18 Days Trip to Europe: Full Itenary and Budget

Seperti yang dijanjikan, cik Z kongsikan disini Full Itenary and Budget Series untuk trip kami ke Eropah selama 18 hari iaitu dari 1 Jun - 18 Jun 2013. Lama kan. Sebenarnya hanya 14 hari penuh je pun yang betul2 boleh dianggap sebagai trip kerana kebanyakan masa di Istanbul dihabiskan untuk menghadiri conference.  Route kami ialah KL-Istanbul-London-Paris-Milan-Rome-Athens-Istanbul-KL. Walaupun trip kali ini dirancang dengan agak tergesa2, tapi Alhamdulillah bolehlah dikatakan segalanya berjalan lancar dan mengikut perancangan dan memberi kepuasan serta pengalaman yang banyak buat kami. Tolak ketepi pengalaman hilang duit dan passport di Paris, rasa macam tak percaya kami dah pun berjaya menghabiskan perjalanan 18 hari merentas 5 negara yang sesungguhnya sangat memenatkan dan menguji kesabaran. 

Yang kelakarnya masa travel selalu je teringatkan makanan Malaysia yang sedap2 tapi bila dah balik hilang plak rasa teringin tu. Almaklumlah masa kat sana makanan yang paling kerap kami jumpa ialah kebab, roti, pizza, pasta dan chips. Kebanyakannya kering dan tak de sos. Nasib juga ada bawa paket2 kecil sos dari Malaysia. Kami gunakannya sejimat yang mungkin. Walaupun kami ada juga bawa Maggi dan 3in1 drinks dari Malaysia, tapi tak semua hostel yang kami tinggal ada menyediakan air panas/kettle. 

Antara cabaran bercuti di Eropah semasa awal musim Summer/panas ialah keadan cuacanya yang tak menentu. Mujurlah kami dah bersedia dengan cardigan dan jaket sederhana tebal. Di Istanbul cuaca agak sejuk (ada 1 hari yang suhunya turun bawah 20 degree) dan hujan serta panas silih berganti. Di London, suhunya lebih rendah berbanding Istanbul, memang sejuk menggigil mujur juga hujan tak turun. Di Paris, hari pertama sampai matahari panas memancar terasa bagaikan berada di Malaysia. Tak semena-mena malam hari yang sama hujan turun lebat berpanjangan hingga hari esoknya menyebabkan suhu turun mendadak malah lebih sejuk berbanding London. Sejuk terasa hingga ke tulang.  Di Italy dan Athens pula, cuaca sangat panas sampaikan nak ambik gambar pun muka berkeriut2 dan bila balik Malaysia muka sunburn.

Banyak perkara baru yang cik Z belajar sepanjang perjalanan ini. Antaranya:

1. Semua negara di bawah kesatuan Eropah dianggap satu negara. Jadinya passport kita hanya akan dicop di negara pertama yang kita sampai dan juga di negara terakhir yang kita keluar.

2. Kalau kita beli barang yang dibolehkan mendapat VAT refund, kita hanya boleh dapatkan refund tersebut di negara eropah terakhir yang kita singgah. Prosesnya ialah masa sebelum check in pergi ke kaunter customs untuk ambil cop lepastu singgahlah kat mana2 kaunter refund points yang disediakan seperti Global Blue. Nanti dia akan bagi kita cash refund. Kalau tak de, cari peti surat warna kuning dan masukkan borang yang telah dicop kedalam peti surat. Lagi satu refund yang kita akan dapat sebenarnya tidaklah sebayak % yang dinyatakan.

3. Selama ni cik Z tak pernah perasan yang kalau kita duduk dalam flight yang kerusinya disebelah emergency exit rupa2nya kita tak dibenarkan letak apa2 barang/beg kat bawah kaki. Dan bila kita naik Easy Jet diorang akan cek sebelum boarding sesiapa yang duduk kat seat bahagian tersebut akan diminta letak semua barang dalam 1 beg sahaja lepastu wajib letak kat atas rak.

