So far away

How are you with long-haul flights? I am contemplating returning to Europe after a very, very long absence and I’m a bit nervous.

The decision is mainly being driven by friends who want to holiday with us over there after DD attends a conference.

While I am vaguely excited by the thought, I mainly feel trepidation about overtourism and the astronomical cost involved in taking a 24-hour plane flight across the world.

Oh, and actually having to sit on a plane for 24 hours, noooooo! I would prefer my flights were less than eight hours and even that is a punish.

Working in the travel sector means I read a lot of stories about how packed with tourists Europe has become and how annoyed the locals are about it. They’ve started staging anti-tourism protests in places like Spain.

Even when I was in Florence with DD way back in 2016 the place was heaving. We made our way into town at the crack of dawn to avoid the masses, but I was horrified by the way the crowds built up as the day went on. It was NOT fun trying to dodge the tour groups in the main square or to squeeze across the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge. I couldn’t wait to get out of there.

What would my chances be of getting a selfie at the Trevi Fountain in Rome – like the main pic – now? (Naaawwwww, the sprogs were so ickle-wickle back then!)

Even Australia was getting out of hand pre-pandemic, but it took a massive hit and international visitor numbers still haven’t recovered yet.

I would prefer to see more of my own country before heading abroad. Uluru, Kings Canyon, Cocos & Keeling Islands, the Abrolhos Islands, Rowley Shoals, Esperance, Kangaroo Island and more are much higher up my bucket list than countries like Italy or France.

Since international borders opened again I’ve also preferred off-the-beaten-track places, both in Australia and abroad. The Kimberley, Okinawa and West Papua have been spectacular and peaceful.

Our recent trip to the Yasawa Islands in Fiji was blissfully uncrowded and I have another remote escape booked.

Europe, however, will be much trickier in that regard. But I have a tentative plan that I will reveal in due course.

Closer to home, I’m having lunch with my travel agent on Sunday. She’s just back from cruising through Italy, Croatia, France and more. I’m looking forward to picking her brain!

Have an awesome weekend. Fill it with love and friends and fun.

Song of the day: The B-52’s “Roam”