Accommodations reviews: hostels, hotels and backpackers in little England

Premier Inn, Heathrow, London, England 15 August 2010

This is nice hotel and it’s very good value for money. It cost us 40GBP per night for large double room. It was near Heathrow airport and costs 4GBP to take an airport bus there. The room has tea and coffee making facilities, towels, TV and an ensuite. I recommend staying there if you arrive late or have to leave early. Reception is open late and the staff are friendly. They have a restaurant, bar, ATM and many vending machines.

Earl’s Cout YHA, Earl’s Court, London, England 16-18 August 2010

This place is nice. Reception is open around breakfast time and closes late. It’s in an old building a couple of blocks from the Earl’s Court train station which is on the Piccadilly line (train line to the airport, national and international train stations). It has a large garden with an outdoor dining area. The first time we stayed here, we stayed in one of the garden rooms which had an ensuite. The second time we stayed, we stayed in a room inside the main building with shared bathroom facilities. You can get internet here, but it costs 5GBP per 24 hours and it is terrible. The hostel is tidy (mostly, bust some of the bathrooms did smell a bit) and close to shops and restaurants. The hostel has a large kitchen that has microwaves and ovens and it has a laundry which cost 4-5 GBP per load to wash and dry. It was 50GBP for a double per night.

Bath YMCA, Bath, England 18-19 August 2010

This place is tidy and pleasant. They provide free wifi and free breakfast (toast, cereal, juice, tea and coffee). It is central and close to the train station (10 minute walk). The showers are warm but not 100% ideal. We stayed in a ten bed dorm for 15GBP per night per bed. We were the only people in the dorm, which was fine. To get into our room we needed a code to punch into the key pad.

Chester Backpackers, Chester, England 19-20 August 2010

This is quaint, small place near the train station. It’s about a ten minute walk from the city centre. The owner is lovely and helpful; she carried my luggage up two flights of stairs. They have friendly, cute terrier cross. They provide free wifi, free tea and coffee and information about the area. It’s cheap, only 40GBP per night for a small double room with an ensuite. They have a cute patio for guests to use as well as a laundry (4-5GBP to wash and dry a load), living room with books and DVDs and a kitchen.

Things to do and see: From Jevon's and Krissi's adventure around the globe

Here's just a couple of things that I recommend that people should see while travelling around Europe.

1. Eiffel Tower, Paris, France. Metro stop Tour Eiffel. The Eiffel Tower looks amazing during the day from a distance and up close. It looks like a tower of metal lace. Once was loathed by the French and built for the World Fair and was to be torn down after the a few years. Now loved by French and foreigners. Looks even more amazing at night. At 11 pm every evening the tower has a light show which reminds me of flashing, shimmery fairy lights. But beware of the scammers. Keep your eyes peeled and your hand bags close.
2. Meet the squirrels in Hyde Park. Take the Piccadilly line to Hyde Park corner. This is the line that also takes you to the main train station and to Heathrow airport. Hyde Park is massive and bordered by a lake with many different types of avian species. Including the common duck, pigeons, swans and geese. Brings some nuts to feed to the squirrels. They’re very friendly and will eat out of your hand if you have something tasty for them to eat.
   
3. Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, Scotland. Held every August for nearly a month. This is very cool. It is a festival of performing art. Cabaret, burlesque, comedy, rock shows, plays, pop, choirs and classical music, etc etc. Many of shows a free but you’re encouraged to give a donation. Some are little more expensive, maybe costing up to 90 GBP per show. One of my favourites was a comedy sister duo called Toby. Their comedy is black and singing makes me giggle. One the highlights of their show is when one of the sisters dress up in a bear suit and ask members of the audience if they could serenade them.

My Favourite Cities

My favourite cities to visit, in no particular order:

1. Paris, France. The city of light, well at least it is the city of light in Europe. I like Paris because it is so pretty. The Eiffel Tower illuminates with a light show at 11 pm each night, the Moulin Rouge glows with neon lights and then there’s the red light district. It’s very shiny. The red light district is near the district of Montmartre. It’s filled with expensive and enticing sex shops. Ah Montmartre. The home of Amelie Poulain and the Two Windmills café, the home of cool.

2. London, England. London is great. Full old cute neighbourhoods and park squirrels and subway trains. I love to view the ancient architure scattered about this city. London is fashionable. I love to people watch in London. I love to shop for stylish pieces and to be inspired by street fashionistas. I love the quirkiness of the alternative Camden Town. Camden Town’s main street is line with markets and vegetarian eateries and music venues. This is also we close friend resides. It makes me love it even more.

3. Florence, Italy. Florence, what a beautiful name! It suits this city. Florence is one my favourite cities in Italy. I liked the quaint cobbled streets, the outdoor statue museum, the Michelangelo Piazza (which has stunning views of the city) and the gelati.

4. Bath, England. Bath is about a two hour train journey from London and a 90 minute bus ride to the Stonehenge. Bath is an old Roman spa resort established in 43 AD and has been inscribed as a world heritage site since 1987. It’s incredibly quaint small city situated in the county of Somerset. It was once home for Jane Austen and is the home to the beautiful Bath Abbey, built in the 16^th century.

5. Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The tourist districts of Amsterdam smell strongly of cannabis smoke and glow with red light. The word sex is everywhere. You can catch a glimpse of the working girls in windows day or night, it’s a 24 hour a day business.

6. Tokyo, Japan. I love you Tokyo. Tokyo, so hip, so cool. So stylish, so crazy. I love the neon lit sky scrapers, the twinkling theme music of the main streets. The subway trains are so fast and clean. The streets are clean and smell so sweet. The girls are the trendiest, cute and kitschy I’ve ever seen and I adore it.

7. Berlin, Germany. Alternative Berlin. Berlin you may not be as beautiful as Florence or Bath, but you are so so interesting and mature. There are three things that will always be etched to my mind when I think of Berlin. One is the street art lining the walls of Berlin. Two is the history, the Berlin Wall, the memorial to Jews and vast information on Nazi Germany. Third is the bier bike.