European Discoverer ~ June & July 2007 ~ NZ Nurse

June 10 2007: Left Wellington at 2.05pm on flt 438 bound for Auckland. After a 1hr flight we landed, collected our bags and caught the shuttle to Rydges Hotel. Weather a wee bit damp.

June 11 2007: A lovely sunny day. Left Auckland at 5.55pm onboard flt EK407 bound for Dubai. We had a lovely dinner of lamb entree, steamed fish, veges and salad for main, cheesecake mousse for dessert, cracker and cheese, along with drinks. Arrived in Mellbourne at 7.40pm (Aus time). Went to the transit lounge for refreshments. We left Melbourne at 9.30pm for Dubai. Funny things happen when you change time zones.....Dinner again....Asian chicken salad entree, braised beef, mushrooms and veges or a seafood casserole for main, white and dark chocolate mousse with fruit for dessert, cheese and crackers, and drinks. Not a bad flight. Just a few bumps as we flew over Sri Lanka and over the Arabian Gulf. Managed a couple of short naps only. Whenever I was awake fluids were provided and I was also given a lovely chicken wrap to eat. All this food and drink in the middle of the night!! A cooked breaky was provided 2 hours out from Dubai. Omlette, fresh fruit, roll, croissant, museli bar, juice tea and coffee. All these meals were preceded by warm face towels to freshen up with. A beautiful sunrise could be seen outside.

June 12. Arrived at Dubai at 5.15am (1.15pm NZ time) Hot on arrival. 30+ degrees. We got through immigration and customs quickly, got a taxi and arrived at the Oasis Hotel at 6.30am. Our room was available which was lovely. We dropped our bags and went down to the beach. We went for a swim in the sea at 7am. The water was like a hot bath. We went back to the room and had a bit of quiet time before meeting the rep from Arabian tours. We booked a trip for tomorrow afternoon. We then headed off to the Mall of the Emirates via the free hotel shuttle bus. What a HUGE place with indoor skiing. We returned to the hotel after 3 hours. Had a swim in the pool. Dinner was in the Singapore restaurant then off for an early night.

June 13. After breakfast we went for a stroll down to the beach. There I was able to take a camel ride up and down the beach. That was fun especially getting on and off. I did however feel safer than when on a horse. We then headed off to the Gold and Diamond Park. Found Cara Jewellers. I got a lovely 3 diamond ring. We spent a little time looking around before the store person took us back to the hot in time for our 2.30 pickup by Arabian Adventures. We did the City Merchants Tour. First stop was outside Burj Al Arab. Next we went to Jumeirah Mosque then stopped at the merchants homes with win towers in Bastaliya. Very hot...45 degrees. Then it was on to the Dubai Museum. Most of this has been made underground with air conditioning. Very interesting. We then crossed Dubai Creek which was bigger in places than the Hutt River at home. It was full of abras, the traditional water taxi and trading vessel. Once across we walked a short distance to the spice souk. The aromas were incredible but too hot for me. We then walked on to the gold souk. 3 streets and many smaller alleys with just gold shops, 18, 22 and 23 carat. Went in a few and that is where we learnt the art of haggling. You go on to the next shop if the first does not give you a good deal. Alan got a gold puzzle ring and I bought 2 gold bangles for our 2 daughters. The tour only had ½ an hour there so we elected to make our own way back to the hotel after browsing some more. A bit of a scary place at first but you get used to it. Men everywhere wanting to sell you something, beckening us into their shops. After about 2 ½ hours we went back to the hotel. for dinner. After dinner we walked down to the beach. Still very warm with high humidity.

Take taxis everywhere. They are very cheap and air conditioned and there is not a lot of other public transport. Each taxi ride cost on average 30 dhm (approx $12NZ) Traffic chaotic at night. 7 lane highways at 120km/hr with driver crossing in and out of lanes.

