Io amo l’Italia, translated to english means I love Italy!
Honestly, Italy, and you’re likely to read this more than once on our blog, has to be our favourite country. Sure we have specific destinations within other countries that we love and may say was our favourite destination, but Italy is something special. Each and every region has its own unique history, specific local delicacies and Sardegna certainly lives up to that expectation!
Having realised that we were nearing the end of our two years living in London, we decided to be a bit selfish and actually finish work up a couple of months earlier than anticipated to truly take advantage of what we had on our doorstep. There was no way that we could pass up one last tour of the Italy, having committed to around 2 weeks, we decided on Milan, Lake Como and Sardinia as our departing Italian love affair.
Given the length of our Italian adventure, below is a summary of the various locations we stopped in around the island, with specific links to the detailed posts where we captured our memories.
Day one:
Our flight from Milan was with EasyJet to Alghero Airport in Sardinia. Having arrived around lunch time we picked up our Renault Twingo hire a car from Maggiore, which we booked through rentalcars.com, quickly checked it over for any damage but were lucky enough to have given a near new and completely undamaged shiny beast. Having spent the morning in airports and the flight, we excitedly drove towards our first stop in the northwest of the Sardinia, in the area of Stintino, La Pelosa!
It was an incredible start to our island holiday, crystal clear water, vitaminSEA (and of course D) with plenty of much-appreciated sunshine after a relatively luke warm (too chilly) Lake Como. Honestly, the water here was absolutely stunning and it rivalled some of the best beaches we have seen to date, we couldn’t wait to see what else Sardinia had in store for us!
Having spent a very relaxing afternoon we made our way down to Oristano, on the west of the island where we spent our first night.
For a detailed review on day one, please check out our separate blog: Day One: Alghero to La Pelosa, finishing in Oristano
Day two:
After our day one experience, we couldn’t wait to get in the car and explore the next beach that the Western side of Sardinia had to offer. After a quick 25 minute drive with absolutely no traffic, we arrived at San Giovanni di Sinis which was even more beautiful than La Pelosa on day one, which we didn’t think was possible!!
The water was perfect and there were fish swimming everywhere, but be careful as they bite (or nibble..) at your ankles!! There was even a sighting of a sea snake near some rocks as well as a regular (I guess?) snake in the garden, but Jenna was quick to get away from both!!
After yet another day of relaxation, we started the journey to Cagliari which is where we spent the next two nights. Having spent the majority of the day at the beach, followed by a drive we arrived late afternoon at the T Hotel, which might I add, was incredible. We decided to have dinner at the hotel that night and our little Sardinian delicacy tasting experience was quite an experience. We have a full review and short video on the Hotel in the linked review if you’re interested in visiting Sardinia.
Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia and is your fairly typical Italian town with a Castello district and old town with very narrow streets and plenty of pizzerias to choose from and in my opinion, a great place to base yourself for the multitude of beaches, restaurants and general surroundings.
For a detailed review on day two, please check out our separate blog: Oristano to San Giovanni di Sinis, finishing in Cagliari
Day three:
Our third day consisted of visiting both Spiaggia di Cala Cipolla, as well as Tuerredda Beach, but most importantly … on our drive towards Spiaggia di Cala Cipolla we noticed a lake to the side of the road FILLED with Flamingos, yep that’s right – Flamingos!!! We couldn’t believe our eyes.. having missed the opportunity we made sure we stopped at the lake on our way back to Cagliari. I should add that I’m glad that we had a little rental car as we had to take our little Twingo off-road driving around the edge of the lake to get as close as possible to these long-legged creatures!
Both of the beaches we visited were incredible but the highlight for us (especially Jenna) was seeing the hundreds of Flamingos!!!
When we got back to Cagliari we parked our car near the Castello district, walked around and had a nice meal at one of the local restaurants before soaking it up in the T Hotel Spa later in the evening!
For a detailed review on day three, please check out our separate blog: Sardinia Day Three: Cagliari, Spiaggia di Cala Cipolla, Tuerredda Beach and Flamingo watching
Day four:
Day four was one of our busiest days in Sardinia, trying to cover as many beaches as we could in the south east corner of the island. We stopped into Spiaggia di Porto Sa Ruxi, Spiaggia di Campulongu, Villasimius, Spiaggia di Porto Giunco and Punta Polentis. Needless to say, we were exhausted but glad we managed to see each of these to avoid the risk of having beach envy!!
We had around a 1.5-hour drive to Arbatax which is where we stayed for the night.
For a detailed review on day four, please check out our separate blog: The south eastern corner of Sardinia through to Arbatax
Day five:
One of the top recommended beaches to visit in Sardinia is Cala Mariolu and Jenna was adamant she was going to see that beach… which is only accessible via boat! So, the only way for us to see this was to book a day tour with a local boat company, Nuovo Consorzio Marittimo to see this amazing beach, along with Cala Luna, Grotta del Fico and Grotta del Bue Marino.
After an incredible day exploring the coastline of the National Park, we started our very long 2.5-hour drive to Olbia which is where we spent the last two nights. One critical tip, which we will expand on in the detailed blog, is how you should follow Google Maps for your directions instead of the local street signs!!! Trust me – not a mistake we would want anyone else making!
For a detailed review on day five, please check out our separate blog: Arbatax Boat Day Trip to Cala Mariolu, Grotta’s and heading up to Olbia
Day six:
Our last full day in Sardinia (which was incredibly sad!). We drove to the northern point of the island and visited a beach called Rena Bianca, Santa Teresa Di Gallura. I only have one thing to say about this place – INCREDIBLE!!
Honestly, we actually planned on visiting another beach and literally couldn’t leave this place, I even endured the walk back up the hill to top up our parking ticket to get us through to just after 5 pm! The beach is a well-protected bay, water crystal clear (which seems to be a consistent theme), the fish didn’t bite (yes, that IS a bonus in Sardinia!) and there are even nice coastal walks to stay healthy but also give you a different perspective of your surrounding and appreciate the fifty shades of blue.
For a detailed review on day six, please check out our separate blog: Day Six: Olbia to Rena Bianca
Day seven:
Our last day in Sardinia, with limited time we drove towards the nearby beaches around Golfo Aranci. These beaches were lovely, but honestly, none of them compared to the ones we saw throughout the week. It was still a good way to spend the morning before having to collect our bags and head to the airport, which is luckily only a 15-minute drive from Olbia!
For a detailed review on day seven, please check out our separate blog: Sardinia Day Seven: Olbia and Golfo Aranci
How to get there:
Taking our own advice, we did some research for the cheapest (but more importantly convenient) flight and found a bargain with EasyJet. The flight from Milan was around 80% cheaper than a comparable flight directly from London. Clearly, London is a longer flight, but we booked our flights from London – Milan – Alghero airport for a combined cost similar to a single flight from London – Alghero!
Having circled the island of Sardinia, rather than returning to Alghero for a return flight, we booked a separate direct flight from Olbia – London.
There are plenty of alternatives and the many airlines will have multiple flights a week to Sardinia during the summer months, but I really would recommend spending 10-15 minutes having a look at potential flight combinations to sneak in another little getaway!
Where to stay:
We stayed at various hotels and an Air B&B during our time in Sardinia.
Oristano: Hotel Mistral 2.
Cagliari: THotel. Please see our separate blog on the T Hotel.
Arbatax: Arbatasar Arbatax Hotel.
Olbia: We chose an Air B&B option!
