Walking in Tuscany (will update daily)

One day to go and just deciding what to pack, not really sure what the weather is going to do and whether it'll be cool on an evening. At least we are with BA so have a 23kg limit so i'm able to take far too much, lol.

Walking Boots of course add to my normal stuff and see the hotel as a Pool so swimming gear for a nice cool off after a hard days walking is a good idea.

Day One "Heathrow" - Bags now packed don't think you can take too much, best be prepared, lol.

Had a good drive down to Heathrow until the last 5 miles when the M25 decided to turn into a car park.

Eventually arrived at the Park inn where I'd got an excellent hotel/parking deal.

Met up with Mags and Asti as arranged and went for a meal at the 3 magpies. Food was excellent and good value of course better washed down with a few beers. I opted for the vegetarian mixed grill, well it had a grilled tomato with it, lol. Good night with a few laughs, good that the JY forum allows us to arrange these meet up.

Day two - Up early for flight one scare when Mags tried to leave her passport at the hotel.

Flight was good on time but bit of delay on arrival as one lady's luggage hasn't made it. Was a clear day and having a window seat I got some fantastic views.

We did share our flight with another large group of singles who we're with the company One Traveller. I knew their tour manager who had been my very first JY manager back in 2010.

Bus to the hotel fos a long transfer which we were told would be around two hours but turned out to be over three. 

Sylvia our Italian tour manager seems very nice on first impression.

On arrival at hotel was quick unpack (luggage arrived to room quickly) and into shorts for quick orientation walk of the area.

Back around 6-30pm to shower and change for welcome drink and diner. 

Some folk were a bit worried about the food following trip advisor reviews but it turned out nice, was a veg soup followed by some nice pasta for starters. Then a chicken mains followed by some nice cake and cream which the chef had made with a certain amount of brandy (I had 2nds). Was all waiter served with the exception of the salad bar for the rabbits among us.

It is a 3 star hotel and rooms are basic but very clean and importantly plenty of hot water and good shower.

Day 3 - Today is our first walk going to wear walking trainers rather than boots as looks like it'll be a hot one.

Ended up in boots and glad I did although took trainers as well. Breakfast this morning was fine but just continental style with no hot stuff, so no bacon sarnie for me.

The walk wasn't really the best, bit of up and down to get the lungs working but basically along a stone road through a forest so no views along the way. Worst bit was logging lories kept coming past creating dust clouds which wasn't nice.

Had a incident as one poor lady in our group slipped and cut her head so had to go to hospital, couple of stitches but back with us now battered and bruised but OK thankfully.

After the walk the coach took us up the volcano for some amazing views. Had to walk the last few hundred metres, it was steep and believe it or not covered in snow, now didn't expect that in Tuscany. Was a tough climb that a few opted out of.

Getting ready for evening meal which we ordered at breakfast think I'm on turkey if I remember, ready for it.

After think a few of us are heading for a bar over the road instead of staying in the hotel. Won't be too late as early start to go to Florence tomoz. Looking forward to that excursion.

Has only been two men so far on this trip but our numbers have strengthens as another gentleman as joined us, apparently missed the flight Tuesday. 

Believe the lady whose luggage didn't arrive is now reunited, good news always a pain when that happens, why always should take one change of clothes in hand luggage.

Day 4 - Been to Florence today and enjoyed it, somewhere I wanted to see, did a guided walking tour this morning with plenty of free time to wander after lunch and enjoy an Italian ice cream of course.

Place was really busy with tourists everywhere and you had to keep a eye on the bikes flying around the pedestrian streets.

Now the bad bits tonight we are supposed to be out for some wine tasting and dinner but apparently there has been a botch up with the organisation and transport hasn't been arranged. So hotel dinner tonight again but hopefully JY will rectify their error and the wine and meal out will be rescheduled or could be a few complaints.

After a long hot day walking I'd planned a dip in the hotel pool some days sadly its not open they say too early in the season, come on its 20c+ during the day. 

2nd walk tomoz and not too early start so will have a couple of beers tonight, had a good few laughs last night and ended up late despite the early start.

Day 5 - Our 2nd walk today and it was much better than the first with some superb views. Was mainly downhill most of the way but a few tricky downhill sections and you certainly need decent footwear.

Sort of did things wrong way around going for some wine tasting in the morning and then lunch in Montalcino a lovely dmall Tuscan town.

Then the walk in the afternoon was thinking aboutvwhat they say about mad dogs and Englishmen, lol.

Special Tuscan meal in the hotel tonight, not sure what we are getting but looking forward to it as am starving.