June 14. After breaky took a taxi to Karama. It is in the older part of Dubai. Once again small shops with watches, bags, sunglasses etc. Men calling at you to come inside. We located the 2 shops I was looking for. Once inside they approach and you say what you are looking for. They then take you into hidden rooms to view the fake goods. Very good quality fakes they are too but it is supposed to be illegal. Very hot again. We then went back to the hotel at 12 noon and went for a swim. Swam up to the pool side bar and had a fruit cocktail. At 2.15pm we got a taxi to the Burj Al Arab (7* hotel shaped like a huge sail) for afternoon tea. 24Ct gold everywhere, walls, doors, lifts and even the plug in the bathroom. We went up to the 27th floor to the Skyview room for our afternoon tea. Fab views. Unlimited lattes, sandwiches, cakes, scones. We were there 2 hours. There is a seafood restaurant below water level with hundreds of fish swimming around. We then left there and took a taxi to another mall. It was divided into different sections: Chinese, Indian, Persian, Egyption, and Turkish. Fantastic place. We didn't need dinner so we walked around before taking a taxi back to the hotel. We went out and took night photos from the front of the hotel. Oasis Beach Hotel was lovely. Shame they are going to pull it down and build a new highrise. Our 2nd floor room had a lovely balcony that over looked the pool and sea. We could even see some of the construction of the Palm island.

Long flight to Dubai but what a place to visit. Yes it is one big construction zone but that doesn't bother anyone. They have a great infrastructure to travelling around is easy and the taxis are really cheap. Lovely friendly people and the shopping is great. Shops open at 10am and most stay open until 10pm or midnight. Enjoyed our 3 1/2 days there.

June 15. We were picked up at 6.45am for our ride to the airport. An accident slowed our travel but made it in plenty of time. There seemed like thousands of people checking in for various flights. It was not that well sign posted. It was go into building through a hole in a wall. Lift cases onto a conveyer to go through into an xray. Walk through screen. Collects bags. Get lost amongst all the people. Find checkin across the other side of the huge terminal. Check in then walk through to security for screening. Take the travellator way along the corridor. Clear customs then walk into the huge new terminal. Shops and lounges for miles. We waited for our gate to open and then checked through easily. Boarded and waited. A passenger had become unwell so had to be offloaded. We departed Dubai at 1030am. We flew over the UAE, Saudi Arabia along the Iraqi Freezone, Syria, Jordan, Turkey and the Black Sea, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the English Channel and into Heathrow landing at 2.30 Eng time. No problems with immigration or customs. We were met by Sheila and Mike who would drive us the short 30-40 minute drive to their home in Marlow. A pretty town on the banks of the Thames not too far from Windsor. Had coffee and a chat then dinner and before long we were ready for bed. England is 3 hours behind Dubai. Weather in Marlow overcast with a couple of light showers.

June 16. Awake at 4.15am. Cloudy. Went for a wee walk around the neighbourhood at 6am. After a big English cooked breaky we went off to the Marlow rowing regatta at 11/30am. Everyone dressed to the nines. We went for a walk into the town and looked around the quaint shops. Got back at 4pm. Dinner and bed.

June 17. Sheila and Mike had organised a family reunion bash at their place. Sheila's kids, her brothers and their families etc. Lovely dinner outside around the pool.

June 18. Drizzly again. Off to Stonehenge this morning. Not as big as I thought it might be. Then on to Bath. Bath has lovely bathstone buildings. We drove around the Royal Crescent and the Circus, down Milson St. Prior to this we had a lovely pub lunch at the Red Lion in Avebury.

June 19. Off to “Dibley”. Arrived at the picturesque village of Turville where the Vicar of Dibley is filmed. Had a pub lunch. Enroute there we stopped at Chinnor where Mike works on the steam trains. Headed back to Marlow. We left Marlow at 2.30pm with Sheila and Mike driving us to the Jurys Inn, Chelsea, which is the start hotel for our European Discover Tour which starts June 20. We arrived at the hotel at 3.30pm. A hot sunny day.

London to Paris 20 June: Up early (5.15am) and gathered our packed breaky at 6am. All aboard for the trip to Dover. 44 tourists in total. TD Charlie and driver Ivan. Lovely flat crossing to Calais. It took 1 1/2 hours to cross the channel. Arrived at our Paris hotel, The Apogia, at 6pm. Very warm with temps in low 30's. We had an orientation tour of Paris and had dinner on the Champs Elysee. We then went up the Eiffel Tower and caught the beautiful lights of Paris. Arrived back to the hotel at midnight.

