2016 European Travel Itinerary
FINAL UPDATE: All Dates Are Set, and All Reservations Are Made. Blog Entries for the Trip Will Begin July 7 or 8
General Itinerary (with details following below)--The trip will begin with stops in Copenhagen and Berlin to see friends. Then the travels through new territory will follow this routing: Milan, Bergamo, Desenzano del Garda, Trieste (Koper and Piran day trip), Ljubljana, Maribor, Ptuj, Zagreb (Samobor day trip), Osijek, Novi Sad, Subotica, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Zabljak, Budva/Kotor, Cetinje, Peja (also known as Pec), Prizren, Tirana, Kalambaka/Kastraki (Meteora), Athens.
Depart San Antonio on July 6, 2016:
United Airlines Flight 799 Lv. San antonio 13:50 Arr. Chicago O'Hare 16:44 11D
United Airlines Flight 972 Lv. Chicago O'Hare 17:50 Arr. Brussels 9:05 (July 7) 38C
SAS Flight 594 Lv. Brussels 10:30 Arr. Copenhagen 12:00 Open
Denmark
Copenhagen (July 7-17, Leaving July 18)
Arr. 7/7 on flights from San Antonio via Chicago and Brussels arr. at 12:00 (Robert and/or Jens, to pick me up at airport)
July 7--Go to Jens' and Robert's from airport for visit and dinner with Grethe
July 8--Informal dinner with Grethe at her home
July 9--Dinner at Grethe's with Preben, Ejgil, Jens, Robert, Torben and Erik
July 11--Drinks and Informal Dinner at Torben's and Erik's new apartment
July 15--6:00 Dinner at Torben's and Erik's summer house; stay overnight
July 16--To to Jens' and Robert's summer house for their summer party
July 17--Be with Arne's family--specific plans for it later
July 18--Visit Ib at his apartment in Amager on the way to the airport
Need to contact others (Claus, Paulette, Kurt, Finn, etc.) to try to have brief visits with them on dates without commitments.
Leaving Copenhagen for Berlin: Dep. 7/18 on Air Berlin Flight 8037 departing at 19:40 to Berlin.
Germany
Berlin (July 18-20, Leaving on July 21)
Arr. on 7/18 on Air Berlin Flight 8037 departing CPH at 19:40 and arriving at Berlin Tegel at 20:40.
Leaving Berlin for Milan: Departing on Air Berlin Flight 1916 from Berlin Tegel at 9:00 for Milan Linate with arrival at 10:40.
Italy
Arrive on July 21 on Air Berlin Flight 1916 leaving Berlin Tegel at 9:00 and arriving at Milan Linate at 10:40. Wes arrives at Linate on Alitalia from Amsterdam at 13:50. His routing: Delta 5297 Houston-Detroit, Delta 136 Detroit-Amsterdam, Alitalia 121 Amsterdam-Milan Linate.
Dover Hotel--July 21, Check-in at 14:00, 2 adults, 2 single beds, 2 breakfasts, 66 Euros ($75.39 taxes included) Payment to be settled with the hotel upon arrival. Also to be paid: 3 Euros per person city tax per night and 2.50 Euros in-room wifi.
Walking Directions to Hotel: Turn left onto SP14 and follow it with various names (Viale Enrico Forlanini, Viale Corsica, Corso XXII Marzo. Turn right onto Via Benevenuto Cellini. Hotel is 3 blocks (plus one small street only to the right) up this street at the corner of Via Pasquale Sottocorno.
Tram/Train:
NOTE: 2 tickets EACH required for tram--one for each of us and one for each piece of luggage--Tickets are 1.50 Euros each, so buy 4 total (Buy tickets in kiosks, tobacco shops, etc.)
RE 2 train leaves from Lambrate at 10:18, so catch tram no later than 9:20 to have time to buy ticket at station for train.
Walk 2 minutes (110 m) west from on Pasquale Sotocorno to V. le Premuda. Catch Tram 23 going north (to the right) for Statione Lambrate mm.Stay on tram for 14 stops (may not stop at all of them--about 28 minutes) until it arrives at Lambrate.
Walk/Train:
Train every 30 minutes from Lambrate Station for 5.50 Euros--45-46 minute walk
From Via Pasquale Sottocorno, 8, head east on Via Pasquale Sottocorno toward Via Benjamin Franklin 350 m, turn left to stay on Via Pasquale Sottocorno 31 m, turn right onto Via Macedonio Melloni 300 m, turn left onto SPexSS11/Viale Piceno/SP11 (Continue to follow SPexSS11/SP11) 750 m, turn right onto Via Giovanni Pascoli 600 m, turn left onto Viale Romagna 400 m, at Piazzale Gabrio Piola, take the 5th exit onto Via Giovanni Pacini 1.1 km, continue onto Piazza Enrico Bottini 43 m, turn right to stay on Piazza Enrico Bottini 25 m, turn left onto Via Giuseppe Merzario 8 m, slight right onto Via Giovanni Battista Viotti 8 m, arrive at Milano Lambrate.
