A calm place , just right for a timeout, January 4, 2004
Reviewer:
Günther
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Arriving by train, dont be mislead by the station's name Cervignano-Aquileia. The train line to Aquileia has been abandoned for several decades. Buy a bus ticket at the train station (you can't buy them in the bus!) and take the 15 minutes ride to Aquileia. I never arrived to understand Italian timetables, which are full of exceptions for high and off seasons, red letter days and school holidays. So ask a local before you wait for a long time!The hostel is a very quiet and clean place although it has the cool charm of a Cold War airbase with white undecorated walls, metal furniture, neon lights and fire extinguishers dominating the picture. Concerning breakfast I advise to bring your own stuff as the hostel's supply is surely sufficient in amount but resembles a bit K rations for "tourists in action". ;-) The staff however is very kind and helpful and always accessible for questions.Nowadays nothing is left of Aquileia's former busy character of an ancient metropolis, but if you look for the sense of life between roman ruins you are at the right place. Especially when sitting on the historic main square on New Year's Eve (as I did) you get a good share of lonesomeness. Worthwhile day visits in the surrounding are Grado and for people interested in star shaped towns, Palmanova. And then of course there's Venice!
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(Review ID: 7258)
Lovely Place, October 19, 2003
Reviewer:
Ann-Marie
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It's not the type of place one would rave over. But it was lovely all the same. The hostel was clean, friendly staff, plenty of info about buses etc. The brekkie was the best I got in Itlay apart from my final day in Rome. Coffee, juice, biscotti, croissants/cornettos, jam. Lovely. The town itself doesn't have much for the younger tourist/students. But it is however, a ncie way to start your trip if you don't want to get thrown into a huge city on the first day. It gives you some breathing space to get to understand the people and how the transport system works, few things like that.Oh the Spar shop was amazing. So CHeeaaaaaapp!!!!! My friends and I loved it. We went there every morning and stocked up for the day. You have to try something different everyday, salamis, cheeses, breads. And the fruit was amazing! Over all I liked the hostel, clean, dry, nice food, nice staff, sheets, bathroom, all you could want really, just no night life.
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(Review ID: 7259)
Relax and unwind!, September 24, 2003
Reviewer:
Mary
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Aquileia is easy to get to from the airport at Trieste the buses go frequently, only taking 30 mins, and Domus Augusta is a 5 min walk from the bus stop, right in the town. The Hostel is clean and the staff are friendly and understand English well. The rooms are lovely and we got our own private bathroom included in the 13euro price. The breakfast is generous with juice and pastries, etc. You can get a meal here too but the restaurants around are much nicer. Aquileia is a nice town, with friendly people, but a bit dead for us students, The 11.30 curfew isn't a problem cos there isn't much going on in the town anyway and not many other travellers around. After 3 days we were ready for somewhere with a bit more life.The shop DeSpar at the end of the town is dirt cheap. In general everything is cheap because its off the tourist trail. Trieste is an hour on the train from Cervignano, which is 15 mins on the bus from Aquilia. Its an average provincial city but quite pleasant with nice scenery. The Beach resort of Grado is 20 mins from Aquileia on the bus. Its ok, there are much better beaches in Italy which dont cost E3.50 to get into.All in all, Domus Augusta is lovely worth staying at.
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(Review ID: 7260)
Very clean, friendly & excellent value., March 19, 2003
Reviewer:
Brian Wade
( mrbrianwade@yahoo.co.uk)
from Manchester, UK
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An excellent location for visiting the North East of Italy. We flew in with Ryanair to Trieste, hostel is only 20 minutes away by taxi and has good links to the local train station (mainline to Trieste & Venice).Also a good bus link to the beach resort of Grado.Aquilliea has excellent Roman ruins & breathtaking mosaic floors in the local basilica. Well worth spending a day in town to visit the local sights. Hostel is clean & Elena ( administrator) has good local knowledge & very helpful.Would reccommend to all.