21 June: We had a further orientation tour of Paris with local guide Jaqueline including a visit to the Louvre. Saw Mona Lisa. She's not as big as I thought. In fact quite small.We then went to Versailles and toured the palace and gardens. This was home to Kings Louis 13, 14 & 15. Also Marie Antoinette's Estate. Fab frescos and paintings. Immaculate gardens. It was then back to the hotel. That evening we went to the La Nouvelle Eve cabaret show. That was great.

Paris to Bordeaux 22 June: Up at 6am for our trip to Bordeaux, left at 8.50am stopping at Orlean for morning tea at 9.40am. We left there at 10.10am. We stopped at 1.10pm at an autogrill at Poiters for lunch. We left there at 2pm. Arrived in Cognac at 3.45pm for a tour of the cognac museum and tasting...yumm..Arrived at the Ibis Hotel in Bordeaux at 7.30pm. Group dinner at 8.15pm in a French restaurant. Arrived back at the hotel at 10.15pm. Still warm outside.

Bordeaux to Pamplona 23 June: Another early start. Up at 6am for our 7.45am departure. We arrived at Biarritz at 10.15am. This is a lovely seaside town. After wandering for a while we left at 12 noon enroute to Spain. We crossed the French/Spanish border at 12.35pm. We arrived at the foot of the Pyrienees at 1.30pm. After a 3/4hr break we were on the road again arriving at the Abba Reino de Navara Hotel in Pamplona at 2.50pm. Temperatures getting higher. Now mid 30's. We went off on our own to explore while most of our travel companions went on an optional to the bull ring. Lovely place except we were caught in a bomb scare and were ushered away from the scene. Thankfully it was a hoax which, as we were told later, is quite a regular occurance. We didn't feel worried though. We arrived back at the hotel at 7.30pm. Dinner that evening at our hotel at 8.30pm.

Pamplona to Madrid 24 June: Set off at 8.30am enroute to Madrid stopping at 10.30am for a ½ hour morning tea break. We arrived in Segovia at 2.40pm. This was our lunch stop. We walked around the old town with its huge cathedral and castle. Nice place for a good break. Lovely people in a town which was equally lovely. We left there at 4pm and arrived at the Novotel Puente Hotel in Madrid at 5.15pm. Very warm day. Love the heat. We did our washing and went for a swim. We went out for dinner at 7pm and on to see the fountains of which most were turned off so that was a shame. I am slowly getting used to having dinner later than at home.

25 June: After breaky we left the hotel at 8.45am for our orientation tour of Madrid. We then carried on with the optional to Toledo arriving there at 12 noon. We had a tour of the town including the Cathedral and watched gold products being made. Bought a sword our sons collection. Enjoyed this town too leaving at 3pm. On our return at 3.50pm we went independently into the city of Madrid and wandered around before catching public bus back to the hotel at 6pm. We had a drink and a wee swim before dinner at the hotel at 9pm!!!. After a lovely evening bed called at 12 midnight.

Madrid to Barcelona 26 June: Yep, another early rise 6.15am and yes hot again, but bearable. We left the hotel at 7.45am and after a ¾ lunch break and 2 coffee/comfort stops we arrived at the Abba Garden Hotel in Barcelona at 4.30pm. Went for a swim then had dinner as a group in the hotel.

27 June: Orientation tour of Barcelona seeing Gaudi's designed church the Sagrada Familia amongst other sites. Had time to wander so went through La Rambler and a few shops stopping for some lunch. Following this we took the optional to Monserrat. Lovely views from up around the monastry. We arrived back at the hotel at 5pm. That night we took the optional Spanish dinner and Flamenco show which was lovely.

Barcelona to Nice 28 June: Left our hotel at 7.50am bound for Nice. We went a short distance back to Cannes. Wow there is some money there. We had a quick look around the city stopping to stand on the red carpet used for the Cannes film festival. Arrived at our Nice hotel The Apogia at 7.30. We went out as a group to a restaurant round the corner for dinner which was ok.

29 June: We decided not to do the optionals today instead taking time out. We caught a little tourist train for a short tour before lying and swimming on the beach. Bliss...Dinner out again at another local restaurant. Boy are we spoilt with all our good weather and lovely temperatures.

