Dubai is a very vibrant city, full of people, construction and too much to see in the short time we had. Yes it was hot (47-48 degrees each day) but air con and extravagant shopping centres took care of that! The egyptian theme of the Wafi Centre and the amazing ski slopes with loads of snow in the Mall of the Emirates. The gold and spice souks (markets) were something to see - so much gold jewelry and every kind of spice. It was often hard to believe we were in the desert. Everyone was so friendly, I wish we had [View Full Entry]

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We are staying in the most charming apartment in St Michel's in the Latin Quarter. We are in the heart of the Parisien cafes and restaurants and the nightlife is something to experience! Across the River Seine we have the amazing Notre Dame Cathedral and the famous Louvre. Yes we are spoilt! We have seen so many spectacular sights including the Eiffel Tower (Jarryd and Steve climbed 750 stairs to the second level of the tower) and the Arc de Triumphe. We have strolled the Avenue des Champs- Elysees and saw lots of designer shops. We took a train trip to [View Full Entry]

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We explored the art and the beauty this Tuscan city had to offer in the small amount of time we had. We went to Galleria D'Accademia and saw the statue of 'David' and wandered around and in the Duomo Cathedral. Jarryd and Barbara spent a few hours amazed at the Italian Renaissance art in The Uffizzi Gallery, especially "the Birth of Venus" by Botticelli. We also took the open-top bus and leisurely toured around Florence and its surrounds. It was beautifully green and leafy in the hills. We had the best Italian meal at this small restaurant (recommended by a local) [View Full Entry]

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It was a very hot day walking around the ruins! It took us 2 and a half hours to get from Rome to Pompei. Mt Vesuvius was the main feature from Naples on one side and the Italian coast on the other. It was dusty and alot to take in but nevertheless an experience! [View Full Entry]

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We explored many side streets to smell some of the fine Italian cuisine! We took our first open-top bus to see Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps and the Colloseum. We ate lots of pasta, pizza and icy gelatos. [View Full Entry]

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The gondolas were magical but the price kept us admiring them from a distance. We strolled around Saint Mark's Plaza and the Basilica but spent most of our time admiring the Murano glass, the exquisite masks and sitting by the water with a gelato or two. [View Full Entry]

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Munich was the land of large food and larger beer - just the way Steve likes it! We went on a really interesting walking tour and saw were Hitler and his 3rd Reich began. We wandered around the Marienplatz (town square) and watched the Glockenspiel with the life-sized figures dance aruond the clock. We enjoyed the oompah band while eating a traditional meal in the Hofbrauhaus. [View Full Entry]

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Berlin we found was a funky and alternative city dominated by the emotional graffitti on whats left of "The Wall". We stayed on a houseboat on the River Spree which was really cool. It was really hot one day and cold and rainy the next. We saw little of the Brandenburg Gate as exclusive 4th July - American Independence Day celebrations were to commence. [View Full Entry]

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Big bustling city with so much to see. Totally rebuilt after the war. We went to the Lazenki (Botanic gardens) with the Royal Palace. We went to some magnificent cathedrals. One was the parish church of Frederick Chopin which holds his heart. Explored the streets of Stare Miasto (Old Town). Completed the day with dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe Warsaw. [View Full Entry]

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Time well spent with relatives. Longest cafe, shopping street in Poland, Piotrowska Street. Holds large Jewish memorial as most of Europes Jews in WWII were transported to the Lodz Ghetto before being packed onto the cattle cars bound for Aushwitz. Sunday 29th was the 30th anniversary mass for Barbara's mother in a 12th century church in Zarnow the place she is laid to rest. Here also in the cemetery are buried Barbara's grandfather and his two brothers (along with whole families who were gunned down during daily life in WWII). [View Full Entry]

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