Where to eat:
For tips on where to eat in each of these amazing towns, please check out our separate reviews linked above.
Sardinia: A Wildlife lover’s paradise
If you’re wanting to capture some of Sardinia’s wildlife and flora then take a look at this post by Sardatur Holidays.
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.” – Wendell Berry
The Arab nations and the Middle East which I generally refer to… have so much to offer, each offering a unique perspective on the values, culture, and views of the world. Having visited Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan and Dubai in recent years I would strongly recommend everyone visit at least one (if not all!) of these destinations. The place that for me would have to be the most memorable would have to be Jordan, specifically Wadi Rum, Petra and the Dead Sea (but you’ll need to read the separate blogs on these destinations!).
Travelling to the Middle East, or frankly, any country where modest dress clothing is encouraged has and probably always will be a little uncomfortable for me.
Whilst I do appreciate the religious and cultural reasons, as a westerner I certainly do not own any abayas, jilbabs or kaftans.
Each and every time I pack, I have to do a bit of research to remind myself, and most importantly make sure it is specific to the destination I’m visiting to determine just how enforced the views are and whether these are relaxed for tourists. There is nothing worse than turning up to an amazing destination in knee-length trousers and covered shoulders on a blistering hot day when everyone else is walking around in shorts and singlets!!
So whilst not always the most fashionable at times, hopefully, the below snapshot of my experience in each of the countries will help…
Morocco
My first experience … I had absolutely no idea what to wear and I there were so many conflicting views, some of my friends said that I have to cover up (especially because I’m blonde!) and others told me that Morocco was such a popular destination for the Europeans that it didn’t matter what I wore!
Now upon reflection, both views are factual and it really just depends on how deep into Morocco you plan on going!In Marrakech itself, it is very touristy, there were women there wearing strapless tops, mini skirt and short (and I mean short!) shorts. Now whilst you probably won’t feel out of place wearing what you might wear on any other day, it is always nice and appreciated by the locals when you do respect their cultural views…
Having spent a few days in Marrakech, we headed out for a desert camp experience in Erg Chebbi where we drove through the Atlas Mountains and stopped in many of the smaller towns and villages along the way – this – is where you really should be considerate and dress modestly. There were hardly any if any women on the streets. In these areas, I would strongly suggest covering up as much as possible. I wore shorts to my knees with a short-sleeved round neck t-shirt (nothing too tight) and even then I still felt a little uncomfortable, I could feel the men staring at me. I never felt like I was in danger, but I quickly realised that although I felt like I was covered up, I clearly wasn’t and it wasn’t an acceptable practice in that particular area.
Most of the comments you’ll get on the road are relatively harmless, more common than not they would speak to thewelltravelledman and say how lucky he is to have a beautiful woman, on one occasion he was even offered 1,000 camels as a trade!
Verdict: You could get away with wearing fairly western clothes, but it is best to be respectful and be a little more conservative.
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul straddles both the European and Asian continents, and to be honest is a large modern city. Sure, there is the old town which draws you to the city in the first place, but to be honest the streets are filled with westerners, both tourists as well as business people. You could look around and feel like you are in any city in the world. However, when you’re in the old town, there are more traditional practices in place and in a small part of the old town, I felt slightly out-of-place wearing shorts and a singlet. That being said, I wasn’t the only one doing it (it was very hot!!) but did feel that I got a few looks from the locals.
When we went to visit the Blue Mosque and Sophia Hagia you are provided with additional fabric to cover your shoulders and this was certainly not frowned upon.
Verdict: You can pretty much wear whatever you like and not feel out of place (just remember dress codes for some of the smaller Mosques!)
Amman, Wadi Rum & Petra, Jordan
We visited Jordan in their hottest season so it was difficult to cover up… that being said, it is important to first check the dress code for any sites you are planning on visiting as mosques usually need you to cover your shoulders and sometimes your knees as well. In Amman, I wore shorts and summer top and it didn’t seem to be a problem, although if you were to walk the streets for a long period, I would suggest covering up to be respectful of their culture. When you visit tour sites such as the Dead Sea, Madaba and Mount Nebo for example, you can wear anything you like – it doesn’t matter!
If you visit Wadi Rum and Petra, I can recommend a few things for you … Wadi Rum, you can wear what you like… BUT… it is hot, very hot so you’re best to wear some flowy summer pants to cover your legs and a sleeved shirt to protect yourself from the sun. You also need to wear some closed in shoes, unlike me who wore sandals. The sand was so hot I literally couldn’t walk up the dune and needed a piggyback ride back to the car. Petra is much of the same. We went early morning and finished at around lunch time and it was hot. Although you can wear anything you like, it is good to wear something to protect you from the sun and keep you cool at the same time.
Verdict: Unless you plan on visiting remote locations where the Bedouins live, you can wear what you like! We had no issues during our trip and all the areas are commonly frequented by tourists. However, because of the sun, I would wear something to cover up purely to protect your skin!
Cairo, Egypt
When we visited Cairo, we only toured Egypt through private tours and had a guide with us at all times (purely from a safety perspective in these turmoil times!). Nonetheless, you could hire a taxi for the day and visit many of these areas on your own and have a similar experience.
From a dress code perspective, there are certain places you need to make sure you’re covered up and they do not always have additional cloth available to cover up so you may either not be allowed to enter, or may need to buy something from a nearby store. However all the attractions that bring you to Cairo are heavily frequented by tourists, we visited the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, went on a Coptic Cairo tour to the hanging church and other religious sites and you really can wear anything without being frowned upon (too much).
However … the rest of Cairo, in my opinion, does not seem very safe and if you’re planning on walking through the city en-route to any of these destinations or simply to see what else is on offer, I would strongly recommend ensuring you’re modestly dressed!
A helpful tip for going to the Mosque: take a scarf in your bag so when you get to the mosque you can put it over your hair and shoulders! This saves you having to hire one or use a loan one when you get there.
Verdict: Depending on where you’re going, you can wear what you like in tourist areas.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai is like any other major city – filled with tourists who are stopping over and breaking up their long haul flight. You can wear absolutely anything you like and not feel out-of-place!!!
Verdict: You can wear what you like!!
Don’t be alarmed if you receive some comments from strangers!!
I experienced some very random comments along the way, none of which were received in a negative way. It is just their culture and they are just saying something nice! A few that have stuck with me are:
- Your eyes are so beautiful so everything you see must be beautiful (Petra)
- I will give you 1,000 camels for your wife (Marrakech)
- You’re a rose in the desert (Cairo)
The simple thing to remember is if in doubt play it safe! You can’t go wrong that way 🙂
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“No place is ever as bad as they tell you it’s going to be.” – Chuck Thompson
Being spoilt for choice, we decided to google, ‘best beaches in Europe‘ and quickly stumbled across the TripAdvisor list generated by who knows who, teasing you with crystal clear water on some remote locations! We love beaches and Ibiza has always been on the list (not the bucket list, just a general list!) of destinations we wanted to visit. Playa de Ses Illetes on the small island of Formentera is a quick 30-minute ferry from Ibiza and also the second best beach (according to said TripAdvisor list!) so we couldn’t resist but book our flights and see what the fuss was all about!
