Awesome Accommodations

Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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A Great Location

Just a short walk from Pudu Sentral, the main bus terminal in Kuala Lumpur, I found a wonderful hotel where an elegant room was waiting just for me without even having a reservation.  Hotel Capitol is located on Jalan Bukit Bintang, one of the major roads in KL, lying in the Bukit Bintang district which is known for its restaurants, shopping and entertainment.  One could easily walk to most of the major sights in KL from the hotel, including the Petronas Twin Towers, the KL Tower, the National Mosque and the old KL Railway Station, not to mention the many museums, shopping plazas and markets dotting the city.  In addition, the hotel is only a 30 minute ride from the ultra modern Kuala Lumpur International Airport on the high speed rail line.

Hotel Capitol Entrance, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hotel Capitol Entrance, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Elegant Decor 

The large, beautifully appointed room was fresh and clean and had a spectacular view of the city through large floor to ceiling windows.  To my surprise, after getting into bed for the night I looked out the window and saw the Petronas Twin Towers all lit up in a sparkling display…a truly stunning sight!  The room had one queen bed, a large, modern bathroom, a desk and a mini bar with free coffee and tea service.  Wi-Fi access was free and for a small fee, wired high speed internet was available in the room.  After a frenetic walking tour of the city, it was nice to return to my quiet, relaxing, comfortable room.

Room at the Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Room at the Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Bathroom at the Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Bathroom at the Hotel Capitol, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Reasonably Priced 

All of this came for the price of $82, and while this did not include breakfast, there were two dining options available within the facility.  Another nice amenity for those traveling by car…parking is free.  This excellent value for such an elegant hotel qualifies it for inclusion on our list of Awesome Accommodations on Blue Orb Travel.  The Hotel Capitol in Kuala Lumpur met all of the standards I look for in lodging.  It was safe, clean and comfortable.  The location was ideal and the staff could not have been more welcoming, friendly and helpful.  I can highly recommend the Hotel Capitol for your next visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

Night View of Petronas Twin Towers from Hotel Capitol Room
Night View of Petronas Twin Towers from Hotel Capitol Room
Day View of Petronas Twin Towers from Hotel Capitol Room
Day View of Petronas Twin Towers from Hotel Capitol Room

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Five Museums You Must Visit in Europe

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1)  Tate Modern, London

A former power station located on the banks of the Thames river, the Tate Modern is one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world today.  If you’re staying in London for more than a few days, this is well worth a visit, as even someone who knows little about art can easily spend half a day in here, marvelling at the works on display.    Art from Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol and many other famous artists make the Tate Modern an unmissable part of your trip.

2)  Pergamon Museum, Berlin

The Pergamon Museum, on Berlin’s museum island in the centre of the city, is a breathtaking experience, featuring among other things, an entire reconstruction of the Pergamon Altar, made with the original stones from south-eastern Turkey.    The Ishtar gate has also been reconstructed, and many hundreds of sculptures and other pieces of ancient art surround you at this amazing museum.

3)  The Nationalmuseet, Copenhagen 

A home to 14,000 years of Scandinavian history, the National Museum of Denmark is particularly concerned with the history of the Vikings and the first reindeer hunters who colonised the land.  There are also exhibits of ancient items from South America and from Mesopotamia.   To travel to your next destination by car, contact  http://www.erento.co.uk.

4)  The Vatican Museums 

The Roman Catholic church has for centuries been collecting classical sculptures and paintings and putting them on display at the Vatican.   Consisting of 54 galleries in total, you’ll see the works of Da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio and many others, before finally entering the world-renowned Sistine Chapel, with it’s spectacular frescos, including the ‘Last Judgement’ which took 5 years for Michelangelo to complete.

5)  Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam 

Founded in 1800, this museum features many of the best works of the Dutch ‘golden age’ of painting.   Pieces from Rembrandt, Vermeer and Steen will have you captivated, and after that it’s a short journey across the city to see the quite different art of Van Gogh, showing you that the Dutch have certainly given a lot to the world of art over the centuries.

 

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Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland

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The Place to Stay in Cork

          Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to stay during your visit to Cork, Ireland.  As you saw in our previous article, Cork is a city you will not want to miss on your trip through the Emerald Isle.  Not only is it a beautiful city in its own right, but it’s also the gateway to Blarney Castle where you can experience some of the history of Ireland and, of course, kiss the Blarney Stone, thereby acquiring the gift of Irish gab!  I spotted Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast soon after arriving at the bus station and was delighted to learn that they had a room available for me.

Creedon's Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland
Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland

A Great Location

Located in the heart of town above one of Cork’s oldest pubs (The Welcome Inn), Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast is just a short walk from restaurants, shopping, and most of the major tourist attractions, not to mention its convenient proximity to all manner of transportation.  The bus station is literally across the street and the train station is but a ten minute walk from Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast.  There is also easy access to shuttle service to the Cork airport, which is just a ten minute drive away.  Within minutes of checking in I was on a local bus headed for an afternoon of exploring Blarney Castle and in the evening I had only to step outside the door to begin my walking tour of Cork.

Room at Creedon's Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland
Room at Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast, Cork, Ireland

Friendly Atmosphere

Owners Danny and Annette Creedon will greet you like family and help you get oriented to the city of Cork and the surrounding area.  They have five rooms available and all have en suite bathrooms, television and WiFi connectivity.  I paid $57 for a wonderful, quiet room that had a nice view of the city and for a small amount more I could have added a full Irish breakfast.  Unfortunately, I had to catch an early bus the next morning for Dublin…the last stop on my trek through Ireland.  Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast met all of my criteria for an awesome accommodation.  It was clean, safe, comfortable, well located, operated by a friendly, helpful staff and a good value.  I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Danny and Annette and experiencing the Irish hospitality that comes so naturally to them.  Take it from me…Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast is where you will want to stay on your next visit to Cork, Ireland.

