So, it's closer than ever. The Roma Passes are arranged, the car hire sorted from Venice to Florence, accommodation confirmed and tickets prepaid for the Eiffel Tower.
Work is still incredibly busy and we're madly saving every last penny.
It's really starting to hit home now and I'm having trouble sleeping... Between sorting out what needs to be done for work, house tidying and packing plus last minute prep for the kids.
I've found heaps of helpful apps and have been trawling through Instagram photos of all the places we're going too. How did we ever travel before the net??
It's made life soooo much easier.
Anyway, I'm off to brekky at Versace tomorrow for work and best turn in early! Will try and put a few pics up of that too... It's a great hotel! More soon!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Hinterland Visit
So seeing there's still a bit of time to go and we had a lazy Sunday - we decided to head up to Mount Tamborine for the day. It's only a half hour trip from where we live on the Gold Coast and there's heaps to do on a day out.
Our first stop was the Polish Place and we enjoyed strong Polish coffee and hot chocolates there.
A rather large goanna wandered through - startling some of the guests, but was very tame.
It was shedding too so parts of its skin were brown and hanging off showing the lovely black with yellow spots underneath.
It was also perfect weather for hang-gliding and the hilltop next door was covered in gliders all waiting to take off. We stated for around 20 minutes watching them take off and soar over to valley with great views to the West and the Great Dividing Range.
We also stopped at a couple of wineries, did some sampling, visited the glow-worm caves, tried some local cheeses and wandered through Gallery Walk. What a great way to spend a Sunday.
Our first stop was the Polish Place and we enjoyed strong Polish coffee and hot chocolates there.
A rather large goanna wandered through - startling some of the guests, but was very tame.
It was shedding too so parts of its skin were brown and hanging off showing the lovely black with yellow spots underneath.
It was also perfect weather for hang-gliding and the hilltop next door was covered in gliders all waiting to take off. We stated for around 20 minutes watching them take off and soar over to valley with great views to the West and the Great Dividing Range.
We also stopped at a couple of wineries, did some sampling, visited the glow-worm caves, tried some local cheeses and wandered through Gallery Walk. What a great way to spend a Sunday.
1 month remaining!
The London Passes have now arrived and all are stashed in preparation for the trip.
I've looked into it and there's apparently Rome Passes too - not quite as comprehensive but if used properly seem to give some good discounts. Can use for 2 of the dearest entries and then get discounts on the remainder. http://goitaly.about.com/od/romeitaly/qt/rome_pass.htm
As usual, the Trip Advisor crew have plenty of insights and it'll probably be next on my hit list.
Now that it's less than a month to go, it's finally starting to feel like it's happening!
We also realised that we're in Rome for the entire Easter weekend, so I guess it'll be packed - might just have to avoid the Vatican those days - hope the day trips to Pompeii via Naples will still be running!
Have also been trawling through the pics on Instagram (App for iphone) from everyone who's been where we're headed - there's some great captures there - really inspiring stuff. It makes it soooo much more real!
I've looked into it and there's apparently Rome Passes too - not quite as comprehensive but if used properly seem to give some good discounts. Can use for 2 of the dearest entries and then get discounts on the remainder. http://goitaly.about.com/od/romeitaly/qt/rome_pass.htm
As usual, the Trip Advisor crew have plenty of insights and it'll probably be next on my hit list.
Now that it's less than a month to go, it's finally starting to feel like it's happening!
We also realised that we're in Rome for the entire Easter weekend, so I guess it'll be packed - might just have to avoid the Vatican those days - hope the day trips to Pompeii via Naples will still be running!
Have also been trawling through the pics on Instagram (App for iphone) from everyone who's been where we're headed - there's some great captures there - really inspiring stuff. It makes it soooo much more real!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
5 weeks and counting!
So it's 5 weeks to go on Thursday - and work is crazier than ever!
Oh well - I'm thinking of the spending money!
Our Paris Passes have arrived and I've ordered our London passes now.
Seems like everything we want to do in Paris is covered - except the Eiffel Tower. According to all research, it's probably best to book that before we go too - the lines look crazy! Otherwise, I'm sure we'll be satisfied with the view of it from most of the City too. But it'd be a pity not to head up - at least part of the way whilst we're there! Who knows when we'll get back!?
The Louvre, Orsay, Napoleon's Tomb, a cruise on the Seine and Versailles are on the hit list for Paris - and we've booked a photography tour of the City also. Anything else is a bonus. Sounds very touristy - but still excited about it!
Researched up on the London Pass and it also seems to cover off most of what we want. Hampton Court is a definite as is the Tower. We'll be there twice and a day trip to Bath is a must for me. Would love to fit in a trip to the Cotswolds and take in a play also - possibly the Lion King seeing we're taking the kids.
It's all coming together nicely!
Oh well - I'm thinking of the spending money!
Our Paris Passes have arrived and I've ordered our London passes now.
Seems like everything we want to do in Paris is covered - except the Eiffel Tower. According to all research, it's probably best to book that before we go too - the lines look crazy! Otherwise, I'm sure we'll be satisfied with the view of it from most of the City too. But it'd be a pity not to head up - at least part of the way whilst we're there! Who knows when we'll get back!?
The Louvre, Orsay, Napoleon's Tomb, a cruise on the Seine and Versailles are on the hit list for Paris - and we've booked a photography tour of the City also. Anything else is a bonus. Sounds very touristy - but still excited about it!
Researched up on the London Pass and it also seems to cover off most of what we want. Hampton Court is a definite as is the Tower. We'll be there twice and a day trip to Bath is a must for me. Would love to fit in a trip to the Cotswolds and take in a play also - possibly the Lion King seeing we're taking the kids.
It's all coming together nicely!
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