Dear Fellow Travelers,

Just a quick post to let you know to stay away from traveling with TAROM Airlines.   Recently, I took a trip from Bucharest to Suceava (ie northern Romania) and was charged an extra 20 EURO’s cause they didn’t have me in on their computer.   After coming back to the States, I called the travel agency that I booked the flight with and they told me it was Tarom’s fault and that they had had problems with them before.   To boot…they charged me an extra 20 EURO’s for my baggage being overweight….which it was…but didn’t really make my day either!!!

Travel by the train system is good, but if you are in a hurry, make sure you get on the one that is high speed and provides a sleeper train.   I took the slower one back from Suceava to Bucharest and it took me about 6 hours…which by plane would be only an hour…and by car probably only 3 hours….The train likes to make many stops!!!     Feel free to email me for more info on travel and/or anything about Romania.   I have many connections and information….Happy Travels…..rjgeraghty3@juno.com.   Please put HOSTEL TRAVELER in Subject Line so I won’t delete.

Perhaps not the  Last Crusade, there are many  other adventurous destinations that may be worthy of those with the bold spirit of Indiana Jones.   And, wip and fedora are optional.

Consider in the South of France,  Apt Cathedral (Cathedrale Sainte-Anne d’Apt), which is a former cathedral, and national monument of France, in the town of  Apt in Provence.   Now the church of Saint Anne, the former cathedral was the seat of the bishop of Apt until the French Revolution.

According to historic accounts Saint Anne was the mother of the Virgin Mary, who in turn was the mother of Jesus Christ.    Saint Anne’s life of service to God did not end with the one great gift of her daughter.   According to legends of an early account of her life, when her husband Joachim died, Anne married his brother Cleophas, with whom she had another daughter. This child was also named Mary and became the mother of James the Lesser, Joseph the Just, Simon, and Jude. Anne later married again and had another daughter who gave birth to James the Greater and John the Evangelist.

Saint Anne did not live to see the torment and execution of Christ.  However, even in death she continued to play an important part in the lives of early Christians.   Sometime after the resurrection of Christ, Mary Magdalene, her brother Lazarus, and other apostles were driven from Jerusalem because of their faith.   They journeyed by boat carrying the remains of Saint Anne and set ashore in  Marseille, France. Her remains were taken farther inland from the coast to what is now France, where they were concealed in a crypt. These events were transcribed in the Martyrology of Apt, dating from the second century.

Charlemagne consulted the text in an attempt to locate her body nearly seven hundred years later. All efforts appeared to be in vain until the reconsecration of the Cathedral of Apt. During this ceremony, a fourteen-year-old deaf mute began striking the main altar with his staff, greatly disturbing those in attendance, including the emperor.   Charlemagne was so impressed with the determination of the boy to draw attention to the altar that he gave orders to open its stairs after the mass.   An underground door sealed with stones was uncovered.   When these were removed, the boy led the group through the underground catacombs of the church to a wall, which he also struck with his staff.   The company eagerly broke through the wall to find a crypt containing a casket of cypress wood.   Inscribed on it were the words “Here lies the body of Blessed Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary.”  Charlemagne had the recollection of these events written up, notarized, and sent to the pope in Rome. The original papers of this corre ­spondence are still in existence today.

Because of these events, the Cathedral of Apt became an important pilgrimage site, and the cult of Saint Anne spread throughout France, becoming particularly strong in Brittany. Many Breton legends claim Saint Anne as a Breton queen who escaped a brutal husband. One legend sup ­poses that angels led her to a ship that landed in Jerusalem, where she gave birth to the Virgin Mary.

Thinking of the Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana) in Southern Italy evokes many  images of romance … seaside activities and sunny beaches.   But there are other aspects of visiting this beautiful region of Italy.   Small resort towns of Positano and Amalfi have much to offer, including culture, shopping, boating, fine dining, and 5 star hotels.   But, for nature lovers, there is another less-explored side to Amalfi.   Situated at the foot of rugged mountain peaks that form the Sorrentine peninsula, the hillside villages along the Amalfi coast are perfect starting points for nature walks and hikes.

There are hikes and trails that have been mapped out, at varying degrees of difficulty.   If you prefer a leisurely walk through forests overlooking the sea, this area is for you.   There are also more difficult trails leading to the peaks and between towns for the more adventurous.

Here’s an example of one of our favorite Amalfi Coast hikes, which leads from the town square of the town of Amalfi to the small hilltown of Pogerola.   From the main square in front of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, ascend the main street for 500 yards, until the road goes through an archway under a block of houses.   Then take the side road to the left (Via Casamare).   Follow this around a hairpin bend to it’s end.   The path starts here with steps climbing the hillside, and ultimately leading directly to the main square in Pogerola.

This path provide an attractive route to or from the hilltop village of Pogerola.   The easily graded and exceptionally well-built path is unusual in that it goes through light woodland rather than farmed terraces with ever wider views as you gain altitude.   The path winds its way towards the mountains, climbing the northern flank of a side spur of the main Amalfi Valley.

Walking time: approximately 1 hour.

Search and book accommodation in Amalfi  and Sorrento.

Many travelers have stayed away from Naples (Napoli), Italy in recent years.   Tour companies have bypassed this cultural center from ancient Greek and Roman heritage, owing to reports of crime, and hectic daily Neapolitan life.   But, we decided to make this interesting and cultural city a centerpiece of our recent travels in Italy.

