basilica is free but you have to pay a small fee for getting to the top of the building from where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the city.

Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps are a set of steps, climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. This is very popular among tourists as well as locals, and you will find many people sitting, relaxing and enjoying the views of Piazza di Spagna.

PS: As of August 2019 sitting on Spanish steps could now cost you $450. So be careful and don’t sit on the stairs next time you are in Rome.

Trevi Fountain

It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous and beautiful fountains in the world. Tradition has it that a coin thrown in Trevi Fountain is said to ensure the comeback to Rome, two coins thrown ensure romance and three coins thrown ensure the marriage with him or her. But you have to throw the coin in a certain way. You should toss it with your right hand over your left shoulder (or left hand over your right shoulder) with your back to the fountain.

Did you know around 3000 euros is tossed in Trevi fountain everyday? The city of Rome uses the money gathered to pay for the food and upkeep of a market for the area’s poorest inhabitants.

Piaza Venzia

Piazza Venezia is the central hub of Rome. The architecture, detail and scale of this monument is amazing. It is also a great place for some beautiful pictures.

Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archaeological excavations. It was the center of day-to-day life in Rome, the site of triumphal processions and elections; the venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches; and the nucleus of commercial affairs.
We just took a walk around the area and didn’t go inside the forum. If you have time and want to know about the history of this place we would recommend to explore the area with a guided tour.

Colosseum

We ended our day by visiting the Colosseum, which is an oval amphitheatre in the center of the city, situated just east of the Roman Forum. It is one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions and a must visit sight in Rome. Unfortunately, we only got to see the Colosseum from outside as we were short of time. We recommend getting tickets in advance if you want to explore this historical place.

Time for some tips!

Buy tickets in advance for major attractions like Colosseum and Vatican: To avoid the lines we suggest you buy skip the line tickets in advance to save some time. Guided tour are also available if you are ready to spare some bucks!

Public transportation is excellent in Rome. You can take Metro from the city center to Vatican city. We found Bus and Metro connectivity in the city really good.

Dress Modestly: For entering into the churches, shoulders and knees must be covered. Avoid sleeveless tops, tanks, shorts etc or carry a cover-up.

Carry an Umbrella: If planning to visit in summer, carry umbrella with you. Its was so hot and humid when we visited we had to buy an umbrella while waiting in the queue.

Wear comfortable shoes: Pack a pair of comfortable shoes to walk around the city.

Carry water bottle: You can refill your bottle at various water fountain located in the city.

Service charge for dining in: You are not expected to tip at restaurants in Italy. They will charge a service fee also called Coperto for every guest. It is generally 2 -3 Euros per person.

Be mindful of your belongings

Don’t forget to try the gelato!

Venice: The city of canals

Venice was one of the main highlights of our two weeks Europe trip. We fell in love with the city as soon as we arrived here and took our first ride through the majestic canal to our hotel. It was more beautiful than we ever imagined it would be!

How to get around in Venice

The Vaporreto is a Venetian public waterbus transportation service. It serves locales within Venice and also connects it to nearby islands on Burano, Murano and others.

The individual tickets and passes are sold at most of the larger vaporetto stations. The individual tickets costs Euro 7.50 and is valid for 75 minutes in one direction. But, we decided to go with 48 hours unlimited ride pass for 30 euros per person since we were planning to visit nearby islands as well. We bought the pass from the ticket counters at the Ferrovia (water bus stop serving the Venezia Santa Lucia train station). You can also buy the tickets online and redeem it when you arrive in Venice.

Always remember to validate the ticket before you board the water bus! We saw people with tickets paying hefty fine just because they forgot to validate it.

Things to do in Venice

Venice is one of the most romantic cities in Italy. The gondola ride, the romantic ambiance, the beautiful canal, the magnificent churches, the city has so much to offer. We spent two days in Venice and we loved every bit of it. Here is a list of thing to do in Venice that we enjoyed the most:

St. Mark’s Square and Basilica

St. Mark’s Square is the principal public square of Venice. It is one of the most beautiful squares in the world. All the important buildings are located on the square including St. Mark’s Basilica, Campanile di San Marco and others.

