Travel Journal

  • Europe,  Montenegro,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    End of 2020: Two Terrifying Moments (Montenegro)

    After being forced to take some rest because of travel restrictions (and rain), we have 2 days to change regions without breaking the law. Ulcinj I choose Ulcinj, a rather big city with a picturesque old town high up, with a sea view. Paradise on Earth. Having been in a warm and comfortable infrastructure for several days, we do not realize that the storm Stella is also approaching Montenegro. In the morning, as we leave the hotel to our Airbnb in Ulcinj, it rains a little, with some stretches where the rain is so heavy that it looks like someone is pouring a bucket of water on us. It is…

  • Europe,  Montenegro,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    Christmas 2020 & our 10th Year Anniversary in Montenegro

    For our 10 years of marriage, we had imagined so many dream destinations: Seychelles, Maldives, Kenya, Tanzania… but because of Covid, the dream destinations will wait. We spend them rather in Montenegro. Note: this article is part of our road trip Croatia – Montenegro. To read the previous parts, click here : #1, #2, #3 Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary But that’s not why we’re going to settle for a simple Airbnb, eh? We choose the 5 stars hotel which seems to us the coolest, not very far from Budva, to spend Christmas in the warmth. The prohibition to change regions applies from…

  • Europe,  Montenegro,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    The Mouths of Kotor, La Serpentine, Herceg Novi & Perast (Montenegro)

    After two days of rest in Dubrovnik in Croatia, under a splendid sun, we left for Montenegro, on December 21, 2020. Note: this article is part of our road trip Croatia – Montenegro. To read the previous parts, click here : #1, #2 Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Covid & Timing In these uncertain times, timing is key. Many cultures have access to a kind of calendar based on astrology. Basically, the location of the planets can influence humans. Usually, I don’t even bother to consult this calendar but due to the uncertain events of the last few months, many eclipses, Blood Moon,…

  • Croatia,  Europe,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    2 Days in Dubrovnik (Croatia): Hotel Excelsior & Game of Thrones’ King’s Landing

    In Montenegro, we are currently under curfew every day from 22pm to 5am and it is forbidden to move between regions on weekends. That’s why we spend a few more days in Croatia before crossing borders on Monday morning. We choose to spend them in Dubrovnik because it is the closest place to Montenegro that we can reach by bus from Split. Note: this article is part of our series of articles “Road trip Croatia – Montenegro in 2 weeks”. To read the 1st part, click here Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Split – Dubrovnik by bus We leave Split very quickly because…

  • Croatia,  Europe,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    First Days in Croatia, Split: PCR Test & Closed Restaurants

    It is mid-December and as every year since we have been nomads, our customers “impose” us a vacation at Christmas. Every year, we have 2 weeks of vacations, and every year, we organize a road trip (see our last Christmas in Cambodia, Morocco, and Mexico). This year, because of Covid, it took a long time to decide. And the choice of Croatia and Montenegro imposed itself as an obviousness because it was not too bad and both countries did not ask for a PCR test at the arrival. We booked our tickets 3 weeks before leaving on November 25th. Tired, we learn on December 1st that Croatia has just imposed…

  • Europe,  Italy,  Rome,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    The Four Major Basilicas in Rome (Italy) #12

    We had time to visit 3 of the 4 major basilicas in Rome. Here are some pictures. The four major basilicas are : The Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome (aka the Pope), is the most beautiful of the three that I visited St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, on the site of the tomb of the Apostle Peter The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, on the site of the Apostle Paul’s tomb The Basilica of St. Mary Major, dedicated to the Virgin Mary It is forbidden to take pictures inside the Basilica of St. Mary Major so I will just show…

  • Europe,  Italy,  Rome,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    Relaxed and Local Ambiance near the Milvius Bridge in Rome (Italy) #11

    This is a small article to remember the afternoon I spent with Dominique in a very local neighborhood in Rome. We met in front of the metro, before taking the bus to the Olympic district. The Olympic Games took place in Rome in 1960 precisely. For having visited the Olympic village in Sydney, this one is particularly close to the hyper-centre. There is an Olympic swimming pool not far away, accessible to the common man. Dominique shows me the column in the middle of the entrance, it is still marked Mussolini on it. Finally… !! We arrive then from the Milvius Bridge (literally, the soft bridge). The setting is very…

  • Europe,  Italy,  Rome,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    Best Viewpoints in Rome (Italy) & Surprise behind the Door: Notebook #10

    Simona, who is Roman, asks me one day: have you ever been to ….? ? And I answer her? And I answer her? What? Where? My answer makes her take off her jaw and she tells me that I can’t leave Rome without going there. So, on a beautiful afternoon, Simona takes her car and takes me to see what she thinks are the must-see places. Sorry for the poor quality photos. Not only was it ugly, but I only had my iPhone with me. This little travel notebook is more to remember this beautiful afternoon spent with Simona. Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel…

  • Europe,  Italy,  Rome,  TDM,  Travel Journal,  Vatican

    The Dome of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican – Rome #9

    I told you about our visit to St. Peter’s Basilica here. As there was a queue for the dome, we did not visit it in September but waited until November to go up there, with 2-3 tourists this time. Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Although museums and tourist attractions are getting closed in Italy, religious monuments are among the exceptions and can still be visited, and paying areas are still open. Access to the dome costs 10€ if you take the elevator and 8€ if you take the stairs. Cash payment only. The elevator only covers the easiest part, which gives us access…

  • Europe,  Italy,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    An Afternoon in Pisa (Italy), 1 hour from Florence

    We take advantage of being in Florence to go to Pisa (Pisa), which is only 1 hour by train from Florence. Trains leave regularly so there is no need to book in advance. We opt for trainitalia which is cheaper than italo. Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Before going there, we are warned: the city of Pisa has nothing extraordinary, we should not expect wonders. It’s true, the station is very average, I didn’t venture there at night.To go until the Tower of Pisa, we must cross the river, it’s cute as everything. Tower of Pisa We go to Pisa the day a…