Day 6 - Must start by saying I really enjoyed last nights Tuscan meal provided by the hotel. We started with a sort of cheese pastry, was really light and tasty. Then it was Spelt soup, not a clue what it is but enjoyed and found it filling. That was followed by the Pasta round which was a ravioli, let's just say I had a few extra, very tasty. Main course following the three starters was a type of kebab again no complaints from me. Finally a nice piece of cake so well satisfied with the meal.
Today was one of the optional excursion days where we visited two medievil towns in Sienna and San Gimignano which are both well worthy of a full day visit. I'm not a big church type person but the Cathedral at Sienna is arguably the most impressive I have seen both inside and out.
Only dissapointment was the lunch in the main square in Sienna, we were ripped off on both price and quality, suggest anyone going uses the nice cafes in the side streets.
On another note it looks like Just You are treating us to lunch on Monday as a goodwill gesture I suspect following the Vineyard error on the 23rd. Well done JY.

Day 7 - Just getting ready to go for breakfast and prepare for our 3rd and final walk. Once again the evening meal last night was good but must admit have been dissapointed with the breakfasts which are very limited.
Strangely this morning I thought I could smell bacon cooking, sadly its from the hotel next door, now that is cruel.
Enjoyed today's walk and it ended in a lovely little village called Pienza were we had a decent amount of free time to explore. The walk itself had plenty of uphill bits which certainly got the heart and lungs working was pleased with myself, was a sense of achievement getting to the end. Over the walk got chance to chat with quite a few of the group which was great, it is a good bunch.
Not a early start tomoz so suspect we may knock the froth off a couple of beers after our meal, well earned I would say.

Day 8 - Another decent meal last night, the chef came out and carved the Pork in front of everyone. Also joined at the hotel by a coach group of Brits travelling with Shearings.
Weather not so good today but a bit of a lazy morning so took opportunity to pack a few things ready for tomoz.
Silvia decided to organise a disco after the meal last night and was up with a few of the ladies giving it their best Olivia Newton John impression while us men hid. Of course I would have loved to do my John Travolta but after the extra pudding at the meal decided it wasn't wise, lol.
Weather turned a bit today cold enough for me to NOT wear shorts but still had a good day. We all went on the service bus to Montepulciano a charming town sat on top of a mountain. We were taking for a tour of the cellars of a winery followed of course by some tasting along with a variety of cheeses and hams.
Was up there with the best and I'll be suggesting to JY that they and it to their itinerary. Thanks to Silvia for sorting it all out she has done a excellent job has tour manager.
Just getting ready for the "Last Supper" its been a smashing group of people and hopefully I'll cross paths with a few of them on future trips.

Day 9 - All about travel leaving the hotel at 8am for the 3 hour transfer (too long) on a bus whose air conditioning wasn't good. Flight was good arriving over London well ahead of schedule but due to the airport been busy we spent 30 minutes circling the city before touching down 5 minutes behind schedule. Security and luggage were quick and to be fair traffic on the M25 & M1 was ok and eventually got home just before 8pm (almost 13 hours travelling) now sat with my feet up with a nice cup of coffee.
Got  some company for half of the drive home as i was able to give one of the Ladies on the trip a lift up to Leicester Forest to save her a long wait for a National express bus, nice to have someone to chat to.
Was a lot of nice people in the group and hope I will meet a few of them again on my travels, thanks everyone for putting up with me.

Will download some photos onto this blog and do an holiday summary in the coming days.

AVIOS - Taking advantage (Berlin & Madrid)

As i said in my recent post about the City break to Berlin "watch this space" I've gone and booked a 2nd City break this time to Madrid in early October.

http://micks-travels.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Berlin

Just taking advantage of my Avios points while we can still get free transfers from northern airports. Don't suppose it effects people living close to London but it certainly saves me time and money.

Suggest if you are like me and have a few Avios points you get something booked before end of this month as you wont get free transfers for European breaks after that.

One lady who reads this blog is already joining me in Berlin as its somewhere she fancies, she has a free connecting flight from Scotland while I'm going from Leeds/Bradford (we'll meet at Heathrow). Others have shown some interest through emails so could end up with more of us singles, who knows ?

So its Berlin in August & Madrid in October both for 5 nights and costing just over £300 for flights and 4 star city centre hotel with breakfast.
Ok transfers to sort but both cities have good transport systems so not really a problem.

Obviously with the lack of a tour manager its only suitable to do it this way if you are a confident experienced traveller. Be good if a few other like minded people fancied it and would want to tag along. My email is at top of the page.

Not finished yet may book somewhere else for early next year (can book 12 month ahead) as still got a surplus of points.

Tuscany - These Boots are made for Walking

Next week I'm away with Just you for their "Walking in Tuscany" and really looking forward to it. I've threatened to do some sort of activity holiday for some time and add to that Florence is high up on my "must visit" cities it fits perfectly into my plans.

Of course going to Italy I'm hoping to get some sunshine and warm weather and looking at the long term forcast it should be getting up towards 70f during the day.

