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Grand Tour of Europe - 2023
  • Stephen and Debbie
  • Stephen and Debbie

Grand Tour of Europe - 2023

Finally! Our Grand Tour of Europe is here. 90 days travelling through the United Kingdom, France, (with a brief visit to Belgium) and then on to Italy, before finishing with a few days in Dubai. Read more
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  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    The Count was a professional racing driver in the 1960's and still competes in vintage car events.The family coat of arms

    Palazzo Conte Federico

    July 23, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    This palace has been owned by the family of Count Frederic for 400 years. 16 generations have lived in it and we were given a guided tour by the son of the current count.

    It is built on and around the remains of an old Norman and Arab tower that was once part of the walls that surrounded the city.

    The family still lives there and it was fascinating to see such family history.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Fountain of ShameFour Corners SquareFour Corners SquareFour Corners SquareFour Corners Square

    Palermo

    July 23, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 38 °C

    After leaving Palazzo Conte Federico, we walked through the Ballaro Markets. They have been there for 100's of years and sell everything, but particularly food.

    It all looked good. We were tempted. It was lunchtime. It was 40 degrees. They are in the open air. Each serve came with a free serving of flies, or if you were really lucky, ash from the vendor's cigarette. We decided to give it a miss and bought 2 euros worth of cherries and a gelato instead. Wise choice.

    On our way back to the hotel, we saw the Fountain of Shame (!!!) and the Four Corners Square, both of which date from the 1600's.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    Palermo Street Food Tour

    July 23, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Palermo is famous for its street food.

    Following the temptations of the lunchtime food markets, we embarked warily on a street food tour tonight. We had booked this long before we left home.

    It promised Sicilian wine and some interesting food that you wouldn't normally find in touristy places.

    Most of it was pretty good, but we won't be going back for the veal spleen panini. The best and local way to have gelato is supposed to be on a brioche bun. We had ours in a cone.

    Unfortunately, the night was just so hot it stopped the tour being overly enjoyable. It was that humid that the sweat literally poured off you and ran down your legs. Our clothes looked like we had swum in them and this was at 9.30 at night. We had to dry them with the hair dryer so we could pack them for our flight tomorrow.

    But it was an experience and gave a good insight into living in Palermo.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    The Arch of ConstantineHotel rooftop barThe usual for dinner.

    Rome - the Colosseum

    July 24, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C

    We arrived back in Rome from Palermo after our Italy Airways flight.

    Our hotel is near the Colosseum and has a rooftop bar and bistro with views over the city and the Colosseum. Obviously, this was the place to be.

    We then went for a walk around the Colosseum to see it at night and all lit up. This was pretty special. It is amazing to think it was built by the Romans between 72AD and 80AD and is still here nearly 2000 years later.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    Ancient Rome

    July 25, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    We spent today walking in the footsteps of the ancient Romans, visiting the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.

    The colosseum accommodated crowds of around 70,000 and could be filled and emptied of people in 15 minutes through 76 entrances. Contrary to popular belief, it was not built by slaves, but by craftsmen and tradesmen.

    The forum is much older, around 500BC and was the centre of Rome, housing the Senate and other important buildings. It is now mostly in ruins.

    The Palatine Hill is where Rome began in 753BC, with the legend of the story of Romulus and Remus.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    Frascati

    July 26, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    This morning, we headed from Rome to the Frascati wine region in the hills of Castelli Romani, a collection of wine-producing hills just southeast of Rome.

    We were the only ones who went on the tour, so had a very personal experience.

    We visited the Cantine Santa Benedetta, a family owned winery that has been producing wines at their vineyard since 1712 (13 generations).

    We tasted a white, which was a Bellone and Malvasia blend, varieties we had never heard of, but which are native to this region. The red was a Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend, as well as their rose. All were great and they can ship to Australia, so some are on their way home.

    Each wine was paired with a local food dish.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    The Temple of Mars, built by Augustus Caesar
    Julius CaesarAugustus CaesarThe Forum of Caesar (Temple of Venus)Victor Emmanuel II monumentVenezia SquareSt. Peters and the Vatican from the Victor Emmanuel II monument.Capitoline Hill

    Ancient Rome

    July 26, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    After returning from Frascati, we continued our exploration of Rome and visited some more of the ancient temples, the Victor Emmanuel II monument and the Capitoline Hill.

    There is plenty to see and we have really only scratched the surface, but we have seen a lot of Rome in our time here.