How to get there:
Fast forwarding through the process of deciding when, the search for flights, hotels and packing … we booked our fast ferry tickets for our Formentera day trip through a UK based company called Direct Ferries. We found this to be the most convenient as you can book your tickets online after an easy to follow and quick comparison of the two most frequent and popular ferry companies. Now, I would strongly recommend you book these tickets as far in advance as you possibly can (especially in peak season). Having had a look a few months in advance of our trip, a return ticket for two adults was £25. Having thought the prices were fixed, we thought we would wait and see what the weather would be like closer to the day … the price had gone up to £75! … so it is safe to say, booking in advance will save you some ££ and in reality, in summer you’re bound to have great weather. You can also book tickets at the main ticket office at Ibiza marina where the prices were similar to what we ended up paying.
The fast ferry is a quick 30-minute journey to Formentera, but you’ll be surprised how rough the water can get… if you’re someone prone to motion (or sea) sickness, I would suggest taking tablets you can buy from most pharmacies before boarding the ferry!
How to get around the island:
There are several options and many hire companies at the marina when you disembark where you can hire quad bikes, scooters, cars or for those brave enough to cycle in the heat, bicycles. Alternatively, Bus Formentera (you will need to translate this page!!) is a tourist bus which stops at the most popular areas – having heard the car parks can be quite busy we chose the bus.
The bus is at the marina and seems to be timed with the ferries, we didn’t have to wait more than a couple of minutes before our journey started! We bought our tickets on the bus and chose the €15 option which stopped at both of the beautiful beaches, the lighthouse, and the panoramic photo opportunity.
The beaches:
Playa de Ses Illetes: This is the first stop on the bus tour and the rated the traveler choice for the second best beach in Europe.
I must admit, after getting your hopes up, I personally do not agree with the ranking. Having been fortunate enough to travel throughout Europe, visiting many, many beaches, I wouldn’t put this as my number 2! But, in saying that the beach was lovely. The water was crystal clear and it was a fine sand beach which is always a nice surprise when you expect to see the usual pebble beaches you encounter in Europe.
This beach is also known for the pink sand, although this certainly wasn’t as striking as you would imagine. It was actually quite challenging to see the pink sand for the majority of the beach and it was only toward the end of our time there that we walked past a few meters of pink sand. Without having done any other research I cannot say if this is dependant on the tide or the perhaps the time of the year but we spent both the morning and a couple of hours in the afternoon at the beach.
The beach is at its best first thing in the morning – being on one of the earliest ferries and tourist buses, we were one of the first on the beach, it was so peaceful and you this was the time when we could truly appreciate the natural beauty of the location. Arriving early also has other benefits of being able to pick out your perfect spot on the sandy beach or hire that umbrella and chairs in the front row! The beach is extremely busy after 11 am and after 1 pm you can barely find some sand to put your towel down on!!!
Playa es Pujols: This is the second stop on the bus trip. This beach is quite lovely and less busy than Playa de Ses Illetes, probably because it is not even mentioned on the TripAdvisor list, but it is also a longer drive from the marina.
The beach is a lot rockier but the water is again, crystal clear! At this beach, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to have a bite to eat at or a well-deserved ice cold drink after the long day of relaxation!
Additional Stops:
Lighthouse (Faro de la Mola): The third stop on the bus trip is the lighthouse or Faro de la Mola.. You are given 15 minutes for a photo stop and that’s probably all you need.
Panoramic View: The last stop on the bus tour is a panoramic view over Formentera from a local restaurant. Again, you’re given 15 minutes for your photo opportunity which is more than enough time. When you get there, the bus driver will suggest the restaurant balcony, but instead of following the others, if you cross the road and jump over the barrier you will have nothing but uninterrupted views over Formentera – it really is amazing (tree climbing optional)!
Following this breathtaking view, the bus journey is around a 30 minutes back to the marina – the ferry company recommends arriving 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time so make sure you leave enough time!
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
“The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” – Sir Richard Burton
Hotel: Mooser Hotel
Location: St Anton Am Alberg, Austria
Room: Double Room with Private Balcony
Perfect for: Ski holiday
Category: Luxury, 4 star
We stayed at the Mooser Hotel over Christmas 2013 for one of their short stay options (Sunday – Thursday).
Our welcome experience…
We got picked up from the station in a lovely Audi Q7, driven up the mountain to where the hotel was located, we then drove into what appeared to be a single car garage. The automatic door closed, classical music started playing and the enclosed box we were in started to move …
Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the very friendly Steffi who very quickly checked us in and gave us a tour of the hotel, including the room and where to find things. We were then taken up to the restaurant as part of our tour to the hotel and enjoyed a welcome drink. The restaurant was incredible, it had a great atmosphere and even better views over the village and piste!
The Room…
We were then taken to our room. It was absolutely amazing.
They have really thought of everything. The lighting, set up and design was perfect. The mini bar was included (soft drink, water and juice) in the price and restocked daily.
We were given shortbread biscuits in little glass jars on the bedside tables, a nice touch. The biscuits varied daily and we thoroughly enjoyed them when we were refreshing between our day on the piste and dinner.
Meals…
Breakfast was included – we couldn’t fault it at all. We were given an al a carte menu to order our breakfast and it included items such as poached eggs, pancakes, waffles, fruit and more! It is pretty cool to have your breakfast overlooking the piste!
The restaurant for dinner is also popular, the chef is renowned in the area and a reservation is highly recommended. The al a carte menu included delicacies such as reindeer as well as other safe options for Jenna (who enjoyed a fillet of beef). We enjoyed an evening meal on Christmas day and other than the price, we could not fault the service, nor the quality of the food.
Health and Fitness…
After a long day on the slopes, you need somewhere to unwind and relax!!
This hotel has it all… The spa area was amazing. There is an outdoor heated pool with spa, a steam room, physio therm, soft sauna and a hard sauna. Everything you need after a day on the slopes. For those of you whom may not be familiar with the Europeans, the spa and sauna areas are generally nude areas, and more often than not, you’ll be enjoying your session with a nude companion! If anything, I suggest you join them and before you know it you’ll be converted to their ways!
The relaxation area before you enter the pool, sauna and physic therm area also include a number of spots to lounge, plenty of complimentary and drinks (healthier options such as water, juice etc) to keep you hydrated whilst using the amenities.
A special mention is needed for the ski lockers…
The locker room looks fantastic, decked out with timber doors and a ram to sit on whilst you jam your feet into your boots, but most importantly, the lockers have heated boot racks which on a cold morning is nice to put warm boots on instead of damp boots from the day before!
Good to know…
For those who have been to St Anton before, or have heard of the famous Mooserwirt, it is ‘the’ place in St Anton for après-ski and a must visit …
The fact that the Mooserwirt is attached to the Mooser Hotel is a significant benefit, hotel guests have direct access via an internal lift and you’re able to safely store your skis in your heated lockers before heading up for the après-ski. The number of ski poles and lonely ski (yes one) seen on the slopes in the mornings really does suggest that it is worth spending the extra to stay at the Mooser Hotel when you’re intending on having a few late nights at the Mooserwirt.
Other than the drinks, we also enjoyed many, many chicken wings. The portion sizes are generous and other than New York, I don’t think we have been able to find anything that compares.
Checking out…
Check out was simple and easy, the staff were friendly, professional and there were no issues. Our luggage was held and we were able to use the amenities, including the spa and fitness centre in the hotel.
Additional information…
The Mooser Hotel is a ski in ski out resort and whilst this provides great views over the town and slopes, it may not be for people who have never skied before (like us!). But, in saying that it was still possible, it just took a bit longer than others to get down. You can catch the number 3 bus, which is free and is around a 5 – 10 minute walk away from the hotel.
