Embark on a remarkable journey with us as we sail across the high seas from the historic city of Lisbon to the picturesque vineyards of Cape Town. Our voyage aboard the Seven Seas Splendor with Regent Seven Seas Cruises traces an exquisite route that introduces us to a tapestry of cultures, from the aromatic allure of Morocco's Tajines to the joyous spirit of children in some of the world's most remote communities. Our vessel, the Seven Seas Splendor, is a testament to nautical artistry. Her sleek design, from bow to stern, encapsulates luxury and comfort. The ship's ideal capacity made our voyage particularly exceptional. It balanced spaciousness with intimacy, hosting 746 guests with attentive service from 548 crew members. Every detail on Regent Seven Seas Cruises is finely curated to enhance the travel experience. The Splendor is perfectly designed to ensure guests never feel crowded, allowing each individual to savour their journey as though on their private vessel. With three specialty restaurants offering exquisite dining options and a selection of bars featuring live music, the ship offers many choices catered to every taste. Our all-inclusive experience onboard the Splendor was transformative. The convenience of an all-inclusive lifestyle where one needs not worry about the little things, like taking out a key card, adds luxury to the cruise that we quickly grew to adore. A highlight of our cruise experience was the extraordinary treatment we received when our laundry was returned—not merely clean but presented in beautiful boxes enveloped in tissue paper—a touch of elegance that did not go unnoticed. Above all, the crew of the Seven Seas Splendor amplified our journey to new heights. Skilled and passionate, each member showcased why they are the best in their field, turning exceptional service into art. This cruise from Lisbon to Cape Town is not just a journey across the ocean; it's an exploration of varied landscapes, cultures, and the human spirit. As we sailed from the bustling bazaars of Morocco to the tranquil wineries in Cape Town, what stood out were the universal warmth and smiles of the people we met—memories that will remain with us long after our splendid voyage.

For all our travel experiences, tips on accommodation, dining and experiences exploring Austria, click here . Vienna Sausal Gösselsdorf Laas Zell am See Solden Seefeld Hallstatt Melk

Seehotel Grüner Baum - One Night The only way to truly experience Hallstatt is to stay overnight at this beautiful hotel. Most rooms overlook the lake, and I suggest you do what we did. We arrived mid-afternoon, avoided the crowds and had a late lunch or early dinner on the lake. Then we explored Hallstatt in the evening after 7 pm when all the crowds had gone. You will be blessed with amazing views, the quiet serenity of the lake and excellent service. Be warned, Hallstatt is currently running at overcapacity, so staying inside the hotel until after the day-trippers have left will give you a once-in-a-lifetime memory.

Hallstatt This small town is in the district of Gmunden, in the Austrian state of Upper Austria. Situated between the southwestern shore of Hallstätter See and the steep slopes of the Dachstein massif, the town lies in Salzkammergut region, on the national road linking Salzburg and Graz. Hallstatt is known for its salt production, dating back to prehistoric times. Hallstatt is at the core of the "Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape" declared as one of the World Heritage Sites in Austria by UNESCO in 1997. It is an area of over-tourism. To understand the actual impact and image, most Austrians have not visited due to the massive volume of day-trippers. My advice would be to stay at Seehotel Grüner Baum . Enjoy the view from their restaurant on the lake, then visit the town after 7 pm or before 10 am. Then, you'll get to experience Hallstatt in all its glorious beauty.

