Free Upgrade from Hostel to Studio Apt

Exciting News!!
I recently got an Email from Athens Backpackers Hostel Notifying me of a free Upgrade while I'm in Athens Greece for 6 days! This is wonderful news and I wanted to share it with you.

Dear  Cheryl

Thank you for choosing Athens backpackers and studios. I notice that your booking overlaps with scheduled building maintenance. To avoid any discomfort to you, I would like to offer you a FREE upgrade to the Athens studios. I must emphasize, this will be at NO further cost to you.  And I apologize for any inconvenience.

Assuming this will not be a problem for you as the studio building is newly renovated and far superior, with Free highspeed WIFI, 24 hour reception and security,  kitchenettes, balcony’s, cooking facilities and fridges in every room.

 Plus with the Fish café, Laundromat and sports bar at your door step everything is catered for.Equal distance from the acropolis metro and closer to the Acropolis museum very easy to find;

Thank you again for your understanding.  

We will move your reservation over for you so don’t need to do anything, your reservation is confirmed at the studios, the only difference for you will be when you arrive, come straight to Athens Studios building (Veikou 3), NOT the Athens Backpackers (Makri 12).

Please contact me if you have any further questions or concerns. I can personally assure you will be much happier in our studios building.

Look forward to seeing you, travel safe.

Edward.

The Papal Experience

I am going to Explore #Europe like a True Gypsy without any specific Daily plans except one. I am scheduling a Tour and that is because to see the Pope give a Message and a Blessing you have to have a Free Ticket. 

Pope Mobile

Highlights

• The Weekly Wednesdays Audience usually starts between 10 - 10.30am depending on the time of year, if you would like to get a good seat you will need to arrive between 8 - 9am. 
  The audience lasts for around 1 - 1 1/2 hours. 
  During the Audience the #Pope will give speeches in various languages, the main languages being English, French, Spanish, German, Polish, Portuguese, Italian amongst others. 
  English is usually the third language along and at the very end of the audience the Pope imparts a blessing upon the crowd which also extends to those at home that are sick or suffering an also any religious articles you have with such as Rosary beads etc. 
  
  You can leave the audience before it finishes but if you wish to receive the blessing you will have to stay until end.

What I Can Expect:

Visit the home of the Catholic Church

The audience takes place in either St Peter's Square, St Peter's Basilica or the Audience Hall, depending on seasonal conditions and the number of pilgrims visiting on each particular day. 

Papal Audience Dress Code:

For the Papal Audienence casual but modest dress is accepted, again ladies should still have shoulders covered particularly if the meeting is held indoors.
As the Audience in Summer is usually held outside and Rome gets extremely hot, bring hats, sunscreen, water and cover up as much as possible to avoid burning.
Men are permitted to wear hats throughout the Audience.

St.Peter's Basilica & Sistine Chapel / Vatican Museums Dress Code:

Women:
Women can wear trousers, capri pants and skirts and dresses are permitted however they cannot be shorter than knee length and shoulders must be covered. 
In very hot weather a shawl or large scarf/Pashmina can be draped around the shoulders for visiting the sites. 
Bare shoulders and short skirts are not permitted and again come prepared to cover up if wearing shorts.

Men:
Men should wear long pants and short sleeves t-shirts or shirts are OK but no vest tops. 
Jeans are OK, official rules state no shorts. 
As summers can be very hot the Vatican do sometimes relax the rules and allow Men to wear shorts however it is worth noting that this may not always be the case and the official dress code does state no shorts. 
It is good perhaps to carry a pair of long pants with you in case or wear the cargo style pants that allow you to unzip the lower legs to create shorts when needed. 
Men should also be aware that hats need to be removed before entering any church or Chapel which includes St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

Rejected

- Shorts
- T-shirts without sleeves
- Short skirts
- Baseball caps inside the churches