Articles from June 2025

Sailing through Icelandic mist, we swapped hot springs for hot saunas—and ended our day with an indulgent dinner starring Beef Wellington, truffles, and caviar clouds.

A night of toolkits, torches, and ten tantalising courses – the Chef’s Table turned fine dining into theatre, with wagyu cigars, disappearing candy floss, and a wine for every moment.

The Faroe Islands welcomed us with sideways rain, gale-force winds, and more charm than we bargained for. From turf-roofed houses to puffin-filled museums — and a soaking hilltop hike — it was a day full of character, culture, and curry.

We headed into the heart of the Outer Hebrides, sampling whisky, buying tweed, and bracing for some big waves. From island stories to open-mouthed sniff tests, today had plenty to smile (and sway) about.

From fairy-tale castles to floating towel monkeys, my birthday in Scotland was packed with surprises, history, and one seriously epic chocolate mousse. Little Jimmy lived like royalty today.

From Highland roads to historic halls, today’s detour through Oban and Inveraray delivered the full Scottish package — misty lochs, castle grandeur, and a gentle nudge that turned one couple into unexpected sushi lovers.

We set out for Northern Ireland and ended up with Scottish whisky, roaming sheep, and a taxi service that may or may not have been run by a man named Donald. Sometimes the best days are the ones the itinerary forgot.

While everyone else packed up and left, we kicked back for Round Two. A royal castle, a round of fine dining, and front-row seats to the chaos of embarkation — changeover day never looked so smug.

From razorbills to rocking dinner tables – today was all about wildlife, wobbling, and wildly good fun (especially if you're Ros).

From royal châteaus to rivers of Earl Grey, today blended French heritage, flaky pastries, and a sneak peek at England’s edge. Bonus points: we managed the tender ride without getting soaked.

With Pauillac in our rear-view and Concarneau on the horizon, today was all about indulgence: pancakes, massages, scenic sailing, and a butler-delivered lamb feast. Not bad for a day that started with hitting snooze.

From ancient catacombs beneath Saint-Émilion to a French feast on board, today was a journey through history, heat—and a heroic number of desserts. Also, there was a car fire. Never a dull moment.

Little Jimmy, banana mousse, and trivia fuelled by Kahlúa – just another deeply silly and spectacular day at sea. We didn’t win cornhole, but Ros’s painted toes and a whisky nightcap made us feel like champions.

We sailed into the Basque Country with rogue waves, mystery salads, and designer bath-towel shirts. A weird urinal topped it off—and that’s before sunset cocktails on a helideck.

From Michelin-starred bites to busted dessert habits, our Bilbao day had everything—sunshine, scotch, salt rooms and a solid nap mid-massage.

We honoured Mum, the PanKind walk, and the joy of being alive – with meaningful steps, surprise tapas, and a dinner that danced across Asia.

A Coruña greeted us with ancient lighthouses, Atlantic winds, and ceiling-slung jamón. But it was an unexpected chopper ride that stole the spotlight—soaring over Spain’s rugged coast at 180 km/h.

An early morning stroll, stormy seas, and shared stories made our day in Porto unforgettable. From wine tastings to Lumière’s seven-course decadence, it ended the only way it could—spa oils, single malt, and the sea.

We officially stepped aboard the Scenic Eclipse—with champagne in hand, new friends by our side, and a suite that left us speechless. It was a day of excitement, indulgence, and a few reassuring words about ocean cruising from a couple of seasoned pros.

Our Lisbon farewell included a hill climb, a tart worth the effort, and an unfortunate chocolate incident involving blue shorts. But by afternoon, we were ready to board the Scenic Eclipse—pants dry, spirits high.

Lisbon threw traffic jams, flying coffee, and identity crises (for the red bus companies) our way—but we powered through with pastries and a laugh. Our last full day before Scenic Eclipse ended, as all great days should, with burgers and champagne.

From navigating grass fires and confused GPS systems to a four-minute meal at 30,000 feet, this travel day packed in more drama than it had any right to. Bonus points for an airport robot and a buttery tart before our rollercoaster descent into Lisbon.

A quirky breakfast menu, an epic bell tower climb, and a mission for molasses-covered eggplant defined our day in Cádiz. From crypts to croquettes, it was a feast for the senses—and our step count.

A quiet breakfast, a helmet-required hike and one very tight car park later, we said goodbye to Ronda. Cue a chaotic road trip filled with wrong turns, croquette overload, and a warm Cádiz welcome.

From a chaotic car rental and the narrowest streets in Spain to a surprise religious procession and a golden-hour view over Ronda’s gorge, this day had it all. Even Achilles the dog got in on the action—with enthusiasm.

Our first full day in Malaga delivered sun, sightseeing and surprise butter bites. From castle-top views to market strolls and a close-up look at the Scenic Eclipse, it was a perfect mix of exploring and relaxing.

From champagne at 8am to chaos at Heathrow, our journey to Malaga was anything but dull. Dodging security confusion, rowdy golfers, and even a bit of airport smoke, we finally made it to our portside hotel—with charcuterie and yachts to welcome us.

Somewhere between sponge cake, synced movies, and surprise champagne at 40,000 feet, time stopped making any sense. But it was a heartfelt gesture from the Qantas crew that truly grounded us in the most unexpected way.

From runaway luggage and hot stone massages to pyjamas before takeoff and bottomless champagne, our First Class flight to Singapore was already unforgettable. But it was a quiet word from the crew about life, luck and second chances that left the biggest impression.

Our trip of a lifetime begins with the first of four flights, taking us from Brisbane to Sydney for the start of our First Class journey to London. From last-minute suitcase shopping to heartfelt letters and lounge mishaps, the adventure is already underway.