Dear diary
So we’re doing THIS!
Ten years ago, we made a promise to ourselves: one day, we’d take our parents on their DREAM HOLIDAY TO EUROPE. Well… pinch us because it’s happening!
We’re hopping on the trip of a lifetime — cruising the Delightful Danube with Travelmarvel from Budapest to Munich.
My dream? To twirl through the hills on a Sound of Music tour with my mum Rosa. Lauren’s dream? To clink beers with her dad at Oktoberfest and then walk the cobblestones of Ascoli Piceno, the tiny Italian town where he was born. Eight nights, nine days, exploring fairytale towns and castles by day, floating down one of the most magical rivers in Europe by night. From Budapest, to Vienna, to Melk, to Passau, to Regensberg, and finally onto Nuremberg and then finishing up in Munich. I mean, we’re pinching ourselves!
We figure, nobody knows what’s around the corner, so making memories with the people we love while they’re still fit and able (hi Mum and Dad) means everything to us.
MASSSSSIVE love to Phil Hoffmann Travel for making this all so easy — literally all we have to do is get on the plane and breathe. And speaking of planes…
We are BEYOND excited to try the Qsuite with Qatar Airways. Apparently, it isn’t just a seat — oh no. It’s been voted World’s Best Business Class at the Skytrax World Airline Awards a record 12 times. Think: private cocoon with sliding doors, lie-flat bed, destination-inspired cuisine, and award-winning hospitality. With just one seamless stop in Doha, we’ll be sipping champagne before we even see a castle.
Europe with our parents? Let’s do this!
Hayley and Lauren xx
SEPTEMBER 27
Dear Diary
THIS IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING! We’re halfway to Europe… currently in Doha Airport. And thanks to the Qatar Airways Qsuite, we’ve gone from dorky mums to fully reclined, champagne-sipping, private-suite people. Who even are we?!
Fun fact: the Qsuite has been voted World’s Best Business Class 12 times. And it shows — sliding doors, beds that go allll the way flat, chef-designed menus, world-class wines, PJs, and service that makes you want to move in permanently.
If this was THE holiday, we wouldn’t even care. This is absolute BLISS.
PS: we’ve lost our parents. Has anyone seen them?
SEPTEMBER 27 (continued…)
Dear Diary
We’re in Doha… and yes, we’re eating our way through this airport! 🍴
En route to #AdeladyDoesEurope with our parents, and we’ve discovered Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia are spoiling travellers with a stopover win. If you’re a Privilege Club or Velocity Frequent Flyer member, you score a FREE $20 dining voucher just for transiting through Hamad International Airport.
It’s so easy: add your membership number to your booking before (or at) check-in, show your boarding pass, and boom — snacks are on them. With 50+ places to eat, the only challenge is choosing where to start.
If you’re flying overseas anytime soon, make the most of it. Now, off to shower before our next stop: Budapest!
SEPTEMBER 28
Dear Diary
We arrived in Budapest, after another magnificent flight on Qatar Airways. What an easy airport to arrive in too… I think we were expecting chaos but there was none of that. We were all tired but full of excitement and bee-lined straight to Corinthia Hotel where we showered and tried to pretend we weren’t grossly jet-lagged!
Then, we hopped in a cab into the heart of the city where I met my mum and dad (who have been travelling through Italy for the last 5 weeks). Oh, the joy! The six of us, finally together, exploring this magical city. Our hearts exploded!
The magnificent architecture, the famous Danube we’d only ever seen in photos, the lights on the water, sharing a meal in this outrageously gorgeous European town, we are both pinching ourselves. How can this be real?
We meandered through the streets lined with fairy lights and pumping with outdoor dining and what a surprise — ended up on Fashion Street: the biggest fashion quarter in Budapest!
