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True story. Our trip to Venice Italy was a very romantic and pleasant one. We didn't take the plane there. Instead we went there by a sleeping train from Budapest Keleti to Venezia Mestre. It was a 14 hours ride crossing the Croatian and Slovenian borders.

All in all, our trip was fantastic. It was just a problem before we started our journey about three weeks before our departure when we encounter an unpleasant booking experience with an internet hotel booking provider called 'booking.com' :((((

If you google any hotels in Europe, you can't missed them. This is the UNFORTUNATE fact :(

I wanted to write about the ethics of this service provider as their business tactics is not something I can tolerate. My story goes like this:-

For two weeks, I was surfing online to look for an accommodation for our Venezia stay. Our first night has been taken care as it has been arranged in Venezia Mestre. It is the second night as we would like to stay in Venice itself.

We placed a booking on 7th March, most of the rooms in Venice are with Twin Room setup, even if they offer Double room, they would just push two beds together, calling it a 'double'. That was one review I have specifically read before pushing the key to book the Double Room with 'Hotel Gabrielli Sandwirth'.

booking1

As you know I was being totally careful about the room details. Immediately in a one minute I received the 'Booking Confirmation' via email. That wrote the price I paid for was for a TWIN room :(

Within minutes, I wrote an email to dispute their confirmation details as follows:-

===
Dear Hotel Manager of Hotel Gabrielli Sandwirth,

I have specifically made a booking for ONE DOUBLE ROOM but this confirmation has indicated 'TWIN ROOM'.
Please make sure we are getting a double room NOT a TWIN room.

Kindly confirm and revert.

Best,
===

I was sure my tone in the email was polite. But to my shocking surprise, nobody from the booking service provider 'Booking.com' nor anyone from the hotel contacted us. It was until the 11th March, when I received a phone called from a man who speaks reasonably good English. He said he is the representative from the booking.com and he started telling me that if I want the double room, it will be prices from 150 Euros to 200 Euros depending if it faces the lagoon or not.
Then he started quoting the prices of those that faces the lagoon but mid way I told him to stop.

I said:''Why are we going through these prices? And may I know what is going on?''

he said: ''Well, the prices are variable and we do not have the room at the price of the twin and by today, this is the price of the Double room booking''

I said:''I have specifically wrote an email that was almost as immediately as I could since I noticed your system error prompting me that I have booked a twin NOT a double room. Now why are we discussing about the new room prices? And why aren't anybody coming forward within the last three days to prompt us about the room availability etc, until today? It's been three days and now you are telling me for double room booking it has to be 150 Euros??!!''

he said:''So what can I do for you, Mdm?''

I said: ''Tell me what is the cancellation charges (if any) for this case?''

He immediately said, ''There is no cancellation charge.'' Upon saying this, he took a breath (as if he knows exactly that I have unveiled their tactic to make potential customers paying extras to top up for a Double room should they insist).

I said:'' ok, then please email us a confirmation that we would like to cancel this order'.

He said: ''ok.'' and hanged up.

Well, this is not the end, the worst was when I see the cancellation confirmation, it was indicated that:-

Reason : She wanted a double room for the same price.

How unethical can this company be? Is this how they train their staffs in customer service? Putting words in this way is really beyond what I can tolerate!!! grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!


So remember, if you really need to book an accommodation online, check carefully and don't fall into the same trap. Following this, I read some feedback that this practice was experienced by other tourists to Venice as well and they were too embarrased being already at the hotel to say no to the extra charges for the double room. (If you want to see with your own eyes, you can go read on tripvisor.com)

This is my bad experience with this 'Booking.com' online hotel reservations
booking2
April 25, 2010 2 comments
warsaw

Warsaw (Polish: Warszawa) is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River roughly 360 kilometers (224 mi) from the Baltic Sea and 300 kilometers (186 mi) from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population as of June 2009 was estimated at 1,711,466, and the Warsaw metropolitan area at approximately 2,785,000.[1] The city area is 516.9 square kilometers (199.6 sq mi), with an agglomeration of 6,100.43 square kilometers (2,355.4 sq mi) (Warsaw Metro Area – Obszar Metropolitalny Warszawy). Warsaw is the 9th largest city in the European Union by population. Warsaw is one of the Alpha Cities.

Warsaw

Warsaw's mixture of architectural styles reflects the turbulent history of the city and country. During WWII, Warsaw was razed to the ground by bombing raids and planned destruction. After liberation, rebuilding began as in other cities of the communist-ruled PRL. Most of the historical buildings were thoroughly reconstructed. However, some of the buildings from the 19th century that had been preserved in reasonably reconstructible form were nonetheless eradicated in the 1950s and 1960s (e.g. Leopold Kronenberg Palace). Mass residential blocks were erected, with basic design typical of Eastern bloc countries.
Public spaces attract heavy investment, so that the city has gained entirely new squares, parks and monuments.

Warsaw
April 18, 2010 No comments
Tata

Tata (Latin: Dotis) is a town in north-western Hungary, Komárom-Esztergom county, 9 km (6 mi) northwest from county seat Tatabánya.

The area has been inhabited since prehistoric times; archaeological findings date back to 50,000 BCE. Later it was a Roman settlement. Tata was first mentioned in 1221. Its castle was built by the Lackfi family and had its prime under Matthias I, who had it rebuilt in Renaissance style.

