I happened to come across these websites, CarHire3000 and RentalCars, while searching for some good prices for car rental in Italy. Prices were really interesting, they weren’t just competitive, they were relatively cheap and they say they they use only these major car rental companies. I was literally shocked seeing the price difference and was sceptical to book with them. Moreover, after some time checking out their prices, I began looking for reviews …. yeah, the internet is great but sometimes it does drive us crazy too and most of the time people only post when they had a negative experience!

So, to give you some details about what I found online, I found all sorts of reviews ….. well, doesn’t mean I found as many good reviews as much as bad; I found all sort of bad reviews  Some said they were overbooked, some said they were given a car inferior to their request, some said they had to wait as the car wasn’t available on the time they ordered it, some never received their voucher, some saying their service is disastrous and the staff were arrogant with them, etc … etc ….. Have to admit, even though I know how these things work, I wasn’t at ease booking with them and in fact took me weeks before I have then decided to book with them but was prepared to anything!

Did the booking, got the confirmation, got as well the name of the company my car was booked with and then waited “eagerly” the day of my trip Well, was happy I was going to do this trip but was concerned about going for the car and find out that something was wrong. Luckily enough, I didn’t really needed a car for the 1st 2 days so decided to book it starting from the 3rd day. The first thing I did, when I got to the country I was visiting, I went to the company I had my booking with, LocAuto, and checked the reservation!

To my surprise, the reservation was there and all was in order Well, wasn’t expecting to have a bad surprise but on the other hand, after reading all what I read online, I was concerned. Left and went back again to collect the car on the day it was booked. Won’t go into detail about my experience with LocAuto in this article, will do that on a seperate one. The only issue I had, and which I suggest you all keep an eye on, is with regards to the extra insurance, to cover the excess …. that, yes, there is some kind of misunderstanding. Apparently, the insurance does cover all with the excpetion of the usual glass, tyres, etc ….. but also doesn’t include theft. This makes a considerably effect on the deposit that is usually blocked on your credit card …… in my case, I had €1000 blocked!

My suggestion would be this ….. this website is worth booking with it but do not take their excess waiver protection, it’s best to take the protection directly from the car rental company you’re booked with before having the car delivered or picked up!

So, let me begin ….. I’m an HSBC customer and lately I used my VISA Debit card online. It wasn’t the first time but I haven’t used this card online, not through paypal, for some time. Apparently, Debit cards are being screened and given extra security to safeguard the client, which I definitely agree with. The problem arose after I didn’t register for this this extra security; I also saw a note saying that if this is not done I might not be able to use the card online another time ……. that is what eventually happened!  I needed to use the card again today and the transaction was declined!

I immediately called HSBC Call Centre in the UK, being a UK card, and told them what my issue was. After they asked me loads of questions, to make sure I’m really the card holder, they immediately confirmed that the card has been stopped until they reconfirm the authenticity of the user and have me registered for this extra Security, known as Verified by VISA. Getting through to HSBC Customer Service didn’t take much time but to get the issue solved was quite a hassle.

After spending around 40 minutes talking with 3 customer service agents, one from authentication, one from customer service and one from the fraud section I was told go to an HSBC branch, with my card and some kind of identification, and ask someone from the same HSBC branch to contact them back as to than continue this never ending proceedure to release the blockage I have on my card and solve this VISA verification issue! I clearly made it a point that I was in Malta and the card account is in the UK. This service agent told me that that was ok, just go to an HSBC branch and that will be ok.

Anyway, grabbed my card, my identity card and went to an HSBC branch as requested. The manager of this branch called customer service again and when inputting my details to get hold of one of the customer service agents we realised that even the entry level codes have been blocked. Anyway, when we finally got hold to an agent, not knowing whether we got in touch with the call centre in Malta, UK, India or in some other country, they again asked loads of details to confirm that the person calling was in fact a true HSBC staff calling from an official branch and after loads of questions, they informed us that an ID Card is not a valid form of Identification for them!!! Yeah, could not believe that! Also, at one time, when the call centre was having fun passing their same colleagues from one department to another, we came across a customer service agent asking the manager where exactly is Malta!!!! This person said “is Malta in the UK?” OMG!!!! Who the hell are these customer service agents? They don’t even know where HSBC have branches? This confirms the theory that HSBC is employing people from 3rd world countries to somehow help its customers but at the same time paying miserable wages!!!!!!