NH Bergamo Hotel, 2 nights, Via Paleocapa 1/G, Bergamo, BG, 24122 Italy, Check-in 15:00, Standard Room 1 Double or 2 Single, Free wifi, Free breakfast buffet, $172.72 taxes included (prepaid by Randy to Orbitz on Citi MC) + 3.50 Euros per person per night to be paid on check-in.
Walking Directions to Hotel: Go straight out of the train station (not to the circle on the right). Curve to the right eventually toward McDonalds on Via Bartolomeo Bono. Cross street, immediately turn right on Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII. Immediately turn left on Via Ermete Novelli and continue to Strada Statale (end of street). Hotel will be inside the block straight ahead. 400-500 meters total.
Leaving Bergamo for Densenzano de Garda:
Train 1701 Dep. Bergamo 8:23, Arr. Desenzano 9:35 $8
Train 4909 Dep. Bergamo 9:07, Arr. Brescia 10:06/Train Dep. Brescia 10:35, Arr. Desenzano 10:50 $10
Next train isn't until 12:07 and costs $23!
Hotel Giardinetto, V.Le G. Marconi 39, 25015 Desenzano del Garda, Italy, Phone +39 030 914 1704--Queen + twin, wifi, bkft buffet, a/c, flat panel TV. Reserved by Wesley; Pay at hotel. 289.80 Euros--Approx. 323 plus .80 Euro city tax p/p/d
Walking Directions to Hotel: From Train Station, walk across the street and continue directly down Viale Cavour to Marconi (first major cross street--about 300 meters).
Train 5797 Dep. Desenzano 8:20, Arr. Verona Porta Nuova 8:47; Train 9707 Dep. Verona Porta Nuova 9:00, Arr. Trieste Centrale 12:08 From Verona to Trieste: Carriage 9, Seats 16A, 17A Both Tickets booked together at Italiarail.com. $49 Total Paid by Randy on Capital One.
Hotel--Albergo alla Posta, Oberan 1, Trieste 34133 (Paid by Wes on Orbitz $286.24 inc. taxes and fees)
Walking Directions to Hotel: Turn left leaving station then right at side street (SS14). Turn right after 350 m onto Piazza Dalmazia which changes names to Via Fabio Filzi. Turn left onto Via del Lavatoio after 98 m. Hotel will be on the left after 60 m.
Bus Arriva leaves Trieste for Koper at 7:00, 9:00, 10:00 and 11:00 and arrives at Koper 45 minutes later. The 9:00 bus continues to Piran and gets there at 10:31. Local buses run between Koper and Piran every 20 minutes and take 15 minutes.
Return bus (last one of day) leaves Koper at 17:30 for Trieste, so take a local bus back from Piran about 16:45 or 17:00 at the latest.
Leaving Trieste for Ljubljana:
July 30--Flixbus from Triese to Ljubljana (Bus Station Silos, Platform 2--next to train station) leaves at 10:25 and arrives at 12:04 26 Euros for Both Paid by Wes on his M/C Leaving Trieste for Ljubljana:
Slovenia
$1 = 0.899445 Euros 1 Euro = 1.1118
Ljubljana (July 30, 31, Aug. 1, 2, Leaving Aug. 3)
Hotel--Central Hotel, Miklosiceva, 9, Ljubljana, Ljubljana SI-1000 (Cancel up to 10 days before--no charge). (Paid by Randy to hoteling.com with Capital One Visa--$351) Includes buffet breakfast and in-room wi-fi. MAY include free use of sauna and pool.
Leaving for Maribor on Aug. 3:
Buses:
***A B Murska Sobota Bus departs Ljubljana Autobusna Postaja at 8:30 and arrives in Maribor at 10:00 11.40 Euros
Avrigo Bus departs Lujubljana Avtobusna Postaja at 11:35 and arrives in Maribor at 14:05 11.60 Euros
Trains:
ICS 14 Dep. 8:05, Arr. Maribor 9:55 (No change of train)
***LPV 2261 Dep. 9:55, Arr. Zidani Most 10:57; LPV 2910 Dep. 11:04, Arr. Maribor 12:32
LPV 4436 Dep. 10:50, Arr. Maribor 13:28
AIRBNB: Welcome to enjoy Maribor apartment, Neratova ulica 13, Maribor 2000 hosted by Eva (386-31 356 052). Paid $106 total inc. taxes and fees by Randy on M/C.