Nice to Montecatini via Monte Carlo and Pisa 30 June: Off again at 7.45am stopping in Monaco and Monte Carlo and wandering around and yes another great weather day. Passports stamped. Then it was on to Pisa. Getting hotter now. Can now say been there, seen it and tried to hold it up for the obligatory photo shoot. Arrived safely at Hotel Ariston in time for a lovely dinner together.

Montecatini to Rome 1 July: Off again by 8am. Started by looking around Signoria Square. On to Rome stopping enroute for breaks. Arrived in Rome at 3.30pm. After going to our hotel, Hotel American Place, and doing a wash, we set out to see Plaza Navona and having some dinner there arriving back at the hotel at 10.30pm.

2 July: Up early and off to the Vatican and St Peter's Basilica. Spent most of the morning there before going to the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Pathenon and drive around the city. Found the Colosseum quite a spiritual experience for some reason. We went back to the hotel for a short while before going out as a group (optional) for dinner at an Italian restaurant. It was lovely. Yep got my Italian pinch, kiss and a rose. From there we went to Trevoli fountain before heading back to the hotel arriving at 10.30pm.

Rome to Bay of Naples 3 July: Left Rome behind at 8am arriving at Naples at 10.50am. We dropped the people off who were going to the Isle of Capri. I didn't go as not feeling the best (bit overwhelmed by the crowds and Capri gets very busy) but hubby went and thoroughly enjoyed it. He said it was not too crowded so I would proably have been ok. The rest of us went on to the hotel, Hotel Parco. A few of us (9) wandered out to see the local area and get a bite to eat. Nothing much around though so had lunch back at the hotel. The shops shut at 1pm and reopen at 4.30pm. We had great views of Mt Vesuvius and across the Bay of Naples. We all gathered for our evening meal in the hotel when the others returned. 

Bay of Naples to Bari 4 July: Up and off again to the Port town of Bari. On the way we took the optional of going to Pompeii and a 2 hour guided tour. Found this quite a spiritual place too. Arrived in Bari following a lunch break just after 3pm. We boarded the Ionian Queen ferry for the overnight sea trip to Greece. We left port at 7.30pm Greece time. We had a lovely dinner on the ship. Walked around the ship. Good calm seas. Evening warm with a warm breeze. We had a drink and checked out the disco onboard.

At Sea to Patros and Athens 5 July: After a flat crossing we arrived in Patras at 11.30am. Very warm and quite windy but pleasant enough. We boarded a coach and headed to Athens stopping for lunch enroute. We arrived at 3pm and checked into our hotel, The Classical Acropal. According to our documents we were supposed to be staying across the road at the Grand O Hotel but the one we were in was lovely. Went for a wander and found the ATM close by. Decided on room service evening meal tonight.....very nice.

Athens to Greek Island Cruise 6 Juy: After a short drive we arrived at the port of Piraeus to board our cruise boat for our cruise. We were on the ship Ruby. We were supposed to be on the Sea Diamond...but (it was the one that sank at Santorini)...anyway she was a lovely ship. We left port at 11.30am. It was a bit choppy but ok. Sailed out past a few island before arriving in Mykonos at 6.30pm. We disembarked and caught the bus into town for a short stop of a couple of hours before reboarding and having dinner on the ship. The island was picture perfect. Just like the postcards with little narrow streets and whitewashed buildings. Even managed to find the islands mascot pelican. Went back to the ship for dinner. Fabulous meal with great silver service. Took in the ships entertainment that evening before retiring at 11.30pm. Sea a bit choppy but not too bad.

7 July: Slept through until 9.30 and missed breaky. The ship had docked in Rhodes so we disembarked with our washing and headed for the laundrette to have our clothes washed and dried properly. Cost 5 Euro. We wandered back to the ship and had an early lunch. After lunch/late breaky we walked back into the town and walked around. Lovely little place with lovely people. Nice wee shops selling gold/jewellery, clothes, and tourist trinkets. We collected our wash and on the way back we went for a swim at the beach...bliss...it was very hot today. After about an hour we headed back to the ship for a dip in the pool and try out the days cocktail.. The nights dinner was Greek night. People joined the fun by wearing blue and white if they had it. Silver service again. Went to a show before retiring.

