Due to the rising costs in Europe this year I decided not to do my usual European vacation this Spring. Oh, how i would love to go to Paris again, but maybe that can wait til Fall. Besides it seems like I have traveled every corner of Europe and want to try something new.

So my choice for this year is Australia. I leave for Sydney and Melbourne on 4/13 and will be there for 2 weeks. I got my tickets for $89 for first class seats using my frequent flyer miles on United.

Remember my "i heart paris" blog in November? Well I will be at it again. This time it's "i heart australia" and I will be blogging live from Australia starting on April 23 at 6am ET.

Sorry I feel like I "sold out" but there will be no Europe report this season, but won't you join me in Australia?

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartaustralia

In case you misssed my report last year....

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartparis

I'll be there in spirit!

sweet! have fun down under. I'm heading to British Columbia and also New Zealand instead of the usual European stuff as well (although I could always get a wild hair and pop over for a few days).

you can't beat your ticket price either! go you!

Bon voyage, Richard and Flygirl. It sounds exciting.

richard! What fun! I would LOVE to go to Australia!
You will most definitely Australia, everyone does
Say hello to NeilOz too (who says the weather is beautiful there right now!)
I will be on the blog lookout

I'm in ...

I'm in the USofA, one of my best friends tries to go to Australia at least every 18 months - its her soul's home...mine is maybe Paris, so far
<GRIN> she loves it that much!

Richard, I am sure that you will find Sydney and Melbourne both beautiful and hospitable. I live in Sydney, so my recommendations for things to do would be: a day on Sydney Harbour on a yacht, the Harbour Bridge climb (don't miss it), fish and chips at Doyles Restaurant Watsons Bay, a trip to Manly Beach (perhaps by ferry), a walk through the Botanical Gardens, drinks at the pubs in the "Rocks" area of Sydney. A day trip to the Hunter Valley vineyards or the Blue Mountains. Have a great time and if I can help you with any information please don't hesitate!

That's exciting. I can't wait!

Hey everyone in a few hours I will be off to a short stop in San Francisco then Australia! Don't forget to read my live blog while I travel!

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartaustralia

(sorry Paris...)

Hope you have a great time Richard. I love it there and suspect I may turn resident someday. More likely still since I'm married to an Aussie who'd love to go home, but I sure wouldn't mind. Looking forward to hearing how the trip goes.

And the castles and cities and such have been in Europe for centuries +. They'll still be there next year!

Richard, bon voyage! Looking forward to reading your report. The weather is still pretty warm and sunny, bring your swimmers.

I am in Melbourne now and the weather is great!

Hi richardab, lucky you!!! It will be fun to follow your trip through the Land of OZ. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

And $89.00 for a first class ticket. WOW! I am almost crosseyed over that bit of information, LOL.

Have a great time, tell us how it's going so far!

Richard,

Australia's beautiful everywhere, but my sister just returned last Sunday from 2 weeks there and she said that Brisbane's where it's at. Very beautiful, laid back and tropical. Have a looksee if you can.

Wherever you go, have a great time. Will be reading your blog.

Excellent, glad you're getting good weather! When you're ready to get out of the city around Melb, there's the Great Ocean Rd, the Yarra Valley, Healsville, Bendigo, Ballarat, Phillip Island, the Dandenongs.

That oughta keep you out of trouble for awhile...

Sydney is a great city and has everything you can imagine. Great shopping, lots of sights, the harbour, museums and good food.

but....

Its not Paris!

Enjoyed reading your blog, but feel like I've put on 10 pounds by the time I got to the end.

Looking forward to the summary and pictures, but won't get to it until mid-May; Off to Jordan, Egypt and Budapest tonight so it will have to wait.

uhh well i think i put on 5!

hEY RICHARDAB, GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU.!!