From Bus Station: Head north (to the right) on Mlinska ulica, 200m. Continue in same direction under name Partizanska cesta, 290 m. Turn left onto Kopitarjeva ulica, 100 m. Turn right onto Dominkuseva ulica, 260 m. Turn left onto Tomsiceva ulica, 11 m. Turn right onto Neratova ulica, 150 m.
From the Train Station: Leaving station, turn right onto paritally restricted usage road coming into station which curves left to an intersection with the main road, 100 m. Go across the street continuing one block on Kopitarjeva ulica, 100 m. Turn right onto Dominkuseva ulica, 260 m. Turn left onto Tomsiceva ulica, 11 m. Turn right onto Neratova ulica, 150 m.
***Note: Buy Train Ticket from Maribor to Zagreb for Aug. 7 before leaving for Ptuj!!!***
Leaving Maribor for Ptuj:
Arriva buses leave Maribor every 30 minutes on Friday (8:05, 8:35, 9:05, 9:35, 10:05, etc., arriving in Ptuj 45 minutes later.
Train R3852 leaves Maribor at 7:02 in direction of Murska Sobota and arrives in Ptuj at 7:45 (no change of trains)
Train R4437 leaves Maribor at 9:26 in direction of Zidani Most and arrives in Pragersko at 9:44; Train R640 leaves Pragersko at 10:10 in the direction of Murska Sobota and arrives at Ptuj at 10:23
Bus Bundavica leaves at 19:00 and arrives at 19:30 (28 km)
AIRBNB: House in the City Center, Grajska ulica (50 m up cobblestone pathway toward castle), 2250 Ptuj. Have a reservation with Metka Zupanic (386 40 168 014) Prepaid by Randy $110 inc. taxes and fees for two nights.
Walking Directions to House: From bus station, take a right in front and go down Osojnikova 240 m to Ulica heroja Lacka. Right on Ulica herja Lacka for 230 m. Left onto Mestni trg (public square) 11 m. Right to remain on Mestni trg 30 m. Continue forward on Murkova ulica 68 m. Continue forward on Slovenski Trg 53 meters. Left to stay on Slovenski trg 3 m. Right onto Grajska ulica 50 meters to house.
***Best route is an Arriva Bus leaving Ptuj for Maribor at 10:05 on Sunday and arriving at 10:50. Then S2 17 train leaves Maribor at 12:48 (Direction Ljubljana) and arrives at Zidani Most at 13:52; IC 211 train leaves Zidani Most (Direction Vinkovci) at 15:40 and arrives at Zagreb G.K. at 17:12 (Buy train ticket while still in Maribor before going to Ptuj!)
Other possible routes:
Another train route from Maribor after arriving by bus from Ptuj seems to be the following: Dep. 13:20 (R2805), arr. Sevnica 15:12; Dep. Sevnica (IC 211) 15:56, Arr. Zagred GK, 17:12. $14-19
Best train only route from Ptuj without going to Maribor seems to be the following route: Lv. (R3819 toward Maribor) 12:33 for Pragersko arr. 12:54; Lv. Pragerskro (R2805) 13:39, arr. Sevnika 15:12; Lv. Sevnika (IC 211) 15:56, arr. Zagreb G.K. 17:12. Not sure if the other trains leaving Pragersko go all the way to Zagreb or not: Trains leave Ptuj at 7:46, 10:53, 12:33 for Pragersko, 21 min., $6-8; Trains leave Pragersko at 10:39, 12:39, 1:39 (no change of trains) or at 8:02, 9:45, 11:30 (change of trains) for Zagreb Glavni Kolod, about 2 hrs. 10 min., $14-19
Croatia
$1 = 6.77585 HRK (Kuna) 1 HRK = 0.147583 1 Euro = 7.553337 HRK (Kuna) 1 HRK = 0.132742 Euros
AIRBNB--Booked Cozy Two Bedroom Apartment. Maksimirska cesta 25, Apartment ADRIANA, ground floor. Randy Paid $282 on Citi M/C.
Walking Directions to Apartment: Head east (to left) along Ulika Kneza Branimira, 950 m; turn left on Kruziceva ul. (along edges of park up near to top corner, 160 m; turn diagonally to the northeast on Subiceva ul., 850 m; slight left onto Trg. Eugena Kvaternika, 78 m; turn right onto Maksimirska cesta, 220 m with destination on the left.
