"Love to Travel" mpileggi's Profile

Greetings! Welcome to my VT page. I love to travel, especially to Europe. It's been a passion all my life. I have been traveling to Europe since 1990 and have visited many places including Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, France, Germany the Baltics, Ukraine, and even 24 nights in China. I was born in Madrid Spain and grew up in various places, including Panama, Japan, Okinawa, and Hawaii, which is probably from where my passion grew.

Stay tuned while I update my VT page with more travel information, especially where I’ve stayed and dined while on my travels.

Grazie, Merci, Mahalo, Danka! Monica

PS: Guess what? I'm quoted in the 2008 Fodor's Paris Gold Guide Book, as well as The Smart Traveler's Passport book - 399 Tips from Seasoned Travelers!

Enjoying pizza at Alle Zattere in Venice 31 May 10

My Travel Page

My Blog Page

Trip Advisor

My Photos

Notes From My Kitchen

Burano Reflections

Burano Reflections

These photographs were taken June 2010 on the island of Burano. You can read about these photos on the Italiannotebook.com web site. See next entry below.

See my Ravenna Article

These are articles I wrote and were published online. The photographs were taken during my travels in Italy:

Bologna "La Grassa"

Ravenna

Splendors of Italian Markets

Rome Walk

A Taste of Local Wines

Burano Reflections

At the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui, May 2011

Hawaii for 11 Nights

Read my journal!

You can view my photos too!

http://www.pileggiphotography.com/Travel/Hawaii/Hawaii-2011/17177712_K8RFvF

Poppies near St. Saturnin les Apt (Luberon area)

Paris & Provence I had a great time in Paris and Provence this past May 2009. I traveled with my friend Louisa and her daughter Elizabeth. We had some great meals, saw some wonderful places, and met new friends.

With one of the waiters at Al Fontanone in Rome

I consider myself a budget traveler. For me, it isn’t necessary to spend a lot of money because I can travel on a budget and still feel comfortable, safe, and still have a wonderful trip. Some people like to backpack and stay in hostels, but that’s not for me, as I prefer a little more comfort without the extra bells and whistles.

When I choose a hotel, I consider safety, comfort, a room with a private bathroom, and location. By being in a smaller 2 or 3-star hotel ($100 - $150), I have the opportunity to get to know the owner and meet other travelers. Sometimes these hotels or pensiones have some history to them, so it becomes an added treat. Since I save on cost of the hotel, I use the 'extra' funds for shopping and splurging on an expensive dinner once in a while.

Location means being close to the major sights, attractions, and hopefully good transporation, including the metro or train station, so I can easily get around and do my day trips. Many cities are quite small and manageable on foot. Therefore, you can skip the expensive taxis and walk to your destination, or you could take the bus or metro.

I always ask for a room without breakfast (usually overpriced for what you get - The only exception I have seen has been in Germany where I have enjoyed a full breakfast of assorted meats, cheese, jams, breads, soft-boiled eggs, yogurt, coffee, tea and orange juice, always well worth the cost) and cash payment, which usually means getting a discount.

When dining, I much prefer places filled with locals, rather than touristy places; and the only time I walk into a McDonald’s is to use their bathroom. I love the small trattorias where I can sample tasty local cuisine without breaking the bank, as well as getting to know the waiters or owners. I also enjoy the local house wines, which can be very inexpensive.

Speaking of wine, I have found in most countries I can purchase local wines at a great price. In Italy and France, there are little wine stores where I can have an empty bottle filled with a Merlot (or any other kind of wine) for just 4-5 Euros.

When I travel from one city to the next, I’ll either take the train or bus. Or I will rent a car, splitting the cost of expenses with my travelmate, depending on location and whether it’s worth having a car. Tuscany is a perfect example in wanting a car to explore the countryside. When traveling alone, I won’t rent a car because it’s not cost effective, although I do miss out on some opportunities.

Many cities have combined tickets for their museums and other sights. It’s really cost effective to puchase these, such as the Paris 3-day pass. These combination tickets allows for entry into several sights, which would be a lot more expensive if purchased separately. The nice thing about the Paris pass is that you can walk straight in without having to wait in line.

Budget traveling can be such an enjoyable and fun experience. It does take some time to do the research to find the right hotel, the best trattorias, and figure out transportation, but in the end, I am always happy with my travels. Give it a try!

