So the trip is over, we're home.

I'm trying to summarise what we've done and what we've seen on our amazing trip across Europe. I don't think I can do it justice but I'll try!

We started in Italy which was a country I've always wanted to visit and it didn't disappoint. Rome full of sights, culture, history and crazy drivers; Florence which surprised us both with its beauty and tranquility and Venice which is so unusual that everyone should visit once in their lifetime. The highlights for both of us were Florence and Pisa. We also visited the Trevi Fountain which was our first major sight and at 6am in the morning it was the most wonderful introduction to the very best that Italy had to offer.

London was just like I remembered and completely different at the same time. London brought us to family and for Sarah the amazing opportunity to meet three great grandparents. Catching up with family and friends was such a pleasure. We went to the Olympics and I had the opportunity to visit some long remebered haunts and to tell Sarah a little about my life in London when I was a child. Of course London's not without its iconic landmarks and we saw our fair share of those too. I think we'll both also be grateful to London for providing a delicious break from the heat in Italy, France and Spain!

Barcelona was a lovely break for us in the middle of a very busy six week trip. Kind of like a holiday from our holiday! We deliberately took it easy here and found it very restful. Barcelona also brought us to Gaudi's masterpiece - La Sagrada Familia. It truly was the most breathtaking place of the whole trip for me. Peaceful and stunningly beautiful, if you ever have the opportunity - please go. We also loved the magic fountain of Montjuic which was perhaps the biggest surprise of the trip, we didn't know much about it but we're so very pleased we went.

Paris was amazing, all the landmarks you've read about for years and of course the Tower. I still remember looking out of the apartment window that first day and feeling so overwhelmed that we were finally there. Disneyland was wonderful and I'm still a bit surprised at how excited I was to walk through the gates!

We

• got lost more times than we can count
• ate gelati for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• took thousands of photos
• tried snails and tapas
• walked more than we thought possible
• had success and failure with hotels, food and language
• spent a fortune
• left with 17kgs and returned with 60kgs (yes really)
• made memories that will last a lifetime

So, the very best thing about the trip? Not surprisingly it was spending time with Sarah and watching her take in sights that some people won't see in their lifetime. It was about finding humour in situations that weren't funny; loving most moments and one week on - thinking about where to go next!!!