Monthly Archives: March 2020

Chapter Wanderlust II: Hampton by Hilton Berlin City Centre Alexanderplatz

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Continuing on my journey in Berlin, I decided to extend for 2 more nights in the city. While I could have extend at the place where I was staying originally at Hilton Berlin, I thought that I should probably try out some new property, furthermore, the rates are much cheaper at the Hampton. It is also in another area of Berlin. Located at the prime transportation and shopping district, Alexanderplatz. The location of this property is pretty good as well. Furthermore, for those looking to leave Berlin, the direct airport bus stop here as well as easy connections to the main train station. Thankful to the staff at my previous hotel, I stayed in the lounge and check out pretty late. I only went to the Hampton around 8pm in the evening. It is an easy ride away on the UBahn!

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Hilton Berlin

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Immediately after arriving from Hamburg, I took the U Bahn to get to Hilton Berlin. The station is located right outside the hotel. Hilton Berlin is one of the properties in Berlin and it can definitely be said as the flagship one. It is located right in the heart and you can walk to most places. A true 5 star hotel. The museum island is just a short stroll away as is Check Point Charlie and the memorial. Anything further, the U Bahn is right there. The Hilton is also located right outside the Dom opposite, making it super pretty. The exterior is gorgeous and grand as it blends into the surrounding. Berlin is a city of two worlds, the difference between the historical East and West, the blend of skyscrapers and buildings rebuilt after being destroyed by the war as well as the historical ones that remains. Lobby was grand and huge, there is also bell boy service at the entrance. An indicator that this is a true 5 star property. I hate the revolving doors that is so common in Europe.

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Hamburg

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Hamburg, one of the remaining two cities that I would really like to visit in Germany before calling it quits, with the other being Berlin! I have to say that I probably went to Hamburg in the worst possible time. I was there in the hottest day of all time in continental Europe. Right smack in the July 2019 European heat wave. I believe I had rant enough of the weather in my previous couple of posts already. I do have to say that the weather is so detrimental in deciding how much you love the city and your willingness to head out to explore. As a trueborn Singaporean, it is a fact that I love the cooler weather when on the road. To be frank, I struggle with heading out, especially when you literally melt immediately after leaving the hotel. Trust a Singaporean when he says the weather is smoking hot! With that being said, I still checked off Hamburg.

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Reichshof Hamburg, Curio Collection by Hilton

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I am always intrigued by the Curio Collection. Where they are mostly independent hotels with their unique flair but under a management contract with Hiltons. Something like a chain but without the identical identity. Similar brands would be like Marriott Autograph. Then lean more towards SLH style. Previously I had stayed at The Renwick in NYC and was delighted. It is with no doubt that the Reichshof would be another highlight! Each property have their own history and feature. While I love hiltons and conrads it tend to get boring since chains like to keep the style similar! While when you are talking about the Curio Collection, they are significantly unique and yet they give you the same elite benefits as what you will get for example for staying in a Conrad or Hilton. I get points, upgrades as well as complimentary breakfast as a gold members as well. Perhaps the only bad side is there is rarely a lounge. To make it a point, I will go my way out for Curio collections properties. Let me show you how nice the Reichshof is!

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Flix Train Cologne to Hamburg

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This is going to be a rather short post, but a unique one. I am sure the most of you have heard of Flixbus, the king and queen of interbus travels around Europe, especially for those who are on a budget. Flixtrain however seems to be rather unknown, it is a fairly new product and only started in 2018. I have taken way too many rail products around europe to share them here but seeing that this is rather special, I will just like to write a short post to talk about them! Flixtrain is another brainchild from the people behind flixbus. It offers rail products but at a fraction of the prices in comparison to the main rail products. The main competitor would be Deutsche Bahn! Seeing that now they only operate in Germany!

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Hilton Garden Inn Brussels City Centre

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This is my second time back to Brussels. The city that meant a lot to me! I will not be doing another sharing on Brussels itself seeing that I have already done a very in depth one the previous time. You can check that out here. I would however like to share about my stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Brussels City Centre, a fairly new property in the city! I wanted to come back to Brussels even though I have already been here before, given how special it is, I would like to retrace my steps on my trip 2 years ago. Surprisingly, the rates for my stay was super good. Totally unbelievable, the rate is 70 Euros or 105SGD a night for my stay! For Brussels, that is really affordable, might be more worth it than some hostels. Furthermore, I will still be able to earn points and enjoy my benefits.