Tomorrow, we embark on our eight night, nine day adventure of Travelmarvel’s The Delightful Danube from Budapest to Munich on board one of Travelmarvel’s gorgeous river ships, which are actually custom‑designed for Europe’s magnificent rivers. You’ve got la-di-da French balcony windows, a sky deck terrace for taking in the most exquisite views, multiple lounges, amazing food and service… every ingredient to make it the most magical holiday ever! We cannot wait!
SEPTEMBER 29
Dear Diary
Lauren and I couldn’t sleep (blame excitement, jet lag, or maybe the ghost of the pizza we devoured last night repeating on us lol), so we got up at the crack of dawn, smashed breakfast, chucked on our activewear, and hit the streets of Budapest like we owned the joint.
We walked 20,000 steps (that’s right, TWENTY. THOUSAND.) from bridge (Pest) to bridge (Buda) — partly because we were too early for the shops but mostly because this city is jaw-droppingly stunning and we couldn’t stop exploring. Also side note, there are copious amounts of pigeons in this city!
Anywho, fuelled by coffee we strolled back via Fashion Street to the hotel where the parents were READY. Then it was transfer time to our new floating home: the Travelmarvel Capella — and let us tell you, SHE IS A BEAUTY.
We all walked up and down the ship’s hallways with massive smiles. This ship is beyond — its super luxe! And we just got an eyeful of the dining room… la-di-da!!
Within minutes of boarding, we’d already ordered four Henry’s and two virgin Henry’s and sat at the front of the boat sipping away while we met our fellow Cruise loving friends from Sydney, Ingham in QLD and even a couple from Adelaide! And guess what? The couple from Adelaide booked at Phil Hoffmann Travel too!
All our clothes are in our draws and the suitcases are under the bed. Everything has its place on a cruise and that has to be one of the best parts. There is no way you could see so many places by foot… the packing and unpacking would make it so much more stressful! So for the next 9 days this will be our home and we can hardly wait to explore everywhere from Slovenia to Nuremberg, Vienna to Budapest!
Dinner is locked in for 7pm and we’re ready to dine like queens, then we’ll rug up and sit at the top of the ship watching the twinkling lights of the Danube.
Hearts are smiling!
SEPTEMBER 30
Dear Diary,
This morning, we woke up after the most incredible sleep aboard our floating home for the next eight nights. The beds were unbelievably comfy, and the pillows? Huge, fluffy clouds of perfection. We felt so rested and ready for the day ahead!
After getting dressed, we headed straight to breakfast — and wow, the buffet was on another level. There was an omelette station (yes, made to order!), fresh fruit, cereals, flaky pastries, and everything else you could possibly want to fuel up before a big day of exploring.
At 8:30am sharp, the travel buses departed, and off we went with our guide to soak in the sights, sounds, and spirit of Budapest — our final day in this stunning city.
First stop: the magnificent Parliament House and the Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere), a well-known and very historic plaza with the statues of Hungary’s legendary leaders, who gave us a real sense of the country’s proud history.
Next, we strolled through the charming streets and found ourselves at St. Stephen’s Basilica — something until now, we’d only admired from Instagram. Built between 1851 and 1905, its dome peaks at 96 meters, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city. Inside was incredible! The details, the art on the ceiling. My God, it’s beautiful. We lit candles for our loved ones and took plenty of photos.
Then, came a sweet surprise… literally! Right across the street, we treated ourselves to the most amazing gelato we’ve ever had. Not only was it delicious, but it was shaped like a rose, it was beautiful!
In the afternoon, we returned to the ship for lunch and a well-deserved rest. We spent the rest of the day relaxing in our cosy cabin as the ship gently sailed away from Budapest, beginning its scenic journey toward Vienna. We passed by quaint little towns, rolling hills and fairy-tale castles, it felt like we were watching a storybook unfold outside our window.
What a magical day of sightseeing and relaxing all rolled into one! Now to get ready for dinner…
OCTOBER 1
Dear Diary
Guten Tag! Today, we woke up in beautiful Austria — and yes, we’re still pinching ourselves.