To cut it short, after some arguments, and after having to call them back around 3 times, always from an HSBC branch in Malta, they accepted what we gave them and begin taking care of the issue. Just few minutes after, this agent informed us that they’ve cleared this fraud alert on the card and that I could use the card in just 2 minutes! Wow ….. yeah, that was my reaction! They hang up and the Verification by VISA issue wasn’t solved ….. to be precise it wasn’t even mentioned!!! Yes, incredible and believe me, it was a nightmare! Anyway, not to bother more the manager, I decided to leave the branch, go back and call them to solve this myself.

Arrived back, tried to log on to my internet banking and ….. what do you think happened? My internet banking was stopped too!!! Oh, yes, they’ve resetted all including my access! I called them again and instead of having to solve only the Verified by VISA issue I then had to almost begin all from scratch. After numerous questions to verify again my identification, I again began explaining the story from the very beginning with the hope that at some point in time this would come to an end. If I didn’t specify that I was using the internet banking just a couple hours before, this guy was constantly saying that I need to register for the internet banking!!! What the hell are they employed for? Are they there just to say that HSBC have some idiot customer service personnel in their call centres or they’re there to help their customers? I believe that the answer is the first one!!! I’m sorry to say this but this is the impression I was given today. I’m not saying that everyone is the same but, from the ones I spoke to today, I would say 1 or max 2 knew what they were doing!

Finally, we sorted out the internet banking issue and managed to log on. Next, this agent said that I now need to be transferred on to the fraud department. I’ve informed him that I’ve been in contact with them already 3-4 times and all authentications have been done. Again, this guy said “Sorry Sir, but this is the proceedure!”. Ok, waited for some time and then got back to me saying that the Fraud Department informed him that from their end it was ok and to pass on to the next issue, the VISA Verification thing!

From the UK, or from some other cheap labour country, I was then redirected to Malta and took my call a local girl. Believe me, I was never so happy to hear a familiar voice ……. someone I could clearly understand what she was saying and making you feel you’re literally talking to a customer service agent! This girl checked out a couple of things, went through this verification with me and stayed with me on the phone until I used successfully the card online again!

Nah, don’t know what to say but I have never been disappointed by HSBC as much as I was disappointed today! Sometimes I also think of getting out all my money from them and use some other bank! It was really a disaster …… to know what a disastrous customer service this was let me tell you that even the manager of the branch couldn’t believe what she was going through. This issue took me almost 3hrs to be solved, started around 15:30 / 15:45 and was only sorted around 18:30!!! Unbelievable but true, one would expect that from a bank like HSBC one will get a much better service. I’m not moaning about the staff at the local branch but the call centre staff I was so unlucky to be in touch with were a complete disaster, a pure disappointment. For me they’ve lost all the credibility, they are just looking at making millions at the end of the year and not taking note of their customers! The world might be in a bad situation lately but these big companies are not helping it to get better …. shame on them!

Finding the right accommodation is not easy especially when you’re visiting a city like Rome. The majority look at staying in the city centre and at a reasonably priced hotel but how easy is that? Well, almost impossible! It’s very hard to find an ideal bargain hotel in Rome centre. After numerous trips to Rome I think I managed to find one …… the Hotel Quattro Fontane!

Situated in “via Quattro Fontane”, it is ideally located within few minutes walk from Piazza Barberini, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Pizza del Popolo, Piazza Venezia and Termini Station …… and for those shopping lovers, among others, the famous via del Corso, via Condotti and via Nazionale!

This 30-40 room hotel is in a building of the 700s and has been renovated and furnished in a way to be both classical and modern at the same time. Rooms, compared to other hotels of the same price and standard, are quite spacious. Don’t expect something huge but they’re adequate for the number of persons occupying them. B’fast was good too, with a good choice of bread, croissants, pain chocolat, cereal, eggs, etc …… Something that I feel I must point out was that the hotel also offered Wifi service but at a charge.

Staff was really helpful, even though I felt that they weren’t really informed about what’s going on for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Don’t know if I expected much but I felt that if one had to ask a question about activities being organised on such an important day, they would be informed without having to check. I can’t not mention Gianfranco, the receptionist. He was there ready to help in the best way he could for every our demand. The only time I was a bit disappointed by his answer was when I pointed out that the room was too cold. I’m not someone that usually feels cold but the room, on the 1st night was extremely cold. When I told him this his answer was that the other 34 rooms pointed out that the heating was too high Ok, than maybe I was sick that day ….. the day after I think I was fine as the room felt good than Ah, when I pointed out that the room was cold we were told that we will be given some extra blankets, as much as we want to. We asked for at least 1 extra but it never came. I perfectly understand that the cleaning lady could have mistakenly forgot about it and believe that if we asked again we would have had it, but, as I pointed before, the room was then warm so we didn’t really needed it.

