TravelCommentator

Author: Carlo Irlitti

Opinion

F**K Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter…

My first post in a very long time. Why no posts? I have had many opportunities to comment and give my opinion on many travel related subjects but what has stopped me was COVID-19. No, I didn’t get infected and ill. It was the whole situation of travel being turned upside down. It basically took the wind out of my sails. I could’ve posted many opinion pieces but the mood wasn’t there.  So about the title and why am I writing this? I was compelled. I basically had enough and had to vent my displeasure. I’ve been so fed up hearing and seeing what Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, have been doing since the start of the COVID-19 (so called) pandemic. The bans, censorship...

Tips & Advice

Travel Planning

The best way to build up travel expectations is to plan things yourself…my opinion. Visiting and experiencing new places is exciting, but before getting there one has to plan. I find the organising and planning of travel inspiring. It gets me dreaming and itching to go. I like to research and plan on my own. So, I’ll scour the internet for all the info I can find on the place(s) I’ll be visiting and how I’ll get there and spend my time. Of course, I could get a travel consultant to do all the work but that would take away the fun of doing things myself and build up that expectation I mentioned in my introduction quote. Planning is not as hard as one...

Air Travel / Opinion

Pilotless planes…?

What would happen if a pilot – the captain or the second officer – became ill, incapacitated or even die? A problematic situation easily rectified. The remaining fit pilot is able to take the controls and land a plane single-handedly. They are trained for this kind of emergency in case it happens. However, there’s already talk of single-pilot and pilotless aircraft because of the foreseeable shortage of commercial pilots. The question is, what would happen then? Is it going to be fly-by-wire? If that’s the case then, will fly-by-wire be intercepted and hacked? I would rather know I have two pilots up front and, in worst case scenario one capable of flying the aircraft. If fly-by-wire is implemented it should only ever be part...

* Review / Accommodation

Rosedale Hotel Kowloon, Hong Kong

Relaxing Stay in Mong Kok My second stay at the Rosedale Hotel Kowloon, this time without my family. I contacted the hotel direct and booked like previously. Was given a Superior Room on the 26th floor. My four night stay was in late March 2019. Getting There On this occasion I was able to catch the K5 shuttle at the Kowloon MTR station as my flight from Singapore arrived on time and during daylight hours, so there was less chance of missing out on a shuttle. There was already a good crowd in the waiting area, so had to sit, wait and then line up. The shuttle then took about 40-45 to do its round of hotels before reaching its last stop at the...

* Review / Accommodation

Rosedale Hotel Kowloon, Hong Kong

Comfortable, Modern Hotel Stay Hong Kong This was a family trip to Hong Kong and I originally wanted all of us to stay on Hong Kong Island as I did the year before when I was there on my own, but as it worked out staying on the mainland close to Mong Kok was a good idea. During a routine doctor’s visit I mentioned Hong Kong to my GP and as a frequent visitor to Hong Kong he gave me some pointers. He prefers to stop over in Hong Kong instead of elsewhere in SE Asia or in the Gulf states when he travels to Europe and back. He said he enjoys staying in Kowloon surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the more...

* Review / Shopping

Plaza Singapura, Singapore

My favourite shopping complex in Singapore which I visit regularly. Its close proximity to where I usually stay in Singapore makes it easy to get to. I take the MRT from Bras Basah to Dhoby Ghaut, one stop on the Circle Line, walk upstairs through B1 and B2 and you’re into the mall. All the eateries are in B1 and B2. Other places to eat are in the Atrium which is connected to Plaza Singapura on several levels, starting from the ground floor. Both the Atrium and Plaza Singapura face Orchard Road. At Singapura I’ve bought collectables from Play United* and Simply Toys for my kids. Also sandals and t-shirts from the stalls on the ground floor, a cabin case, laptop/messenger bag, backpack and...

* Review / Trains / Transport

Leonardo Express

Efficient and hassle-free train service This is not so much a review, as I’ve done that twice before, but some comments and pointers. Just so to know, I have used this service for many years and continue to use it every time I arrive and leave Rome. It’s not the cheapest, but I find it to be the most efficient and hassle-free. So… I find it hard to believe some people rate the service very lowly. First of all the Leonardo Express is a train service. It runs to and from the Rome airport at Fiumicino. It’s called Express because there are no stops in between. It’s not a bullet train. It’s not the Orient Express either. Occasionally it will not run at full...

* Review / Eatery

Astor Deep Pan Pizza, Copenhagen

Very Good Cheap All You Can Eat Pizza & Salad We went past this place several times before we realised it was worth a visit. We had seen their ad in the Red Buses Hop-on Hop-off brochure, but what compelled us to eat here was the price of the lunchtime meal, all you can eat pizza and salad at DKK77 per person. The restaurant is located under the Astoria Hotel not far from Copenhagen central station. It’s not the flashiest place, but it was clean and it kept us out of the cold and rain. We came in through the Vesterbrogade entrance and were welcomed by the waitress. There was four of us, two adults and two children. With the all you can eat...