4. Kalau hilang passport, perkara pertama kena buat ialah laporan polis dahulu barulah ke embassy. Lepas ni kalau nak keluar negara adalah lebih baik kalau kita bersedia dengan photocopy passport serta alamat embassy.

5. Air yang dijual di vending machine adalah berkali2 lebih murah berbanding di kedai. Contohnya air mineral di vending machine harganya 0.4 Euro tapi kat kedai 1.8 Euro.

6. Kalau travel ke Eropah lebih baiklah bawa beg yang ringan je ataupun back pack bagi memudahkan kita bergerak di stesen2 keretapi/metro yang kebayakannya tak de lift atau eskalator.

7. Nak cari toilet? Cari WC tapi jangan lupa bawa botol kosong sekali sebab semua toilet tak de paip.

8. Pakailah kasut yang sesuai seperti sport shoes atau sneakers. Sandle ok juga tapi bukanlah kat tempat2 yang banyak tangga atau kena jalan sepanjang hari seperti Venice kalau tak mahu tapak kaki meletup macam cik Z. Hilang mood nak berjalan. 

9. Sistem pengangkutan di Italy sangat efisian. Kalau nak travel within cities lebih baik gunakan ItaliaRail berbanding kapalterbang. Tempat duduknya lebih luas serta selesa dan kita boleh buka laptop sepanjang perjalanan. Tapi jangan lupa bawa makanan ya nanti lapar.

10. Kalau nak ke Venice janganlah duduk di Mestre untuk jimatkan kos, tak de apa pun kat situ. Nak cari makan pun susah.

Rasa2nya ada lagi pengalaman baru yang lain tapi biasalakan kalau nak tulis tu tetiba semuanya lupa. Seterusnya bolehlah tengok kat bawah ni itenary kami sepanjang 18 hari. Semua hostel yang kami tinggal (kecuali Mestre, Venice) dekat dengan main attraction dan punya kemudahan yang ok dan berpatutan dengan bayaran yang dikenakan. Untuk budget pula cik Z dah summarizekannya dan letakkan budget minimum yang diperlukan jika kita memilih untuk tinggal di private room for 2 person di setiap hostel. Budget minimum ini juga tidak mengambil kira jika anda teringin nak shopping bags atau lain2 barangan berjenama mbuatan Eropah.

DETAILED ITENARIES

Saturday 1 Jun 2013: KL-Istanbul

0730: Depart from KL Sentral to KLIA by ERL

0830: Check In at KLIA

1020: Depart from KLIA to Doha by Qatar Airways (7hr 30m)

1250: Transit at Doha (1hr 10m)

1400: Depart from Doha to Istanbul Atarturk Airport by Qatar Airways (4hr 30m)

1830: Arrive at Istanbul Atarturk Airport

2000: Depart from Istanbul Atarturk Airport to Grand Anka Hotel by Taxi/Metro

2030: Hotel Check In

2200: Dinner at Ali Baba Restaurant

Tram/Metro cost: TL3 for 1 token

Taxi cost Hotel-Airport : TL35

Taxi cost Hotel-YTU: Tl15

               

Sunday 2 Jun 2013: Istanbul

0900: Depart from Hotel to Sultanahmet Area by Tram (Sultanahmet, 8 station from Findikzade), walk to Blue Mosque (in and outside) and Hagia Sophia (outside area only)

1230: Bosphorus Boat Tour from Sultanahmet

1500: Lunch at Sultanahmet

1600: Solat at Hotel

1630: Depart to Yildiz Teknik Universiti by Taxi

1700: Register for ICAAMM2013, Attend Cocktail Dinner

1930: Depart to Hotel by Shuttle Bus

2030: Dinner at Ali Baba Restaurant

Monday 3 Jun 2013: Istanbul

0830: Depart to YTU by Shuttle bus, Attend ICAAMM2013

1200: Depart to Sultanahmet by Metro and Tram

1300: Topkapi Palace and Harem

1700: Souvenirs shopping at Sultanahmet

1800: Dinner at Ali Baba Restaurant

Tuesday 4 Jun 2013: Istanbul

ICAAMM2013, presentation day

Wednesday 5 Jun 2013: Istanbul

0900: Depart from Hotel to Sultanahmet Area by Tram

Walk to Hagia Sophia, Istanbul Archeology Museum, Gulhane Park, Istanbul Museum of Science and Technlogy in Islam, Eminonu Area, Spies Bazaar, Grand Bazaar,

