Did you know it is possible to explore the culinary delights of Europe on a one-day train itinerary? We enjoyed breakfast in London, lunch in Paris, and dinner in Zurich all in one day. It was fabulous! Train travel in Europe is so easy and convenient.

I wish we could say this was an original idea, but we snagged it from The Man in Seat 61. And, what a brilliant idea it was! If you follow our itinerary below, you can enjoy a similar experience!

Train travel in Europe is different for those living elsewhere, particularly those of us living in the US. For us, it may be difficult to imagine being able to do such a trip by train, but in most parts of Europe, this is a piece of cake. All it takes is a little planning.

Start in London

On this trip, we started in London and our final destination was Vienna where I was attending a business meeting. On day 1, we flew from Oklahoma City through Dallas and connected to London overnight. We arrived in London the next morning and checked into the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London, a Marriott property. More on this hotel in another post, but for now let me say this hotel is ideal for boarding the Eurostar to Paris as it is connected to the train station. 

We spent 1 night in London and enjoyed a lovely hotel breakfast the following morning. We stayed in one of the hotel’s upgraded suites, so we received special boarding privileges – a truly awesome experience.

Once the train left St. Pancras station, we quickly picked up speed and found ourselves entering Paris two and a half hours later. The Eurostar arrived at Gare du Nord station and from there we had to make our way to Gare de Lyon. There are several ways to make this transfer, but we chose the least expensive option and rode the metro/RER, which took about 30 minutes from the time we stepped off the Eurostar, bought our ticket for the metro, and arrived at Gare de Lyon. I was a little nervous about making this change, but really it was easy. 

Lunch at Le Train Bleu

The second culinary stop on this Europe itinerary was to enjoy lunch in the Train Bleu restaurant at Gare de Lyon. Unfortunately, we had not booked a table in advance and the restaurant had no table seating available. It turned out this was okay because we were not starving. Instead, we sat in the Lounge Bar area where we enjoyed a few small bites, a couple of cocktails, and the beautiful views of the restaurant. And we didn’t have to pay a fortune. Still, if I had it to do over again, I would make online reservations in advance just to avoid any disappointments. 

After our respite in the Lounge Bar, we still had a couple of hours before boarding the train to Zurich, so we made our way outside to enjoy some fabulous Parisian sunshine. Back in the central part of the train station we found our train track and prepared to continue our adventure.

We had reserved standard 1^st class seats on the TGV-Lyria train 9219 from Paris Gare de Lyon to Zurich. These seats were slightly pricier than standard seats, but offered more space and privacy. We left Paris around 4:00 pm and 4 hours later arrived in Zurich, our final stop on this one-day culinary train experience across Europe.

Dinner in Zurich

It was just past eight o’clock when we walked out of the train station in Zurich and across the street to Hotel Schweizerhof. After checking in, we dropped our luggage in the room and headed to the hotel’s restaurant for a bite of dinner. The restaurant was quiet that evening, in fact, we may have been the only people eating. But we did and successfully concluded our one-day adventure of eating breakfast in London, lunch in Paris, and dinner in Zurich.

We love traveling by train in Europe and this was one of our best trips yet. The views from the train are simply amazing between Paris and Zurich. It was such fun that I think we need to schedule a similar adventure but with other destinations in mind.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Experience

If you want to book a similar trip, here are a few tips.

1) Check out the seat61 website for tips and tricks. There is a ton of awesome information here.

2) Make advance reservations at Le Train Bleu restaurant if you want to enjoy a full meal. 

3) Stay at the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London to have easy access to the Eurostar.

4) Stay at Hotel Schweizerhof for easy access to and from the train station in Zurich.

5) Spend a little extra money and buy Standard 1^st class seats on the TGV-Lyria train. You will find it more comfortable.

If you have any questions about this experience or want to create an itinerary for yourself, please contact us at travelwiththecrows@gmail.com. We are happy to help with your questions or planning!

CHARACTER

We found paradise at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club, a Marriott Vacation Club (MVC) resort property. This beautiful hotel offers 550 one, two and three-bedroom villas across several buildings, giving guests plenty of space to spread out and enjoy themselves.  

SETTING

The resort is located on the island of Oahu, surrounded by an upscale gated community with easy access to the beach and Pacific Ocean.

This area, known as Ko Olina, lies on the west side of the island and generally offers sunny and dry weather. Here you will find calm waters great for snorkeling, swimming, and dolphin watching.