Neu:Wohnung im Kärntner Bauernhaus in Panoramalage - Three nights Beyond expectations, it is an extraordinary getaway. So many Airbnb places look great in the listing but don't always meet your expectations. This Airbnb defines description as just perfect. The farmhouse is stunning, and nothing prepares you for the views, location, and facilities (e.g., Miele appliances throughout the apartment). We would recommend at least five or more days to enjoy the location. The sunny apartment and the covered, spacious patio offer an unobstructed view. Michael is a wonderful host and very easy to communicate with. He always checked in to ensure you were happy and was a pleasure to deal with. This historic Carinthian farmhouse, built in 1850 in a secluded location, has been lovingly and carefully renovated. It is very spacious, spotlessly clean, and peaceful. Walking along the stream to the small local village is beautiful; visit the water wheel from 1880. The location is perfect, and you have the most quaint village within a few minutes' drive.  We dined at Josef's Restaurant , serving a great Italian restaurant. You can push your limits, try wild boar and deer, and be pleasantly surprised. We preferred staying in this unique Airbnb and wished longer to enjoy this breathtaking place.

Josef's Restaurant Wandering through the charming streets of Kundl, we stumbled upon a culinary gem that promised an evening of delightful surprises: Josef's Restaurant. The vibrant buzz of conversation and laughter spilling out into the quiet Tuesday evening was the first indication that we were in for a treat. From the first bite, it was clear that Josef's is not your average Italian restaurant. The carefully curated menu offers a blend of traditional flavours and innovative creations. With their unique entree and main dish selections, I ventured into new culinary territory, each plate revealing flavours I had never encountered in Italian cuisine. The pleasure of discovering these new dishes added an extra layer of excitement to our dining experience. What truly sets Josef's apart is its commitment to authentic, high-quality ingredients that allow each dish to shine. It's rare to find a place that surprises an avid Italian cuisine lover with new flavours, but Josef's did just that. The freshness of the produce and the skilful blend of spices and herbs in each dish speak volumes about its dedication to culinary excellence. While we found the wine selection modest, it became apparent that the Austrian beers were the faithful companions to Josef's exquisite fare. The selection of beers provided a refreshing contrast to the rich flavours of the food, rounding out the dining experience beautifully.

We were utterly overwhelmed by Morocco; it has the most spectacular scenery, vastly changing as you move through the country. The landscapes were mesmerising; one day, you would be surrounded by snow-capped mountains next, in the Sahara desert, and then the beautiful surf coastal towns. The food made leaving it hard; we loved the tajines and local wines. The Moroccan people, even more, are the kindest, happiest and friendliest souls. Lifelong friendships were made, and memories will last a lifetime. We like to treat ourselves to a certain level of luxury as we travel, as it is all part of the experience. We thoroughly researched all areas and found the best budget options (AUD 100 per night), primarily through Airbnb and hotels.com. Here is a selection of our preferred stays in Morocco. Morocco Casablanca Tamaris El Jadida Oualidia Safi Essaouira Ait Ben Haddou Dades Gorges Sahara Desert Meknes Rabat We are foodies and wine/cocktail lovers, so the first thing we do when we arrive at a new destination is Google the best restaurants and bars. We enjoy long, lazy lunches with a fun atmosphere, great staff and, of course, food and wine. We have been fortunate to dine in some fabulous establishments, and here is a list of our favourites in Morocco.

For all our travel experiences, tips on accommodation, dining and experiences exploring Albania, click here . Tirana - Eight Weeks Durres - Ten Nights Vlore - Four Nights Himare - Five Nights Gjirokaster - Five Nights Permet - Three Nights Korce - Six Nights

Value for money - Good Security - Very Safe People - Friendly Travel - Easy Length - 12 Weeks When - July to September Transfers - Bus and Uber Accommodation - Mainly Airbnb Tipping - Not expected; however, we rounded up to 10% For all our travel experiences, tips on accommodation, dining and experiences exploring Croatia, click here . Zagreb - Seven nights Rijeka - Three nights Rovinj - Two months Pula - Two weeks Plitvice Lakes - Two nights Dubrovnik - Two nights

For all our travel experiences, tips on accommodation, dining, and experiences exploring Macedonia, click here . Ohrid - One month Lagadin - One week Bitola - Three weeks Krushevo - One week Mavrovo - Four nights Matka - Three nights Skopje - Two weeks