Leaving Zagreb to go to Osijek:
***Pantourist Bus #2210 departs Zagreb at 10:00 and arrives in Osijec at 13:45 every day.Leaving Zagreb to go to Osijek:
Cazmatrans Bus #2211departs Zagreb at 12:00 and arrives in Osijec at 16:15 every day (with a 20 minute stop in Slavonski Brod)
Train 703 Dep. Zagreb 10:07, Arr. Osiek, 14:28 138.80 kn (Approximately $21 US)
AIRBNB: 3 Bedroom Apartment, Reisnerova Ulica 133, 31000 Osijek, Croatia, owned by Melita Springman (385-98 798 688) Randy paid total of $116 inc. taxes and fees on Citi M/C.
Walking Directions from Train/Bus Stations:
From train station, head straight out going forward on Trg Lavoslava Ruzicke which becomes Ul. Stejepana Radica, 178 m; Turn left onto Reisernova Ull, 600 m; at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit to continue on Reiserova Ul., 500 m.
From the bus station, head west (to right) on Ul. Bartola Kasica, 250 m; Turn right to stay on Ul. Bartola Kasica, 170 m; Slight left onto Vinkovacka cesta, 72 m; At the roundabout, take the erd exit onto Reisnerova Ul, 650 m.
***Lasta Bus leaves Osijek at 12:00 on Sundays and arrives at Novi Sad at 14:45 (via Vukovar and Backa Palanka) and another that leaves Osijeck at 15:45 and arrives at 18:30 (every day but holidays for both).
Pantourist bus seems to stop in Vukovar and not go any further anymore
Train from Osijek to Novi Sad--Only a night train with two changes. Bus should be better.
Serbia
$1 = 111.710 RSD (Dinar) 1 RSD = 0.00895178 1 Euro = 124.198 RSD (Dinar) 1 RSD = 0.00805164 RSD
AIRBNB: Central 65m apartment, free parking, Đure Jakšića 15, Novi Sad, Vojvodina, hosted by Sergey (381-69 266 9099). Randy paid $113 total inc. taxes and fees on Citi M/C.
Leaving Novi Sad to go to Subotica:
Lasta Bus leaves Novi Sad at 8:22 and arrives at Subotica at 10:15 (Via Topola and several others)
Farlang Bus departs Novi Sad at 9:40 for Subotica and arrives at 11:30 (Via Topola and maybe others)
Lasta Bus leaves Novi Sad at 10:22 and arrives at Subotica at 12:30. (Via Topola and several others)
Nis Express Bus leaves Novi Sad at 10:35 for Subotica and arrives at 12:10. (Non-Stop)
AIRBNB: Subotica Trg Cara Jovana Nenada 6, Trg Cara Jovana Nenada 6, Subotica 24000, hosted by Zoltan (318-63 857 5255) Randy paid a total cost of $95 on Citi M/C
Leaving Subotica to go to Belgrade:
Nis Express leaves Subotica at 8:40 and arrives in Belgrade at 11:50 (Stops only in Novi Sad)
Farlang Bus leaves Subotica at 9:00 and arrives in Belgrade at 12:40 (Via Topola and Novi Sad with several others)
Farlang Bus leaves Subotica at 10:15 and arrives in Belgrade at 13:40 (Via Topola and Novi Sad with several others)
Auto Kodeks leaves Subotica at 11:15 and arrives in Belgrade at 14:15 (Via Topola and Novi Sad with several others)
? Lasta has a bus that leaves at 11:00 and arrives in Belgrade at 15:22 (NOT via Novi Sad--follows a more eastern route)?
AIRBNB: Ideal Apartment, Francuska 16a, Belgrade, hosted by Kristina (381-63 806 0566) Randy paid $133 on Citi MC)
Walking Directions from Bus Station to Apartment at Francuska 16a (next to the bakery Klas--Ring Bell for the name Savic for her or her husband): Walk southeast (straight through park) from Arrivals Station, 150 m. Turn left onto Karadordeva, 90 m. Turn left at Karadjordjeva 75 onto Licka, 8 m. Turn left onto diagonal path through park, 160 m. Turn left at Caffe Planta onto Gavrila Principa, 18 m. Turn right at Skroz dobra pekara onto Kamenicka (Pass by Poljoprivredna Apoteka on the right in 37 m), 220 m. Turn left onto Kraljice Natalije, 34 m. Turn right onto Рељина (pass by Edil Corp. on the left in 44 m), 160 m. At Coffee Dream, continue straight (passing by Razvojni Centar WBC on right in 39 m) as name changes to Sremska, 71 m. Turn left at Vip centar onto Kneza Mihaila, 3 m. Turn right at at Represent Communications, 33 m. Turn left at Downtown Central onto Kolarceva (passing by Banca Intesa on right in 56 m), 140 m. Turn left onto Francuska, 50 m. Turn right at Eastern Digital to stay on Francuska (passing by the monument on the right in 34 m), 375 m. Beside the Klas bakery!! (1.5 km total with walking time of 20-21 minutes) Ring bell for name "Savic" for her or her husband.