OUR PERSPECTIVE

We used 1,290 MVC points to book 4 nights at the Ko Olina Beach Club. Average price during Christmas for a guest room facing the mountain is $620/night. 

THE PROPERTY

One side of the resort faces the ocean, the other side offers mountain views. The entire property was well maintained and landscaped. The lush grounds, tropical flowers, water fountains, and spectacular ocean views were enough for us to never want to go home! This resort is on one end of Ko Olina near the marina. On the other end is the Four Seasons Hotel. Connecting the two properties is a lovely, paved walkway that offers the most stunning sunset views. 

ROOM

We booked this property late and the only rooms available were the guest rooms with a mountain view. This was perfectly okay with us since we didn’t spend much time in the room. The room was equipped with a coffee pot, tea kettle, microwave, and small fridge. We sat on the balcony each morning and watched the sun come up. While we did not have a washer and dryer in the room, a free laundry facility was on site. Other room types would normally have a washer and dryer located in the room.

FOOD & DRINKS

The property offers two onsite restaurants. Longhi’s Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, we enjoyed pancakes and lobster eggs benedict. For Christmas dinner we feasted on prime rib and potatoes. This open-air restaurant offers multiple views of the grounds and the ocean. Longboard’s Bar & Grill is between 1 of the 3 pools and the beach. While we did not eat there, we did sip on a couple of delicious frozen cocktails. Also, typical of vacation club properties are onsite markets where you can purchase food, snacks, drinks, and gift items. This property had one of the largest and best stocked markets that I’ve seen from our visits at other MVCs. 

SERVICE

As a Presidential Member of Marriott Vacation Club, we were offered complimentary shuttle service from the Honolulu airport to the resort, which was easy to arrange in advance of our stay. This was a nice touch since the airport is about a 30-minute drive. Unfortunately, the shuttle service on Christmas Eve was running significantly behind, enough so that we hired a taxi. The resort quickly resolved the matter and issued us a hotel credit for the cost of the taxi. The hotel employees were kind, thoughtful, and warm. We did not encounter anyone to the contrary. The resort was full and it was clear everyone was working overtime to meet the needs of the guests.

CONCLUSIONS

Who should stay here?

Stay at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club if you are looking for a relaxed space that offers stunning views from every angle. If you have children or are planning a family get together, this resort will fit your needs.

Who should not stay here?

Don’t stay if you are looking for a wild and crazy time. The vibe here is lowkey and mellow.

Our Recommendation

We recommend spending 1 or 2 nights at The Royal Hawaiian and the rest of your time at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club, especially if you have a family. This will give you a good taste of what different parts of the island have to offer.

We used Marriott Vacation Club (MVC) points to book 5 nights in a 2-bedroom unit at the Newport Coast Villas in Southern California. This was my second stay at this property, and honestly, I had forgotten how beautiful it is. We arranged for other family members to join us prior to boarding a cruise ship to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 90^th birthday. 

The opinions provided in this review are our own and represent our personal experiences.

Overview

Newport Coast Villas is situated along Highway 1, south of Los Angeles, in Newport Coast. The closest airport is John Wayne airport in Orange County (SNA) and is a 15-minute drive from the resort. I have also flown into Los Angeles (LAX) and rented a car. Travel time, depending on traffic, is about one hour. If you have a choice, choose SNA over LAX. SNA is much closer and easier to navigate. 

The beauty of the hotel and its location will have you in constant awe. When you arrive at the front of the hotel for check-in, you might wonder how you found yourself staying in an Italian villa. The grounds are well kept, lots of tropical flowers and shrubs are placed throughout. Large, Italian-like statues and water features grace the front lawn.

The views of the Pacific Ocean are stunning. And, the sunsets, well, nothing compares to the multiple colors of red, orange, and pink you will see most nights. I cannot overemphasize how beautiful this property is and the views it offers.

Villas

Location

There are 700 2-bedroom units. No studios or 1-bedrooms are available. The property is terraced so the higher up you stay, the better your views of the Pacific Ocean. We stayed in Building 4200 on the 2^nd floor, where we watched the sunset every evening over Catalina Island. The downside to staying in this building is the distance to the main pools, café, lobby, etc. While my husband and I could make the walk down and up the hills, it was a no go for my mother-in-law. But a call to the front desk had a golf cart there within minutes to pick us up and drive us back when we were ready.