Above and beyond…
The staff at the Mooser Hotel throughout the entire stay were great and attentive. The hotel staff left a lovely Christmas present in our room on Christmas Eve for us which was a really lovely gesture!
The not so good…
There is absolutely nothing less than perfect at this hotel!!!
The verdict…
Overall, we give this hotel 5 stars without a doubt! Great service and by far one of the most luxurious hotels we’ve stayed in!!
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
No benefits were received as part of this review.
Travelling can often result in your waistline expanding …
Despite how much you may (or may not) walk during your holiday, visiting all the must-see sites that attracted you to your destination, you will no doubt eat more than you normally would … the buffet breakfasts, sit down lunch with a well deserved cold beverage (typically beer!) and a two or three course dinner where you simply have to try the local cuisine!
If you’re going away for a weekend here and there, eating a few heavy meals isn’t the end of the world. I generally find my weight only increases between 0.5kg – 1.5kg which is relatively unnoticeable and very easy to lose when you are back in a routine. But, when you’re either a frequent traveller or travelling for extended periods you’re guaranteed to start noticing those trousers tighten around the waistline!
Here are some tips to help you stay in a routine and prevent yourself from putting on those extra kgs!
- When looking for a hotel, try to pick one with a fitness centre. I met someone who refused to stay in hotels without a Sauna, which then I thought was ludicrous, but lately (except for Italy where it is almost impossible), I couldn’t agree more! My day always starts off better when I get the chance to jump on the treadmill or do some weights!
- If you enjoy exercising at home, there is no reason this should stop when you’re on holidays. Even if you get up that half hour earlier in the morning, do a few push-ups, squats or lunges and not your full routine.
- Walk instead of taking public transport. More often than not, where you want to go is not far from where you are! Instead of taking the bus, tube or train a couple of stops, check to see how far it is to walk and it may only be 15 – 20 minutes and in that case, you should opt to walk instead – not only will it save you money on transport tickets, but you will burn off those extra calories and see more of your destination!
- Meal choices. This is the challenge…I have a never-ending struggle when faced selecting a meal from a menu! I have to, at least once, experience the local delicacies, especially if I received a recommendation from a local. I have (in my opinion) experienced a variety of unusual meals and whether I actually enjoyed them, they have on many occasions been calorific. When visiting a seaside town with many seafood options, spreading my calories over the days doesn’t cross my mind as many seafood options are quite healthy. However, when I travel through countries, such as Italy (which also happens to be my favourite country), there is a constant struggle with my love of bruschetta, pasta, pizza and gelato and this is something I often need to be reminded of.
I am sitting in an apartment overlooking Lago Di Camo (Lake Como) and specifically selected a vegetarian panini and water at lunch (admittedly drinking a less healthy beer whilst writing this post) as I knew we reserved a table where I am absolutely going to enjoy a three-course dinner with matching wine.
That’s great, but what do you suggest?!
You could start with a big hearty breakfast at the hotel:
Followed by a lighter option at lunch, perhaps a salad or grilled meat dish:
At dinner you can either continue your healthy trend or splash out for that pasta you know you deserve! This will help you keep a well-balanced diet while you’re on the move!
Check out our tips page for some other helpful travel tips!!!
Hotel: T Hotel
Location: Cagliari, Sardinia – Italy
Room: Junior Suite
Perfect for: Beach holiday
Category: Luxury, 4 star
When people think about travelling to Italy, they often think of Rome, Florence, Milan or Tuscany… but what people neglect to look at is the amazing surrounding islands of Italy that are just a short flight away! Sardinia, or Sardegna as the locals call it, is one of the most amazing islands we have visited. To be able to spend a week visiting the top rated beaches, with its crystal clear water yet each with its own unique characteristics was simply an incredible experience and something everyone simply needs to experience!
Cagliari, the capital of the island of Sardinia is a perfect base for anyone wanting to explore the southern part of the island and surrounding beaches such as Chia Beach, Tuerredda as well as Villasimius.
Planning a road trip around the island required a bit of investment and we spent a lot of time looking through hotel reviews, photos and comparing prices for our stay in Cagliari. When you travel throughout Italy, you appreciate that a lot of affordable hotels are not luxurious and often feel like they haven’t been upgraded since the 80’s. When we saw the T Hotel, it was nice, clean and modern and given we were spending 2 nights in Cagliari, we wanted something comfortable and relaxing! The fact that it had free parking for our little Renault Twingo was an added bonus!!!
We stayed at T Hotel for two nights in September 2015 during our six night holiday around Sardinia.
Our welcome experience…
We arrived mid afternoon with a warm welcome from Francesca. Francesca appeared very professional and informative, providing us with a brief explanation of the hotel restaurant, spa and bar areas. We were also very fortunate to receive a complimentary upgrade to a Junior Suite with access to the Spa and a dinner for two at the restaurant.
Once the check in was complete, Francesca walked us to the elevators and showed us where our room (1204) was located.
The Room…
Spacious. Luxurious. Perfect.
Having visited Italy on many, and I mean many, occasions, the room was much larger than any other Italian hotel we have stayed in. The hotel is in a tower and provides you with complete privacy, an abundance of natural light as well as panoramic views over the Cagliari Castello district, the city and port.
The room itself contained a short entrance hall, the bedroom itself as well as the bathroom. The bedroom, in my opinion, was styled in a minimalistic approach and whilst the largest Italian room we have stayed in, not the most luxurious itself. The bathroom (further below) however was spectacular and made the room!
Storage can also often be a concern within hotels, but not here! The entrance hall provided ample bench space for two carry on suitcases, two large cupboards if you wished to unpack, extra blankets, pillows as well as a handy safe (which is less common than you expect!).
We were so impressed with the suite, we thought we’d put together a quick video of the room to try and show you how spacious and incredible it really was!!
Hopefully, you were able to see just how spectacular those panoramic views from the room are, however, we thought we would show you a different perspective down towards the port in the picture below.
When we walked towards the bedroom, we noticed the delicious layered fruit platter, together with some Italian treats and some gifts from the spa which included aloe vera cream (perfect for sun-kissed holidays) as well as a face serum (which has since replaced my usual product and as I’m writing this becoming more and more concerned about the ease of replacing the tube once I run out!).
The room has a king sized bed, kettle, tea, mini bar, tv as well as information about the hotel and surrounding areas.
We then went to the bathroom … let’s say… massive!
I loved the tiles and the bathroom, in my opinion, was much more luxurious than the bedroom and absolutely made the hotel in my opinion. The panoramic views continued throughout the length of the bathroom and with the blinds pulled up the light glistened off the tiles creating some spectacular colours (which you can see in the below photos, even with the blinds closed!).
The amenities included the usual suspects, shampoo, body lotion and so forth but then …
… you’re also presented with a ‘his’ and ‘hers’ pack which goes over and above your expectations, including a small day cream, hand cream, exfoliator, toothpaste and toothbrush, the men’s pack also included a razor, shaving cream and comb. I also love a good set of robes and slippers, and these did not disappoint. The slippers were plush and very comfortable!
Another nice touch was having the toilet itself in a small room off to the side of the bathroom, providing privacy whilst your partner in crime can continue to brush their teeth or have a shower.
Meals…
We enjoyed both a buffet breakfast as well as an al la carte dinner at the hotel restaurant.