8 July: Arrived this morning to the island of Patmos. A tender boat came out to get us as our cruise boat was too big for the little port. We took the optional excursion up the hill for fantastic views before going to the Monestary and the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse. After our drive down we stopped for a cool drink at the port before boarding our tender back to the ship and on to Turkey. Arrived to 44 degrees at Kusadasi. Went on the optional tour to Ephesus. After being there about 1 1/2 hours we went back to town and were shown beautiful Turkish rugs and had a welcome cup of apple tea. Could have done without seeing this and spent some more time around the market shops near the port. We spent a bit of time after this looking around the shops before heading back to the ship. We sailed at 6pm. Sea a bit rough tonight.

9 July: Arrived back into Piraeus, Greece at 6am. We had breakfast on the ship before disembarking at 9am. Had an orientation tour of Athens before heading up to the Acropolis and Pathenon. Enroute to these places we stopped near the Temple of Zeus and the Olympic Stadium, site of the first modern olympics. From Athens we headed back across Greece to Patros to catch our overnight ferry to Italy. Left Port at 6.30pm. This ferry was very luxurious. Almost like being back on a fine cruise ship.

Ancona to Venice 10 July: Ferry docked at 11am after a lovely trip across from Greece. We climbed aboard our coach and headed for Venice. Arrived at the Park Villa Fiorita7.30pm. Lovely hotel in beautiful grounds. Dinner was at the hotel.

11 July. After breaky we travelled into Venice. We walked around St Mark's Square before going to the glass blowing demonstration. Bought a few small pieces. Then met up with the rest of the group for our gondola ride. After this we caught the boat across the lagoon to Burano for a (optional) seafood lunch...yumyum...we then had a wander around the village and a leisurely cuppa while waiting for the boat back. We caught the boat back to the city to collect the others who had not done the optional and headed back to the hotel. It was a full day so we all had dinner together back at the hotel that night. 

Venice to Vienna 12 July: We left at the normal time of about 8am headed for Austria. We travelled through the mountains, similar to our Southern Alps, through lots of tunnels and over some high man made roadways to Vienna arriving at Hotel Bosei. We chose not to do the evening opera option instead blobbed for a while before taking a stroll around at 6.30pm and finding a supermarket and picking up some juice and snacks. Had dinner back at the hotel.

13 July: TD Charlie's 41st birthday. Left hotel for our orientation tour of Wien (Vienna). Saw the summer and winter palaces and beautiful architecture. We left the group that were going on an optional at lunch time, and walked around until meeting up with the others at 3pm for the coach back to the hotel. After a rest we gathered for the evening. Because our TD always wore black we all dressed in black for his special night. First it was to the schnapps museum then on out to the Vienna Woods where we had a fantastic night of fine food, wine and entertainment. A very happy bunch of merry travellers then headed back to the hotel about midnight. Lovely warm evening even without the vino....

Vienna to Innsbruck 14 July: Lovely warm morning for our trip to Innsbruck. We left the hotel at 8am. We stopped beiefly in Mondsee before gain stopping for a while in Salzburg. On arriving in Innsbruck we had a tour of the city taking in the lovely gardens, golden roof, crystal store etc. Purchased a lovely cuckoo clock and some Swarovski crystal. We then left and headed to our hotel, Bon Alpina, a short distance up by the mountains. A lovely setting. We all had dinner and some of us went for a walk around the village before a short thunderstorm sent us inside. The lightening lit up the mountains all silvery. We retired for the night via the cocktail lounge...

Innsbruck to Lake Lucerne 15 July: Warm and sunny again. Left the hotel to do the optional horse and carriage ride through a small woodland area of a mountain village. We stopped for moonshine schnapps.....WOW was it strong......We travelled through to Vaduz (capital area of Liechenstein) where we stopped for about 1 1/2 hours to lock around and have lunch. Got passport stamped. We arrived in Lucerne to a hot afternoon. We walked across the famous bridge to a watch store and up to the lion monument. We then met up for the short trip out to our hotel, Hotel Central in Kriens....oh boy the hotel, but that's another story...suffice to say I don't think anyone was too impressed...We were hearded into a small, and very hot diningroom for dinner. The manager/madame was ......well better not say too much, but dinner was awful. After dinner we did a wee walk before retiring to our shoebox...oops I mean room.