One of the biggest draws of Marriott Newport Coast Villas is the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding hills. When choosing a building, consider which direction it faces and what kind of view you’ll have from your room or balcony. Buildings closer to the ocean will have more expansive views, while those further back may have obstructed views. Keep in mind that some buildings may also have views of the resort’s pools or gardens, which can be just as beautiful.

Furnishings

The decor of each villa is standard. We felt the furnishings, artwork, carpeting, tile, and bedding were top notch. The kitchen is equipped with a stove, oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, a few pots/pans, silverware, glassware, and dishes for six people. We did not arrange for housekeeping during this stay but could have by calling the front desk. There is a dining table that comfortably seats six people, and an L-shaped sofa great for lounging and watching television. A balcony off the living room has a table with 4 chairs. A stacked washer and dryer are located just inside the front door.

Bedrooms

The master bedroom has a king bed, whirlpool tub, 2 sinks, and a walk-in shower with dual shower heads. The 2^ndbedroom has a queen bed and pull-out sofa. There was direct access to a full bath, which also served as the guest bathroom. Both bedrooms have a television.

Outside each building area are several large grills for cooking up burgers and steaks. The area also provides several Adirondack chairs for lounging, gazing out at the ocean, and watching the sun set.

MVCs is planning a remodel and update to the décor of the villas, although I’m not certain the time frame. A walkthrough of one of the model villas displays a much lighter and brighter living environment. One of the best features is the redesign of the master bedroom, which removes the large whirlpool tub, includes a large, lovely walk-in shower, and a better arrangement for privacy of the toilet area.

Amenities

Typical of most MVCs, the Newport Coast Villas are a family-oriented resort, with plenty of activities to keep kids and adults busy. And there are no daily resort fees! Woohoo! The property boasts 5 pools and several heated spas. Three of the pools are located near the lobby, while the other two pools are up at the top of the hill near Building 4200.

There are gaming areas, including shuffleboard, video arcade, pool and ping pong tables, an outdoor, oversized chess set, a playroom for kids, and a basketball court. Each day offers a new calendar of activities for everyone to enjoy, so be sure to look at the daily schedule of events!

Shuttle Service

Shuttle service – The resort has shuttles that run frequently and drop you off at various places on the property, including the pools. Complimentary shuttles are also available to take guests off property to Crystal Cove, the Crystal Cove Shopping Center, and Laguna Beach and Fashion Island. We took the shuttle to Crystal Cove (~5-minute drive from hotel) and enjoyed a wonderful lunch on the beach. We discourage you from driving to Crystal Cove. Parking there is limited.  NOTE: The main shuttle stop that will take you to these locations is situated near the circle drive that leads to the front of the hotel and lobby. Each shuttle location has designated pick up and drop off times so pay attention to the schedule.

Parking

Unlike many large resorts, parking at Newport Coast Villas is included with your villa rental. There is one parking spot for every villa and you will be able to park in front of the building you’ve been assigned to. If you plan to have other guests with a car visit during your stay, speak with the front desk so you can ensure they follow the guest parking rules.

Internet

Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is provided with the villa rental and is available across the property.

Dining

Lunch and dinner dining options are limited to the La Vista Pool Bar & Grill, located next to the main pool. Even though we only ate there one evening for dinner, we found the food and drinks to be good. The Marketplace is an option for purchasing Starbucks © Coffee, snacks, drinks, and other necessities, including a limited supply of groceries. 

If you have a car or want to Uber, there are plenty of restaurants you can enjoy within a 5-mile radius. When we stay in a MVC, we tend to visit a major grocery store early to purchase breakfast foods and lunch items, and save dining out for dinner, or eating leftovers.

Conclusions

We think Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas provide tremendous value, especially if you are traveling with family or friends. The villa accommodations and the grounds are well maintained and lovely. The views of the Pacific Ocean from nearly every vantage point are mesmerizing.  We promise you will never want to go home!

NOTE: This hotel is not located on the beach, but across Highway 1. It is possible to walk from the hotel to the beach (crossing Highway 1), but the hike up the hill from the beach is a monster. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

If you have any questions about staying at the Newport Coast Villas, please contact us at travelwiththecrows@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

Planning a bucket list trip to Southern Africa requires you to gather plenty of information in advance. Africa is a huge continent, second only in size to Asia. The kind of travel you can do across this geographical area is limited only by your imagination. Mountains, jungles, deserts, and oceans are all within reach, but where you go depends on what you want to see and do. If you want to make the most of your trip to Southern Africa, this post is for you! Click here to read about our own Southern Africa experience.