Looking at the schedule we have 3 guided walks alternating with touring days, thats a great itinerary in my opinion.

Not sure how hard the walks will be but as its graded easy suspect not too bad for a novice like me. Reckon my walking trainers would be fine but am also taking boots for two reasons. First my trainers arn't waterproof so boots may be needed if we get some of the wet stuff. Secondly I've had a bit of an achiles problem so boots give me more support.

Expecting a few hills and its something I don't have around here so looking forward to the challenge.

Also night before will be a good laugh as meeting 3 others that are on the trip at heathrow for a meal and couple of drinks as we are staying over. One thing I like about Just you is their forum which allows us to arrange these things.

I'm intending update the blog each day of the trip (good or bad) so those interested can follow the holiday, did this on my Christmas holiday and got some positive feedback.

Thats all for now, better get packing will leave you with this :-

City Break - Berlin (its cheaper with Avios)

Take note all you northerners the Avios rules are changing and after April we wont get free connections to Heathrow, good time to book i suggest. You can book up to a year ahead so planning ahead is important.

I like Avios and I've previously used my points to visit Lisbon & Barcelona and today I've booked to go to Berlin with them in August for a long weekend. I say long weekend its actually for 5 nights (Thurs to Tues) and really looking forward to it.

The flights (Leeds to Heathrow + Heathrow to Berlin and back same route) cost £35 + 9,000 avios points and I've also used them to book a City Centre 4 star hotel bed and breakfast for just under £300 for the 5 nights. So for not much over £300 I've got a very good holiday.

Obviously other costs like transport around the City and visiting attractions will cost something (believe 5 day Berlin pass for transport systems is 36 Euro) plus meals. But if you compare this to what it costs to go with a travel company in your own room its the right way to do it. Add the fact that visitingthe Eurozone is great at present given the exchange rate.

So any readers fancy the same trip, send me a email and i'll give details (dates, hotel, flights, etc)and answer your questions.

My email address is at the top but here it is again - Mick_w@rocketmail.com

For the record one person that i've chatted to via this blog and the Just You forum has already decided to join me on the same trip, hope 2 or 3 others decide to join us. We are flying to Heathrow from different airports but will meet up there, can do it for same cost from northern most airports (Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, etc) and of course anyone from the south can go straight to Heathrow.

Seriously looking at other Avios trips (watch this space) while can still get free connections.

Spain - A cheaper way of doing it

Recently back from a week in Spain and although wasn't actually a singles holiday as i went with a friend (for both our birthdays) could quite easily done it as a Singles holiday and saved a small fortune against using an actual Singles company

We used Jet2 which basically provide Flight, Hotel (your choice) and transfers and must say it was very well organised and everything run to time. Although you dont have a tour manager with you they provide a rep in the resort and you get a 24 hour emergency number, happy with that as an experienced traveller.


Jet2 fly from northern airports only on the day we arrived was our flight from Manchester along with flights from Leeds and Edinburgh. All arrived within 8 minutes of each other so hotel transport was shared with people going to same hotel. A Jet2 rep met you with information of which parking bay to go to where a mini-bus waited, was so easy.
Think on a different day flights come from Newcastle, Glasgow & East Midlands also, great for us northerners as most holidays nowadays seem to include the extra cost of flying from down south.



We stayed at the 4 star Marinas de Nerja hotel and actually had a 2 bedroom apartment (so had own space when wanted) and must say it was an excellent place about a good kilometre outside the lovely town of Nerja and you could walk in along the beach or along the road, was bus stop outside the hotel also.


We were on an all inclusive deal and the food was superb with lots of choice at breakfast, lunch anf evening meal, 6 of the 7 nights was live entertainment in the hotel bar.

The cost of everything was £480 a bargain obviously would be a touch more if had seperate rooms completely but still well less than £600. Similar holidays with singles companies are well over £1,000 but include a tour manager and some excurrsions.

Talking of excurrsions we sorted 3 of our own, did a trip to Granada for 79euro which included been picked up at the hotel, guided tour in the morning of the city followed by 2 hours free time. After lunch they took us for a guided tour around the Alhambra Palace which was also included, took 3 hours then were taken back to our hotel.








Also went to the Nerja Caves which were great, did it on the Service bus from outside hotel, cost 1 euro each way and 9 euro to get in, great value half day out for 11euro.







Also on the Service bus (4.5euro each way) we had a day out in Malaga where we got tickets for the "hop on hop off" bus which took us around all the main sites at a cost of 20euro.

So had a great holiday but wont mention the weather which was a bit dissapointing for Spain. Been all inclusive didn't spend much at all just occasional coffee and sandwich when on the days out.

Would love to hear from other experienced lke minded single travellers that would fancy booking an holiday like this (lots of options of where), would be good if could get 5 or 6 and sort our own trip.
Have mentioned it to some and is definately an interest.