The review will focus on the dinner itself, however there really was something for everyone at the breakfast, freshly squeezed juices, fruit, eggs, bacon, sausages as well as some of the more Sardinian specialties which I couldn’t resist trying such as fresh Ricotta and honey (which you drizzle over the Ricotta). This was, however, an unusual experience for me as it was quite a rich meal for breakfast!
The restaurant (dinner) is usually in a large room, however, we were quite pleased to find the restaurant instead used the seating located around the bar extending to the outdoor alfresco area to perfectly maximise the experience for patrons on comfortably warm evenings.
Now, having studied the menu to decide on the perfect combination we thought we felt like that evening, our entire night was thrown upside down with a surprise after surprise! Enrico, the restaurant manager on duty talked us out of the relatively safe but delicious choices, suggesting we simply had to experience the true southern Sardinian delicacies (some of which wasn’t even on the standard menu!). And so, the degustation began…..
For the table, we were served with a mixture of traditional southern Sardinian bread, including Pane Carasau, which in simple terms is basically a delicious hand-made flatbread.
For starters, we had the following dishes:
- Prosciutto with Indian figs (clearly, the Indian figs are grown in southern Sardinia, and might I add great a great addition to balance the prosciutto)
- Sardinian olives and artichokes (artichokes are generally not my favourite and this was no exception, however, bonus points for the olives)
- Shrimp tartare accompanied by Sardinian peaches (delicious, light and the peaches provided a distinct yet not overpowering flavour, my favourite starter)
- Botargo (Italian name for a delicacy of salted, cured fish roe, typically of the grey mullet) and sweet white grapes (which should be eaten at the same time to balance the otherwise bitter and salty fish roe)
For entree, we had the following dishes:
- Fregula soup with clams (Fregula is a type of pasta made in Sardinia which has a similar consistency as quinoa. The soup itself was exactly what you would hope for and the clams so fresh that you could place a bet that these were literally collected from the ocean a few minutes before being specifically cooked for your soup!)
- Lorighittas with cockerel, mint and vegetables (The best pasta I have had in Italy! Lorighittas is from a small Sardinian village called Morgongiori, hand-made and allegedly takes around 5-6 hours to intertwine the rings for a kilo of pasta! Clearly, the chef has a challenge set for him to ensure these are al dente and just perfect (imagine wasting 5-6 hours of someone’s time with an average chef!) and I let me assure you the chef on duty at the T Hotel that evening got it just right!)
For main, we had the following dishes:
- Amberjack roasted on laurel and cauliflower stew (Amberjack is a mild flavoured white fish and quite a specific flavour, whilst mild this wouldn’t be recommended for those who do not love fish, although luckily I quite enjoyed it!)
- Sardinian beef fillet sautéed in herb carasau breadcrumbs and sun-dried tomatoes with vegetable ratatouille (This was, in fact, one of the dishes we originally selected and without knowing what the Sardinian delicacies would actually include, we simply couldn’t risk having food envy of what may have been!)
For dessert, we had Seadas, a traditional Sardinian dessert which is a Pecorino cheese filled pastry! Enrico noted that depending on your preference, it could be eaten with either sweet or bitter honey, so without knowing what we preferred we simply had to cut it in half and try both! Being a bit of a sweet tooth we both preferred the sweet honey and found it was perfectly matched with the refreshing ice cream on the side.
The entire degustation was of course accompanied with matching wines, starting with southern Sardinian white wines and moving onto the more fuller bodied reds and ending on a dessert wine. Unfortunately, we were too busy enjoying the meal itself to specifically take note of the vineyard to list these here but I thoroughly enjoyed each glass! As quite typical in Italy, we also ended the meal with a Sardinian liqueur (Mirto) made from the Myrtle plant which Enrico mentioned most families grow at home and generally create their very own Mirto for consumption at home (so this is as Sardinian as you can get!). Generally the liqueur you end your evening on will be a form of digestive, however, according to Enrico, Mirto has no digestive benefits and is simply a nice way to finish the meal!
The meal was absolutely delicious and the service was even better. Enrico provided information about the dishes served, the area where the tradition was started and generally continues (most interesting being the Lorighittas hand-made pasta) and even typed up our menu for the evening so we could take it home with us to remember!
I have attached a copy of their standard menu (as at September 2015), but if you do have a spare few hours it is absolutely worth experiencing the degustation tasting menu!
Health and Fitness…
The hotel Spa and Wellness centre is available as an extra for hotel guests. The spa treatment (which you should book as there is a limit on the number of patrons at any given time to maximise the experience) can last for up to 90 minutes). The Spa brochure perfectly described the experience … “All five senses are awakened in the regenerating atmosphere: hearing through the harmonious background music; touch stimulated by the force of the six hydro massage jets of the Aqua Journey schedule; sight and smell through the aromatherapy and chromotherapy of the Emotional Showers (the toning menthol of the aromatic mist, the Maracuja essence of the marvellous cycle alternating hot and warm water, and shower max resembling a tropical storm). Beneath the colour prism of a starry sky, the steam bath with an essence of eucalyptus will guide you on a fragrant journey followed by the warmth of a hot herbal tea from the wide selection of green fruit teas and ayurvedic blends reminiscent of age-old flowers. Soft thick towels perfumed with the tranquillity blend fragrance complete this sensorial journey”.
Separate men’s and ladies shower and change rooms are available to use after your session. We found the check in process at the spa quick and easy and we could spend as long or as little time in there as we wanted to.
There is also a gym at the hotel which is filled with all of the necessary equipment and it never appeared to be overcrowded so perfect for the fitness fanatics or those of you whom may have recently read our tips on staying active and healthy while on holidays!
Hotel Grounds
The foyer of the hotel is extremely spacious and includes a desk with optional excursions which are available for guests to book, as well as a bar area leading towards an outdoor feature pool with additional seating. When you order drinks at the bar, they bring over complimentary snacks which are a nice added touch!!
Good to know…
The hotel offers free parking for all guests. This is located on the opposite side of the street and includes both ample undercover parking as well as rooftop parking – we never struggled to find a park during our stay.
Checking out…
Check out was a very smooth process and the hotel offered to store our luggage for the day if required.
Additional information…
We stayed at another 4-star hotel in Arbartax, Sardinia during our holiday for a similar price. I can honestly say that the two hotels don’t even come close in standards and the T Hotel was by far the more superior hotel!
Above and beyond…
Francesca was a delight to liaise with throughout our stay at this hotel. There is so much that fits in the ‘above and beyond’ category … in a nutshell, the hotel, the room upgrade, complimentary spa treatment, dinner as well as the information on the hotel was so unexpected and something we will remember for a lifetime! It is also the nice touches such as being walked to our room upon check in and shown to the lift to the wellness centre.
The not so good…
It is difficult to fault this hotel. Everything ran exceptionally smoothly. However, if I were to pick on something it would only be that the spa was a little confusing! The jets within the Spa all serve a different purpose and if you do not use these correctly you’re unlikely to receive the benefits it intends. The most confusing jet would have to be the third one which was basically a ridiculously powerful jet that spurts up from the floor and creates a small … atomic bomb … shaped effect in that section of the Spa, having watched some of the other guests (none of whom might I add correctly used it) we ended up asking one of the Spa employees upon exiting and learned that you are meant to force yourself into the centre of the jet and stand there for a period to improve your blood circulation. We would have found it useful if we were either provided with a brief, but clear explanation of the various jets, or possibly a metal plaque (similar to what gym equipment have on them) with instructions or a diagram.