1730: Late Lunch at Benyazit

1830: Take Tram from Benyazit to Hotel

Thursday 6 Jun 2013: Istanbul-London

0600: Depart to Istanbul Atarturk Airport by taxi/tram

0630: Arrive at Istanbul Atarturk Airport

0850: Depart to London Heathrow Airport by British Airways (4hr 10m)

1100: Arrive at London Heathrow Airport

Take Tube from Heathrow Airport Term 5 to Hammersmith Underground Station (buy Oyster Card 2 DAY: GBP15)

1300: Check In at Abercorn House Hostel, 28 Bute Gardens, Hammersmith, London. Rest, Simple Lunch and laundry     

2000: Walk around Hammersmith Area, Buy groceries and dinner.

Friday 7 Jun 2013: London

0900: Take Tube to Victoria Station, then walk to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, House of Parliament, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery

1300: Lunch at Charing Cross Area

1400: Walk to Covent Garden (shopping for souvenirs)

1500: Take Tube to Tower Hills Station, then walk to Tower of London

1600: Take tube to Hostel

Saturday 8 Jun 2013: London-Paris

0800: Hostel Check Out and walk to Hammersmith Tube station

0830: Depart to London St Pancras International by subway

0900: Arrive at London St Pancras International (stop at King’s Cross St Pancras)

1125: Depart from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare Du Nord by EuroStar (2hr 15mnt)

1447: Arrive at Paris Gare Du Nord

1600: Check In at Perfect Hostel, 39 rue Rodier. (900m from Paris Gare Du Nord)

1700: Late Lunch at   (20m from Perfect Hostel)

1730: Sightseeing at Montmartre Area by walk (900m), shopping for souvenirs

2100: Rest

Sunday 9 Jun 2013: Paris (Paris Hop-On Hop Off Bus Euro31)

The Green Route (Paris): from 9:30am till 8:30pm (6:30pm Nov-Mar.)
The Yellow Route (Montmartre): from 9:30am till 7:45pm (6:15pm Nov-Mar)
The Orange Route (Montparnasse- Saint Germain): from 9:30am till 7:00pm (6:30pm Nov-Mar)
The Blue Route (Bastille- Bercy): from 9:15am till 7:15pm
Buses operate every 10 minutes April to October and every 30 minutes from November to March.
Meeting point: You may board the bus at any one of the stops around the city. The voucher can be presented directly to the driver.

Ending point: You may alight the bus at any one of the stops around the city

The Green Route (Paris): This route takes about two hours and the highlights of this route are: Madeleine, The Louvre, Notre Dame, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Trocadéro, Eiffel Tower and Invalides.
To find the location of the stops please refer to the map.
The bus will stop at the following places:
1. Auber ("La Boutique", Printemps Haussmann, Grands Magasins)
2. Opera (Place Vendome, Cafe de la Paix)
3. Palais Royal (Jardins du Palais Royal)
4. Musee du Louvre (Jardin des Tuileries)
5. Pont-Neuf (Conciergerie, Square du Vert Galant)
6. Notre-Dame (Cathedrale, Saint-Louis, Marche aux fleurs)
7. Saint-Michel (Place Saint-Michel, Sainte-Chapelle)
8. Musee d'Orsay (Quais de Seine, Pont des Arts)
9. Concorde (Obelisque de la Concorde, Musee de l'Orangerie)
10. Champs-Elysees Clemenceau (Grand-Palais, Petit Palais, Marche aux Timbres
11. La Boetie - Champs-Elysees (Avenue Montaigne)
12. George V (Arc de Triomphe)
13. Charles de Gaulle-Etoile (Arc de Triomphe)
14. Trocadero (Musee dArt Moderne, Musee de la Marine, Musee Guimet)
15. Tour Eiffel (Champs de Mars)
16. Vauban-Hôtel des Invalides (Tombeau de Napoleon, Ecole Militaire)
17. Esplanade des Invalides (Musee Rodin, Musee de l'Armee)
18. Concorde-Royale (Boutiques de la rue Saint-Honore et de la rue Royale, Maxim's)
19. Madeleine (Eglise de la Madeleine)

