We took four weeks annual leave in April, staying in a glorious apartment on 29th floor, directly overlooking Surfers Paradise beach.

Planning a trip is always exciting for me and so I have been "googling" all over the place as I de-stress, relax, unwind and re-energise myself. This wonderful view aids all the above!

Stand by for updates....cheers, Sue

15 May 2017 + days

This week we have sorted dates, shuffled destinations along the way for easier travel and settled on our itinerary.

Things, like excursions we would like to do dictated when/where we had to be. We realised we are travelling late in Europe's tourist season so many of the excursions we would have like to do are finished for the year.

However, we did manage to get the last of the Swiss Alps Bernina Express Train Tour out of Milan (day trip) and we did manage to get one of the last "cooking classes" whilst staying in Lake Como, plus "gastronomy walking tour" in Lyon so they will be fun things.

The cruise dates locked in the time we needed to be in Venice, so that dictated the beginning of our trip.

We chose this time to fly Cathay Pacific, just for a change from Emirates and the uneasy feeling I have flying into Arab countries. We can't fault Emirate's service or planes and the perks they include, like driver pickup to/from airports however it has always been tinged with anxiety as we fly over Arab countries. We have never flown Cathay before so here's another first! Now Qantas has changed their route, who knows we may try Qantas next time!!