16 July: After breakfast we travelled to Mount Stansahorn. Funicular and large cable car (our whole groups went in the same car) up to beautiful scenery. Even had a go at blowing the large horn. We could hear the cowbells in the valleys and the bovine creature were feasting. It was very warm up there. I only needed shorts and a singlet top, not what I had expected for up in the mountains. After 1 1/2 hours up there and having coffee we descended and went for an hour cruise on Lake Lucerne. Very pretty. We then had free time as we did not do the folklore optional so found ourselves a nice place for lunch and looked around. We purchased 2 cheeseburgers and a smoothie each at a cost of 43 euro!!!! Hubby purchased a Tissot watch he had been looking for. We met up with the group at 4.30 and went back to the hotel. There I packed the clock and a few of us walked down to the local post office to post our parcels home. (Yes it did arrive safely and in one piece before we got home). We had a drink and snack at a local cafe before heading back to the hotel.

Lake Lucerne to Rhineland (Weinheim) via Heidelberg 17 July: Left our hotel at 8am. We travelled until we stopped at the Rhine Falls. We had our group photo taken there and had coffee. We then travelled through the Black Forest to Freiburg stopping for lunch. After a while we travelled through to Heidelberg. Lovely area with the Rhine River flowing through. We watched the boats travelling through the lochs and seeing the castle on the hill Spent about 1 1/2 hours there before reaching our hotel, NH Mannheim-Wierheim. Weather a wee bit cooler but still mid 20s.

Rhineland to Amsterdam with Rhine Cruise 18 July: After leaving the hotel we travelled about 3/4 of an hour until we reached our river boat for our Rhine cruise. This took about 1 hour to travel along before we met our coach again. We then travelled past old castles before stopping for lunch at a cafe and hotel complex at Hofgut Sternen. The shop was shaped a bit like a cuckoo clock. At one end was the clocks face and at 12midday the cuckoo came out and also German figurines danced around. We then travelled through to Amsterdam arriving mid afternoon. We had a short 3/4 hour free time wander around some of the little streets. We went to the diamond cutting factory and took and cruise along some of the canals before all going to the Sea Palace floating restaurant for our farewell dinner. After dinner we went for a walk along to the red light district before going to our hotel, the Dorient Amsterdam Airport. 

Amsterdam to London 19 July: Up and away for the last time. There will be no more 6am wake up calls, no having to have bags out and breaky at 6.45hrs and off at 7.45/8am...Anyway travelled through Holland stopping for a coffee break in Belgium before arriving in Calais for our ferry trip back to England. Another good ferry crossing and arrived in Dover safely to a cool day with drizzle. We were dropped off at the Trafalgar Departure Centre as we were staying around the corner at the Victoria Park Plaza hotel. Our goodbyes were a little teary as we had all been together for 30 days and experienced all the big ups of our tour and the odd down. 

Our group was a good one. As I said, 44 in total. 1 family travelling with their 10 and 13 year old boys (great kids), 3 solo travellers, a party of three and the rest were couples.

It was an absolutely fantastic time. It gave us the opportunity to get a wee taste of Europe and plan another tour hopefully in the not too distant future.

Again, I would like to thank everyone who contributes to these forum pages for the incredible amount of help, guidance and knowledge shared from each and everyone of you.

Everyone on our trip was just fine with the cruise and the ferry crossings for that matter. I just have to feel a boat move and I feel uneasy.....I get seasick in the BATH!!! . But in all seriousness it really wasn't that bad at all. I think it was my own apprehension that made me feel a big yucky. I took my travel tablets and carried on enjoying the cruise. It was a beautiful 3 days and would have not missed it for the world. I think too, looking back, that I was unknowingly feeling a little homesick which may have contributed to my feelings on the cruise. I knew I would feel this way with cruising so went prepared with tablets in bag. Only used them on the Aegean. The English ferry crossings were mirror flat and the 2 overnight ferries from Italy to Greece were good too so no chemist medication required just a little night cap with new found friends.