The Yellow Route (Montmartre -Grands Boulevards): This route takes about 60 minutes and the highlights of this route are: Notre Dame Cathedral, The Bastille, Parc de Bercy and Gare d'Austerlitz.
The bus will stop at the following places:
1. Auber ("La Boutique", Printemps Haussmann, Grands Magasins, Galeries Lafayette)
2. Trinite (Gare Saint-Lazare)
3. Blanche (Pigalle, Moulin Rouge)
4. Montmartre-Anvers (Funiculaire, Basilique du Sacre-Coeur, Place du Tertre)
5. Gare du Nord - Eurostar Terminal (Saint-Vincent de Paul, Terminaux Eurostar et Thalys)
(The bus stop is in the street directly outside the station forecourt. Look for the L'Open tour sign on the bus stop sign.)
6. Gare de l'Est (Musée du Cristal)
7. Republique (boulevard Saint-Martin, Canal Saint-Martin)
8. Bonne-Nouvelle (Theatre du Gymnase, Grand Rex)
9. Grands Boulevards (Musee Grevin, Theatre des Varieties)
10. Italiens (Grands Magasins, Opera Garnier)
11. Capucines-Scribe (Place Vendome, Cafe de la Paix, Opera Garnier)
12. Madeleine (Eglise de la Madeleine)

The Orange Route (Montparnasse- Saint Germain): This route takes about 60 minutes and the highlights of this route are: Funiculaire de Montmartre, Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est and Grands Boulevards.
The bus will stop at the following places:
1. Petit Pont (Quartier Latin, Eglise Saint-Severin)
2. Luxembourg (Palais et Jardin du Luxembourg, Pantheon, Sorbonne)
3. Observatoire (Val-de-Grace, Jardins de l'Observatoire, Musee Zadkine)
4. Place Denfert-Rochereau (Catacombes, rue Daguerre)
5. Raspail - Cimetiere du Montparnasse (Fondation Cartier, Ateliers d'Artistes)
6. Montparnasse - Place du 18 juin 1940 (Tour Montparnasse, Musee Bourdelle)
7. Esplanade des Invalides (Musee Rodin, Musee de L'Armee)
8. Rue du Bac (Hotel Matignon, Maison de l'Amerique Latine, Musee Maillol)
9. Saint-Germain-des-Pres (Eglise SaInt-Germain-des-Pres, le quartier et ses terasses)
10. Cluny-Quartier Latin (Musee national du Moyen-age, Thermes et Hotel de Cluny)
11. Tours de Notre-Dame (Squares Viviani et Jean XXIII, Memorial de la Deportation)

The Blue Route (Bastille- Bercy): This route takes 60 minutes and the highlights of this route are: Jardin du Luxembourg, Observatoire, Catacombes, Invalides and Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
The bus will stop at the following places:
1. Notre-Dame (Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Marche aux Fleurs, Ile Saint-Louis)
2. Petit-Pont (Quartier Latin, Eglise Saint-Severin, Musee de Cluny)
3. Maubert-Mutualite (Musee de la Prefecture de Police, Pantheon, Sorbonne)
4. Pont de Sully - Ile Saint-Louis (Institut du Monde Arabe, Jardin desPlantes)
5. Bastille-Opera (Opera Bastille, Port de plaisance de l'Arsenal)
6. Gare de Lyon (Viaduc des Arts et Coulee Verte)
7. Gare d'Austerlitz - Jardin des Plantes (Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle)
8. Bibliotheque Nationale de France (devant l'entree Est)
9. Parc de Bercy (Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy et Jardins, Cour Saint-Emilion)
10. Bastille - Rue Saint-Antoine (Colonne de la Bastille, Port de plaisance de l'Arsenal)
11. Le Marais - Place des Vosges (Musee Carnavalet, Musee Picasso, Hotel de Sully)
12. Hotel de Ville (Centre Georges Pompidou (Beaubourg), Les Halles)