The verdict…
This hotel, without a doubt, is highly recommended for your stay in Cagliari, Sardinia. The hotel grounds, together with the staff and amenities are spot on. I only wish we had longer to spend at the hotel!
If you’re interested, we’ve attached a short video presentation from T Hotel.
If you’re planning a trip to Sardinia, or Italy in general, pop over to our Italy page for our latest posts!
Do you have travel insurance?
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Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“Nobody can discover the world for somebody else. Only when we discover it for ourselves does it become common ground and a common bond and we cease to be alone.” – Wendell Berry
As we sit here preparing for yet another economy long haul flight, I started thinking of the things that I need to keep with me to help make the most uncomfortable part of travelling a little more comfortable.
What to pack
Having been fortunate to have travelled business class a few times, some of the items included in the amenities bag have made a significant difference to the enjoyment of my flight, most importantly:
- lip balm (British Airways has me addicted to Elemis!)
- hand and face moisturiser (your skin will dry out on the plane!)
- my own eye mask (as often the ones on the aircraft aren’t as good as your own!)
- toothbrush and toothpaste. Although most airlines will give these to you, having your own is always nice
- deodorant to keep you feeling fresh, whether heading straight to a meeting or if you’re about to give your family a big hug!
It will make life a lot easier if you carry a small bag (or handbag for the ladies) to carry the essential items instead of having to try and open up your carry on suitcase in the middle of the flight with limited space! The items generally not included in the amenities pack which I find helpful to carry with me includes:
- travel pillow
- snacks if you get hungry in between meal services
- medication that you may need during the flight, remembering some flight and layovers can be over 24 hours!
- large bottle of water which you should buy once you’re through security. You can always ask the flight attendants to top your bottle up for you when you’re running low. This helps between drink services and we all know those small plastic cups of water don’t last more than 3 mouthfuls!!
- headphone splitter which allows you to plug two (or more) separate headphones into one device such as your iPhone, iPad or Android device to share your music or videos with your flight partner (or the random next to you! you know they’ll look at what you’re doing either way!).
What to wear:
Before thinking about what you want to wear, make sure you shower before any long haul flight!
If you don’t want to wear ‘daggy’ clothes to the airport, you can carry a spare set of clothes with you on the flight. You don’t want to be wearing something restrictive, for women this could include skinny jeans and tight shirt, instead, you will want to wear some comfortable leggings / flowy genie pants and a comfortable top or jumper. Men have it easy!
Most importantly, you want to wear:
- shoes that you can easily slip on and off. This way, you can slip your shoes off when you’re in your seat or sleeping, but can easily put them back on when you want to get up to stretch your legs or go to the lavatory (make sure you wear shoes in the bathroom, the wet in the lavatories is not just splashes of tap water!).
- wool socks, both to remind you to remove your shoes but also to keep your feet warm (I don’t use compression socks, yet..!)
- loose clothing and layers such as a lightweight jacket or cardigan
Do you have travel insurance?
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Check out our tips page for some other helpful travel tips!!!
When we started to plan our trip to Jordan, we knew there were a minimum of three sites we needed to see. The Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and Petra. Given we had pre-booked our Dead Sea tour, all that was left to book was Wadi Rum and Petra.
We were struggling to find a company that would personalise a tour for us as we didn’t want to camp in the desert but rather the hotel option so we could include Petra by night as well as visit Petra first thing in the morning given our limited time in Jordan. We then came across Jordan Select Tours who were more than accommodating and tailored the tour to suit us and what we wanted to do.
Day One: Wadi Rum & Petra by Night
We were promptly picked up at our hotel at 9 am to start the 3.5-hour drive to Wadi Rum! Our driver Alaa was extremely informative and friendly and ensured we were briefed on the history of Jordan and the sites we were going to see (and the sites we had already seen). When we arrived at Wadi Rum, we had a local Bedouin who was our driver and guide. We sat in the back of the 4WD for the duration of our 2.5-hour desert safari.
We stopped to see some amazing sights such as:
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom: This site is named after Lawrence of Arabia who was based in Wadi Rum as a member of the British Forces of North Africa. Lawrence organised and carried out attacks on the Ottoman forces from Aqaba to Damascus. The guide often referred to Lawrence of Arabia, however, allegedly there is little or no evidence connecting Lawrence to any sites in Wadi Rum!!
Khazali Canyon: At this site, you will be lucky enough to see some Nabatean inscriptions on the rock. It is pretty cool to walk inside the canyon and take a look at the view both outwards and upwards!
There was an opportunity to climb a sand dune and overlook Wadi Rum! This was a lot of fun, except for Jenna who only wore sandals and the sand was piping hot so she had to stand still (where she took this photo!) in the one spot until I came back down to piggy back her back to the car!!
Halfway through the safari, we also stopped in for a local tea with the local Bedouins. Despite it being around 45 degrees, the Bedouins offer you hot tea because it in regulates your body temperature and will actually provide some relief!
There are many more sites to visit and your driver will stop for many photos, even with some camels where we were able to give them food and water.
The desert safari lasted around 2.5 hours and it was around 45 degrees, however, there was also a consistent breeze and the back of the 4WD provided you with ample shade so it was quite a comfortable drive.
Once we got back to the visitor’s centre, we met Jordan Select guide and started the drive to Petra! We did not camp in the desert as we have previously done this in Morocco and we wanted to experience Petra by night which is only available 3 nights per week!
We left the hotel at around 7.45pm to head down to the visitor’s centre in Petra to meet our local guide. While we waited, we watched a local make one of the sand designs in a glass bottle, it was fascinating how they do these!!
Petra by Night
This is truly an experience! When you start the walk, you’re walking approximately 2km down between the siq and it is lit up with around 1500 candles throughout the walk and in front of the Treasury.
When you arrive at the Treasury, you get a ‘Oh WOW’ moment! It is honestly something that you can’t imagine seeing until you’re there in person. Even though it was dark, you could see enough to leave you wanting to see more (when it was light!). We sat down and listened to the Bedouin play the flute before the free time to take a few photos in the candle lit environment before you wander back down the siq.
Unfortunately, this well travelled man forgot his tripod so this was my best attempt at a handheld night photo as I wasn’t able to play with the shutter speed!
The experience lasted approximately 2 hours and was definitely worth ensuring we were in Petra and able to do this!
Day Two: Petra
We started bright and early with a 7 am pick up. This was to make sure we got down to the site as soon as they opened not only to try to beat the heat and other tourists but to also see the rock in a different light. By getting there early, we were able to see the colours in the evening, first thing in the morning and then once the sun was fully shining.
We started the tour with a horse ride to the main entrance (which is included in the ticket price, plus a tip for the guide!) and from there we continued on foot through the Siq.
We were lucky enough to be the only people there which meant we were able to enjoy the colours and the natural way the rocks formed without feeling rushed with other tourists.
In the below picture, you can make out the carvings in the rock, there is a person and a camel which indicated which way to continue walking.
Although we had seen Petra by night, when we arrived at the Treasury it was truly a magical sight! The colours were incredible, there was no one around and it felt like we had the entire place to ourselves. We stopped to get some pictures with the camels before we continued with our guide to the next stop.
Our guide also took us in to a cave type place so you can clearly see the variety of sedimentary rocks and amazing colours!
At the end of our guided tour, we had a drink in the cafe with our guide, as recommended we had a lemon and mint drink – very refreshing!!