St. Mark’s Basilica is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, northern Italy. It is the most famous of the city’s churches and one of the best known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture. The entry to St. Mark’s Basilica is mostly free but you might have to stand in a long queue depending on the season. If you are visiting the Basilica during peak season, you can buy skip the line tickets online for 3 euros. For visiting other parts of the Basilica such as Saint Mark’s museum, Pala d’Oro, the Bell Tower, and the Treasury you will have to pay an entrance fee.

St Mark’s Campanile

The bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica is located in the Piazza San Marco. Originally built as a lighthouse to assist navigation in the lagoon, it is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. The current tower was reconstructed in its present form in 1912 after the collapse of 1902.
You can climb up the tower to get an incredible view of the city. To avoid the crowds during peak season, its best to visit early in the morning or late in the evening.

Gondola ride

Taking gondola ride was the most romantic experience in Venice for us. We really enjoyed the magical view of the city cruising through its canals. Since we were there during the peak season, we paid 80 euros for 20 mins ride during the day. The “official” price is 80 euros for 40 minutes ride though. If you are not willing to pay so much, the trick is to share the ride with someone else. But, you have to find the person willing to share the ride with you beforehand. We shared our ride with a nice couple we found near the gondola stop. The ride was really worth the cost as it was a once in a lifetime experience for us.

The Rialto bridge

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice. It is one of the famous and iconic bridges of Venice connecting districts of San Marco and San Polo. Although the bridge is always crowded, it still provides the amazing view of the canal. You will also find various shops on both sides of the bridge where you can buy some souvenir.

Explore the city!

Just walk around the cities narrow alleys until you get tired and can’t do it anymore! Stop at the myriad number of bridges and take pictures of the gondolas passing by. We spent hours just walking on the random streets, trying out the food, browsing the shops and taking lot of pictures.

The Island of Murano

Murano is famous for its glass making and lies about 1.5 kilometres north of Venice. To get to Murano, you have to take a short vaporetto ride from Venice. In Murano you can visit the Glass Museum which holds displays on the history of glass making as well as glass samples ranging from Egyptian times through the present day. You can check the entrance prices here. There are many glass factories as well where you can watch their artwork.

If you are looking for some place that is quiet and free from hustle bustle just head over to Murano and spend some time browsing the glass stores or just take a stroll along the canals.

Colorful houses of Burano

Burano, a picturesque island which is just a ride away from Venice, is known for its lace work and brightly colored fishermen’s houses. The colors of the houses follow a specific system, originating from the golden age of its development. Interesting fact about the colors: If someone wishes to paint their home, one must send a request to the government and they will respond with a notice of the certain colors permitted for that lot.

The town is very pretty and you will enjoy just walking the streets and taking some beautiful pictures. While strolling through the streets, you will see ladies sitting outside busy making laces. The pictures don’t do justice to the beauty of this island!

Time for some tips!

What to wear: Shoulders and knees must be covered for visiting Basilica. Avoid sleeveless tops, tanks, shorts etc. You can also bring scarf or coverups to wrap around instead. The coverups are also sold at the entrance.

Carry water bottle: You can always refill your bottle at various water fountain located in the city.

Service charge for dining in: Remember the restaurants charge a service fee also called Coperto for every guest. It is generally 2 -3 Euros per person.

Beware of Pick Pockets: Please keep an eye on your belongings at all time.

Spend some time exploring other islands: Be sure to wander away from the major tourist spots to enjoy other islands near Venice. Vaporetto pass includes transport to Murano and Burano.

Gondola ride: Before you take the gondola ride, make sure you decide the price up front. Find someone to share the ride with you to save some bucks. Don’t do it in front of the gondolier though!

Trip to Avignon: A Gem in Southern France

Arriving in Avignon

After spending two days in Paris, we took a direct OUIGO train from Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy train station in Paris to Avignon center booked via SNCF. The train journey took around four hours. We booked our stay at an Airbnb located in the city center for two days.