What is Your Budget?

Well darn, we do have to talk a little bit about money. Like any other place you travel in the world, you can spend as much or as little as you like in Southern Africa. If you are booking a safari, it can cost $150 per day per person for a budget experience and exceed $3000 per day per person for an ultra-luxurious experience. If you can afford it, we suggest finding a safari for about $350 per person per day. This should give you nice, comfortable accommodations, daily meals, and at least two game drives a day.

Identify Your Goals

Identifying your goals (and your budget) need to come first, and everything else will follow. We love luxurious experiences but can’t always afford the highest end so will opt for something in between. To make the most of your trip to Southern Africa, decide what is most important to you and what you can live with or without and still have a terrific experience. Do you want to stay in a lodge or tented camp? Do you need a bathroom inside your accommodation, or can you use the flushable toilet down the path? If your vision of a safari is having a butler bring you breakfast in bed while watching an elephant drink from a watering hole, you will need to spend more money. The truth is that most safari companies will provide magnificent opportunities to see animals in the wild. We have found it is really the accommodations, food, and so forth that make the difference between a budget and high-end safari experience.

Choose a Safari That is Right for You

An African safari is often a bucket list, once in a lifetime experience, and the primary reason many travelers want to visit. We know this is a major investment of cash and time and you want to make the most of your trip to Southern Africa. This is why it is important to choose a safari that is right for you. Travel agents experienced in organizing safaris are available to help and provide advice. However, we believe you can also have a great experience and save money by doing a little of your own research and planning first. Then, if you need them, the travel agents and safari companies are there to help you do the rest.

Kruger National Park

If you want a chance to see the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, black rhinoceros, and African buffalo), we suggest you visit at least two countries in Southern Africa. But where do you start?

Our recommendation is Kruger National Park in South Africa. Kruger is a four-hour drive or a 50-minute flight from Johannesburg, which is likely where you will arrive into the country anyway. The city has numerous international flights a day and serves as the financial and industrial metropolis of South Africa.

How to See Kruger

To make the most of your trip to Southern Africa, you should plan to spend 2 to 3 days in and around Kruger. It has over 7,000 square miles so there is a lot of area to cover, and you want to increase your chances of seeing all of the big five.

South Africans typically plan a self-drive vacation through Kruger. This is certainly the most cost efficient and flexible way to explore the park. If you are not skittish about driving on the left side of the road and are feeling a bit adventurous, rent a car. The drive through Kruger takes about 9 hours, which allows time for stops and photographic opportunities, but this makes for a really long day. We suggest you break up the journey to Kruger into at least two half day excursions.

If a self-drive through Kruger is a bit too much or if you want a knowledgeable guide to travel along, no worries — you have other options! Here are four reasonable alternatives to consider, depending on your budget, interest, and level of comfort.

Alternatives to a Self-Drive Experience

These alternatives include guides.

• open 4WD vehicles – carry 6 to 8 people, allow you to really experience the sounds and smells of the bush, and provide the best unobstructed views.
• overlanding – closed vehicles, carry 20 to 30 people and equipment for camping, typically cost less than other options (except self-drive).
• luxury lodges within Kruger which offer meals, accommodations, and game drives.
• private lodges adjacent to Kruger (may or may not include an actual drive in Kruger), also offer meals, accommodations, and game drives.

We recommend reviewing TripAdvisor or another trusted source before making any final decisions about hiring an operator or booking a lodge.

If your safari adventure includes Kruger, then where else might you want to visit?

Botswana, Zambia, or Zimbabwe?

These are the other three countries you will want to consider to make the most of your trip to Southern Africa. To choose a country that is right for you, do some research. Each place offers similar experiences, but also something different. And the landscapes and terrain vary widely from one country to another.

If the Okavango Delta is on your must see list, then visit Botswana. Is Victoria Falls calling you? Then head to Zimbabwe or Zambia. The views are generally best from Zimbabwe, but it depends on the time of year you visit, so read up to make sure you head to the best place.

Our guess is that you will be happy with whichever country or countries you choose to visit if it aligns with the goals for your bucket list trip.

We also suggest flying as opposed to driving unless you have a driver highly familiar with the countries and their entry requirements. From Johannesburg you can take regional flights to just about any other country in southern Africa. Flying is by far the best, quickest, and safest option.