As our ship gently floated into Vienna, we grabbed our parents, rugged up, and jumped off our luxurious floating home for a panoramic tour of this incredible city. (BTW every day you’re offered off-board tours, some are included as part of your inclusive package with Travelmarvel and some are a little extra, but totally worth it).
Vienna was everything we’d imagined it to be — grand buildings with gold trimmings, cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and the faint sound of classical music floating in the air. Every corner feels like a postcard, and we were totally in our element.
Mid-tour, Mama Rosa casually dropped a story about the best cake of her life (the iconic Sachertorte) which she tried at Hotel Sacher back in 1978. Naturally, we made it our mission to find it again.
So, in true European fashion (rain and all), we wandered the streets, found the historic hotel, lined up, and ordered three slices between the four of us. And let me tell you — the hype is real. Rich, chocolatey, with a perfectly tart layer of apricot jam… it’s the kind of dessert that deserves its own moment. Side note: In peak “Dad” fashion, Wayneo misread the menu and thought it said €57 for one slice of cake. He nearly flipped a table before we clarified it was for the whole cake.
After cake, we dried off and spent the afternoon exploring Vienna’s rich history — palaces, opera houses, cathedrals, and some of the most stunning architecture in Europe. It’s no wonder so many of the world’s greatest composers called this city home.
Speaking of composers, we just did the most incredible experience ever! We got all dolled up and headed to a Mozart concert inside a palace! It feels like we’ve stepped into a storybook! It was magnificent and funny and absolutely incredible! This was an Enhance Your Tour experience and we all gave it an 11/10!
Night night — tomorrow’s Bratislava, baby!
OCTOBER 2
Dear diary,
Today was all about fairytale views, limoncello spritzes and castle views from Bratislava 🇸🇰
We kicked off our morning in Austria, and by 11am, we were 80km away in Slovakia’s charming capital, Bratislava. One of the absolute best things about travelling in Europe? You can blink and suddenly find yourself in a completely different country with a new language, new culture, new food… it’s honestly magic, and never gets old.
We joined our lovely tour guide for a day trip across the border — and Bratislava did not disappoint. The old town? Straight out of a storybook. Cobblestone streets, colourful baroque buildings and cute cafés on every corner. We soaked in the sunshine, strolled under colourful buildings and browsed quirky shops filled with handmade Slovak souvenirs.
Then came the views from high up at Bratislava Castle, where we had sweeping scenes across the entire city and the Danube River. It was one of those “pinch me” moments, you know, where you stop and go, how is this where we are right now?
Of course, no day of ours is complete without a little indulgence. We fully embraced the European lifestyle with:
- 🍋 Limoncello Spritzes (who says they’re just for Italy?)
- 🍦 Gelato in the sunshine (mandatory)
- 🍕 A sneaky pizza stop (balance)
- 🍽️ A delicious local lunch that warmed our souls
But what’s made it even more special? Travelling with our parents. These are the memories that will stick with us forever. The laughs, the stories, the shared “oohs” and “aahs” at every turn. Honestly, we’re having the best time soaking it all in together.
Tomorrow, another country awaits — but tonight, we’re toasting Slovakia, Austria and the magic of family travel.
Until tomorrow, Pineapples xx
OCTOBER 3
Dear Diary,
Today we found the Beauty and the Beast village in real life… Dürnstein is a tiny village on the Danube that felt like walking into a fairytale — and we were Belle!
Cobblestone streets, colourful little houses and bright flowers everywhere! Known for their apricots, you can buy them in literally every form from wine to ice cream to chocolates (they call them “rabbit shit” 🤣), chutneys, jams, schnapps, and everything in between. This little town was so picture perfect. And can we have a round of applause for Mama Rosa, who walked all the way up to the top of the tower, which was extremely steep! Hayley and I started… then gave up and went to buy a jacket and some fridge magnets instead.