Given the relatively tight timeframe, we asked our guide what he would recommend, in particular, we wanted to ensure we were able to see the Treasury from above… The walk to the panoramic view over Petra (as well as the Treasury) is up many, many steps and in this heat, it would have been a very unenjoyable experience. The guide knew we were both young and fit, and he strongly recommended we acquire the services of one of the local Bedouins and their Mules and are we glad we listened to his advice…
It wasn’t cheap and it did cost us around 40 JOD for the two of us – but I cannot stress enough, that in this heat, you do not want to walk up! The Mules looked healthy and are given a break every 2 hours (we were assured). Mules are a mixed breed with Horses and Donkeys, meaning they are stronger than pure bred donkeys so whilst we usually enjoy walking, we opted for the Mules.
I’m not sure how long it took for us to get up to the top, probably at least a half hour, but there were a lot of stairs and it was pretty hot so we were very grateful for these animals to help get us up!
When we got to the top, it honestly felt like we were on top of the world. Whilst photos simply cannot do it justice, you’re greeted with the most spectacular panoramic view over Petra!
We were dropped off at the top of the hill and the Bedouin had a limited English vocabulary so we had NO idea where we were meant to go next. The top does offer you those spectacular panoramic views, but after all, we did come up here to see the Treasury from above! We walked around for quite some time and studied the Petra map provided at the entrance (which appears to show the Treasury quite far away from where we believed we were). By this time, we would have wasted 30 minutes looking around and we even started walking back down … but being the well stubborn man I simply couldn’t leave without seeing what I wanted to see.
I decided we simply had to turn around (Jenna relatively unimpressed with the heat and concerned with the time) and went for a trail run ahead of Jenna (in 45-degree heat!) to see if I could find the spot. Looking back on the trail, it is actually marked out with painted arrows but given I was doing a relatively fast paced run I did make two incorrect turns, but luckily still found it!!
When you do reach the end, it will look like you have reached a Bedouin home, which I was quite tempted to go into as it directly overlooks the Treasury, but by the time I turned back to confirm that I have found the spot, I noticed another angle overlooking the Treasury which didn’t feel like I was encroaching on the locals territory and we decided to take it all in and get a few photos from there instead.
We took advantage of being the only tourists on top of the mountain and took some more incredible photos! It is truly a sight you must see with your own eyes!!
From there, we started our descent. It took us around 30 minutes to get down to the bottom, and then around another 45 minutes to get to the visitor centre. If you’re hot and tired, you can pay for a horse carriage ride to the front, but it really is an easy walk where we were able to enjoy the Siq with the sun shining on the sandstone sediments!
Once we got back to the Visitors Centre, we went back to buy some souvenirs of sand in the glass jars and then went back to our hotel for a refreshing shower before hitting the road for Amman.
Where to stay
We stayed at the Marriott Petra which was a lovely hotel. It was organised by our tour company, but the stay went smoothly and they allowed us a late check out so we could come back and clean up before getting back in the car. The room was very spacious and had a lovely room over the mountains. We had half board and the dinner was plentiful, the desserts were also lovely and we had the perfect spot to watch the sunset!! Breakfast in the morning is also varied, fresh and much better than our Amman hotel!
If you’re going to visit Petra on your own, you could look at staying at a hotel close to the Visitors Centre which will avoid getting a transfer or taxi to and from.
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Dalai Lama
You may also be interested in our blogs on Amman and The Dead Sea, Madaba and Mount Nebo!!
Click here for a complete list of where I’ve been…
Our first full day in Jordan, we booked a private tour to Madaba, Mt Nebo and The Dead Sea. We booked the tour through Viator, but the tour company was Zaid Tours & Travel.
The tour as mentioned was private which meant we could stay for as long or as little at places as we liked! The highlights of the tour were:
- Private day trip to the Amman Citadel, Madaba, Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea
- Look at the ruins of the Amman Citadel and incredible Roman theater
- Visit St George’s Church in Madaba with a local guide and admire its mosaic Holy Land map
- Head to Mount Nebo to visit the Franciscan monastery and soak up views of Jordan Valley
- Upgrade to visit a Dead Sea resort with a private beach and superior facilities and enjoy free time to bob around in the mineral-rich water
Madaba
Our first stop on the tour was Madaba, in particular, St. George’s Church.
St George’s Church is a 19th century early Byzantine Greek Orthodox church and the most famous part of the church is the floor which contains an ancient mosaic map of the Middle East. This mosaic depicts the Holy Land, Jerusalem and many towns which archeologists are still trying to locate!
It was incredible to see a mosaic that dates back to around the 6th century AD and is a map of the Middle East!! So much detail has gone into this and you can only imagine the stories that were told and the amount of time that must have gone in to making this mosaic.
The church walls contain many mosaics, each very unique to one another, however, these do not contain historical significance and is donated to the church with the names of the members who donated these written on a gold plaque at the bottom of each mosaic.
En route to Mount Nebo, we also stopped at a Mosaic shop where we watched women at work making mosaics. The mosaics are actually made upside down so the rough part of the small pieces of stone is facing upwards at the time of the making, once completed, they turn it over and the smooth side is the visible side! A small piece of mosaic work (something around an A5 size) can take 8 weeks to make!!! We then enjoyed free time to wander around the shop to see what mosaics we may like!
Unfortunately, our suitcases wouldn’t allow us to buy anything!!
Mount Nebo
Our next stop on the tour was Mount Nebo. We were greeted by Mohammed, a private guide at the site who explained the importance of Mount Nebo.
Mount Nebo is about 817 metres above sea level and overlooks Wadi Musa, which translated to English means the Valley of Moses. It is called this because it is believed that Moses ascended Mount Nebo to view the Promised Land which he was never able to enter and where he died on Mount Nebo, buried in an unknown location in Wadi Musa. To this day, no one has been able to find the burial site of Moses.
The site also includes the serpentine cross sculpture, which represents the cross upon which Jesus was crucified and the life-saving bronze serpent (you’ll also notice that the serpent is depicted in many medical symbols around the world!)
The view you have from the summit is a panoramic view of the Promised Land. You can see the Dead Sea and the River of Jordan which is the border of Jordan, Israel and Palestine.
The Dead Sea
The Dead Sea – there is something incredible about this place!! It could be that it is the lowest point on earth, yes that’s right – on earth!! Or maybe it’s because no matter how hard you find it floating in a pool or in the ocean, everyone can float, easily, in the Dead Sea.
The tour allowed for around 3 hours, so we opted for the resort upgrade which meant we had access to The Dead Sea Spa Hotel which had access to a private beach and the typical resort facilities such as a restaurant, pools and shower facilities. When we were done floating in the dead sea, we could then use the pool and shower facilities to clean up before heading back to Amman.
It was already a very hot day, between 40 – 45 degrees Celsius and when we arrived at the Dead Sea because it is 429 metres below the sea level, the temperature increased to around 50 degrees and there was hardly a breeze. Suffice to say it was a scorcher!!!
A fun fact for you, the Dead Sea is actually a lake, not a sea!! It was given the name the Dead Sea because, for the most part, you can’t actually see where the lake ends! And, the Dead Sea is 9.6 times saltier than the ocean, so you’re best not to get any of the water near your eyes or mouth!
Walking down to the private beach, there were a number of signs erected to indicate where the water levels were in earlier years (spread 5 years apart). We learned that on average, the Dead Sea loses around 1m of water every year and as you can see from the photo below, in 2000 the water level was much higher than it is now!
