This trip was very special to me because it was about celebrating my significant milestone… the big 4.0. It was carefully considered and planned for 12 months. Due to budget constraints and timing, my closest family and friends weren’t able to come to Europe with me. In the end, I went with a friend from work and her partner.
We toured 8 cities together in three weeks which included Dubai, Rome, Venice, Paris, Lisbon, Marrakech, Barcelona and Santorini. That’s pretty jam packed I must admit. All these cities except Paris were first time so I had to make the most of it!
Dubai (2 nights)
To sum up Dubai in one word would have to be….rich!! The city (or country) exemplifies money and luxury and is evidenced by the impressive skyscraper like the Burj khalifa, man-made island Palm Jumeirah and the never ending strip of luxurious hotels, resorts, villas that look like mansions and castles on Crescent Road of the man-made island.
What fascinates and intrigues me most are the culture, people and religion. The beautiful women hiding behind their black robes (abaya) and head scarves (hijab) with just a glimpse of their perfect eye makeup (just like seen on Sex and the City movie 2). The men in their white robes (thobe) with that fascinating head scarf that I really want to learn how to tie it one day.
Riding a camel in the dune desert at sunset was such a magical experience.
Burj Khalifa 
View from Burj 
Jumeirah Palm 
drive tour of the mansions and palaces 
Jumeirah Beach 
Al Awir Second 
Perfect sunset shot 
Majestic 
I had to wear it! 
Of course had to check it out 
The most expensive coffee ever!! 
being a tourist
Rome (3 nights)
Rome was the most anticipated destination of this trip. Ever since I read thriller novel The Davinci Code by Dan Brown, I was so fascinated and intrigued with Rome and its history and arts. So visiting the Colosseum, Vatican City including St Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon were on the must see list. I was in awe and gasping as I immersed myself with these magnificent architecture, history and arts.
In front of the Colosseum 
Vatican City entry – 7am tour meeting point 
always need to look at the ceiling and be in awe of the finest arts 
The Trevi Fountain is surprising in a hidden narrow area so it’s impossible to get a selfie without the fighting with the crowd 
Unless you come early in the morning for this perfect shot 
Must have gelato in Italy! 
Inside the Colosseum 
So big inside
Venice (2 nights)
I did not expect Venice to be so beautiful, charming and colourful. Towards the end of my stay in Rome I was exhausted and got over looking at churches and cathedrals. So when I arrived in Venice, it was such a different atmosphere and scenery. Perhaps it was the sparkling blue lagoon with the decorative romantic gondolas, or the colourful buildings along the canals or narrow cobblestone streets that prevents the intrusions of automobiles. I was in love with Venice. Everything about Venice is romantic. Two nights was not definitely enough and I really hope to visit again one day.
Gondola all to myself 
This picturesque view is why I love Venice 
St Mark’s Square 
Inside Saint Mark’s Basilica 
It’s all in the ceilings
Paris (3 nights)
Second time in Paris, I encountered another bad and scary experience on our first night. Our Airbnb host didn’t show up at our prepaid apartment and the taxi guy was so kind enough to take us around and look for alternative accommodation in the middle of the night. Eventually he found a hostel/backpackers place for 45 euros per night with shared communal bathroom and shower. It was situated in a very dodgy neighbourhood, north of Paris, with so much graffiti everywhere and full of bad people. I was in shock and did not realise that there is a dodgy area in Paris. I guess every city has a dodgy area.
Once checked in, showered and got ready for bed, I immediately went online to research for another accommodation. I ended up booking 2 nights in the xx area at a very small boutique hotel. It was very cute but nice and safe. My friend and her partner stayed at the backpacker’s place for the remaining 2 nights.
I skipped all the touristy sites and mainly explored places that I didn’t get to see from the first trip. Of course I had to visit Chanel’s flagship store in Cambon Rue but didn’t buy anything unfortunately.
The highlight of Paris was drinking champagne in Champagne. I went on a private day tour from Paris to Champagne which included visiting two vineyards with wine and champagne tasting. It was so worth it. Although it was a long day, seeing a different part of France was refreshing, welcoming and relaxing.
Isn’t she magnificent? 