It is true that life and traffic in Naples can be frenetic and tricky to navigate.   However, the historic center of the ancient Kingdom of Naples is truly a gem not to be overlooked.   Exploring the narrow streets on foot can be an enchanting experience.   The medieval cathedrals and churches are excellent locations to explore some of Italy’s greatest artistic wonders.

Sitting in the shadows of Vesuvius, the volcano that erupted in 79 AD, burying Pompeii in a virtual time capsule under 6 feet of ash, Naples carries on its daily life complacent about the prospects of another eruption at some unknown future point in time.   We encountered a number of older and younger travelers, enjoying the unique charms of the city, not the least of which is the local Neapolitan cuisine.   A seaside kingdom, Naples is famous for its abundant seafood, and the cuisine reflects this heritage with some of the best Italian fare in southern Italy.

Naples can be an excellent base for exploring surrounding areas of interest, including Pompeii, Herculaneum, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, and others.   For the more adventurous, join a tour of the crater of the active volcano Vesuvius.   Within the city limits, exploring the historic city center can afford days of exciting finds.   The National Archeology museum not only contains the ancient Roman treasures of Pompeii, but also other rare antiquities from the Greek and Roman periods, and far-flung civilizations including ancient Egypt.   Also native to Naples are the many street vendors and shopfronts which produce fine hand-made Nativity scenes.

As far as lodging, there are a wide range of hotels and hostels that can be booked at any time of the year.   We like to experience the local hospitality and chose a moderately priced bed and breakfast bordering on the historic center, named Il Giardino Segreto (The Secret Garden).   With tongue in cheek, this B&B’s website advertises to stay in Naples, and “don’t die.”   While somwhat humorous, the owners are beckoning for travelers around the globe to visit their fascinating city, and actually find that it is pleasant and safe to stay.   In fact, entering at Via Foria 216, one would never recognize that a private bed and breakfast exists behing the iron gates, bordering apartment buildings and storefronts.   Entering behind the gate (which is accessible 24 hours), one enters into a serene refuge with large and surprisingly quiet guestrooms.   To the rear, a private door enters onto the Secret Garden, which is a hidden botanical paradise with tropical flora and palm trees found elsewhere in places like Florida or Mexico.   The bed and breakfast’s owners are at your service, and will offer advice, touring recommendations (and maps), and an excellent Italian breakfast.

Along Via Foria, which borders the north end of the central historic district, it is safe to stroll day or night.   And there are several fine sidewalk dining options offering local fare.   One notable option is the Sailor’s Daughter, which for half the price of a high-end tourist restaurant, will serve up a feast of local pasta and seafood favorites.   Don’t forget to end the evening with a glass of the local favorite, Limoncello, a lemon-based liquor, made from native lemons the size of grapefruits.

Our advice to anyone who is planning a trip to Southern Italy, is to not bypass the cultural gem of Naple (Napoli).   You can  book a variety of excellent hostels, hotels, and B&B’s by clicking here:  Naples Hotels and Hostels

If you have interesting experiences or recommendations on traveling to Naples (Napoli), Italy, please post them here, and share with your fellow travelers to Italy.

Stay at cheap hostels and youth hostels in order to save money on your trip. It is more fun to stay at these budget hostels as they are affordable and are convenient. These are best suitable for backpackers and provide them with the basic necessities so that their stay is comfortable. If you are traveling to London and wish to know about the cheap hostels or youth hostels there, then you can take help from www.hosteltraveler.com. Through this website you can not only get a list of different budget hostels but can also book your lodging. In other words it allows you to make online reservation that can save you a lot of time and money.

The website is very popular with backpackers and travelers who book their cheap hostels or budget hostels through it. You can also book your budget hostels in London through hosteltraveler.com. All you need to do is to log on to the website and select the region you would be traveling to. A list of hostels and other types of accommodation would be provided to you and you can sort through it on the basis of price, class and rating. You can book budget hostels that best suits your requirement and hence save your time and money.

Italy

Southern Italy.   Alleged victims of the tarantula spider’s bite could supposedly cure themselves through frenzied dancing, which sweated out the poison.   The dance is characterized by light, quick steps and a “teasing” flirt.   The strange private ritual takes place annually on June 29th at 6am at the celebrations for the Feasts of Saints Peter and Paul in Galatina, the only place on theSalentinePeninsula where tarantism has survived.

Source: Eyewitness Travel Guide - Italy 2005

The beauty of London is breathtaking and far beyond words. Every time I am in the city I find something new to explore. The sheer variety of life in London is overwhelming, and the energy buzz is contagious. But London is as expensive as it is beautiful. Sightseeing can be quite pricey out here. You obviously won €™t want to miss out on some of the breathtaking sights just to save on your money, so why not cut down your costs by booking one of the incredibly cheap hostels in the city.

These cheap hostels provide you accommodation at prices that are down-to-earth allowing you to save more and giving you the chance to see more of the panoramic city. And mind you these cheap hostels are cheap only in terms of the cost. Otherwise these hostels are as comfortable as any hotel and much in competence with the luxury accommodations that you can find in the city. Other than offering you an inexpensive sojourn, these cheap hostels also offer you a variety of other facilities like a guided tour to the town, live music and dance performances, barbecues, and curious games too. Now, you obviously will not find all this fun and frolic in the highbrow hotels.

After having been to both the high-end five stars and these cheap hostels too, I can say with certainty that these cheap hostels have their own charm. To know more, feel free to log on to www.hosteltraveler.com