Stayed there for 2nts and had to get back for another 2nts after a week. It was then perfect, a bigger room and with a small terrace …. really appreciated it!

Thanks again for everyone at the hotel that made this stay really nice! Thanks guys!

2011 was also filled with loads of uncertainty, especially with the global crises and the unstability in the Arab World. Unfortunately, we can’t do much to help any of these situations but we still can make an impact. For the crises, let’s all try to limit our buyings to products produced in our own country …. this should give more confidence to the manufacturers to again speed up productions and help to lower more their prices. It will then help generate more business and create again more jobs, or at least open up again the jobs lost during these years. As for the instability in the Arab World, I would say …. let’s do a small effort to help this by getting close to people of other origins and show them that we’re all the same and we all have one aim ….. living in peace even though we’re, in a way or another, different!!!

They’re just small things but nothing is impossible in life! Unfortunately, we do not have much say to impact most of the people in the government ….. with all this crises, the keep on increasing their salaries, traveling in business / club class and some even inprivate jets using our own money etc …… Can’t say much on these, only thing that they deserve to be said is that they do not have morels and that they love living on the nation’s back!!! It’s a shame but, unfortunately, almost all are same, it’s not a matter of one governement or the other, they all look at their own interest!

Guys, wish you, and your loved ones, a great year ahead!

In one of my old articles, I pointed out a really must go-to restaurant but which I was lately disappointed with the kind of service and quality of the food. Thing is that it wasn’t just a one off experience so this made me believe it was not just a coincidence. Anyway, this time I want to share with you my experience at this other restaurant, which is close to the one I just mentioned.

I was again in Marseille last October and chose to dine at the Les Mouettes Restaurant. Well, to be precise, I wasn’t really looking at dining there but just felt like having something good for dessert and was looking for a good crepes. So I decided to try it out. Setup was good and the first impression was good too. It was still bit early evening so most of the waiters/waitresses were still preparing for dinner. However, the place was open just the same and was serving light snacks, coffee, dessert, etc …

After my bad experience at this other restaurant, namely Equinox, I’m always looking at some other places to substitute it and make up for the disappointment. I’m a crepes lover so won’t stop looking for something before I manage to find someone that can at least prepare them as good as the other used to do once!

So, to begin with, I sat down outside and waited for someone to come and check what I wanted …… nothing, a waiter passed a number of times but never stopped to check what I wanted. At one time, a man with his child came over and stayed there waiting too. After some time, he decided to get up and go to the bar to order. In just a couple of minutes, the waited came with the order and left again, without checking on me!!! After approx 5 minutes, I got fed up and went to the bar too. As soon as I arrived and tried to order, the barman asked me to go back to my place as the waiter will come over …. yeah, was getting bit frustrated!

To cut it short, then the waiter came and order a Crepes, a Volcan! It didn’t take much long to get it than and looked ……. normal. It was ok but still can’t compete to what I used to have at this other restaurant. It’s a pity that the owners of this other place doesn’t bother much about this change!

If I had to go again and have a crepes at the Les Mouettes Restaurant in Marseille? No, I won’t … not worth the money for me!

Based on the regular statistics that are being carried out throughout the year, it’s getting more and more common to see an increase in the number of purchasing online, be it clothes, household goods, electronics, etc … etc … In 2010, some statistics showed that among the top 10 that did best with online shopping were Amazon UK, Argos, Play.com, Apple Computers, Tesco.com, Amazon.com, Marks & Spencer, Next, Tesco Direct and EasyJet. Definitely these companies can’t moan on the business they’re generating!

Until just few years ago, we used to be afraid when we hear that a competitor is opening a shop close to ours but, in today’s world, it’s like we’re all in 1 street …. distance isn’t an issue anymore, we’re all at risk. Today, all what is important is your presense online …. just that. We could be selling the same product thousands of miles away from each other and still being competitors!

It’s interesting to hear your views on this and how you’re making your decisions of where to buy from!

