Wed 27 September 2017 We arrived in Venice by VFT (very fast train), speeds up to 250kph at about 2.30pm. Lovely trip. The country side looked so much like Umbria or Tuscany, lovely green fields, occasional vineyards, old stately homes, old, not so stately, farm homes. The train only stopped at four-five stations, Florence being one where two young Kiwi's joined our compartment of four. On arrival we caught water taxi which delivered us right to the small dock...

Cathay Pacific, Business Class, proved an excellent choice. If we were to compare Emirates v Cathay Pacific, I would say, the in-flight bathroom did not provide quite the level of facilities of Emirates. eg no face washers were provided. The lounges pre-flight were both good. Cathay shared Qantas lounge out of Sydney, whilst Emirates have their own. The conversion of seat to bed I found easier on CP but overall, our choice was really based on me not wanting to st...