We had a full on time while on London post tour. The underground is both terrifying and terrific. Went to the usual tourist spots like London Eye, Changing of the Guard, Westminster Abbey, St Pauls, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Original hop on/off bus with short Thames cruise, Madame's wax museum, saw the show We Will Rock You, etc. Strolled through Hyde park and walked over to the Princess of Wales memorial. Sat for a few moments by the Wellington Arch and NZ's new war memorial. Went out to Bovington tank museum, Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor, Hampton Court and even went to the Marlow rowing regatta on the Thames. We ate well including local restaurants near Victoria Station, Hard Rock and Cheers. Weather not the best at times but we dealt with it.

Went flew home via 4 days in Singapore. That is a sticky place temperature wise. Shopped a bit, boy some their malls are big), went to the zoo and the night safari, hubby went up in a suspended balloon, met a distant family member and had 2 great meals with them before returning to NZ full of emotion at what we had seen, done and achieved.

These are some of our offered optionals and the ones we did.

Rome Highlights: Great trip - this way you get to see inside the colosseum (one of the only optionals to do this).

Toledo - Great trip with plenty of free time there to just wander. Pretty old town.

Vienna Woods & Wine Village Dinner: We had a fantastic time. One of the best evening optionals.

Vatican: It's a must even if you have no religious feelings.

Pompeii: An amazing place and a must I feel.

Lake Lucerne and/or Mountain trip: Lovely day...relaxing and very pretty.

Lagoon Cruise with Lunch/Dinner: I enjoyed this. Meal on Burano is lovely as is the little island with it's brightly painted quaint little buildings. Although it is a seafood restaurant they have other options available for those who do not like seafood.

Eiffel Tower: A must if it is your first time in Paris especially in the evening when all the lights of Paris come on. The light show on the tower itself is lovely - golden twinkles. I think it comes on for about 15 minutes every hour.

Kusadasi (Turkey): A must is the visit to Ephesus. One the way back we stopped at a carpet demo but I would definitely forego this and wander down by the port before reboarding the ship.

Isle of Capri: I did not do this one but hubby did and he enjoyed it. It is definitely an experience he said referring to the travel there.

Breakfast was usually 7-7.30. A typical day is wake-up call about 6.45, bags out at 7.15 and then down to breaky. Some days are a little earlier and some a little later.

Don't count on tea & coffee in the room. It is not the norm in Europe.

We took those little fold up wind parkers (that fold into a pouch) but did not need then in Europe, only England. I would however take a fold up umbrella. Firstly for the obvious, showers, but also for the hot sun. When we were at Ephesus in Kusadasi (Turkey) there was no shade and it was 40 odd degrees and wished we had taken the brollies. We used it in Athens when we went up to the acropolis for the bright sun.

As far as clothing goes lightweight mix and match so it can be layered if it gets a bit cool. The weather "up there" can probably be just as unpredictable as here at home, although we were very lucky. We took shorts, 3/4 pants, singlet tops, t-shirts, skirt, & a lightweight polar fleece.

Our seat rotation worked by the tour director giving us a number (which we kept throughout the tour). When we went down to catch the coach each morning there was a card on the seat with a number on it. You just found your number and that was your seat for the whole day. The next day was the same with placement of cards but we were all 2 rows forward. We rotated around the coach clockwise.

Our hotels were not that close to 'town/city' but not a problem for our tour group. I suppose we could of arranged something but travelling full on for a month it as nice to just sit (on something that didn't move ) and chat over a vino or coffee with our fellow travellers.

As for mailing things back.....my clock I sent from Lucerne went air mail costing 35 euro and it arrived at mum's (she lives not far from me) about 8 days after posting in full working order. However, be warned that if you send small parcels surface mail it can take up to 12 weeks. I sent three 2kg parcels from London on July 25 and one hasn't arrived yet (the other 2 did). I also sent three 2kg parcels from Marlow (just out of Windsor) and I received the last one of these three last week. I think I would prefer to send things home from Europe than England. It was cheaper to send things from Switzerland and more efficient than from England, from this past experience. Still waiting for my last parcel posted 25 July from London central....