Showing posts with label portugal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label portugal. Show all posts

Saturday, 28 March 2020

3 Days in Portugal (Day 1 - Lisbon)

3 Days in Portugal (Day 1)

2 Oct - 5 Oct 2016 From Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Transit in London, England Arrived in Lisbon, Portugal on 3rd Oct 2016

Flight: British Airways Accommodation: Lisbon Destination Hostel, Rossio Station Day 1 (3rd Oct 2016) 1- Rossio Square 2- Belem area (President Residence, Pasteis de Belem, Starbucks, National Museum, Padro Dos Descrobimentos, Windrose compass, Tagus River, 25 April Bridge) 3- Praca do Comercio 4- Santa Justa Lift End day 1. Check in. Dinner. Rest. Sleep. instagram and fb page: bookworm.travel



Actually, my flight arrived in Lisbon airport early in the  morning but i cannot check in yet. So i just left my luggage in the store and start my adventure alone in Lisboa. 

Didn't plan to cover everything on my 1st day. My hostel is located in the strategic area with train and subway connection. And also the touristic area is just a few minutes walk and they got tram everywhere. 

So, i went to Rossio Square 1st. take picture and from there, i ride a tram to Belem. A bit far from the main city but must visit. Cause they got the best Egg Tart in Portugal. At least, i thought they were before i found out another brand selling egg tart in another part of the city which i visited them on my 3rd day. 

Also, you can find a UNESCO site in Belem which is the Belem Tower. Seriously missed this place on my 1st day, so i end up went to this place for 2nd time on my 3rd day. 

But there are plenty of things to do in BELEM. Besides Egg Tart from Pasteis de Belem    https://pasteisdebelem.pt/en/ , Belem is the main place for all type of museums. So many museums to visit. 

Then, on the riverside of Tagus River, there is some monument built to remember their glory time. You can see the world map, places that Portugese has conqured during their glory day. 

The monument is opposite of the museum / egg tart shop. so you have to use underground to cross. 

From the monument https://padraodosdescobrimentos.pt/ , you can see the red bridge which look like the Golden Bridge in San Francisco but this one is called 25 Abril Bridge after the Portugese Carnation Revolution 1974. This is the longest suspension bridge in Europe. 

Cause, i still feel jetlag and i dont want to sleep early, so i decided to continue my journey. Take a tram back to https://www.lisbon.net/commerce-square Praca do Comercio. The famous square with yellow building opposite the Tagus River. btw, the river is huge and clean. 

I just stroll around the area and walk towards Rossio Square. In between, i found the famous lift Elevador de Santa Justa  http://www.carris.pt/pt/ascensores-e-elevador/ . it was late afternoon, crowd is still manageable. Once i reach the observation deck, i can see the magnificent view of Baixa, the Tagus River and the San Jose fortress. And late afternoon towards sunset was the best time, other then sunrise. It was a perfect place for sightseeing without too much effort. 

After spending less than an hour, i take a lift down and went back to hostel. Ready to check in, clean up myself, take shower and have a simple dinner. Since i have stock of food from Malaysia and it is heavy, i try to finish out all the food and reduce the weight asap. 

At 7pm, i am ready to go to my bed. still too early but i am extremely tired and my roommate still not coming in. I only notice them in the morning which most of them wake up late. Since it is shared bathroom, i decided to wake up a bit early, shower, perform my prayer and ready for breakfast and next adventure. 

So, where's next? 

2nd >>> Sintra, another UNESCO site in Portugal. 

See ya. 





Friday, 24 June 2016

Guide to buy Cathedral of Seville Ticket

Tickets to the Cathedral of Seville



Timetable for visits:

Clock
El Timetables of theCatedral es:
Winter: Monday-Saturday from 11.00 - 17.00h.; Sundays and Religious Festives from 14.30h. - 18.00h.
Summer: 
Monday-Saturday from 09.30 - 16.00h.; Sundays and Religious Festives from 14.30h. - 18.00h.
Note: Its important to be aware of timetables so they don’t coincide with religious services.
You can buy the tickets at the booking’s office on the day of the visit to the monument.

Prices

Without Guided tour: they have a price of 8,00 € per person.
Tickets for children up to 16 years, 3,00 € per person
The entry for pensioners, unemployed and disabled is free.

Guide to buy Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba Ticket

credit to: http://www.mezquitadecordoba.org/en/ticket-sale-mosque-cordoba.asp

Tickets to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba



Box Office Schedule

Visitar la Alhambra en Grupo
Timetable for Visits: Monday – Saturday from 10:00 – 18:00 h.; Sunday and Religious Festives from 9:00 – 10:30 and from 14:00 – 18:00 h. Note: Its important to be aware of timetables so they don't coincide with religious services.
You can buy the tickets at the booking's office on the day of the visit to the monument.
Without Guided Visit: 8 € per person. Children between 10-14 years old: 4 € and children under 10 years old: Free entrance.