- Are you still going round the shops in your locality?
- Are you using your local shops just to check properly the sizes and then buying the same item online?
- Are you comparing prices between your local stores and the internet?
- Are you just comparing prices online?
- What is making you buy from one supplier rather than another?
- Have you ever been mislead when buying online?
- Are you getting a better service when buying online rather than when you buy from your local shop?

It would be nice to hear the views of both the businessman and the customer!

HTC is nowadays one of the most popular mobile phone makes on the planet, offering it’s customers some of the best operating systems presently available, Windows and Android. I’ve had an HTC for this last approx 5yrs and have never had a big issue that will not make me buy another HTC again. To the contrary, whenever i think of changing it, I do check what HTC has first, before even checking Blackberry, Iphone, Nokia, etc …..

I’ve had 2 HTCs so far, the Touch Cruise, with a Win 6 OS, and now, for this last year, I have the Wildfire too, this time with an Android OS. Based on my personal experience, until today, I still prefer the Win one, mainly cause of the problems the Android is giving me. There isn’t much that is annoying me but this single issue is really annoying!

Since when I brought this model, I’ve been having regular problems with it ….. while using some of it’s programs, mail, internet, photos, etc …… it gets stuck and, after a while, a message comes up saying “HTC Sense is not responding”. Options are then to “Force Close” or “Wait”!

The first time I took it to the shop I bought it from, been told to download the latest software …… problem was that all updates have been downloaded. Checked online and found out that there were a number of people experiencing my same problems but no one really came up with a solution. I was today, again, close to the company I got it from, Vodafone Malta, and finally I think I found someone who showed he had a better idea of what the issue might be.

According to this guy, I had to completely format its software and reinstall all from scratch as, according to him, it was just some kind of corrupted software. I’ll try this out and will then update you accordingly. Will let you know if it’s now ok and, if it is, will also share with you how this format has been done!

Has anyone of you came across this same problem on his phone?

The gallery is definitely a must go to place, it’s something incredible, really nice and there’s a very special atmosphere, I love it! I definitely recommend a visit. Inside the Gallery itself, there’s a number of restaurants and coffee shops and not all do have exorbitant prices, so don’t be afraid of the quality of such places, you might be surprised to find some that offer meals for quite competitive prices.

Even though I do love the Gallery, I like to try and like to look for some good value for restaurants too Last time I was there I went to eat in the road taking you to the “Castello Sforzesco”, namely Via Dante. I love this road too! It’s a wide pedestrian road with a number of restaurants, and coffee shops on 1 side of it and on the other something for the girls …… yes, a good number of shops selling shoes, clothes etc …..

I tried 2 restaurants / coffee shops this time and was impressed both positively and negatively. First time I tried this restaurant called AutoGrill. Well, to be honest I know AutoGrill a bit different than this but this is what there was written on the receipt that I was given. Service? Well, food was ok, can’t say wow, but what I was really disappointed with was the service. I was first given a glass with lipstick still on and the 2nd glass I was given had some kind of small black ashes. I had “Torchietti Pesto” ….. pasta was good and al dente but expected bit more taste in it. Price was ok too, € 9.00 for the pasta and € 3.00 for a very small bottle of water. Yeah, the water was bit expensive but you’re eating out, thus can’t expect to buy it for the same price one would buy it in a supermarket!

The 2nd restaurant I tried was the Caffe’ Milano. I noticed this place while searching for a place to eat in the 1st time but the place looked more of a Coffee Shop rather than a restaurant. What attracted me to this place was the Tiramisu desert that was displayed in this fridge just next to the front door. I made it a point that after having my meal I would go and buy one from this place I did so and I wasn’t disappointed …… it was really good! However, while waiting to pay for it, I noticed that they had another Tiramisu but sold in portions and on site. This particular one looked even better than the one I had. Anyway, took this take away one and left. The day after, I decided to eat at this same place where I had bought this Tiramisu. Ordered a pizza, reasonably priced and quite good too, even though I wasn’t so much impressed, and, as a desert I ordered this home-made Tiramisu. Believe me, it was fantastic ……….. I doubt I ever tasted a Tiramisu as good as this one in my life!!! Price? Well, the take away Tiramisu was priced at € 4.50, which was, in my opinion, already expensive and the home-made one was, if I’m not mistaken, approx the same price. I would surely be ready to pay again that price for something which is so mouth-watering Staff at this place was great too ….. smart, smiling and there ready to serve you!

If you’re in / going to Milan and you’re next to this place DO go to the Caffe Milan and taste this Tiramisu …… then let me know whether this has been one of the best “Tiramisu” you ever tasted too!!