    You can only marvel at the skill and ingenuity of the ancient Romans.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Trattoria LuzziAnother beer for the beer journey collection.

    Rome

    July 26, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Tonight was a really good one - dinner at a nearby trattoria, followed by drinks at the rooftop bar of our hotel, watching the sun go down over the Colosseum.

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Our Vespas have arrived.1At first, Debbie thought I was the driver - "no way!!"Luckily, Fulvio took over.Entering the Pantheon.Ancient Romes buildings were once covered in marble like this - how amazing they would have looked.

    Rome in a Sidecar

    July 27, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    This morning was a highlight of our trip.

    We toured Rome for three hours in a Vespa sidecar. Our guide was Marta and our driver was Fulvio. We went to all the main attractions, had coffee and a croissant and really enjoyed it.

    Going into the Pantheon was a highlight, as was the information about Rome and its history, which really added to everything we have already learnt this trip.

     If you are ever in Rome, then Rome In A Sidecar is a definite 'must do'.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    Our Last Night in Rome

    July 27, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    Today was our last one in Rome, Italy and Europe. Tomorrow, we are off to Dubai for a few days.

    We celebrated with dinner and drinks at the hotels rooftop bar as we watched the sun set over the colosseum ... a perfect ending!Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    Dubai

    July 28, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    Today we arrived in Dubai from Rome. We flew Emirates and landed at 11:20pm, right on time. It was a pleasant 38 degrees.

    Emirates offer a great service - we could even watch a replay of the Storm beating Parramatta, which was an opportunity I declined, having already heard the score.

    We haven't seen much of Dubai yet, but its electricity bill must be horrendous!!

    From our hotel room at the Sofitel, (on the 16th floor), we can see the Burj Khalifa - the tallest building in the world at 829m. What a sight.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    Dubai Mall

    July 29, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 39 °C

    The Dubai Mall is next to our hotel and has over 1200 shops - shoppers heaven. It also houses the Dubai Aquarium, the Dubai Waterfall and the Dubai Fountain.

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler

    Dubai Desert Adventure

    July 29, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 39 °C

    This was another highlight of the tour.

    We were picked up from our hotel and driven to the Dubai Desert Conservation Area, (a national park).

    The tyres of our twin turbo 350 horsepower Landcruiser were deflated and we were off through the sand dunes (see the video!). It was pretty hairy, but fun and just as well I hadn't told Debbie about this part of the night beforehand, as otherwise I may have been on my own.

    We stopped for photos on the dunes and also to see the sun set over the desert, which was quite special. Along the way, we saw gazelles and white oryx.

    Our final stop was the desert camp, with camel rides and a BBQ dinner (massive) of traditional Arabian foods.

    The night finished with Emirati dancers, including a fire dancer and a belly dancer, before being taken back to our hotel.

    Put it on your bucket list for when you are in Dubai!!    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Burj al Arab
    Jumeirah Grand MosqueDubai CreekThis is our 'abra'.The SoukAtlantis HotelAtlantis Aquapark - the world's biggest.Dubai MarinaThe Burj Khalifa glistening.

    Tour of Dubai

    July 30, 2023 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    We saw Dubai today on a bus tour, which seemed the best way to get everywhere and see it all, and it was.

    We began with a drive around, stopping at the beach to see the Burj al Arab, the world's only 7-star hotel. and also theJumeirah Grand Mosque.

    Then we headed to Dubai Creek and took a ride on an abra, a traditional boat used by the Emiratis. It took us to the the old souk, the spice and gold markets, which were an eye-opener.

    Next, it was off to Dubai Mall to go up to the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. at 828m. The deck is on Level 124 of its 160 floors. The lift up takes less than a minute and the views are incredible, despite the heat haze that clouded everything.

    After lunch, we went to the Palm Jumeirah and saw the Atlantis Hotel, finishing the day at the Dubai Marina.

    Dubai was well worth a visit and really has to be seen to be believed. It has used its resources to benefit its population and secure its future. We could learn some lessons from them.    Read more

  • Stephen and DebbieGrand Tour of Europe - 2023Traveler
    Dubai
    'The World' islands in Dubai.

    Dubai to Sydney

    August 1, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    What a great photo to end our trip - sunrise over Sydney as we arrive back from Dubai.

    We had a good flight. We could even watch Australia play Canada in the Women's World Cup live on their in-flight entertainment.

    It's really good to be home. We even had a surprise at the airport when we arrived - Sally was there to greet us - she must have missed us.    Read more

    Trip end
    August 1, 2023
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