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Bruges

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The famous setting of the movie In Bruges lies in Bruges, Belgium. An idyllic medieval city that lies to the northwest of Belgium! Bruges have been praised as one of the nicest and prettiest city in the world and often referred to as the Venice of the North! 2 years ago I had plans to come here but it didn’t materialise for some reason. 24 months later, I i finally made it here. Funny enough, I have never watch the movie In Bruges but both an English Girl from London I met on the train over as well as a local lady from Bruges I met in Burg square while resting my legs asked if I had watch the movie! Seems like I should really do so. I would like to share all the pretty places and pictures I took in Bruges. Bruges is easily accessible by train or flixbus, the station is just outside of the city centre. I am also very fortunate to catch an outdoor concert on my first day here and met Stephanie over pictures in Bruges. So lovely to have met her and walk around the city together as well!

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Breda

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This is going to be a fairly short post. I was crashing with a host from Couchsurfing and was in Breda for a day or two, however I did not do much sightseeing since a majority of my time was simply spend chilling with my friend. But I would still want to share a little on this tiny little dutch city that I went before heading to Bruges! Breda is also super small and there are not much sights in particular. However this city is unique since it is very impressive on the shopping side. There is an abundance of stores in the city centre and the shopping district is one of the established one in Netherlands.

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Den Haag

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My favourite Dutch city of all time! Goodbye Amsterdam! Yes! That is right! I said it! I like or love this adorable Den Haag so much more than Amsterdam. It is the best place in Netherlands! And a must visit for everyone! Trust me and I will show you why below! I am so glad that I choose to come here this time around! Located all the way to the north! Against the North Sea lies Den Haag or The Hague in english! This place is well known worldwide for its legal system and being the court of the world where the city is home to the U.N.’s International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. I guess it is also the best jail in the world? Den Haag is a short train ride from Rotterdam! The train station let you out right in the city centre so that is easy enough! The city centre is also compact enough to get around on foot for me with the exception of the beach which is all the way north in the Scheveningen District! For that you would have to rent a bike or take the tram! It is always a great city when you have a friend with you!

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Rotterdam

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The little sister to Amsterdam? Worth coming? It is located roughly about an hour away from Amsterdam lies Rotterdam! All the dams in the world! I really wanted to experience some other Dutch cities besides Amsterdams to get the vibes as well as the way of life of the locals here. After all the main city and probably the most crowded partying capital shouldn’t be the whole representative of the whole country. I have heard some nice things about Rotterdam as well. Rotterdam to me felts like the other quieter sibling to me. Much more subtle, but with some strong values right in the core as well. I was in Rotterdam for 2 days to check it out. Rotterdam is the major port city, it is pretty huge as well. Fully or mostly destroyed during the world wars, it is completely, almostly rebuilt from the ground! Gone are the historical architecture and buildings and it is more of a modern sight which seems way too similar to any other city you have been. You do have to praise their bold modern style. The famous market hall right in the city hub is a good example! The city center is rather compact for tourist and the main central train station is also let you right out in the city center! I will just like to share a little on the place I visited and the thoughts I have on Rotterdam!

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Chapter Wanderlust II: Hilton Rotterdam

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Rotterdam was next up after a night in Lux, this is actually my true destination. After being to the vibrant and way too chaotic Amsterdam 2 years ago, I wanna try out some other Dutch cities to get a feel. Which is why I am checking out the more overlooked Rotterdam, Den Haag and Breda! I found an affordable Flixbus costing me around 20 euros but it will be a long ass ride of more than 6 hours. Thankfully the bus was fairly empty and I met Subin from Lux, having a company for the 6 hours makes the journey so much more bearable. I stayed at the Hilton for my 2 nights in Rotterdam! The Hilton Rotterdam is one of the best in town and an level above most of the hiltons that I have stayed in. A true 5 star hotel in Europe. It is located on the corner of Stadhius, just a short walk away from the central station. It is also right in the heart of the city and you can practically walk anywhere. I never took any transportation at all.

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