Beyond Booking a Safari

Visit Cape Town and Surroundings

To make the most of your trip to Southern Africa, you will want to explore the limitless possibilities of South Africa. First on our list would be a visit to Cape Town, where you have the Indian Ocean on one side and Table Mountain on the other. Visit Cape Good Hope, where the warm waters of the Indian Ocean meet the cold waters of the Atlantic. The vistas from the top are outstanding! Also, a visit to Cape Town is not complete without taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain. If you go later in the day, the experience will give you sunset views you will remember for a lifetime.

Go Winetasting in Stellenbosch

Are you a wine lover? Head over to Stellenbosch and the Franschhoek Valley. It is only 30 miles from Cape Town and an easy drive. Park your car and hop on the wine tram for an unforgettable day. If you want, find a lovely hotel and stay a couple of days before heading back to Cape Town where you can dine along the water for fresh seafood and a beautiful view.

Ferry to Robben Island

Daily ferry tours operate to Robben Island, located four miles off the coast of Cape Town. The island is most famous for being a maximum-security prison where anti-apartheid activists were held, including Nelson Mandela. President Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison on Robben Island. Former prisoners now give tours of the facility and museum. You will need about four hours to visit and tour the island.

Don’t Miss the African Penguins

One of our favorite stops was a visit to see the African Penguins at Boulders Beach, less than one hour from Cape Town. These guys are adorable and sadly, becoming extinct. There are boardwalks so the area is easy to navigate and you have the ability to see the penguins up close and in their natural habitat.

Still have time in Cape Town? Consider a shark cage diving tour. We have not done this, but know people who rave about being nose to nose with a Great White. Or, if you happen to be in Cape Town during the summer, by all means go lounge on the beach and stare at the Indian Ocean!

Johannesburg, South Africa

When visitors think of Johannesburg, it is seen mostly as a place to land and quickly move on. But while the city may not rate highly as a travel destination, primarily due to safety concerns, there are reasons to visit for a couple of days. If you spend three hours at the Apartheid Museum, you will not leave untouched by the atrocities that occurred to non-white, mostly black, South Africans from 1948 to 1994. Also, don’t miss a visit to Constitution Hill. This former prison housed thousands of persons over its one hundred year history, including Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Albertina Sisulu.

Finally, we suggest a visit to Soweto. The township has evolved over the years since the end of Apartheid. Tour guides will take you on a walk through the home where Nelson Mandela once lived and show you where Mahatma Gandhi started his legal career. Driving the streets you will see boys and men playing football (soccer), open markets, and food stalls. It is an experience you won’t soon forget.

The safety concerns of Johannesburg are real, but don’t let this stop you from taking a couple of days to see an important part of the history and culture of South Africa. Do not walk alone, pay attention to your surroundings, and hire a guide to see the sites. Uber and taxis are the best way to get around the city. In spite of these concerns, you will find the South African people to be kind and welcoming. Johannesburg is a cosmopolitan city, just enjoy it safely.

When Do You Plan to Travel to Southern Africa?

The time of year you travel to Southern Africa depends a lot on what you want to do. If a safari adventure is the most important part of your trip, you will find traveling May – September is best. These are the winter months of the southern hemisphere, which usually means cool nights and mild days. The leaves are off the trees and the animals are much easier to spot. You should also have little to no rain in the dry areas. The same is true for visiting Johannesburg during this time. There will be cold, some wind, but no rain. In general, you want to avoid high tourist season, November to March, unless your primary goal is to swim in the Indian Ocean and lie on the beach soaking in the rays in Cape Town. Trust us, you don’t want to try swimming in the ocean in June! When you decide to travel does affect what you can do, so have your priorities identified.

Tips for Planning Your Trip to Southern Africa

When planning your trip, keep the following tips in mind.

• Identify your priorities – what you can and cannot live without on this lifetime adventure.
• Determine how to match your budget and your priorities.
• Explore whether you have any credit card points or airline miles you can use to pay for any portion of the trip.
• Consider inviting friends along so you can plan a private group tour.
• Fly between cities and countries (mostly).
• Be prepared not to see all of the Big Five but get really excited if you do.
• Spend a few days in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
• Research, research, research.

Conclusion

Flying to Southern Africa is a quite a journey, never mind once you get there! Is it worth it? Absolutely. The African sunsets are amazing. The wild animals will thrill you beyond belief. It is a country that will leave you breathless and make you want to never go home.