***Mini-Van: Gea Tours has door-to-door minivan service with US phone number 253-243-1626. Call a few days in advance to set up reservation. They will return call between 7-9 p.m. night before to let me know when they will pick me up. 20 Euros one-way.
Lasta/Centrans bus leaves at 16:00 from Belgrade Platform 24 and arrives (via M Zornika and Konjevica) in Sarajevo at 22:45 each day
? Not sure if this is true...Bus from Belgrade to Sarajevo via Loznika (2 ½ hours 5-$6/3 ½ hours--Hourly Belgrade Bus Terminal or every 4 hours on Reketa/ once a day on Lasta $8-9 or once a day on Centrtrans for $24
Bosnia and Herzegovina
$1 = 1.75916 BAM (Marka) 1 BAM = $ 0.568453 1 Euro = 1.95583 BAM 1 BAM = 0.511292 Euros
Sarajevo (Aug. 24, 25, 26, 27, Leaving 28) (If not staying in hotel, must register with police within 24 hours)
AIRBNB: Simple and smart, Tabasnica 6, Sarajevo (Near two Marriotts) rented from Denis Didic (387-62 316 317) Randy paid $95 inc. taxes and fees on Citi M/C.
Leaving Sarajevo to go to Zabljak via Niksic:
Getting to Sarajevo Eastern Bus Station: Take local Bus 103 (1.60 BAM with ticket from kiosk/1.80 BAM onboard) from Hidrogradnja (1 min away from Tasbasnica Street where apartment is located) to the end station of Dobrinja. Continue to walk 5 min. forward to get to the eastern bus station. Total time, with walking, is about 39 minutes with the following morning schedules that seem to be approximate for Sundays: Bus service starts at 5:45: ***Dep around 7:00 and arrive about 37 minutes later. Dep. 7:20/Arr. 7:57, Dep. 7:29/Arr. 8:06, Dep. 7:38/Arr. 8:15
Getting Bus at Eastern Station for Niksic (Get Seats on Right) Aug. 29--30 or 40 BAM: ***Lv. 8:15/Arr. 13:40 (Sons Krcunovic), Lv. 9:00/Arr. 14:30, (Balkan Ekspres Bozur Bus 1529), Lv. 14:00/Arr. 19:30 (Transprom Glusica)
Connecting buses for Zabljak on Aug 29: Lv. 15:05/Arr. 16:38 (Glusica), Lv. 17:18/Arr. 18:12 (Stanisic), Lv. 17:20/Arr. 19:42 (Rodulovic prevoz), Lv. 18:00/Arr. 19:00 (Stanisic)
Montenegro
$1 = 0.899445 Euros 1 Euro = 1.1118
AIRBNB: Double Bed Apartment City Center, Opština/Sud, Bozidara Zugica 35, Zabljak--Reserved for 3 nights at $40 per night for a total of $133 paid by Randy on M/C. Host is Vesna Zugic.
Walking Directions to the apartment: Turn right at front of station. Turn right at first corner onto Bozidara Zugica. Walk 3 blocks. In 4th block, the street stops temporarily and continues as a path. The apartment is either on the path or on the continuation of the road just past it at #35.
Leaving Zabljak for Podgorica with continuation to Budva/Kotor after buying ticket for Sept 6 to go to Pec/Peje (see below):
Lv. 5:00/Arr. 7:32 (Radulovic prevoz) Contect to one of the following: Lv. 8:03/Arr. 9:30 Budva, 10:10 Kotor (Dangrad prevoz Kekovic; Lv. 8:09/Arr. 9:48 Budva, 10:28 Kotor (Montenegro prevoz Pejovic); Lv. 8:17/Arr. 9:48 Budva, 10:28 Kotor (Montenegro prevoz Pejovic)
***Lv. 7:26/Arr. 9:45 (Stanisic) Connect to one of the following: Lv. 10:15, Arr. 11:50 Budva, 12:36 Kotor (Dan Tours); Lv. 10:53, Arr. 12:50 Budva, 13:36 Kotor (Krivakapic Turs), Lv. 11:25, Arr. 15:00 (Radulovic). Only if necessary, because Janko will be waiting in Kotor at 3:05: Lv. 15:25/Arr. 16:55 Budva, 17:52 Kotor (Autoprevoz Zaton), Lv. 15:35/Arr. 17:10 Budva, 17:45 Kotor (Glusica); Lv. 15:59/Arr. 17:17 Budva, 18:02 Kotor (Vot Turist)
******Before connecting in Podgorica to bus to Budva/Kotor, buy ticket from Podgorica for Pec/Peje on Vector Bus for Sept. 6--Lv. 7:45/Arr. 13:30. ASK if I should come from Cetinje on Vot Turist bus 6:05/6:55 or 6:35/7:30 to make the connection with no problems!******
Budva/Kotor (Aug. 31, Sept. 1, 2, Leaving 3)
****Staying in Kotor. Budva will be a day trip from Kotor****
AIRBNB: St. Francis Accommodation Kotor Old Town. No number on the door, but a mailbox with the name Pocek and the inscription St. Francis. Host is Janko. $54 per night ($179 total) paid by Randy on M/C.