In 1526 when the disastrous battle with the Turks happened and Louis II died in the battlefield, Count György Cseszneky was the chatelain of the Castle Tata. In the struggle for the throne of Hungary between Voivode John Zapolya and Archduke Ferdinand of Habsburg, he supported Ferdinand's claim. However, when Zápolya's commander Gáspár Ráskai laid siege to the Castle of Tata, Cseszneky unwillingly yielded to the superior force and handed the castle over.

During the Ottoman occupation the castle of Tata was an important fortress. It was captured in 1529 and had lots of different owners in the next decades until it was burnt down by the Habsburgs in retaliation for the Rákóczi's War for Independence. In 1727 Count József Esterházy bought Tata and the surrounding villages. The town prospered, in 1765 it already had a secondary school.

According to the article of the Pallas Lexicon about Tata in 1851 the town was a "pretty and developing village in the Tata district of Komárom comitatus; 895 buildings, 6925 mostly Hungarian residents (3633 Roman Catholics, 2518 Lutherans and 673 Israelites), centre of the district, with secondary school, railway station, post office. Tata and the adjoining village Tóváros (4257 residents) are built around a large lake, Tata on the hillside, Tóváros on the plain. Between them there is the Esterházy mansion and an old castle with archive and gallery incl. a painting of Leonardo da Vinci. The theatre was built in 1889. The mansion is surrounded by the beautiful English garden (140 hectares)."

In 1938 the village Tóváros was annexed to the Tata which was renamed Tatatóváros for a short while; one year later it was named Tata again. It was granted town status in 1954.
April 11, 2010 No comments
Bishkek - Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, formerly Pishpek and Frunze, is the capital and the largest city of Kyrgyzstan. Originally a caravan rest stop (possibly founded by the Sogdians) on one of the branches of the Silk Road through the Tien Shan range, the location was fortified in 1825 by the Uzbek khan of Kokhand with a mud fort.
The Kyrgyz legend says that the place was a burial site of the hero Bishkek, the local Kyrgyz war lord who fought for the Kyrgyz independence in the 18th century.

In 1862, the fort was conquered and razed when Tsarist Russia annexed the area. The site became a Russian garrison and was redeveloped and named "Pishpek" from 1877 onward by the Russian government, which encouraged the settlement of Russian peasants by giving them fertile black soil farms to develop. In 1926, the city became the capital of the newly established Kirghiz ASSR and was renamed "Frunze" after Mikhail Frunze, Lenin's close associate who was born in Bishkek and played key roles during the 1905 and 1917 revolutions and during the Russian civil war of the early 1920s. (wikipedia)
April 09, 2010 No comments
Prague

The Old Jewish Cemetery was established in the first half of the 15th century. Along with the Old-New Synagogue, it is one of the most important hictoric sites in Prague´s Jewish Town. The oldest tombstone, which marks the grave of the poet and scholar Avigdor Karo, dates from the year 1439. Burials took place in the cemetery until 1787. Today it contains some 12,000 tombstones, al though the number of persons buried here is much greater. The cemetery was enlarged a number of times in the past. In spite of this the area did not suffice and earth was brought in to add further layers. It is assumed that the cemetery contains several burial layers placed on top of each other. (more info)
April 05, 2010 No comments
Istanbul

It was a cool moment to catch the sunset there. My trip to Istanbul was a business trip, I have spent 5 days mostly in a hotel but one afternoon I had the opportunity to run out for a walk. Thats when this photo was taken.
April 04, 2010 No comments
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TravelZIN, curated by the passionate traveler Zannnie, stands as a beacon for wanderlust souls searching for their next adventure. This platform is not just a blog; it's a gateway to inspiring destinations, offering readers a glimpse into the beauty and diversity of the world through Zannnie's explorations. With a focus on uncovering the essence of each place, TravelZIN brings to its audience: A Wealth of Inspiration: From the cobblestone streets of ancient cities to the serene landscapes of hidden natural wonders, TravelZIN paints a vivid picture of countless destinations, igniting the wanderlust in every reader. Invaluable Travel Tips and Insights: Zannnie's journeys come with a side of practical advice, covering essential travel tips from budget management to cultural etiquette. These nuggets of wisdom are designed to equip travelers with the knowledge to navigate the globe smoothly. Trustworthy Reviews and Personal Recommendations: Every post on TravelZIN is a testament to Zannnie's honest experiences, offering unbiased reviews and personal recommendations that readers can rely on for planning their travels, ensuring memorable dining, accommodation, and activity choices. Cultural Exploration and Learning: Beyond the surface, TravelZIN delves into the heart of destinations, offering readers cultural insights and educational content that paints a comprehensive picture of local life, history, and traditions, enhancing the depth of travel experiences. A Vibrant Community of Travel Enthusiasts: TravelZIN is not just Zannnie's journey; it's a collective adventure. The blog fosters a community where readers can connect, share stories, and offer advice, making it a hub for travel enthusiasts to come together and share their passion for discovery. TravelZIN is more than a travel blog; it's a source of inspiration, a guide for the curious, and a community for those who seek to explore the vast, beautiful world around us. Join Zannnie and the TravelZIN community on a journey to discover new destinations, embrace diverse cultures, and create unforgettable memories.

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