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!!

 

 

 

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

 

Au Revoir Paris!

Well today was our last day in Paris – on to Florence. Our favorite parts about Paris (besides the food of course) were the boat tour and walking up the Eiffel Tower.  The base of the tower is HUGE and getting to walk up one corner of it was breathtaking – both the view and the stairs! I can assure you Paris will be missed but I’m definitely excited to get to Italy.  I have Italian roots and I think it will feel like home – pasta and wine please!

Transportation #2 of the day

The numerous modes of transportation of today were as follows: Metro in Paris to the train connecting us toward the airport, then a shuttle once at the airport to get to our terminal (which was in BFE) to the plane, then once we landed in Florence we took a taxi to our hotel.  Seven hours later we arrived at The Golden Tower in Firenze.  It was all worth it -our hotel is so ridiculously luxurious! Our room is two stories including two bathrooms, a bedroom, a walk-in closet, and a living room… plus we have access to a full spa!  The photos don’t do it justice but check them out below anyway. So much space for just two people.

"The Florentine Boar"

For dinner we took the concierge’s suggestion and ate at La Bussola where we proceeded to have the best pizza ever – super fresh ingredients that just melted in our mouths.  The Chianti wasn’t too bad either  We were super tired but wanted to walk the city a little since we just arrived.  It was then we discovered the famous il Porcellino (the Florentine Boar)!  Of course we stopped to make a wish and drop a coin or two. If I wasn’t convinced I would love Italy before, I sure am now and we’re only a few hours!

For our first official day in Firenze tomorrow we will tackle Academia Belle Arti, Duomo, and Ponte Vecchio!

Blogging away at the airport

Normal room, right?

Bottom Floor mini bar (full access granted)

There's more... up the stairs...

Living room (which is our blogging and iPad room)

Bathroom #2 - complete with bidet

Cheers to Firenze!

Snout Face

Goodnight!!

 

Airplanes aren’t so bad

I thought I hated flying until this experience!!  Our flippin’ seats had massagers.  Right when we boarded theplane we knew this was going to be a flying experience unlike any we’ve had before (I didn’t even have to take my Xanax).  The seats were huge and reclined into full on beds.  It was like being in our own little cocoon with movies galore and and a wait staff.

Mike immediately took a liking to our little bag of toiletries provided which included socks, a eye mask, a comb, hand lotion and a mini toothbrush and paste.  The staff came over and collected our coats and we were ready for take off!

We were served a three-course dinner and drinks (Ravoili and Bordeaux for me and Chicken and Scotch for Mike).  It was incredible.  Then it was lights out for about 4 or 5 hours.  When we woke up it was breakfast time, which was our favorite meal on the flight.  We both were so happy with everything on our plates we didn’t know which part to eat first!  YUM!

The flight was about 10 hours total so with the time difference we arrived in Paris at 11:10 AM – a bit jet lagged but ready to start our first day in Paris!

 

On our way…

We cannot believe the day is actually here!!  We will wake up in Paris tomorrow!  Crazy. So here’s the itinerary…

September 25 (today) – Paris, France (3 nights)

September 29th – Florence, Italy (4 nights)

October 3rd – Rome, Italy (2 nights)

October 5th – Dubrovnik, Croatia (2 nights)

October 7th – Hvar, Croatia (2 nights)

October 9th – Back to Dubrovnik, Croatia (1 night)

October 10th and 11th – Flying for a really long time

October 12th – Sydney, Australia (2 nights)

October 14th – Port Douglas, Australia (4 nights)

October 18th – San Francisco

Our bags are packed and we’re ready to go.  Packing was quite a feat actually.  We figured out for most of our flights we are allotted ONE fifty pound bag.  I know the girls out there will understand my worry upon discovering this news.  Anyhow, I avoided packing until the very last minute but shockingly fit everything and it still weighs less than Mike’s

We’re all checked in at LAX and we’re hanging out in the VIP Lounge (so spoiled, I know) waiting to board our first flight.  We have a direct flight to Paris.  We are both enjoying the lounging around right now but as usual, I’m nervous for the flight.  I have my Xanax and a glass of wine in hand though so I should be fine.

Paris, here we come!

Mike is most excited for the Australia leg of our trip where we will be going SKYDIVING over the Great Barrier Reef!  Apparently we want to take our ‘adventurous spirits’ to all different countries He’s also really looking forward to snorkeling and trying to convince me to “Swim with the Sharks”.  That just doesn’t sound right to me; only a fool tries to swim with sharks.  Anyhow, hopefully we come back alive and with all of our limbs.

I, on the other hand, am most excited for Croatia.  I am not sure why and have no idea what to expect, but those who have traveled there before tell us to be ready for beautiful scenes and an incredible experience.  I am definitely ready for that.

Wish us a good flight and we’ll catch you on the flip side!!