* Review / Places

Le Mura di Lucca

The Symbol of Lucca The massive fortified walls and ramparts that surround the old town of Lucca are what sets it apart from all other Italian towns. It’s the symbol of this charming place. I never cease to enjoy a stroll here, even after many years of visiting Lucca. Definitely one of my favourite spots anywhere to relax. It’s great all year round for walks and jogging, but probably the best way to enjoy “le mura” is by bike at a leisurely pace. Bikes can be hired from several places. Poli and Bizzarri are two of them. Both in Piazza Santa Maria, inside the walls near Porta Santa Maria. Another place is the Tourist Center Lucca, in Piazza Bettino Ricasoli, near Lucca railway station....

* Review / Transport

Singapore Airlines SQ278/SQ279, SQ324, SQ365

Flew six flights with Singapore Airlines over September, October and November 2017. Four of them as a family of four. The other two, with my son. All flown in Economy Class. All these flights, as I expected, were a pleasure to fly on. SIA’s product is consistent. Very little changes between aircraft types, the quality of service offered, the type of seats, how they are configured, the food served and the type of IFE. One bonus, the newer aircraft (Airbus A350) don’t have the annoying entertainment box (IFE) under one of the seats. A real relief. Here are the flights we took. SQ278/SQ279 These are the daily flights Adelaide-Singapore and Singapore-Adelaide. SIA operates the Airbus A330-300* with the 2-4-2 configuration in Economy Class and...

* Review / Accommodation

LHP Suites Rome – Termini Classic

Modern, Comfortable, Well Located and Secure Apartment This is an apartment in Via Filippo Turati run by Hotel Siena. Situated less than ten minutes walk from Roma Termini railway station and its side entrance in Via Giolitti. It’s one of two apartments located in the same building, both on the second floor. The apartments use the same entrance to a small hallway. Our apartment faced the internal courtyard, the other Via Turati. The apartment is small, very modern and minimalist, all painted in white. It has just enough room for a family of three or four. We were four, two adults and children of 12 and 14 years old. We arrived at 12:30pm and were allowed to leave our luggage in the apartment at...

* Review / Eatery

L’Emiliana, Lucca

Enjoyable Evening, Good Food & Surroundings This was our second time dining at this restaurant for dinner. Both as a family. First time back in June 2014 when Rossana was the owner. Since then, sadly, she has passed away succumbing to cancer. The waiters have changed too. Several times it seems over the three years. The food quality then as for this visit was about the same, very good. The service too the same, but probably a little sharper this time due to the place being full and with only two people serving. One being the male manager that evening. The other, a young lady who spoke good English. She took two nice family photos for us. We ordered several different dishes, my wife...

* Review / Accommodation

Hotel Rex Lucca

Superb for Location, Price and Staff A family run hotel in Piazza Ricasoli, Lucca, in a prime location next to the railway station. This was our second stay here as a family, previously in June 2014. On that occasion we had the family room with the balcony, the one flying the flags of Italy, the European Union and of Lucca. This time the room was on the floor above. Same configuration with adjoining bedrooms, both with Queen size beds. The main room also had bedside cabinets, while the room for the kids had a shelf above the bed headrest. Bathroom with toilet, bidet and the shower inside the tub. We found the rooms tidy and clean. There is free WiFi for as many devices...

* Review / Eatery

Bella ‘Mbriana Pizzeria, Lucca

Great Pizza, Price and Service, A Bit of Napoli in Lucca Been to this pizzeria twice now. I remember visiting a few years ago with a friend, a local, who recommended the place to me because they made true Neapolitan pizzas. Although the owner Renata is not actually from there but not far, on the other side of the Sorrento peninsula, Salerno. The pizzas then were very good so this time I wanted to take my wife and two children there for lunch. It’s located off the beaten track, away from most of the tourist traffic in Via Fillungo and Piazza San Frediano. It’s a short distance around the corner to the right of the facade of the church of San Frediano, in Via...

* Review / Accommodation / Apartments

The Happy Unicorn Apartment, Florence

A Few Let Downs. Overall a Pass I’m in two minds regarding this apartment. Before booking I read many reviews, the grand majority very positive. Only later did I find out that the online booking agent where I booked (which I won’t mention here), stacked all the positive reviews on the first page. Didn’t think much of it at the time, however it has made me aware that you need to read all their reviews, even those on back pages. This apartment is located about 10 minutes walking distance from Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station. It is not hard to find. Address is Via Palazzuolo, 50 (number in red). The apartment is on the third floor, up six flights of stairs. There’s no...

* Review / Shopping

Pam local supermarket, Florence

Handy Place to Buy Groceries Great little supermarket. It was recommended to us by Laura from The Happy Unicorn apartment in Via Palazzuolo. The supermarket, Pam local, is located in Piazza degli Ottaviani (corner of Via Palazzuolo, Via dei Fossi and Via della Spada), and close to Piazza di Santa Maria Novella. It is about a five or so minute walk from the apartment where we stayed. It’s not the cheapest but still reasonable especially when you haven’t got time to go to the larger fruit and vegetable markets and supermarkets. Handy to buy fruit, vegetables, pre packed salads, ready meals, bread, biscuits, cakes, general groceries, toiletries, laundry products, etc., when you just need them. Open from 8am until 10pm. Service also very good....