Yes, it is taking me two days to reach a relatively close new destination. Try as I might, I could not line up flights on budget airlines to make this work any better. Alas, I am first flying to England where I will overnight and head to my new home the following day. Here are the adventures of my travel days Siena Italy to Paphos Cyprus, a long and tiring journey, but fun too.
Siena
Leaving Siena while they sky is still dark; I drag my belongings through this Tuscan city and its deserted streets. I am heading for the train station, where I will ride for two hours to reach Florence. I’m a little scared walking along in the dark all alone, but nothing I have not done before.
I arrive early at the train station and purchase a still warm croissant that I tuck into my bag for the ride. Trenitalia has proved to be a great and reliable service for train travel around Italy. As soon as the train pulls into the station, I hop on board and grab a seat. Of course, a male passenger has to take a seat right across the isle from me in an otherwise empty car. What the heck??
Munching on my croissant, I watch the countryside slowly awaken and grow lighter. It’s a cloudy day so this happens very gradually. I estimate about thirteen stops before we reach Florence.
Florence
Leaving the train station, I have read that I can take the fairly new tram, straight to the airport. The trouble comes in finding where to purchase a ticket and get on. Finally, I figure it out after walking around, and I take the next one.
It’s a fantastic service, nice and clean and really efficient. Bravo to Florence for investing in and constructing these new tram lines that are creating such chaos to the traffic in the city while they are being built. Make sure you validate your ticket once on board, at the small yellow machine, or you will be fined.
Florence FLR
Having arrived at this small regional airport in plenty of time, I seek out the check-in counter that I will need. My first flight is with Vueling to Gatwick, a company I have used before. I have a little look around the shops and am exciting to be getting on a plane. I love everything about aviation and have sorely missed this experience these past three months.
Before long its time to board, we are bused out to the plane on the tarmac. Its raining and gloomy, but I am as excited as ever. The flight is not a long one, comfortable, and I enjoy my window seat and those exceptional views over the Swiss Alps.
Gatwick
Arriving into Gatwick, I feel instantly at home. I have used this airport a few times now and am beginning to know my way around. Remembering my mistake of walking to the hotel last time, now I know to find the tram that will take me from the South Terminal to the North one.
I scout around for some water, snacks and drinks to take to the hotel with me. I also remember Boots having the cheapest water, £1.40 per bottle instead of the M&S water that is £3.95 for the same size (1L).
Premier Inn
It’s a quick ride on the tram and I’m out in the dreary English weather before I know it. I am staying at the Premier Inn A23 again. There are several Premier Inns at this airport, and this particular one always seems to be the cheapest when I am booking.
Check-in is strictly at 3pm and not one minute earlier. I also book a time slot for dinner. Up in my basic room, I find some hairs and dirt which thoroughly grosses me out. Oh well, what can you expect for a budget hotel? ($128 CAD)
Dinner proves to be delicious! I order a Spanish beer, because I am quickly informed after I inquire, that there are no British beers available. 🤯🥴 I have been craving french fries (thanks sis), so I order the fish & chips. Oh my, this fish is wonderful, so much meat inside unlike almost every time I order in Canada where I can hardly see any flesh at all. Cost for dinner is £21.59 or $40 CAD. Yikes!!
Gatwick LGW
Back at the airport the next morning, I find the EasyJet check-in and offload my suitcase. Now its through security and into the departure lounges. This is a busy airport, full of shops and eateries. I decide to have a coffee and muffin from Pret, the coffee is good the muffin bland and far overpriced (£3.95). Knowing I won’t be eating again until I land and find some groceries in Cyprus, this is all I can stomach this early.
Gatwick to Paphos
Leaving England, its rainy and grey. The EasyJet experience is friendly and the flight goes along just fine. It’s a bit of a long one, just over four hours so I am able to watch a full movie and edit some photos for the blog. Again, the window seat has blessed me with beautiful views, even if the glass is scratched and covered with frost.
Paphos PFO
This is a small regional airport and easy to navigate. After walking the minute into the arrival’s terminal, it’s a quick stop at customs and then grabbing luggage from the belt. I had half planned to take a taxi into the city centre, as I had read online that the set fee is a flat €20.
However, when I get outside to the taxi stand, the fellas want €50! When I confront them and tell them that no it’s a flat and set rate, they say no. I am half expecting this as it is such a common scam at many airports worldwide. I decide to walk over to the bus stop and see what the sign says there. At least my SIM card from Italy is working here, so I can do a little digging and decide if this is a viable option. And it is.
Paphos
As I am standing at the stop, several other travellers come up and wait as well. We all discuss how the taxi is scamming us and we are now unified in taking the bus. Several taxi men approach us and try to get us to pay, going as low as €40 and then saying €10 for each person if we put 4 people to a car.
We are all stating no thank you. I say to the men the bus is €2, we are happy to take it. Before long a bus pulls up and we all hop on. I am seated next to a lovely lady from England, who is travelling solo for the first time. I am so proud of her.
The ride is just fine, it takes about half an hour and I get off at the Tomb of the Kings bus station. From there it is a 25-minute bag drag along the busy street. I am terribly exhausted, but that’s ok, because I made it in one piece, I’m here.
Readers might remember that I have been to Paphos before, in fact two winters ago I spent a month here. The reasons for this are several but the main one is that while still part of the EU, Cyprus is non-Schengen, which means I can have spent my 90 days in Europe and now am able to spend 90 here if I so wish. Its also warm, a toasty 20 degrees, and sunny and has beaches!! I am a tired, but a happy happy girl today.