* Italy (1990): Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Florence, Pisa

* Caribbean Cruise (1992,Norweigen Starward): San Juan, Aruba, Curacao, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas

* Greece and Turkey (1993): Athens, 3-islands, Delphi; Istanbul

* Spain (1994): Barcelona, Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, San Lorenzo El Escorial, Seville, Arcos and Jerez de la Frontera, Cordoba, Granada

* Caribbean Cruise (RCCL Monarch of the Seas 1995): San Juan, Martinique, Barbados, Antigua, St. Martin, St. Thomas

* Spain (1996): Barcelona, Zaragoza, Madrid, Avila, Salamanca, Seville, Jerez and Arcos de a Frontera, Ronda

* Western Caribbean Cruise (RCCL's Majesty of the Seas 1997): Miami, Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman

* France (1997): Paris, Versailles, Giverny, Chartres, Loire Valley: Tours and various Chateaux

* Italy (1998): Rome, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Milan

* France (1999): Paris, Fontainbleau, Dijon, Reims, Normandy: Bayeux, D-Day beaches, Mont St Michel

* Germany (2000): Rhine and Moselle Rivers/area, Heidelberg, Rothenburg and the Romantic Road, Hohenfurch, Ludwig's Castles, Fussen, Garmish, Oberammergau, Mittenwald, Munich, Dachau, Bertchesgaden

* France (2000): Paris, Chateaux Chantilly, Provins

* Greece (2001): Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Athens

* Italy (2001): Venice, Verona, Assisi, Deruta, Orvieto, Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti towns

* France (2002): Paris, Versailles; Saint Remy de Provence, L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Lacoste, Ménerbes, Bonnieux, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Oppède Le Vieux, Gordes, Roussillon, Nimes, Pont du Gard, Les Baux, Avignon, Arles, Orange, Châteauneuf-du-Pape; Paris, Rouen, Chateau Vaux Le Vicomte.

* Hawaii (October 2002): Oahu and Kauai

* Mediterranean Cruise (Celebrity Millineum May 2003): Barcelona; Villefranche, Monaco; San Gimignano, Florence, Pisa; Rome; Amalfi coast: Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello; Santorini; Athens; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice; 5 nights in Venice; Padua.

* Southern Caribbean Cruise (Princess Dawn November 2003): San Juan, St. Thomas, St Kitts, Grenada, Isla Margarita, Aruba.

* Tuscany (May 2004): Lucca, Pisa, Montepulciano, Abby Di Mont Oliveto Maggiore, Asciano, Serre di Rapolano, Trequanda, Montalcino, S. Angelo in Colle, Cortona, Lucignano, S. Anna in Camprena, Montefollonico, Pienza, Bagno Vignoni, S. Quirico d'Orcia, Abby di S. Antimo, Chuisi, Siena, Volterra, Florence

* Montreal, Canada (July 2004): 4-day visit.

* The Baltics, Celebrity Constellation Cruise (May 2005): London; Oslo; Stockholm; Helsinki; Saint Petersburg; Tallinn; Rostock; Copenhagen.

* Hawaii (October 2005): Oahu and the Big Island

* San Diego, CA (April 2006)

* Italy (May 2006): Florence, Greve in Chianti, Arezzo, Bologna, Ravenna, Parma, Venice; and a Veneto hill town day trip to Maristoca, Bassano del Grappa, Asolo, Villa Maser, and the prosecco vineyards.

* Bermuda (October 2006): Celebrity Zenith 1-week cruise.

* France (May 2007): Paris, Dijon, Amiens, St. Germain-en-laye.

* Mediterranean Cruise (October 2007): Rome; Mykonos, Rhodes, Santorini, Istanbul (with an overnight stay), Yalta, Odessa, Ephesus, Athens, Naples.

* Venice, Italy (April 2008): A short 2-night stay with Tony

* New York City (May 2008): Three nights in the Big Apple

* China (October 2009): Beijing, Shanghai, Xitang, Hangzhou, Xian, Chengdu, Huanglongxi, Yangshuo, Hong Kong.

* Burlington Vermont (June 2009)

* Paris and Provence! (May 2009)

* Rome to Ft. Lauderdale transatlantic cruise (Nov 2009)

* Venice, Italy (31 May - 7 June 2009) Solo trip

* Transatlantic cruise - Rome to Ft. Lauderdale (Oct 2010)

* Hawai May 2011: Oahu and Maui

Coming soon in 2011: Transatlantic cruise on the Eclipse!

Copyright: Unless otherwise noted, the copyright on all photographs on my VT belong to me, Monica Pileggi. Please do not reproduce anything on this site without my written permission.