Planes are Like Bicycles…

Flight #1: Dubrovnik to Rome.

Once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze; kind of…

So in order to get from Dubrovnik to Sydney, it took three planes, sixteen hours of layovers, and two tired travelers.  We woke up at dawn and had our last meal in Dubrovnik ;( and then took a cab to the airport where we hopped on our first plane to Rome.

The flight was a quick one, only a little over an hour, but here’s the rough part – our layover in Rome was TEN hours!  Our initial reaction was a positive one; we’re lucky to get one more tasty meal in Rome!  Well, that quickly backfired after we stored our luggage at the airport (costing us 40 Euro). After walking around for 30 minutes looking for the Metro we discovered there wasn’t one! Nope, Rome does not have a Metro leading to the airport, only taxis and trains. A quick look at the train schedule confirmed it wasn’t an option if we wanted to make our flight (and hang out in the Luxury Lounge for a while).  Not wanting to spend the extra cash on a Taxi we concluded we’ll just check in for our flight early and eat in the airport.  Not so much… Check-ins are only allowed 4 hours prior- we had eight to go.

Thrilled with our meal selection:Mickey D's

I think it was our destiny to eat McDonald’s right out side the airport check-in, as that was our only option left.  We made the best of it though, eating and then finding a spot to sit and read until we were allowed to check-in.

The Private Luxury Lounge (admittance included in our tickets) inside the airport was more like it – plush reclining chairs, a complimentary buffet of hor d’oeruves, and a complimentary full bar.  Now this is the way to travel  On to Flight #2 – Rome to Dubai.

So sleepy after 2 flights in 20 hours!

Once we arrived in Dubai we were exhausted.  The flight was about 5 hours overnight and we were both quite restless.  We arrived in Dubai about 5:00AM where we checked-in for yet another flight and proceeded to the Lounge awaiting our 10:00AM flight.  We both ate some food then I slept while Mike got some work done.  If I could have kept my eyes open and my body moving for one more second, I would have because this Lounge was incredible.  There was a SPA and SHOE SHINER!  And no, I am not kidding!  We definitely could have spent our last 10 hour layover here, with no complaints

Our seats! Notice, the mini screen in the back? It's a touch screen REMOTE for the seat recline, movies, and more!

Our flight from Dubai to Sydney was enjoyable, relaxing, and down-right fun.  It was long, about 13.5 hours, but we could’ve been on it for days.  It was like a flying movie theatre/bar/restaurant/bedroom. We watched about 3 movies each, ate everything that came our way, slept a bit, and lounged in the private bar stationed in the back of the craft.  With the time change and travel, we arrived in Sydney around 7:30AM.

Completely exhausted we caught a cab to our hotel, Quay West Suites, located in The Rocks.  This city already looks beautiful, at least the part I can see through my heavy eyelids. We were obviously WAY early for check-in so we threw on our suits and lounged around the pool until about noon.  Ready to get out and see Sydney, we headed up to our room to change, but then we both fell asleep… for 6 hours!  Oops.

Dinner in Sydney at The Cut

Upon recommendation by the hotel’s Concierge, we dined at The Cut, a magnificently decorated steakhouse (brick walls, open piped ceiling, and butcher knives thrown into the wood as door handles). It was amazing, and we were able to check off “Get Mike an Aussie Steak” from our Sydney check-list.  It was quite a late dinner though, so we headed back to the hotel.  We aren’t quite caught up with the sleeping schedule yet (dinner felt like breakfast), but we’ll get there.

Our only Full day in Sydney tomorrow will be a busy one; lots of ground to cover.

Goodnight Mates!

Bye Bye Old Town Dubrovnik. You'll be missed!

First Flight. Hoping we make it through the day alive.

Flight #3: Dubai to Sydney. Life of Luxury.

Dual Movies. One for him, one for me.

Books, Movies, Beverages.

Opera House and Harbor Bridge. View from our balcony.

Our HUGE living room!

Kitchen and Washer and Dryer

Ready to head to The Cut for some grub

Practicing the 'self-timer' on our camera

Ending the night with Cheesecake. Goodnight all!

 

3 Flights Later and We’ve Arrived in Heaven

From our room!

Boarding another plane with special guest - Sombrero man

I think I’ve conquered my fear of flying… well almost.  Today we took three flights in order to reach our final destination – Dubrovnik, Croatia!  We are here and this place is a dream come true.  Our hotel is to die-for! Our balcony overlooks the town and is right on the water.  We even have a motorized television that comes up from the bed mantel.  We honestly may never leave.