Jordan has recently started a project to add 1m of water to the Dead Sea every year so it remains at the current level, the theory is that the ratio of water and salt in the Dead Sea is at a maximum with many dormant layers of salt on the lakebed, so when the fresh water is pumped back into the lake, the ratio will remain consistent as the dormant layers of salt will ultimately be stirred up (think of a glass of water!) so you shouldn’t have any concern about the float-ability of your body in the future years!
When you reach the beach, you’ll notice a couple of large barrels filled with black mud, which we were encouraged to cover ourselves with and let it solidify in the sun before taking a dip in the Dead Sea to rinse it off.
The black mud comes from the banks of the Dead Sea and is actually silt washed down from the surrounding mountains. This mud contains high levels of calcium, strontium, magnesium, potassium, boron and iron. It is supposedly very good for your skin and we certainly felt baby smooth!
However, we were advised not to spend more than 20 minutes in the water without a short break and fresh water shower as that much salt can also be bad for your skin!
We then spent some time at the hotel pool in a spot of shade, got out, showered and thought we would relax under an umbrella covered sun bed, but even in the shade, it was literally like we just walked out of a sauna, the perspiration was constant and you couldn’t cool down! We decided to escape the 50-degree heat and went straight for the hotel’s air conditioning where we spent some time chatting to a like-minded traveller, sharing our experiences and what we had planned for the remainder of our time in Jordan.
Amman Citadel
For some unknown reason, our tour guide didn’t take us through the Citadel (we are waiting on a response from Viator!), although we did explore the Citadel on our own. Take a look at our Jordan: Amman blog to read about it!
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag
The next blog will cover our Jordanian visit to Wadi Rum and Petra
Click here for a complete list of where I’ve been…
Amman, the capital of Jordan formed the base for our Jordanian adventure, predominantly using the city as a place to sleep between our visits to the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum and Petra. It was a good introduction to Jordan as we spent half a day visiting some of the sights in town.
What to see
Jabal Al Qal’a (Amman Citadel Hill)
We asked the guide from our Madaba, Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea day tour to drop us off at the Citadel instead of the hotel as we finished earlier than expected (around 3:30 pm) as there wasn’t a great deal of traffic! Whilst we did not plan on seeing anything in Amman, the guide recommended the Citadel to us and we’re glad he did!
When we arrived, we bought our tickets (only 2 JOD each) and typical to these sites, a local guide was lurking near the entrance offering his services. On this occasion we did not take him up on the offer, it was 45 degrees and after the 50 degrees we endured at the Dead Sea we did not feel up to the possibility of entrapment, standing and listening to the guide for the full hour! Instead, we picked up a map from the entrance and independently walked around the Citadel, briefly reading what we were looking at and more importantly taking in the incredible panoramic views over Amman!
Recognising that we were visiting the Middle East at a time tourism levels are very low (given the issues in bordering countries, Syria and Iraq!), the Citadel was not busy and it certainly does not seem to be patrolled to protect the ruins. Potentially breaking a couple of rules (or not?), I took the opportunity to take a seat and admire the Temple of Hercules (not pictured) in front of me.
Wandering around the edge of the Citadel you’re able to walk along the walls to take in the panoramic views of Amman, for the first time, appreciating the size of the city and it’s c. 4m population!
This was another spot along the Citadel walls, couldn’t help but take a seat, feeling like the king of the world (or Amman for that matter!).
The King Abdullah I Mosque (Blue Mosque)
After our visit to the Citadel, we found a number of taxi drivers out front. The drivers all appeared to be fluent in English and we easily negotiated his service, transferring us back to our hotel, via the Blue Mosque (at a cost of 20 JOD).
Upon arrival at the Blue Mosque, we were lead into a shop entrance, we thought this was quite odd and I was wondering what we were doing in the shop, thinking here we go, it’s time to get ripped off and unable to escape until you buy something, however it ended up being quite the opposite! We thought we haven’t done any of our usual ornament shopping and we may as well take the opportunity to look at what was available. Speaking to the storekeeper, we learned that the shop was actually owned and attached to the Mosque itself, therefore the goods are sold tax-free and apparently cheaper than many of the other shops around Amman.
Both the storekeeper and our driver were great, neither of them rushed and they are either both genuinely nice guys or just enjoyed a bit of company on a slow day (again the only customers in sight!). We were offered some tea and they even helped us try on the Arabic headwear (called Keffiyeh). I enjoyed this experience and was interested either way as I thought about buying one for our day in Wadi Rum (i.e. the desert!) to protect me from the sun, however, I honestly believe they enjoyed it even more!!
They could have easily shown me one way to tie it and convinced me to buy the Keffiyeh, but I was shown four styles, including how the Prince wears it, most young men, the elders and also a more casual look, my preference was the below, which I believe is how the Prince wears it!
I must admit, after seeing the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, this one wasn’t as extravagant, but it was still probably worth visiting, but if you have been in a Mosque before, I don’t think you would need more than 5 – 10 minutes for your pictures!
The cost of a tourist to enter the Mosque is 2 JOD and unless modestly dressed (shoulders and legs covered), women need to wear an abaya, provided in the shop at the entrance. Irrespective of your sex, you will need to remove your shoes before entering the Mosque.
The highlight of this stop was not the Mosque itself, but rather the shop attached to the Mosque!
Where to stay (or not to stay!)
We had two separate stays in Amman, two nights at the start and a further night at the end of our Jordanian adventure. We stayed the Ibis Amman and I wouldn’t recommend anyone stay at this hotel!
Our first reaction was positive, the hotel seemed relatively modern, has a terrace, a bar on the ground floor and a separate restaurant on the first level. We generally do not stay at the Ibis branded hotels, however, those that we have stayed at have certainly not looked as good and also did not offer a restaurant (other than for breakfast).
The food was mostly inedible (when it came out) and the service was well below average. If we did not have a noncancellable reservation for the last night we would have changed but we thought we may as well give the hotel another chance and avoid unnecessary costs as we travelling on leave without pay!
Without going into the specifics, we will review the hotel in more detail at a later date. However I should mention that I have since been in discussion with the operations, brand and quality manager of the Ibis Amman hotel who has been very receptive to the feedback and hopefully the service was either an anomaly or through their ongoing training, will be improved going forward.
Visa information
Most people will need a visa to enter Jordan, these are purchased upon arrival at the airport and as at August 2015, cost 40 JOD per person. There is an ATM as well as a currency conversion desk if you were unable to obtain Jordanian Dinar prior to arrival!
Getting to and from the Airport
We booked private transfers to and from the airport. We booked using Resort Hoppa. You can often find a discount code to use at checkout to save you a bit of money! Resort Hoppa by all our experience, seems to be an agency who then separately uses a local transfer company. In Jordan, our transfers were completed by Travco Jordan, which I would certainly recommend based on our experience as the driver was on time and the cars were clean and tidy.
Do you have travel insurance?
Before travelling, make sure you get a travel insurance policy – you never know when you might need it! Click here for information on travel insurance, what company we recommend and a link to get an instant quote.
Alternative accommodation
If you’re looking for alternative accommodation to either save some money or share with friends or family, click here for information on Air B&B ($50 discount on your first booking), hotel price comparison websites etc.
“The use of traveling is to regulate imagination with reality, and instead of thinking of how things may be, see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
You might also like to visit these posts which are part of our Jordanian holiday:
Click here for a complete list of where I’ve been…