View from Creedon's Bed and Breakfast with Bus Station at Far Left
View from Creedon’s Bed and Breakfast with Bus Station at Far Left

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Leen’s Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland

A Warm Welcome

Leen’s Bed and Breakfast in Killarney, Ireland was one of the nicest places I stayed during my trip through the British Isles.  I arrived there at 9:30 AM by bus from Tralee in order to catch the 10 AM Ring of Kerry tour bus and the proprietors could not have been more accommodating.  They gave me a warm welcome and allowed me to check in early so that I could freshen up and leave my main pack before setting out on the tour.  I had arranged both the room and the tour bus the day before at the Tralee Tourist Office for a $7 booking fee.  My accommodations at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast included a nice room with private bath and a wonderful full Irish Breakfast, all for $54, an excellent value for the price.

Leen's Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland
Leen’s Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland

A Great Location

Leen’s Bed and Breakfast is located in a nice, quiet residential area within easy walking distance of most of the major attractions in Killarney.  There are four bedrooms available, including single, twin, double and triple accommodations and each room has an en suite bathroom.  Each room also has television, wireless internet connectivity and tea and coffee tray.  Leen’s can also accommodate groups at a reduced rate and as an added benefit for those traveling by rental car, private parking is available.

Bedroom at Leen's Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland
Bedroom at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast, Killarney, Ireland

All the Comforts of Home

My bedroom at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast was bright, clean, comfortable and modern and had all the comforts of home.  It also had a nice window that looked out on the pleasant, peaceful surrounding neighborhood.  The proprietor, Siobhan Leen, prepared a wonderful full Irish breakfast which I thoroughly enjoyed in the cheery breakfast room before heading off to catch the bus to Cork the next morning.  Leen’s Bed and Breakfast had all the qualities I look for and more when considering a place to stay.  It was clean, comfortable, safe, well located and operated by a friendly, helpful staff in addition to being a good value.  I’m quite sure you will enjoy Leen’s Bed and Breakfast as much as I did on your next visit to Killarney, Ireland.

Breakfast Room at Leen's Bed and Breakfast
Breakfast Room at Leen’s Bed and Breakfast

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McGettigan's An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast

McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast

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A Great Bed and Breakfast in Sligo, Ireland

The picturesque, quaint little town of Sligo, Ireland should definitely be a stop on your itinerary when you visit the Emerald Isle.  I arrived there by bus from Londonderry around noon on a weekday last June and took the short walk from the bus and train station into the town center.  In keeping with my usual modus operandi, I did not have a hotel reservation, so I asked a couple of locals who I passed on the street if they knew of a good bed and breakfast nearby.  Without hesitation they enthusiastically pointed out McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan just a few blocks away.  That turned out to be a great recommendation and within a very short time the friendly proprietor, Liam McGettigan, had me checked into a nice room with shared bath that cost $58, including a wonderful full Irish breakfast.

McGettigan's An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast
McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast

All the Comforts of Home

An Cruiscin Lan is an Irish (Gaelic) term meaning ‘The Full Jug’.  The Bed and Breakfast has a total of 10 rooms, including 4 ensuite and 6 standard rooms, with a mix of single, double, twin and triple accommodations.  Each comfortably appointed room has a television and a tea and coffee tray.  In addition, with special arrangements An Cruiscin Lan can accommodate groups of up to 20 guests.  The facility has Wi-Fi internet signal and guests are able to log on to the internet from the computer in the common lounge area.  For those traveling with a rental car or camper, the ample, free parking on site will be a special attraction.

My Room at McGettigan's An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast
My Room at McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast

A Ride to Drumcliffe

Liam gave me some suggestions on what to see in town and also told me how to catch the bus going out to Strandhill Beach on the nearby Atlantic coast.  When I asked him the best way to get to the poet William Butler Yeats’ gravesite outside of town, he offered to give me a ride!  As it turned out, he was going to be driving right past it on his way to pick up a trailer and said he could drop me off on the way and then pick me up on the way back.  This gave me just the right amount of time to explore the gravesite, St. Columba’s Church, the Celtic High Cross and the Round Tower of an ancient monastery at Drumcliffe.  I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, especially chatting with Liam, who, as a lifelong resident of the area, was able to point out interesting things along the way and tell me a lot about the history of County Sligo.

Liam and Geraldine McGettigan of McGettigan's B and B
Liam and Geraldine McGettigan of McGettigan’s B and B

Meets All of My High Standards

McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast met all of my criteria for a great place to stay…and more!  It was clean, comfortable, safe, well-located and a good value for the money.  And if that wasn’t enough, the friendly atmosphere and wonderful host and hostess made it a real pleasure to stay there.  At breakfast the next morning I got to meet Liam’s wife, Geraldine, and by the time I was heading out the door to catch the bus to Galway I felt like I had made some new friends.  For anyone planning a visit to Ireland, I can’t think of a better way to be introduced to the friendly Irish people than to stay at McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan Bed and Breakfast in Sligo.

The Full Irish Breakfast at McGettigan's An Cruiscin Lan
The Full Irish Breakfast at McGettigan’s An Cruiscin Lan B and B

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