Guide to buy Alhambra Ticket

Credit to: www.ticketmonumen.com


Buy Alhambra tickets (without guided tour)

British Airways Customer Service

I did a review on Iberia and KLM but end up buying from British Airways. Got some problem while purchasing that ticket which the tix does not arrive in my email after 24 hours. so i decided to call the customer services and query bout my tix.

after one attempt and a few minutes of waiting, somebody pick up the phone call. she does not sound local but i just give a try. after confirming my transaction and my CC number, the lady said that BA will process it and it will take another 24 hours. perhaps, because, of the time lapse, 2 different continent with different timing and local card that i was using.

The next day, as promised, i got my ticket email to me. yeah!! settled one issue.

now, i am preparing for visa application and renewal of my passport.

basically, the international airlines have more friendly and quick response to customer queries even though, BA does not encourage social media interaction (tried to complaint through FB but it was blocked). Luckily, they pick up the phone call. Wont happened with Air Asia but MAS got their customer service on phone. Easy.


Wednesday, 11 May 2016

KLM Airline Customer Service

This one is from the Dutch Airline. I never fly with them. but i hope that i'll be given a chance by the Almighty to fly with this airlines. They also respond to my queries very fast and very detail. Love their customer service.

Hello KLM Airline. I plan to fly with KLM from Kuala Lumpur to Lisbon. And there will be a layover of about 12 hours at the airport (Amsterdam). I'm wondering;
1- can i left the airport within than 12 hours
2- do i need a transit visa for that
3- should i pick up my check in bag? and if yes, when i can re-check in
4- do i need to get any additional documents when i re-connect the flight from amsterdam to lisbon
hope you can help
Thank you
Fara of Malaysia

Hello Fara,
Thank you for reaching out to us here. You've come to the right spot for all your questions. Let's have a look at the answers, numbered down like your questions:
1- can i left the airport within than 12 hours You are most welcome to leave the airport during your 12 hour lay over to visit the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Please do make sure that you have the correct travel documents to leave the airport and please make sure to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before the departure of your connecting flight to Lisbon.
2- do i need a transit visa for that We recommend you to contact your embassy/consulate to check the required travel documents for your trip with them. Alternatively you can check by filling out the form on our website> http://klmf.ly/1iu40jN
3- should i pick up my check in bag? and if yes, when i can re-check in When your lay over is 12 hours or longer, you will have to collect your baggage during your transfer in Amsterdam. More information about baggage and transferring can be found through this link> http://klmf.ly/1iG1aup If you collect your baggage in Amsterdam, you can check it back in again from 05:00h in the morning on your day of departure, up to 40 minutes before departure of your flight to Lisbon. We do recommend to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before departure. You can also ask for your baggage to be labelled through to Lisbon, so you don't have to collect it during your transfer. Please note that this option is up to the check-in agent at the airport, so we can't guarantee this is possible.
4- do i need to get any additional documents when i re-connect the flight from amsterdam to lisbon For your last flight from Amsterdam to Lisbon, you will need your passport and boarding pass. The boarding pass can be collected when you check-in again, or at the transfer desk at Schiphol airport.
We hope to have answered all your questions. In case questions remain unanswered, you know where to find us.
Do not hesitate to let us know if you require assistance during the booking process.
Kind regards, KLM Facebook Team



Iberia Airlines Customer Service

I'm doing a lot of research lately to plan for my Europe/African travel. One of the airlines that i might be considered for this trip is the Iberia Airlines.

What i like about this airline is on how they respond to my query through facebook, very very fast. just a few minute after i throw them that message.

See, what is their response as a our future reference:



Chat conversation start
Hi Iberia Airline. I plan to travel from Madrid to Lisbon using your flight. May i know, can i carry a 60L backpack as a hand carry into the flight as well as a shoulder purse. Thank you

Hello Fara,
As long as your backpack does not exceed the luggage limitations (http://bit.ly/1gF5wPm) you should be able to take it with you and in addition a personal item. Remember your backpack will count as your carry-on luggage.
Regards

See, nice right.



Saturday, 16 April 2016

Budget for Morocco-Spain-Portugal

updated on 17/4/16

Since i have to work over the weekend and working late for the past few weeks, i decided to reward myself with a budget plan for one of my dream trip, Morocco-Spain-Portugal.

Of course, the ultimate dream is New York but i guess i wait until the VISA exempted being approved by USA government. plus, the tix is not cheap. almost 4k. which i am sure, i need a long break to make sure the trip worth every single cents.

Ok. back to the topic.

Rough Budget
==========

KL - Casablanca: Flight (Saudi Airline) = return tix = RM1400, one way (1100)

Lisbon to Casablanca (Ali Italia) : RM600 (one way)

Visa = One entry RM90, Double entry RM110

Hostels = RM100 per night x 10 nights = RM1000

Bus / Train Fare / domestic flight = portugal + spain (RM1000), morocco (RM500)

Ferry Fare = RM250 (one way)

Food = RM100 x 10 days = RM1,200

Souvenir = RM1000

Pocket money = RM1000

Total about = RM8000


Pre - travel cost:
============

1- Luggage / Backpack = RM200

2- Medicine = RM100

3- shoes = RM200

4- shirts / pants = RM500

5- handphone = RM500

6 - insurance  www.gobear.com.my = RM100

7- renew passport = RM200