Things to do in Avignon

Avignon is a very charming small city with lots of history. You can enjoy most of the places of interest on foot if you stay close to the center. We had two days there before we headed out to our next destination. Here is a list of our favorite things that we recommend in Avignon:

Take a tour to Palais des Papes

The Palais des Papes is considered one of the largest medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. It was built to accommodate the popes who fled to Avignon from corrupt Rome. Its immense scale illustrates the medieval might of the Roman Catholic church.

The Palais is today a palace of culture and primarily a tourist attraction. The courtyard of the Palais des Papes is a central performance location during the Festival d’Avignon In, which holds every year in July. It is also the site of many cultural and economic events.

You can take a tour of the Palace by paying an entrance fee which includes an augmented reality(AR) powered tablet and a headset. The interactive AR experience is a fun way to know about the history of the palace. You point the tablet in any direction inside AR enabled rooms and you look through the tablet to see what the room looked like in the past. Once you reach the roof of the palace, you will be awarded with beautiful views of the city. There is also a snack bar at the roof where you can grab some quick bites to eat.

Visit Pont d’Avignon

The Pont d’Avignon is a famous medieval bridge in the town of Avignon. The bridge was the inspiration for the song Sur le pont d’Avignon and is considered a landmark of the city. During the 17th century, various parts of the bridge collapsed due to floods. In 1995, the four surviving arches of the bridge were listed as the World Heritage site.

We recommend visiting the bridge to know more about the history of Avignon. The bridge is a great spot to relax and to take some beautiful pictures of the city.

Relax at Place de l’Horlage

The Place de l’horloge is Avignon’s main square where you will find the city hall and the opera house. The square is one of the most happening part of the city especially during the peak seasons. Here, you will find a lot of restaurants and cafes with open seating. It’s a good place to sit and enjoy food and drinks with live street entertainment.

Walk the streets of Avignon

Wander around the narrow streets of Avignon or just sit and have espresso in one of the small cafe. We had some waffles and espresso at a popular local coffee place: The Milk Shop. Don’t forget to click some pictures as every street in Avignon is photo worthy.

Ride Petite train

This is a great way to explore the whole city if you don’t have time or are travelling with kids. The ride is about an hour with an audio guide. The trains starts outside of Palais des Papes and takes you all through the narrow streets and cover all major points of the city.

Take a day trip to Gordes from Avignon

Gordes is one of the most beautiful hilltop village in Provence. It has everything the beautiful winding street, the cobblestone path, the amazing hilltop view and various shops and restaurants. The Impressive Chateau de Gordes which dominates the village was built in 1031 and rebuilt in 1525 and is a major tourist attraction.

How to get there

There are various tours available for a day trip to Provence villages from Avignon and most of them includes some time in Gordes. You can book the tours via Expedia, viator or similar websites. If you are not driving and don’t want to spend on tours, you also have the option to take bus. If you decide to take bus, we suggest going to the information desk at the Avignon central bus station and getting detailed bus schedules.

There is no direct route to Gordes from Avignon via public transport. We took a train from Avignon Centre to Cavaillon and then took a bus from Cavaillon PEM Gare Routiere to Gorde Les Bories. The bus stop is right next to the Cavaillon train station. The entire commute took around 2 hours.

What to do

Visit the Chateau and the museum that it houses, the Pol Mara museum, contemporary Flemish painter and inhabitant of Gordes. The entry fee is EUR 7.

The best part of Gordes is its winding streets and the beautiful homes built on the hillside. Just take a walk and get lost in the streets of Gordes. You will find lot of spots with beautiful views of the valley. Don’t worry you will find your way out as it is a small village!

Buy some locally made souvenirs. There are plenty of beautiful shops all around the village.

Provence region is famous for its lavender. If you are here in summer between June and late July you can visit lavender field just outside of Gordes. Unfortunately, you can visit the lavender fields only if you are driving or if you have booked a private tour. We could not visit the fields but we did buy some locally made lavender products to take home with us!

Time for some tips!

You can buy tickets for Pont d’Avignon and Palais des Papes together and save some money. We bought it from the ticket counter at the palace.

Book your stay close to center of the city. You don’t want to be too far from all the activities.

Take bus to see Provence villages from Avignon if you are not driving or taking a tour. Visit central bus station’s information desk for detailed bus schedules.