Walking to AIRBNB apartment from the bus station: Walk north from the bus station on the main road--E80. At the circle, continue on E80 to the northeast. Take the second right--Ulica 2. Enter the South Gate of Kotor. Walk to a small square and look for "Authentic Pub Bandiera"--a 7-minute walk from the bus station. On the right of the pub, opposite to the Old Venetian Military Hospital (now Cultural Center) you will find a staircase that is between the pub and the Antiques shop. Go up and just right behind the corner is the entrance to the apartment with the mailbox saying Pocek and St. Francis. GPS coordinates: 42.423014 18.771837 Janko will meet me there or at the pub at 3:05 p.m. after his work.
***Leaving Kotor/Budva for Cetinje:
AIRBNB: St. Francis Accommodation Kotor Old Town. No number on the door, but a mailbox with the name Pocek and the inscription St. Francis. Host is Janko. $54 per night ($179 total) paid by Randy on M/C.
Walking to AIRBNB apartment from the bus station: Walk north from the bus station on the main road--E80. At the circle, continue on E80 to the northeast. Take the second right--Ulica 2. Enter the South Gate of Kotor. Walk to a small square and look for "Authentic Pub Bandiera"--a 7-minute walk from the bus station. On the right of the pub, opposite to the Old Venetian Military Hospital (now Cultural Center) you will find a staircase that is between the pub and the Antiques shop. Go up and just right behind the corner is the entrance to the apartment with the mailbox saying Pocek and St. Francis. GPS coordinates: 42.423014 18.771837 Janko will meet me there or at the pub at 3:05 p.m. after his work.
***Leaving Kotor/Budva for Cetinje:
Check for local buses that take the P1 road I traveled previously. If I cannot find them, take one of the following along the road I arrived on: Dep. Kotor 8:40 Dep. Budva 9:25/Arr. 10:02 (4. December), Dep. Kotor 9:47 Dep. Budva 10:30/Arr. 11:15 (Strikovic), Dep. Kotor 10:17 Dep. Budva 10:55/Arr. 11:40 (Strikovic), Dep. Kotor 10:44 Dep. Budva 11:35/Arr. 12:15 (Autoprevoz Zaton), Dep. Kotor 11:55 Dep. Budva 12:35/Arr. 13:15 (Bjelopavilija Trans)
Housing: La Vecchia Casa, Ulica Vojvode Batrica 6. GPS: N 042 23.280, E 18 55.653. Check-in 10:00. Reserved on Booking.com by Randy. Pay upon arrival at hotel 53.40 Euros total (approx. US $59) for 3 nights.
Directions to La Vecchia Casa: Coming out of Bus Station south of the circle, turn left (south) on Grahovska (P1). Take the first right onto Ivanbegova. Take the first left onto Vuka Micunovica. Take the second right onto Vojvode Batrica. La Vecchia Casa will be on the right in the middle of the block at #6.
Leaving Cetinje for Pec/Peje:
Note: Must connect to the Vector Bus for Pec/Peje in Podgorica which departs at 7:45.
***Lv. 6:05/Arr. 6:55 (Vot Turist), Lv. 6:35/Arr. 7:30 (Vot Turist), Lv. 6:50, Arr. 7:30 (Krivokapic Turs)
Kosovo
$1 = 0.899445 Euros 1 Euro = 1.1118
Side trip to Decan Monestary? See if there are local marshruthas/combis to go there and back. 15 minutes by taxi for $12-15 one-way, so not worth the price unless there are local vans.
Directions to Hotel: Turn left going southwest onto Mbrestresha Teute/M9 , 1.1 km including past one roundabout halfway through. Turn left at major 3-way intersection just after Post & Telegraph building (leaving M9 for the major downtown street). Hotel Dukagjini will be on the right, 39 m.