After arriving, we relaxed at our hotel’s bar and terrace where Mike discovered Ozujsko – his new favorite beer.  Then we showered up for dinner and walked a few short minutes to a fun little spot and now we’re calling it a night.  Tomorrow’s agenda – Swimming and Old Town Dubrovnik (and the gym!).  Until then, here’s our day in pictures -

Arriving at FCO Airport (in Rome) at 8 AM and after a 60 Euro Taxi ride - Yikes!

Airport Food

Croatian Snacks?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rising TV

A Very Happy-Hour at our Hotel

Walking (up the stairs) to dinner

View of our hotel from dinner

Goodnight all!!

 

 

 

…Do as the Romans do

In the ruins at the Colosseum

Oops.

Today we got off to a late start. After nearly a week of shuffling about to different sites and monuments, we decided today would be the day we sleep in until 11:00am. We woke up famished, so we hailed a cab and crossed the river to grab some lunch at a place recommended by a friend of mine. Unfortunately it was closed, but luckily we ran into a friendly local that recommended a place nearby for “truly authentic roman cuisine.” She was right, and I enjoyed my pasta so much I decided to take some of it with me… On my white t-shirt!

Vatican

We walked up the path along the river to the Vatican, the home of the Pope and widely-visited headquarters for Catholics all across the globe. The line stretched down the street (WAY more popular than a Justin Beiber concert!) We were in line to purchase Pope-stamps (postage stamps with the Pope’s face on them) for postcards when we got recognized by a young woman from the US.  Pretty crazy getting recognized all the way out here… I wonder if the Pope watched us too?

Audio Tour - these are my favorite!

We took the Rome Metro (by the way, definitely not Sam’s favorite form of transportation) to the Colosseum, which was definitely our favorite monument so far. We picked up a  squawk-box for a self-guided audio-tour of the arena. Nearly 2,000 years ago, gladiators faced lions, bears, and each other in bloody battles to the death to entertain the citizens and royalty of ancient Rome… Just like the modern-day Superbowl, only 170 times a year and with way more fatal injuries.

Before dinner, we sat on our private patio and snacked on olives, cheese, crackers, and salami. All fresh ingredients from the local market around the corner…

The Man and his steak (more like half of a cow)

We celebrated our last meal in Italy at Tullio, a restaurant near our hotel, where we experienced a unique, warm dining atmosphere. The white truffles were rich and flavorful, but I couldn’t resist the urge to order the much-anticipated Bistecca: a giant bone-in T-bone steak (pictured below).

That’s a wrap on Italy. We leave for Croatia bright and early tomorrow morning. But not before another long travel day!

Here’s a sneak peak at more of our last full day in Rome -

Eating among the locals near the Vatican

 

Walking to the Vatican from lunch

In front of the Colosseum

Our Dinner Spot

Last night in Rome

 

When in Rome…

In front of the Pantheon

Train to Roma

We pre-purchased our tickets for the train from Florence to Rome prior to our trip so we could ensure it was set and organized.  Upon getting ready for the day we realized the train was departing an HOUR earlier than we thought.  We assumed we’d miss that train (set to leave in about 30 minutes) because we still had to check out of our hotel and the train station was about a 15 minute walk.  Much to our surprise the train was delayed 5 minutes and was departing as we walked up.  We scurried on to the train, luggage and all as the doors were closing again!  So lucky!

Taking it to the streets

Once we got to Rome we set out to find the Metro Station to take about 4 stops to our hotel (about a half mile).  Well, today was sure full of surprises – the Metro was closed due to a strike!  As a result, the taxi line was basically around the block (and taxi prices were hiked based on the high demand).  So what do you do?!  Well, our luggage got quite acquainted with Rome’s cobblestone streets as we decided to walk!  Mike was a gentleman as usual, took one of my bags. I’m so spoiled, right?

It took a while and we were sweating bullets by the time we reached our hotel – on top of the Spanish Steps!  It is a beautifully located hotel and our room even has a private patio!

After eating lunch, we set out to explore seeing the Pantheon as well at the Piazza Navona and of course Trinita dei Monti (right outside our hotel).  We are excited to do both the Vatican and The Colosseo tomorrow!  Blogging and bed time for us!

My "Holy" Salami for breakfast

Mike likes to make fun of me fore picking the fat pieces from my Salami

Our Balcony at Intercontinental De La Ville

Mike 'planking' in the hotel bed

The Roman 'planking' in front of the Pantheon

Spanish Steps

The turtle centerpiece at our lunch spot

Pantheon

Inside the Pantheon

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona Market

Dinner at a place we found walking