SOUTHAMPTON TO TRIESTE

In June 2017 I wrote an article reviewing my experience using National Express bus for a Southampton to London transfer.   

In May 2022 I boarded the Emerald Princess for a 15 Day TransAtlantic cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton England.  My plan for this trip was, once again, to take the National Express bus from Southampton.

 

In my previous article I needed a transfer from Southampton to downtown London Central Station.  This time, however, I would need a transfer from Southampton to London Stansted airport  as I would be flying to Trieste, Italy to embark on the Norwegian Star for a 10 day cruise to Barcelona. 

 

Even with moderately light traffic the 125 mile trip from Southampton to Stansted airport can take 3 hours or more. I had pre-purchased my National Express bus ticket from Southampton to London Stansted airport.  The only bus that would arrive in time for my flight to Trieste, Italy left Southampton bus station at 6:30am.

 

The Emerald Princess docked in Southampton as scheduled, at 5:00am.  Catching a 6:30am bus should not pose a problem.  I only had a roller bag and a backpack so would be allowed to disembark first. 

 

Even though we had docked right on time at 5:00am, ship clearance was delayed until 8:00am.  I had already missed my 6:30a bus to Stansted airport.  What does one do now?  I would have to go to Plan B. 

 

Princess cruises offered a bus transfer from Southampton to downtown London Central Station.   

Princess shuttle Southampton to London Central Station

 

London downtown Victoria Coach Station

 

From here I could then take National Express to London Stansted airport.  

National Express Bus London Central Station to Stansted Airport

 

 

It would be a very tight schedule but felt it worth the effort to try otherwise, I would be forced to overnight in either Southampton or London.

 

Princess only provided 1 bus to London Central Station and that was scheduled for an 8:45am departure.  Unfortunately, the bus didn’t leave the port of Southampton until 9:30am due to late passenger arrivals.  Arrival into London Central Station was 11:30am.  I immediately located the National Express ticket counter and purchased a ticket to Stansted airport.   

National Express ticket

 

The bus would leave London Central Station at 12:00 noon and arrive at Stansted airport at 2:00pm. 

Stansted airport

 

My pre-purchased flight to Trieste, Italy was Ryanair scheduled to depart Stansted airport at 3:14pm.  By the time I walked from the bus drop-off point at Stansted to the Ryanair check-in counter it was 2:20pm.  Ryanair allowed me to check-in as I had no baggage to check.  However, because I had failed to check-in online I was charged a $55 late check-in fee.   I quickly paid the fee, received my boarding pass and headed to security. 

 

The line at security was horrific.  Fortunately, I have Global Assistance which includes TSA pre-check.  I was able to clear through security with no waiting, otherwise I would have missed the flight for sure.  I began walking to gate 55.

 

Along the way an overhead neon sign flashed “18-25 minute walk to gate 55”.  Yikes!  I was almost exactly 25 minutes away.  Walking as quickly as possible, without running, I used all the moving escalators available along the way.  As the gate came into view I heard the PA announcement “This is the final call for Ryanair flight 168.  Doors will be closing in 2 minutes.” 

Out of breath with an elevated heart rate, I presented my boarding pass to the gate agent and quickly proceeded down the gangway.  Ironically, I had only been seated 2-3 minutes when the captain made an announcement that ground control was delaying our departure by 45 minutes.

 

Flight time to Trieste, Italy was 1 hour and 45 minutes. The airport is located about 30 minutes to the North of downtown Trieste so once I arrived into Trieste airport, the last and final obstacle was to locate the train station.  The walk from the Trieste airport to the train platform took me another 15 minutes.  I had pre-purchased the train ticket so simply had to make my way down to platform 1.   

Train tracks Trieste airport location

The train arrived right on time and left promptly at 7:15pm. I found myself in downtown Trieste at 7:44pm.

 

Walking out of the train station I solicited the help of a local gal with a cellphone who called a taxi for me.  Taxi’s in Trieste all have a number painted on the door.  She confirmed that I would be taxi #42 and it arrived within 2 minutes.

 

The ride to the hotel took 5 minutes and the cost was 10 euros including the tip.  I checked in to the Hotel Citta di Parenzo.    

 

Staff was polite and check-in was quick and easy.  I was assigned room #104.  I anticipated it would be on the ground floor but it was actually on floor 2.  I did have to negotiate a few steps to get to the elevator and then another few steps once I got off the elevator but found the room with no problem.  

Twin room layout                 Photo:Public Domain

Twin bedded room #104

Bathroom

The hotel is in a great location, located just steps away from the Roman Theater ruins.

Roman Theater ruins in Trieste, Italy

 

Room cost includes a complimentary breakfast daily along with free wifi. 

Breakfast area

 

 

 

Hotel Citta di Parenzo 

Via degli Artisti 8

Trieste, UTI Giuliana 34121, Italy

Phone:  +39 040 631 133

 

 

 

HOTEL PARCO DEI PRINCIPI

Ischia, Italy is a volcanic island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea.  Nine months before writing this article I had never heard of Ischia, Italy but in May 2022 I enjoyed a week on this fantastic little island.  

