In the usual course of affairs I wouldn't bother writing about 2 days. Seriously, how much could happen in two days? However, by virtue of being in five countries in said two days (Vietnam, Qatar, Italy, Spain and Portugal), it probably merits a mention, if only to say 4 flights, 3 stops, 3 bags and 'Yay! We're here!' and to mention the weird feeling you get when you're jetlagged and wake up in a dark room only to have literally no idea of where 'here' is.

We waved farewell to Vietnam happily, were probably the first of maybe a dozen people in the Hanoi lounge and while we had a couple of nibbles for breakfast, it was a sub-par offering and we saved ourselves for the Qatar flight(s). Huge fans. Never let us down and we'll always be hugely grateful for them flying us out of Sarajevo when Covid 'got real' on 17 March 2020… Obviously we paid them and the insurance paid us - but at least they were flying (Qantas… not so much).

The flight to Doha was pleasant enough - good food, booze and movies and we arrived early into Doha. Due to a flash new lounge in a new terminal, the excellent lounge we know and love was almost empty - woo hoo! We were able to shower, wash our hair, freshen up completely then hit the sushi and champagne (we take full advantage when the sushi is made to order). Before we knew it, it was time to trundle off and board our second flight of the day, Doha to Rome. It was a different plane configuration and also not a Q-suite (which is a crying shame, as we love those seats) but still comfortable and cosy. We certainly weren't planning dinner when we arrived into Rome at 8 pm - so made sure we worked our way through the assorted menu options once more. It was a long day already and several hours time change by the time we got to Rome, thankfully with just cabin bags (and a spare bag of PJs, amenity kits by Diptyque of Paris and snacks). Immigration was actually a breeze - we whizzed through the e-gates, got a stamp and were in. It was Singaporean in its speed and simplicity.

We eventually got to our 'airport' hotel - 15 minutes from Fiumicino mind and €50 in cab fares - but it is Rome, thus to be expected and even with the fares and the price of the hotel, still significantly cheaper than staying in the hotel at the airport - when it's only 8 hours of actual use, we can economise. Basic as it was, it was a great opportunity to wind down, sort the bags out, have a long, hot shower, pull out the winter clothes for the 4.30 am start and eventually sleep in a comfortable bed. It was getting up time all too soon.

Our pre-booked Roman gangster (sorry… taxi driver) was waiting for us when we trundled out at 4.20 am (early!) and it was off to the airport, straight through security (though there was a horde descending right behind us by the time we were through) and off to the lounge for a wonderful start to the day - coffees, bread, eggs, hash brown - all sorts of regular yummy foods for that time of day. And was that lounge busy! None of the other lounges were open and people were being turned away from the lounge we were in. Lucky we got to the airport that little bit early, through security that little bit early etc.

We were confusing people as we went along on this Grande Voyage because all our boarding passes were on Qatar paper. The lounge lady in Rome was desperate to send us to another lounge - but nope, flying Iberia so that was our lounge. Then when we went to get on the Iberia flight from Rome to Madrid, the Qatar boarding pass was hugely confusing once more - but it scanned perfectly. It was amazing as we broke through the clouds over Rome to see an inspiring sunrise - just incredible. It was only a couple of hours down to Madrid and into another fabulous lounge - we enjoyed the breakfast offering and then they switched to the lunch offering - so many choices. Only a couple of hours break in Madrid, then off for the final leg of the trip - Madrid to Porto - Big trip. Huge.

Finally we arrived in Porto and the three bags were the absolute last three bags out - we were very, very happy indeed to see the brave little travellers roll off the carousel, relatively safe and sound. We took an Uber to the hotel and our Brazilian driver gave us some recommendations - including going over to the Gaia side of the Douro River - and to try the €5 for 5 port tastings - good tip my man.

Via assorted road diversions and road works we finally arrived at the very swish Crowne Plaza Porto. We'd booked using IHG points and due to status they'd upgraded us to a junior suite which was glorious to spread out in. Took a bath, had a nap, woke up in the late afternoon with the alarm blaring and had no idea where we were, at all. Off for a walk. Let Porto begin.