Tuesday 11 Jun 2013: Milan

0545: Depart to Paris Charles de Gaulle

0600: Arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle (Terminal 2D)

1030: Depart to Milan by Easyjet (1hr 30mnt)

1200: Arrive at Milan Malpensa (Terminal 2). Take Shuttle Bus Malpensa Express (Euro10/1hr rides) from Malpensa Airport to Milan Central Station and Taxi from Milan Central Station to America Hotel (Euro12/10 mnt rides/4km)

1330: Check In at America Hotel, Corso XXII marzo n 32, 4 floor, Milan Italy

1600: Trip around Milan (walk and taxi) – Plaza Duomo and Shopping

Wednesday 12 Jun 2013: Milan-Venice

1100: Depart from America Hotel to Milano Centrale railway station by taxi (Euro9)

1305: Depart to VENEZIA Santa Lucia (2hr 35mnt) by ItaliaRail

1530: Arrive at VENEZIA Mestre Station. Walk 750m to Hotel & Hostel Colombo For Backpackers, Viale Antonio Paolucci, Venice Mestre

1730: Dinner and Rest

Thursday 13 Jun 3013: Venice-Rome

0800: Take train to VENEZIA Santa Lucia from Venezia Mestre Station (1 stop/Euro1.2)

0900: Trip around Venice, By walk from Venezia Mestre Station to Piazza Sun Marco (40-50mnt). Gondola Trip (Euro80)

1600: Going back to Hotel, Train to Venezia Mestre Station (1 stop/Euro1.2)

1800: Take shuttle bus no15 from Hotel to Venecia Marco Polo Airport (Euro6/30mnt)

2130: Depart from Venecia Marco Polo Airport to Roma Fiumicino Airport by Easyjet (1hr 5mnt)

2235: Arrive at Roma Fiumicino Airport. Take shuttle bus to Termini Station (Euro5/45mnt) and walk to Freedom Traveler

0030: Check In at Freedom Traveler, Via Gaeta, 23, Rome

Friday 14 Jun 3013: Rome

Trip around Rome 

Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatino (Metro station Termini to Colloseo) Euro12

Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica (Metro station Republica to Ottaviano-San Pietro)

The Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Barcacia (Metro station Ottaviano-San Pietro  to Spagna)

Shopping

 Saturday 15 Jun 2013: Rome-Athens

1100: Take shuttle bus to Roma Fiumicino Airport (Euro4/45mnt)

1555: Depart from Roma Fiumicino Airport to Atenas (Eleftherios Venizelos) by Easyjet (2hr). Take shuttle bus no X95 from airport to Soho hotel (Euro5/45mnt)

1900: Check In at Soho, Menandrou 25, Athens

Sunday 16 Jun 2013: Athens

Trip around Athens by walk from Soho hotel.  Flea Market at Monastiraki, Library, Acropolis.