Pont des Arts (love bridge) 
Opera de Paris 
Arc de Triomphe 
Came back to the Lourve for photos and still a big crowd 
Le Jardin du Luxembourg 
Cravings for Vietnamese food 
Pho was quite satisfying 
Champagne, France 
Champagne tasting 
Lisbon (2 nights)
Like Venice, Lisbon was also beautiful, charming and colourful. With all the researches I’ve undertaken, seeing pictures on the internet is not the same as being physically there. Lisbon was unexpectedly beautiful. The people were genuinely nice and friendly and the food was divine. The variety and flavours were much more vast compared to Italian food (not to mention cheaper!).
Visiting the Pena Palace was worth the 2 hour transportation from Lisbon. What’s so special and different about this castle is the colourful terraces, decorative battlements and mythological statues which stands on top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains (approximately 27 kms from Lisbon).
City centre 
Madeira wine and hohey cake 
the old city 
Belem Tower 
Pena Palace 
Marrakech, Marocco (3 nights)
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Marrakech and felt 3 nights was more than enough. In many ways, Marrakech reminds me of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam being a developing city and rich in culture (although not as crowded as Vietnam). Marrakech has becoming very popular as a touristy destination due to its delightful, spellbounding and mysterious city. There are two parts – old city (the Medina) and new city (modern and commercial). For me the old city was very fascinating. Inside the Medina there is massive market called souk where I wandered around for hours and hours looking at textiles, leather goods, souvenirs, spices etc. Some streets had small alleyways that lead to more and more alleyways and hidden doors. Eventually I got lost. So lost and scared that I had to ask a shop owner to help me find my way out.
We went on a day tour to the Atlas Mountains where we rode camels, hiked the mountains, drank the local tea, had a traditional lunch. The scenic views of the valleys and varied landscapes was spectacular.
One particular place I regret not making the time to explore properly is the La Mamounia hotel. Seeing tons of beautiful shots on Instagram I was so desperate to see this place. So my only opportunity to check it out was after the tour. We got back very late in the afternoon and there was still day light so I asked the tour guide to drop me off near the hotel. I had to beg the security guy at the hotel to let me inside because only guests are allowed inside. And then I got inside….Wow! This hotel epitomizes grand and luxury. What fascinates me most the Moroccan art and design. My biggest regret was not bringing a change of outfit for Instagram!
Medina, the old city 
Medina market 
It’s a maze inside 
Entry to Riad (traditional) home/accommodation 
textiles 
herbs and spices 
Had to do it 
food tastes similar to turkish/indian 
Love Moroccan art 
Majorelle Garden 
Camel ride as part of Atlas Mountains tour 
In love with Moroccan architecture 
Five star hotel, La Mamounia
Barcelona, Spain (3 nights)
This is the city where I discovered eating tapas and OMG the variety is amazing! I wished I had more time to try more tapas restaurants around the area. Barcelona to me felt like Brisbane, there’s old and new buildings, the city is not overly crowded and quite easy to navigate.
If you come to Barcelona, you cannot miss out on visiting the famous gothic basilica Sagrada Familia. Well known for its ongoing lengthy construction and impressive gothic architecture, the basilica began construction in 1882 and forecast to complete in 2026. It’s definitely worth paying skip the line entry fee to see inside as the massive high ceilings and detailed craftsmanship with breathtaking.
La Rambla, Barcelona 
La Sagrada Familia 
immaculate details 
black paella 
My discovery to Spanish tapas 
much prefer the normal paella
Santorini, Greece (3 nights)
This Greek Island is absolutely breathtaking. It is exactly what you see on travel blogs and google photos. The white Cycladic buildings against the blue water over sunset is majestic. Like Mykonos, Santorini is a very popular tourist destination and is renown for being romantic and pretty whereas Mykonos is more like a ‘party scene’.
We stayed in Oia (pronounced like “ear”), a beautiful village located on the north west of the island, approximately 12kms from Fira, the capital of Santorini. My friends and I stayed in an Airbnb caved villa on the cliffs amongst other caves over looking the ocean. It was surreal.
There’s really not much to explore on this island except appreciating the stunning views, buildings and sunsets. It is the perfect honeymoon and romantic place to be! Being an outdoor and curious person, I spent a day exploring the city and the red beach which was beautiful and interesting. The remaining days I enjoyed wandering the shops for gifts and souvenirs, taking lots of Instagram pictures and eating lots of yummy greek food.
Picturesque 
absolutely magical 
One of the best sunset views 
our 
Inside airbnb accommodation 
red beach 
