Homeward Bound

And just like that; our incredible European adventure has come to an end. 40 days, 18 countries, and a tapestry of memories we’ll treasure forever.

It began in London, where we landed jet lagged but excited. Before joining our main tour, we made our way to Stonehenge and the elegant city of Bath; a wonderful mix of ancient mystery and Georgian charm.

We travelled up to Scotland, visiting both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dramatic skylines, rich history, and friendly locals made it worth every extra mile. Will definitely go back to Scotland.

Once the tour started out of London,  the pace quickened and the borders blurred:

We journeyed through (in no particular order), France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Vatican City, and finally, Spain.

In Paris, we cruised down the Seine as the Eiffel Tower sparkled — pure magic. We spent a few dreamlike moments in Bruges ( near the end of our trip), where fairytale streets left us wanting more. In Amsterdam, we drifted through canals, admired works by Van Gogh and Rembrandt, and even strolled through the Red Light District on a quiet Sunday morning.

We stood inside the mighty Colosseum in Rome, then crossed into Vatican City to marvel at the grand St. Peter’s Basilica. Venice offered surreal beauty from a gondola, Lucerne gave us Mt Pilatus, showing off the Swiss Alps from up high. views straight out of a postcard, and cities like Prague, Vienna, and Budapest dazzled with culture and colour on an incredible evening cruise.

We passed briefly through Zagreb in Croatia, admired the charm of Ljubljana in Slovenia, and wandered the old quarters of Luxembourg City. Liechtenstein was tiny but picturesque - one blink and you’re in and out. Words nor pictures do our tour justice  

And then came the perfect finale: Palma de Mallorca.From the moment we arrived at Can Cera, hidden behind a massive wooden door at the end of a quiet alleyway, we knew we’d found paradise. Fluffy gowns, thick towels, herbal teas at turndown and that timeless, tranquil beauty throughout.

We wandered sun drenched streets to the sea, met fellow travellers on a food tour, and tasted cookies made by cloistered nuns at Monasterio de Santa Clara. Local wine, jamón, cheeses, and a refreshing granizado de almendra (almond and cinnamon shaved ice) made for the perfect lunch. That night, the energy of flamenco musicians and dancers lit up the stage, followed by dinner in a cozy café. Pure joy.

Today brought us back to earth.

Flight delays came in waves, and it took us hours to get from Palma to Gatwick, then across London to the right one of five Hilton hotels near Heathrow. At last, we arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn, where our room overlooked the runway. I was in heaven watching the planes; James, ever the good sport, kept me company, even if he preferred to sit well back from the glass in the 14th floor rooftop bar.

Tomorrow, it’s time to fly. A 17 hour non stop Dreamliner flight from London to Perth, one of the world’s longest. After that, just a “short” hop back to Melbourne, and we’ll be home; to our friends, our family, and our beloved pups.

Looking back, we’re amazed by how much we experienced:

19 countries, so many cultures, cities, meals, and moments.

We’ve walked historic streets, stood beneath world wonders, crossed alpine passes, floated down rivers, and stood quietly in awe under centuries-old domes.

We’re tired. We’re happy. We’re full; of food, memories, stories, and gratitude.

Europe - thank you. We’ll be back.