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A Five Week Journey

with Hotel Report

by:  Marlene Hall

A number of you have asked about Rick's upper-end Hotels with ambiance and bath rooms. The Halls of Captain Cook provide a number of helpful "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" of his recommendations from their trip. I believe all prices were for double occupancy per night— last year. Hotel Phone, Fax, and e-mail address plus current rates can be found in Rick Steves'Country Guides or by droping by TERC.

You asked for a report on our 5 week European journey—so here it is. ..............Our first weeks was in London, visiting our daughter and her husband. Then we went via Chunnel to Paris for 5 nights. We stayed at the tiny pleasant Hotel du Champs de Mras — loved it. ($86.12 inc. breakfast) Rue Cler area is The Best! Next—Colmar and the Hotel le Rapp ($49)---nice hotel , best food in town—3 nights well spent.

On to Italy: Varenna, Lake Como area, Here we stayed at Abergo Olinedo—Marvelous! ($128.) Great food, lodging and scenery. In this small hotel there happened to be one couple from Oahu, one from Naalehu and us from Captain Cook—all speaking Rick Steves. Two nights was NOT ENOUGH! And then to Padua—Hotel Majestic Iosconelli—great food, concourse nearby—another traffic free area. In fact each of the hotels we chose were in pedestrian only areas—except for London and Cardiff, Wales— a BIG plus for us. Then 3 days in Venice. Our 1st night was at the Hotel Canada—BOO! Too, too ugly and basic for the price ($126.) We switched to Hotel San Zulian near by — VERY NICE for $110 per night. Hotel Canada does NOT belong in the Rick Steves book! In the 5 weeks this was our ONLY SOUR NOTE! Sienna—2 nights—not enough. Super Hotel Duomo ($119) Fascinating town. And finally in Florence 2 nights at Hotel Loggiato ($163)—We LOVED it!

Heading back to Paris we stayed 2 nights in Lucerne, Switz. at Hotel Krone- —Large room but a bit overpriced ($154). Great old town area. In Paris it was Hotel du Champs again for one night before Chunnel to London. Spent 4 nights at Hotel Russel, 2 nights at Porthouse Hotel in Cardiff, Wales, visiting our other daughter, one night at Heathrow before flight to US.

   I would recommend our itinerary to anyone—especially if over 66 years old. We Traveled with only 12 lb. back packs. No Purse, No other Carry On stuff—What a revelation! Minimum possession not only work, but made for a totally fun trip. We watched many "old"people struggling on and off trains—humping heavy suitcases—while we "floated" on and off with great ease.

   Re. transportation—next time we will definitely get 1st class Europasses—They work great, but we will go 2nd class on the Chunnel. This trip we opted for 1st Class Chunnel to Paris, thinking the meal would be almost worth the extra. It wasn't. Just airline food (maybe a tad better) and service—not worth it.

In summary my recommendations are:

                    1. 10 lb. back packs ONLY,

                    2. Hotels in traffic free areas

                    3. NEVER stay in Hotel Canada, Venice, and

                    4. 1st Class Europass—2ed class Chunnel.

   I never imagined we would have such absolute FUN—but we did. Thanks for help getting our Passes & Chunnel tickets, etc. And a big THANKS to Rick Steves who inspired us via his TV & videos to DO IT. Marlene and Martin Hall, Big Island of Hawaii.

   Thanks for your full report and useful tips.    Mele Fujiwara