Monday 17 Jun 2013: Athens

Trip around Athens by walk from Soho hotel.  , Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Theatre of dionysos, Theatre of Herodes Aticus, Plaka and Monastiraki Area

Tuesday 18 Jun 2013: Athens-Istanbul-Doha-KL

0430: Take taxi from Soho hotel to airport (Euro40/45mnt)

0700: Depart from Atenas (Eleftherios Venizelos) to Istanbul Atarturk Airport by Turkish airline   (1hr 20mnt)

0820: Arrive at Istanbul Atarturk Airport. Transit at Istanbul

1920: Depart to Doha by Qatar Airways (4hr 10m)

2340: Transit at Doha Airport (2hr 30m)

Wednesday 19 Jun 2013: Doha-KL

0120: Depart from Doha to KLIA by Qatar Airways (7hr 50m)

1410: Arrive at KLIA

FLIGHT/TRAIN TICKETS		DESTINATION	DATE	RM
Qatar Airways		KL-IST-KL	1-18 JUNE	2678
British Airways		Istanbul-London	6-Jun-13	597.74
EuroStar		London-Paris	8-Jun-13	424.46
Easy Jet		Paris-Milan	10-Jun-13	230.15
Italiarail		Milan-Venice	12-Jun-13	85.99
Easy Jet		Venice-Rome	13-Jun-13	225.15
Easy Jet		Rome-Athens	15-Jun-13	496.75
TurkishAirlines		Athens-Istanbul	18-Jun-13	528.3
			TOTAL	5266.54

ACCOMODATION		DESTINATION	DATE	10% (RM)	EURO	POUND
Grand Anka Hotel		Istanbul	1-6 Jun 2013		493.33
Abercon House Hostel		London	6-7 Jun 2013	63.64		106
Perfect Hostel		Paris	8-9 Jun 2013	70.33	140.4
America Hotel		Milan	10-11 Jun 2013	58.81	115
Hotel & Hostel Colombo For Backpackers		Venice	12-Jun-13	29.93	56.4
Freedom Traveller Hostel		Rome	13-14 Jun 2013	70.17	148
Soho Hotel		Athens	15-17 Jun 2013	36.84	69.8
			TOTAL (2)	329.72	1022.93	106
			TOTAL (1)	164.86	511.465	53

DESTINATION	TRANSPORTATION		LIRA	EURO	POUND
Istanbul	Taxi to Airport Return TL70		35
	Tram/Metro return TL6*5=TL30 per pax		30
London	Oyster Card 2 Days				15
Paris	Hop On Hop Off Day Tour			31
	Taxi/subway			20
Milan	Shuttle Bus from Airport to Milan Central			10
	Taxi from Milan Central to America Hotel = 12			6
	Taxi from America Hotel  to Milan Central = 9			5
	Taxi to Doemo Area (Return) = 20			10
Venice	Train from Mestre Station Venezia Santa Lucia =1.2			2.4
	Shuttle bus to Marco polo airport			6
Rome	Shuttle bus from Airport to termini station= 5*2			10
	One day Metro Card			6
Athens	Shuttle bus from Airport to Syntagma Square			5
	Taxi from  Syntagma Square to Soho hotel = 5			2.5
	Taxi from Soho  Hotel to Airport = 40			20
		TOTAL (1 pax)	65	133.9	15
		expected cost in Euro	30	133.9	20

ENTRANCE FEES
DESTINATION	ATTRACTION		LIRA	EURO
Istanbul	3 days Museum Pass		72
	Bosphorus Boat Cruise		24
London	All sightseeing
Paris	All sightseeing
Milan	All sightseeing
Venice	Gondola Trip (Euro80)			40
Rome	All sightseeing
Athens	4 days pass to 7 ancient cities			12
		TOTAL (1 pax)	96	52
		expected cost in Euro	42	52

MINIMUM EXPENSES		RM	EURO
Flight/Train and 10% accomodation		5500
Accomodation			600
Eating (max up to 20 euro per day)			360
Daily transportation			200
entrance fees			100
emergency cost			300
souviners			200
TOTAL		5500	1760

TOTAL MINIMUM COST NEEDED FOR 18 DAYS: RM 13000

Ini saja untuk kali ini. Selamat mencuba. Sebelum berakhir enjoy dulu beberapa keping gambar yang sempat kami snap. Wassalam dan jumpa lagi.

Hagia Sofia, Istanbul.

Trafalgar Square, London.

Eifel Tower, Paris.

Duomo, Milan.

  

Venice.

Colloseum, Rome.

Acropolis, Athens.