Leaving Peja/Pec for Prizren:
Dep. 9:45/Arr. 11:45 (Halimaj Reisen), Dep. 10:30/Arr. 12:35 (Monika), Dep. 13:15/Arr. 15:30 (Xeni Tours)
Prizren (Sept. 9, 10, 11, Leaving 12)
Hotel: Hotel Centrum, Rr. Bujtinave 1, 20000 Prizren, +38129-230530, reserved by Randy on booking.com for 3 nights (120 Euros total to be charged by hotel at any time up to date of arrival on my Capital One Visa) inc. free wi-fi, free bicycle, free bkft.
Directions to Hotel: Turn left (going east) on Mbreti Pirro at Main Bus Station exit, 20 m. Turn right onto De Rada, 20 m. At 3-way intersection, curve left onto Remzi Ademaj, 30 m. Take second right, 54 m. After crossing river, make a slight left curve onto Suzi Celebia (southern one-way branch going southeast), 83 m. Turn right onto Hysen Rexhepi, 20 m. Turn left onto Bujtinat, 55 m. Hotel Centrum will be on the right.
Leaving Prizren for Tirana: According to BalkanViator, the following are bus departures from the bus station in Prizren for Tirana: Dep. 5:30/Arr. 10:00 (Memi Reisen), **Dep. 6:30/Arr. 10:00 (Metropol), Dep. 6:30/Arr. 11:00 (Arbeni Tours), ***Dep. 7:30/Arr. 12:00 (Kabashi), Dep. 16:30/Arr. 17:30 (Metropol), Dep. 16:30/Arr. 21:00 (Kai Reisen), 18:30/Arr. 23:00 (Selo Tours), Dep. 00:30/Arr. 5:00 (Tirana). Same schedule every day of week. http://www.balkanviator.com/en/bus-timetables/prizren/tirana-alb
Albania
Tirana (Already been to Tirana, so just passing through with a stop for one or two nights for connections) (Sept. 12, 13, Leaving 14)
Hotel: Hotel Stela City Center, Rruge e Dibres, 1001 Tirana, +355 4 222 1547, Reserved by Randy on booking.com for 53.82 Euros (Appox. $59 for two nights) to be paid at the hotel at checkin. Free cancellation or change until Sept. 11. Inc. free wi-fi, bkft, and bicycle.Directions to Hotel: If the bus arrives behind the National History Museum on Rruga Ded Gjo Luli, go east north east. Cross intersection with Blvd. Zogu I to continue same direction on Rruga Urani Pano. Turn right at Crimson Finance Fund Albania at the end of Pano onto Rruga Bardhok Biba, 83 m. Go one block and turn left at FOTO ULQINI DIGITAL onto Rruga e Dibres, 220 m. Hotel Stela City Center will be on the right.
Leaving Tirana for Ioannina/Meteora:
***Crazy Holidays also has buses that pass by the Meteora area. Their office is located at Bulevardi Zogu i Pare nr. 64 (opposite the Ministry of Justice). When buying the ticket, let them know I want to get off in Trikala. Buses depart daily at 3:30. Tickets are 30 Euros. http://www.crazyholidays.gr/
AlbaTrans has buses that go ONLY to Ioannina (20 Euros?) where I can transfer to another bus to Trikala and backtrack to Kalambaka. Offices are located in Tirana at these addresses: Bulevardi "Zogu 1" Nr. 97, Nd. 10, H. 4--Njesia Nr. 9 - K.P. 1016 http://www.albarent.al/en/tickets-daily-lines-transportation http://albatrans.al/ Note: If using Alba Trans, there are only two buses daily that depart from Ioannina for Trikala--8:45 and 15:30.
AlbaTrans has buses that go ONLY to Ioannina (20 Euros?) where I can transfer to another bus to Trikala and backtrack to Kalambaka. Offices are located in Tirana at these addresses: Bulevardi "Zogu 1" Nr. 97, Nd. 10, H. 4--Njesia Nr. 9 - K.P. 1016 http://www.albarent.al/en/tickets-daily-lines-transportation http://albatrans.al/ Note: If using Alba Trans, there are only two buses daily that depart from Ioannina for Trikala--8:45 and 15:30.
Greece
$1 = 0.899445 Euros 1 Euro = 1.1118
Ioannina (Just passing through on the 14th on the Crazy Holidays bus or changing buses if needing to travel by Alba Tours)
Housing: Not staying overnight.
Leaving Ioannina for Kalambaka/Kastraki (Meteora):
Only two buses a day to Trikala: 8:45 and 15:30 Daily From there backtrack on hourly buses to Kalambaka.