The island of Ischia lies about 20 miles from Naples at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples. This island is relatively small measuring just 6 miles east to west and 4 miles north to south.  Although almost exclusively mountainous, you will find more than 21 miles of coastline.

Ischia island map

The volcanic nature of the island makes Ischia one of the largest spas in Europe, specifically for the thermal waters and gardens that have been in constant use since ancient times.

 

This article is to introduce you to the Hotel Parco Dei Principi, my accommodation for my week stay.  

Driveway to Hotel Parco Dei Principi main entrance

My arrival to the island of Ischia was via a passenger and vehicle ferry from Naples.  Departure from Naples was 2:10pm aboard a Medmar ferry.  Arrival into Porto d’Ischia was 3:40pm.  From the port it’s another 30 minute drive to the hotel. 

Large window viewing for inside seating

Snacks/Beer/Drinks available onboard

Leaving Naples

Open air seating topside

Checking in to the hotel was around 4:30pm and I was assigned room 101.  This was the closest room to the front desk and offered a balcony along with a fantastic sea view.  I thoroughly enjoyed sitting on the balcony each night with a rum and coke or a nice glass of chilled chardonnay.  

 

Reception area                   Photo: Public Domain

Pool view from balcony of room 101

Sea view from balcony of room 101

I found the property to be comfortable, convenient and good value.  My room was clean, configured with 2 twin beds and 1 bunk bed and was serviced with clean linen daily.   

Standard room                     Photo:Public Domain

The room included a complimentary safe as well as a refrigerator and self-controlled air conditioning. They did not provide water or a coffee machine in the room so I found myself heading to the restaurant for my morning coffee.  Wi-fi is complimentary, fairly quick and reliable once I found the ‘sweet spot’ on my balcony. They also provide a 24-hour front desk along with free guest parking. 

 

One of my favorite amenities was "Pool Zero” as they called it.  This is a thermal pool located on ground floor 0.  When you enter this property you enter on floor 1 so to get to the thermal pool you take the elevator down to ground zero.  Each room is allowed to reserve up to 30 minutes complimentary per day in the thermal pool.  As you enter the thermal area your senses are definitely heightened.  Soft music is playing, aromatherapy permeates the air and dimmed colored lighting immediately provides a calming affect.  A water feature in one corner just adds to your overall experience.  There are changing rooms and showers here along with a sauna.  I truly enjoyed my visits.   

Thermal pool

Restaurant hours are: 

    Breakfast        7:30am-9:30am

    Lunch             1:00pm-2:00pm

    Dinner             7:30pm-9:30pm

 

The restaurant doors open exactly at 7:30pm for dinner.  I was surprised to learn that seating was assigned and I would be at the same table for all meals during my stay.  I was assigned table 101, to coincide with my room number.  It was a small corner table for 2 offering fantastic sunset views and overlooked Furio beach area.  Most of the tables were set for 4, 6 or 8.   

Restaurant area                   Photo:Public Domain

Dinner the first night consisted of an antipasto plate of eggplant, salami, zucchini, lettuce and potato roll.  This was followed by a pasta/tomato side dish.  Next came the fish of the day with French fries.  Ice cream was for dessert.  I was back in the room just before 9pm.   

 

Breakfast begins promptly at 7:30am and was very European, consisting of fresh croissants with sliced processed cheeses along with processed ham and salami slices.  Hard boiled egg were always available and most mornings they provided a small salad selection.  Some days they served lemon filled pasty puffs which I really enjoyed.  Offerings also included a nice variety of cereal and yogurt.  As an American I know that we enjoy our ‘cooked’ breakfast with eggs, sausage and hash browns, but you will not find that here. 

Heading into breakfast my first mornig

First breakfast offerings 

 

 

 

 

Cereal, croissants, bread, jams and jelly area

Bar area inside restaurant

Juice and expresso machines

Coffee machine

Each morning as you sit down for breakfast, your dinner menu and a pen are awaiting you.  You will make your meal selection for lunch and/or dinner at breakfast.  Lunch and dinner are four courses but are based on a limited range of ingredients.  I found the restaurant staff to be very cooperative.  They provided me with ice daily, wine glasses and even packed a nice lunch for my day trip to Capri. 

My breakfast most mornings

At my table during breakfast

This hotel seems to cater to tour groups and it appeared to be mostly German based.  I managed to communicate nightly with the couple sitting next to me in the restaurant but only by using Google translate. We laughed often as we struggled to understand each other.

 

Another nice amenity at this property is the outdoor pool.   A feature that I really enjoyed was the adjustable shades on each of the lounge chairs. 

Outdoor pool                         Photo:Public Domain

My outdoor pool view from my lounge chair

Lounge chairs with adjustable shades

The hotel is at the top of a steep hill with nowhere to really walk in the evening. The hotel does provide a free shuttle van that runs down to the town 4 times a day.

 

This property is located just about 100 meters from the Giardini la Mortella.

 

Despite a few oddities at the hotel I really truly enjoyed my stay.  The staff was extremely hard working and hotel manager John helped me with every question I presented. 

