Europe Trip 2015 - Incl Qantas First Class to London

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I recently took a flight from MEL to LHR on Qantas' re-timed service which left LHR at 10:55pm. It was amazing and the flight times better suits most people's schedules with an afternoon arrival into London (when the hotel check-ins actually let you get your room).

Flight: QF9
Aircraft - Airbus A380-800
Class: First Class
Depart: Melbourne
Arrive: London (Heathrow T3)

Here's a quick summary & pictures (You can read the full review here)

Inside the First Suite with glass of the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame (2004)



Supper (MEL to DXB) - Rockpool Bar & Grill Style Gape Grim Beef Fillet with Jerusalem Artichoke Gratin, Garlic Mushrooms, Sugar Snaps and Horseradish Relish



Lunch (DXB to LHR) - Rockpool Bar & Grill style Crumbed Veal Fillet with Potato Gratin, French Beans and Hot English Mustard

 

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Lunch at the Portobello Ristorante & Bar in Sestri Levante - Portobello Ristorante & Bar | Life of a Travel Czar

Amazing locally sourced produce, good service and a view of the Bay of Silence.

 

[robd]

Just read the full review :mrgreen:

 

[kpc]

I just flew Lhr-Syd in F on QF 2. ...had a few similar dishes as you but my review of the food is not as effusive as yours

 

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A day in beautiful Portofino with some pictures of some stunning views across the Bay - Portofino | Life of a Travel Czar

 

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In the Italian Riviera, I stayed at the wonderful Hotel Cenobio dei Dogi.

The hotel is perched on the cliff face with a private beach, wonderful views across the Mediterranean and a lovely courtyard style entrance. The terrace bar is the place to be pre-dinner... I find myself on most afternoons on the beautiful pool / terrace sipping an Aperol Spritz.

If you would like to read my full review of the hotel, here is the link: http://lifeofatravelczar.com/2015/05/08/hotel-cenobio-dei-dogi-camogli/

 

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Cinque Terre

I recently had a day trip to the Cinque Terre (the towns on the Italian Riviera towards the left hand side of Genoa - if you're facing the ocean). The towns are amazing, each of them very similar (amazing views of the Mediterranean sea, rocky leafy terrain and the usual quirky multicoloured houses). They do have some interesting differentiating qualities which make them each worth a special visit.

Riomaggiore (link to the my blog post here:Riomaggiore | Life of a Travel Czar)

Beautiful Marina and secluded beach cove



Manarola (link to the blog post here: Manarola | Life of a Travel Czar)

Stunning views of the town and bay from a bar on the cliff



Monterosso (link to the blog post here: Monterosso | Life of a Travel Czar)

Best beach of the Cinque Terre

 

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Final Post on the Italian Riviera (Next stop Milan).

A summary of the beautiful resort town of Camogli where I stayed. - Camogli | Life of a Travel Czar

 

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In Milan and hanging by the beautiful Piazza della Duomo, here are some lovely pictures of the city - Milan (Piazza del Duomo) | Life of a Travel Czar

 

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Lovely lunch at Giacomo Arengario overlooking the Piazza della Duomo - Giacomo Arengario Ristorante (Milan) | Life of a Travel Czar

 

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Lucerne - A lovely few days in the town of Lucerne. It is like a fairytale with the pristine crystal waters of the lake, the 14th-century city walls and the Kapellbrucke Bridge! I took a fair few photos - here the link to the blog post - Lucerne | Life of a Travel Czar

 

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Zug

A beautiful town full of tax exiles, large commodity trading companies and is very welcoming to industry and finance. It’s similar to Lucerne in-terms of scenery; the snow-capped mountains, an expansive lake of crystal clear waters, the lush vegetation of the Swiss countryside and beautiful houses (like cottages) lined up on the shore! Here is the link to my blog post on Zug: Zug & Lunch at Ristorante Anacapri | Life of a Travel Czar





Zurich

I spent only a day in Zurich, but visited an amazing panoramic bar with stunning views over Zurich Old town. It is such a beautiful city and I wish I had more time there. Here is the link to my blog post on Zurich: Zürich (Dante Bar and Jules Verne Panoramabar) | Life of a Travel Czar

 

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Lucerne Dinners

Terrace Restaurant - Hotel de Balances

Five Course dinner with matching wines on a beautiful terrace at the Hotel Des Balances in Lucerne with stunning views of the lake and the old town! The Global Tasting experience included the following dishes :
Scampi (South Africa)
Ora King Salmon (NZ)
Quail (France)
Roebuck (Austria)

Link to the review here: Terrace Restaurant – Hotel des Balances (Lucerne) | Life of a Travel Czar



Old Swiss House

The place was built in 1858 and is frequented by U.S. Presidents and statemen alike and has the most impressive wine cellar of over 30,000 bottles of wine. A must visit! I sampled some Bordeaux and Burgundy reds which were ~30 years old.

Link to review here: Old Swiss House (Lucerne) | Life of a Travel Czar

 

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London

I am back in London and had an amazing stay at the Conrad London St James. The Executive Rooms were spacious, the bathrooms had a deep soaking bathtub and the Executive Lounge had some amazing canapes. Here is the full review of the hotel: Conrad London, St James Park | Life of a Travel Czar

 

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The Flight Home

Here is the review of the flight from London to Sydney on Qantas - Qantas First Class (London to Sydney) 2015 | Life of a Travel Czar


A lovely supper was served from LHR to DXB (Chocolate bread & butter pudding for dessert) and the second leg onto Sydney with the Five Course Tasting Menu (favourite dish: Lamb Rack with Snowpeas). A nice hot breakfast (Savoury French Toast) was served on arrival into Sydney where it was absolutely freezing at 5am on arrival.

Thanks for following the journey with me!