Kalabaka/Kastraki (Sept. 14, 15, 16, Leaving 17)
Hotel: Guesthouse Vavitsas, Meteroran Rd, Kastraki. +302432078301 Booked on booking.com by Randy for 90 Euros total for 3 nights to be paid at the hotel at checkin. Free cancellation or change before Sept. 9. Inc. balcony with view of mountains and monastery, wi-fi, TV. (No bkft., but good taverna in building.)
Directions to Guesthouse Vavitas: Turn left (south) exiting KTEL bus station (Ikonomou street) and turn right onto Platonos, 4 m. After 180 m, turn right onto Meteoran. Continue on Meteroran 2 km--Stay left at the first two forward V intersections (at the Ταβέρνα Χάραμα and later at the Petrol Station/Bar Panorama. Go right at the next forward V intersection--Guesthouse Petavalis. Guesthouse Vavitas will be on the right at the next intersection after passing the Hotel Kastraki. Sign is in Greek and says "Babitca."
Leaving Kalabaka for Athens:
By Bus: Buses leave Kalabaka on Saturdays (very limited service!!) at 5:50, 8:00, 12:00 and 14:15 and arrive in Trikala 45 minutes later. Then buses leave Trikala for Athens on Saturdays at 7:00, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, and 15:30 arriving 4 1/2 hours later.
***Best connection seems to be to take the 8:00 bus from Kalambaka and connect to the 9:00 bus from Trikala arriving in Athens at Loission Terminal B around 13:30.*** Buy ticket(s) upon arrival in Kalambaka!!
By Train:
Only two good schedules based on fast connections/short travel times:
Train 881, Dep. Kalambaka 5:42, Arr. Paleofarsalos 6:36; Train 51, Dep. Paleofarsalos 6:52, Arr. Athens, 10:23.
Train 885, Dep. Kalambaka 17:22, Arr. Athens 22:12.
AIRBNB--Dream Apartment at Heart of Athens, Parashou Street no 114, 5th Floor. Owner is Anna. (It is the first street parallel with Alexandras avenue located at intersection between Boukouvala and Papathymiou streets). Bell name is at the top (name: ΜΑΥΡΙΔΗΣ/MAVRIDIS) . $26 per night ($123 total for 4 nights) Charged by Randy to M/C.
Directions from Loission Terminal B to AIRBNB Apartment:
***Note: Show Passport to get $0.60 Euro Integrated Ticket (good for 90 minutes). (Buy 5 for 3 Euros?)***
Metro Option: Walk down Loission (left leaving station) to Michail Koraka. Turn right on Koraka. Continue to Agios Nikolaos Metro Station. Take Line 1 (Direction of Piraeus) to Victoria Station (2 stops). Walk 1 block forward on Cheiden. Turn left to ODE Station( 1/2 block). Take Trolley Bus 14--6 stops to Ippokratous Stop(intersection of Asklipiou to right and Panagiotara to left). Walk to intersection, turn left on Panagiotara. Go 1 block to Paraschou and turn right. Go 1 1/2 blocks to 114 Parashou. Ring top bell MAVRIDIS.
Bus Option: Cross Loission to bus stop. Take buses F (without lower bar--looks like flipped L) 10, A11, Baa Flipped L 11, or 732. With flipped L 10, get off at Michail Boda Stop. Transfer to Bus 5. With all other buses, get off at IOYVIANOY (with the v upside down) Stop just before Ipirou Street. Walk to Ipirou and cross it. Turn left and go 1/2 block to Michail Boda Stop. Transfer to Bus 5. Go 8 stops on Bus 5 (approx. 11 min.) to Ippokratous Stop (intersection of Asklipiou to right and Panagiotara to left). Walk to intersection, turn left on Panagiotara. Go 1 block to Paraschou and turn right. Go 1 1/2 blocks to 114 Parashou. Ring top bell MAVRIDIS.
Leaving Athens for airport and San Antonio: **Check with tourist office a day or two in advance to make sure no transit strike is scheduled for the 21st**
Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) (Metro Station Ambelokipi on this line is just down Alexandras Street from my apartment) goes to the airport for €10 (5 Euros for over 65), ticket good for 1.5 hours. Don't forget to validate your ticket before getting on the train.
Air Canada 1903 Dep. Athens 12:00 Arr. Montreal 15:10 21D
Air Canada 7597 Dep. Montreal 16:26 Arr. Chicago O'Hare 17:44 17D
United Airlines 350 Dep. Chicago O'Hare 19:20 Arr. San Antonio 22:17 22C
