Last day before flying back to Australia. We negotiated a late check-out (2pm) from the hotel.
As our flight departed from Rome at 10pm saturday night, a transfer was arranged for 7pm.
During the day we lazed around the hotel and went to a village near the hotel for lunch and a look around.
Our flight from Rome to Dubai departed a little late. However, time was made up and we arriveded into Dubai close to schedule.
We had close to 5 hours lay-over in Dubai. By the time we cleared security and customs, did some duty-fee shopping, and had a couple of drinks and a feed, the time quickly passed.
Our flight from Dubai departed about 45 minutes late. The 14 hour flight passed quickly - we watched movies and slept - arriving into Brisbane approximately 25 minutes late, about 6.30am Monday morning. We finally cleared security, customs and quarantine and headed for home.
Once home we headed to Bribie Island to collect the 'girls'.
Although it is great to be home with family and friends, we can't believe the trip is over.
Interesting points about our trip:
Total Klm travelled: 43,209
Number of days abroad: 52
Countries visited: United Arab Emirates, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Holland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy.
River cruise locks: 64 changes in height from 2-25 metres.
Climates:
• UAE - very hot and dry (48C)
• UK - overcast & showery (6-21C)
• Amsterdam-Budapest (5-18C)
• Italy
- South warm and sunny (12-24C)
- North overcast to sunny (6-18C)
Highlights - there are too many to chose one highlight of the entire trip, but here are a few special memories:
London - the City of London itself and locating William Julius' grave in Westminster Abbey and spending time with Liza, Aaron & Taggi.
Paris - Champs-Élysées and our walk to the Arc de Triomphe.
UK Panorama (Trafalgar):
Scotland - Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Highlands.
Ireland - Dublin and the Ring of Kerry.
Wales, Cornwall & Devon - the countryside and the views.
Stonehenge - mystical & magical.
River Cruise (APT):
Holland's countryside, Rhine Valley, Salzburg, Mondsee, Vienna including the classical concert at the Albertina Palace. Sitting on our balcony watching numerous castles, palaces, vineyards, amazing scenery and villages pass by and calling in to take a tour of some of the castles, palaces and villages.
Best of Italy (Trafalgar):
Historic Rome - something amazing each time you turned a corner. The Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Colleseum, and the list goes on.... Pompeii, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Lakes Maggiore and Como, Asissi, Pisa.
The local food, beers, wines and entertainment were amazing on each leg of our travels.
The Tour Directors and local guides regaled us with lots of information on each area and it's history.
We met some very lovely travelling companions along the way.
We have had the time of our lives.
We highly recommend Trafalgar Tours, Australia Pacific Tours (APT) and Emirates.