For further information:

Hotel Parco Dei Principi
Via F. Calise 6 - 80075 Forio d'Ischia (Na)
Tel: +39 0815071467
info@parcodeiprincipi.eu

CHERBOURG, FRANCE

A recent Trans Atlantic crossing on the Emerald Princess included a port stop in the charming and historic town of Cherbourg, France.  

Arrival was Saturday April 30, 2022 with the ship docking at 7:00am.  I stepped off the ship at 8:00am to begin my exploration.    

Cherbourg France port

Cherbourg is located at the northern tip of the Cotentin Peninsula in the Manche department of Normandy.

 

It is probably best known as a port town and arrival point for the cross-channel ferries from the United Kingdom.  It hosts the largest artificial harbor in Europe and second largest harbor in the world.   

Port of Cherburg France - arial view          Photo: Public Domain

 

Cherbourg is closely linked to French naval history and transatlantic adventures.  The Titanic made its final stop here April 10, 1912 on her fateful journey.  The Cite de la Mer is a major tourist attraction and recounts the journey of the Titanic. 

A continuously running shuttle bus was made available from the port to the tourist information center of Cherbourg.  It is located at 14 Quai Alexandre III, 50100 Cherbourg-em-Cotentin and offered at a cost of 4 euros.  

 

 

 

Cherbourg France port map

The distance registered on my GPS as 0.7 mile so I made the decision to walk to the Place du General de Gaulle.  

 

Walking route from port to Place du General de Gaulle

Some sights along the walk. 

 

Place du General de Gaulle is dominated by the theater building and a fountain and is the main plaza for this part of town.  

 

Le Trident theater

With my arrival on a Saturday, a Farmers Market was in progress.

 

 

From this plaza I walked another 0.7 mile to the Shuman bus stop, the closest city bus stop to the Place du General de Gaulle.   

Walking route from the plaza to bus stop

 

I simply waited for the first bus to come by.  It was route #3.  

Before boarding you will need to purchase a ticket.  I bought a 24-hour unlimited bus pass for 4 euros.  The local bus is operated by Cap Cotentin. 

         

Once I had made the loop for bus #3 I got off again at Schuman stop and walked to one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the city, the Museum Thomas-Henry (1776-1836). 

Entrance to Thomas-Henry Museum

The Museum was founded in 1831 by a donation of more than 160 paintings by Thomas-Henry, commissioner of the Royal Museums and native of Cherbourg who became a leading art expert at the Louvre.  Today it houses a collection of 300 paintings by French, Italian and Dutch artists from the Middle Ages to the present.  In 2015 the museum was reopened after undergoing renovations. It is located in the same building as the Cherbourg library.  Unfortunately the day of my visit the museum was closed so check for days and hours of operation.    

 

I continued my exploration by walking back to Place du General de Gaulle.  Located in this plaza is Le Trident .  Also called the Golden Theater of Cherbourg, because of its many golden ornaments. 

 

 

 

Right next door to the theater you will find Le Café’ Du Theatre.  I decided to stop here to sample the local beer.   I was pleasantly surprised to meet Hannaert Jean Michel, the owner.  Born in Paris, he came to Cherbourg as a young boy at the age of 8. 

Owner Hannaert Jean Michel behind me

I ordered a 50 ml beer and Hannaert accompanied my order with toasted bread and “Tzatziki”, a spread made with yogurt, garlic and cucumbers.   It was delightful. 

Local beer and Tzatziki

After this experience I walked to a local bakery and purchased a freshly baked baquette for 1 euro. 

Marci with our baquette

I then found a local cheese vendor so accompanied my bread purchase with various cheeses. 

Buying some of the local cheese

 

 I located a vacant outside table and relaxed to enjoy my newly acquired purchase.   

 

Next came a stop at the Parc Emmanuel  LIAIS.  The former garden of botanist Emmanuel Liais.  It is now a public park. 

One final stop in town was the Le Véritable Cherbourg Umbrella Factory.  The factory offers guided tours of the site but check for dates and times as tours were not available the day of my visit.  You can find out in real time what makes a genuine Cherbourg umbrella unique. 

Mass production machinery

 

 

From the umbrella factory it is just a short walk back to the tourist office.  It was then just a few minute wait before the shuttle bus arrived out front.  A plus was being able to use my 24-hour bus ticket from my purchase earlier that day.       

The day wasn’t finished however.  At the port is the famous "Cité de la Mer" (City of the Sea), which is a vast tourist building started in 1928 and updated in recent years. Among the curiosities it includes the so-called “Ocean Pole”, with several very deep aquariums (more than 10 meters), and the “Submarine Pole”.  It is located in the spacious former Art Deco transatlantic terminal building (Gare Maritime) where ocean liner passengers would embark and disembark.  The museum opened in 2002.  There are areas dedicated to underwater exploration, aquariums full of sea creatures, and an exhibition devoted to the Titanic. The topic of immigration from Cherbourg is also covered. The highlight for many is boarding the disused French nuclear submarine, Le Redoutable, which is the world’s largest submarine open to the public.   

 

 

All aboard time for the Emerald Princess was 6:00pm and by now I am more than ready to board and rest my weary feet.