Rome, Italy

Rome, the third most important tourist city in Europe, where historical remains have been found. Visiting Rome does not mean spending a lot of money because touring the city is like visiting a museum in the open sky. Modern Rome is also beautiful to know with its hills, cafes, restaurants, bookshops and shops.

Tips

Do not leave to visit the churches and basilicas as you will find real artistic treasures without spending a penny.

On the last Sunday of each month, admission to the Vatican Museums is free.

Piazza Navona and Piazza del Popolo are the best places to stroll.

The aperitivo is a great way to enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet just by paying the price of a drink.

The single ticket of bus or metro costs 1.50 euro but if you want to move a lot, a daily ticket costs 7.00 euro. There is also Roma Pass, a 3-day card that offers unlimited transport + 2 free tickets (site or museum) + other tickets at a reduced rate.

 

 

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Funchal is the capital of the island of Madeira and the autonomous region of Madeira with the islands of the archipelago. It is the only major city on the island. It is a port of call with its beautiful bay and is surrounded by mountains, it became mainly a destination for cruises. It owes its name to the fennel (‘funcho’ in Portuguese), it grew in abundance at this location when the island was discovered. Along the narrow streets of the old centre, the stands of fruits, parks and cobblestone squares, lined discrete palaces and baroque churches, remind the richness of Portuguese heritage. Funchal’s attractions can be visited on foot as the Sé Cathedral which is one of the monuments of style Manueline which is still on foot with its cedar inlaid ivory and gilt ceiling, fort São Lourenço, Columbus Museum, Santa Catarina Park, the residence of the Governor, the town square, the Jesuit college with its baroque church with a pretty facade of black lava enhanced marble, the episcopal Palace (18th century), which houses a Museum of art sacred as also other parks, museums and churches. The fortress of São Tiago is one of the most colorful corners of the old town, now it is the Museum of Contemporary Art of Funchal. You can also find an elegant restaurant inside.

Tips

Don’t miss the ‘Dos Lavradores’ market, you can buy a wide variety of exotic flowers, local crafts, tropical fruits, vegetables and fresh fish.
On the promenade by the sea to the port, you will have beautiful views of the coastal area and you will find several cafés near the marina to enjoy good traditional coffee.
In the east of Funchal, you will find the fishing village with its narrow cobbled streets which many bars and popular fish restaurants.
If you like plants, visit the botanical gardens, a fantastic garden with more than 2,000 species from around the world. It is 3 km from the town, at 300 m altitude. The discovery of the surrounding residential area is almost a must if you go there on your own. Many lookouts provide beautiful views of the city. Here you will find benches, tables, for a little rest because the elevation of the park is 100 m and it can be tiring with hot weather.

Santiago de Chile, Chile

Santiago de Chile, capital of Chile, is crossed by the Mapocho River with the beautiful scenery of the Andes. Although these mountains provide a beautiful backdrop to the city, they also cause the development of pollution clouds especially in winter. It is a modern metropolis with several theaters, restaurants, shopping malls and universities. It also houses the Grande Torre Santiago (Great Tower) considered the greatest Latin American building. The city has the metro and there is also a motorway partly underground. Unfortunately, Chile is a seismic country and it always can have an earthquake.

Tips

Every day at 10:00 and at 15:00 there is a guided free tour of the city of about 4 hours. The appointment is at Plaza de Armas (Square of Arms). You must usually give a tip to the guide. If you want a beautiful view of Santiago, take the cable car and go to the San Cristobal’ Hill. A statue of the Virgin dominates the summit and there is also a zoo. There is another hill, Santa Lucia, in the center of the city where you could also have a good view if there is no pollution. At the Aviation Square you can see a set of water colors in the evening. Visit its old quarter Concha y Toro that is characterized for having paved streets with ancient houses that reflect the elegance and richness that prevailed in the early twentieth century.