Getting to the hotel is quite easy, from Milan Linate Airport. One can either make use of one of the taxis outside the airport or benefit from the free shuttle service of the hotel. In theory, there should be a shuttle, every 20 minutes, between 06:00 and 10:00 and the remaining hours on request. However, I suggest you always hold on to their contact number and call them as soon as you pick up your luggage. Pick-up is usually at the Departures Area Exit 4.

The hotel itself is quite ok, however, being a 4 Star Hotel I wasn’t that much impressed. The picture above shows a sample of a Superior Room. Don’t take me wrong, it’s spacious, modern and clean but I’ve stayed in much better Superior Rooms in other 4 Stars around Europe. It’s just that in my opinion is a bit basic. Having said that, it did had all the amenities one would expect from such a standard of accommodation, that is tea / coffee making facilites, minibar and a safe.

Breakfast, although in my opinion was bit expensive, was quite good. There was a good choice of hot and cold items, such as fresh fruit, cereals, eggs, bacon, sausages, bread, yogurts, juices tea and coffee. What I was impressed with was that one could also have a Nespresso! Yeah, a Nespresso ….. at least this made me accept a bit why the b’fast was offered for € 14.00!

The hotel is well equipped and one can find a fitness centre, swimming pool,  restaurant, pub/lounge, coffee shop, a recreation area, which I only didn’t like the place since it’s just in the reception area, a meeting room and a business centre.

Its location is ok but is obviously not in the city centre. It’s approximately 30 minutes tram journey away from the Duomo and the only drawback is that you’re lucky if you’ll find a tram that is equipped, or maybe I better say that the conductor is willing to use, the audio system to point out the stop you’re in and the next one. Luckily enough, the 1st tram I took had these notifications on but nothing else from thereon. I was in Milan before so had an vague idea of the places, thus could easily realise we were close to the centre. The only issue was to go back to the hotel, after sunset. There was no announcements, I couldn’t see the names of the stations, since they’re not lit, and there’s no way one can find a detailed sheet with the bus stops. I than took a photo of the sign post at one of the stations, at least I could see how many stops I have left before I eventually ring the bell to stop

Going back to the airport, I planned to take one of the “scheduled” shuttle service organised at the hotel. As soon as I got to the reception, I informed them that I will be taking the one leaving after 5-7 minutes ….. and was obviously said ok! I waited for around 15 but nothing, they didn’t call me and the van was still parked outside, so it wasn’t an issue of having left without me. When I went to ask them again at what time the shuttle would leave they told me there’s on in around 10mins …. yeah, ok!!!! That meant that they decided not to do the one I was supposed to go with. After telling them that there was supposed to be one already around 10 minutes before, they than asked someone to do the shuttle for me! At least I got the service immediately than!

On the whole, yes, I surely recommend this hotel and would for sure stay there again should I require something close to the airport. Forgot one thing, staff was really helpful!

When I’m abroad, I always look at trying out new typical local food but sometimes I do feel like having something normal, something that I can enjoy, starting from the 1st bite till the last  ….. and so I did last time I was in Marseille. I went to the “La Canebiere” and I began looking for a good normal restaurant. In one of the side streets I came across a small restaurant, can almost say a Pizzeria, and the name was Le Venezia! Ever passed by a restaurant and had the feeling of being a simple family run one? This was the case. The setting was really basic, just few table inside, maybe 3 or 4 outside and just opposite the door a wood fire pizza oven!!! That was it! I immediately decided to try it out!

The pizza menu was quite vast and I decided to try an “Italienne”, mainly with parmesan shavings and rucola. I always like to add something to a pizza and, when the guy came to take my order I’ve ordered some other kind of cheese. His answer was, NO Ok  He was then explaining that it was already good how it was and was not worth changing the taste. I decided to trust him and went on taking the standard ingredients.

Pizza came just after a couple of minutes and, believe me, it was absolutely great!! The pizza was packed with ingredients and typical Italian style. The base was delicious, crunchy and thin, just like a traditional Italian one! I’ve enjoyed it till the very last piece and will surely go back there next time I’m again in Marseille!!

For those who would like to try it out, this restaurant, as I mentioned before is “Le Venezia” and is situation in Rue Pytheas, 13001 Marseille. They can also be contacted on +33 (0)6 42 44 74 19. Check it out and then post your comments here!!