Today we head to Dubai. Dubai is an interesting place. Basically it’s Chatswood Chase with a bunch of blokes wandering around in dresses. Over the next day we don’t get any further than about 50 metres from our hotel, we are treated to a slap up Arabic meal by the O’Connors, Becs and Constance put the final nail in the finances and even Gus has a go and my wife gives me a cold that nearly kills me. So what may be last the fully funded family holiday has drawn to a close. I am now on the 13thflight (Austrian Airlines getting out of the picture saved two flights). Gus and Constance are on the long route home via Bangkok while I’m in Business finishing the blog. I will share my strategy for getting decent wine ... read more

On arrival at Hallstat it is teaming with Chinese tourists. It is almost impossible to visualise how many Chinese tourists are there and remember they are just the ones that make it to the real Hallstat. Gus who is not the most patient wants to hit the ski fields immediately. A quick check with reception and some amazing German bus timetable reading and we are on the 5 minute bus ride to Obertraun. Red and I decide to drink while Gus goes up the gondola and skis. On the way back his review of Obertraun is mixed. When we get back to Hallstat it is deserted. The buses are gone and we have the town to ourselves. We do discover the issue with Hallstat though. The place shuts down at about 7pm. We are lucky to ... read more

We arrive safely in Salzburg at midnight after taking flights 8,9 and 10. Unfortunately there is nothing memorable other than a very pleasant dinner at Vienna Airport in Jamies’ (that bloke gets everywhere). The Austrian Airlines flight from Vienna to Salzburg is staffed entirely by elves. As well as being complete bastards it seems they also have the world’s worst cabin crew uniforms consisting of red hats, white blouses with red vests, red skirts, red tights and red shoes. Serves them right. The next day we meet our great friends the O’Connors (Jac and Red) and drive to Hallstat. Despite meticulous planning (and the bastards at Austrian Airlines) Hallstat is a potential weak link in my itinerary. I had selected it after a Google search of cute Austrian towns. The pictures showed plenty of snow so ... read more

Finally we are back to first world airlines that aren't owned by the King. As you'd expect Copenhagen has a smicko airport (which you'd expect given it costs $200 just to see it). Taking dogs on the plane (or maybe just walking them at the airport is a thing. There is a nice Jack Russel on our flight. Just before we board he has to go in his little soft crate. We arrive in Helsinki (taxi fare not quite as bad as Copenhagen), but it is very cold. Helsinki seems really small compared to Copenhagen (and very cold). Our hotel is right in the centre and there is an ice skating rick across the road in the square. First up we have lunch at a burger joint. I know its cheating but I feel justified as ... read more

I have to apologise to my public for being a bit sporadic. It has been gruelling over the last couple of weeks, but now I make a sincere promise to update the blog daily. Today we fly from Casablanca to Copenhagen which is certainly a day of extremes. $10 for a taxi to Casablanca airport, $200 for a taxi to our hotel. $100 for dinner including wine and $2000 for dinner including wine. The day commences without a hitch. We fly Finnair to Copenhagen without an incident and very little turbulence. We arrive late at our hotel which is on the Nyham canal which is one of the prettiest. They have set up Christmas markets along the canal and I'm not sure if it's for tourists or the locals, as there are plenty of both. Finally ... read more