Day 1 - 29 Aug 25 Home to Dubai via Melbourne

Finally, our long awaited overseas holiday begins, our first together since 2018.

The Plan!

Canberra to Dubai (via Melbourne) with a three day stopover in Dubai, before continuing to Zurich for 3 nights and a 12 day rail tour through Switzerland. At the end of the Swiss Rail Tour, we’ll transfer from Interlaken by train to Milan for three nights, then do an 18 day tour of Italy ending in Rome for another five nights. Our return home will be via Singapore with a 3 night stopover. 

I’ll start recording the trip in this blog, but no guarantees I won't find more interesting things to keep me busy as we move deeper into the trip. Thankfully I have purchased E-Sims which appear to be working so far, so I hope to have constant data to stay in touch with Noel if be get separated, and the boys at home, or with anyone else who wants or needs to get in contact by internet calls. 

Olli knew something was going on today, but we are sure he will be in good hands with Nathan and Chris looking after him while we are away. He'll have a week with the boys and Kona before Chris plans to bring him back home to look after him and the house for the remainder of our time away. Nath picked us up and offloaded us at the airport shortly after 4pm, then returned to collect Olli and his belongings to go back home. At Canberra airport, we made ourselves comfortable in the business lounge before catching our 7pm flight to Melbourne where we enjoyed outstanding hospitality at the Emirates lounge. Very nice indeed. Our flight to Dubai left on time at 10:55pm ending Day 1.

Settling into the Business Class hospitality in Canberra

Olli settling in with a very tired Chris and his best buddy Kona at the boy's house

Glad to be leaving a wet and very cold Canberra

Emirates lounge in Melbourne

Wonderful Emirates lounge fare in Melbourne

Wonderful Emirates lounge fare in Melbourne washed down with a Veuve Clicquot if you don't mind

Settling in on Emirates flight EK405 to Dubai

Our First Business Class flight overseas - Noel did eventually find the button the lower the divider between our seats 

About to take off


Our main holiday plans
17 Night Tour of Italy by Bus 



 


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