It's Friday morning and the last day of the tour. Yesterday, following our visit to Versailles, we visited the Eiffel Tower. It was bitterly cold up there, but the temperature couldn't dampen the experience of standing up there and looking out over the, arguably, most beautiful city in the world. Adding to the magic was a huge skating rink with many skaters making their way around. And a football game proceeding on a pitch close to the base of the Tower. In t...

Thursday morning and yet another very early start so that we could be the first people through the gates at the palace of Versailles. At least that was the plan! We first of all got stuck in a horrendous traffic jam getting out of Paris. Half an hour late arriving we then find that even if we had bee on time it would not have mattered because somehow our reservation had been cancelled in the system! So instead of starting our visit at 9:05 as planned it was jus...

I started out this morning in Lucerne, and ended the day with a glass of champagne on the Rive Gauche in Paris.. I am so very tired, but looking forward to a full day in Paris tomorrow.

At last! It has taken 63 years, but at last I can finally cross snow off my bucket list. Today we were in the Swiss Alps, on a mountain called Rigi. And the landscape looked like a Xmas card or a picture postcard. The snow was falling and we had a s ow all fight and the children made snow angels. I have never been so cold, but it was so so worth it.

If you are the type of traveller who wants an authentic experience then do yourself an immense favour and try the Hotel Adler Cavalieri in Floence. It was built in the 14th century, and until eight years ago it was a convent. Don't come here looking for glitz and 5 stars. Come looking for charm, elegance, and old world comfort. Yes there is a wellness centre, but there's also many nooks and crannies for a quiet moment. The generous sitting rooms are furnished...