From there, we hopped back on the bus and then jumped into the hot tub on the top deck of the ship. It was so toasty warm inside! Slightly chilly when we got out, but the views were totally worth it. We sat on the top deck for hours and watched the most beautiful stretch of the Danube float by, until about 3:30pm., when we landed in Melk.
Melk is home to the most beautiful abbey at the top of the hill, which we just had to explore. From there, we walked down some cobblestone pathways, and Papa DeChez and I stopped in for a German beer together! Papa Wayne took snaps of the stunning architecture, while Hayley and Rosa browsed all the charming little boutiques. Melk was a delightful little stroll, and then at night, it was back on the ship for dinner and acoustic music in the bar.
Tomorrow, we have the biggest day ever. So, night night xx
OCTOBER 4
Dear Diary, today the hills were alive because we made our way to Salzburg! And without a doubt, the highlight of the day was visiting the iconic Sound of Music church in Mondsee.
We actually stepped inside the very chapel where Maria and Captain von Trapp tied the knot in the film. Honestly, we were bursting with excitement, it felt like we’d stepped right into the movie. Total dream-come-true moment. Naturally, we couldn’t resist singing Do-Re-Mi all around town!
You can watch our singing video here — you’ve been warned!
Back in Salzburg, we joined a guided walking tour through the charming old town, weaving our way past the most adorable pastel, baroque buildings. It was like walking through a postcard. Think cobbled laneways, cosy little cafés, markets, boutique shops and of course since Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart, we visited his house and admired the statue dedicated to him in the square.
To top it all off, the evening brought us across the border into Germany for a traditional Bavarian feast onboard, complete with live music from a local band that had everyone tapping their feet and raising their glasses. The ship continues to overdeliver with its culinary offerings, as every meal reflects the flavours of the towns we pass, echoing the authentic tastes of the region. From warm pretzels and schnitzel to spiced sausages and creamy spaetzle, the dinner was a celebration of all things Bavarian.
What makes it even more special is the wine. Each night, we’ve been tasting different varieties sourced from the tiny, picturesque villages we glide past. Whether it’s a crisp Grüner Veltliner from Austria or a bold Riesling from Germany, every glass tells a story of the landscape and people behind it. It’s been such a delicious journey for the senses.
So, Prost 🍻 to a day that started in the rolling hills of Austria and ended with a hearty beer and live music under the stars in Germany 🇩🇪. This is river cruising at its finest, and we’re savouring every moment.
Tomorrow we have a slow morning and will find ourselves in Regensberg by noon.
OCTOBER 5
Regensburg on a rainy Sunday had its own kind of charm — even with all the shops closed, the city felt alive. We wandered the cobblestone streets with umbrellas in hand, soaking up the old-world beauty and snapping photos of the most stunning buildings. The rain only made the colours pop more.
We found a cosy spot for the best hot chocolate and strudel of our LIVES and then went into another magnificent church and lit a candle for the people that we love.
From there, we explored Nuremberg — a city full of history, and where Hitler held some of his most famous rallies, which for some was hard to stomach.
But the highlight of Nuremberg for us, was visiting the markets where we walked in the rain, ate hot Christmas nuts, went shopping in the main square and then hit the sack, ready to head to Munich the next day.
OCTOBER 6
And just like that, our #AdeladyForEurope2025 adventure has come to an end — and what a magical finale it was in Munich. From belly laughs echoing through beer halls to the unforgettable views after climbing 370 steps to the top of the city’s tallest church, our hearts are full. Lauren had the obligatory pork knuckle, and Hayley, as promised, had her frothy with Dino while our mums bought more chocolate than you could dream of.
The Travelmarvel ship? Faultless. Immaculate rooms, where every time you leave and come back it’s perfectly cleaned with fresh sheets and towels, and even your pjs are folded. We had exceptional service the whole time and some truly incredible food (and you don’t overeat like some all-inclusives). The excursions let you choose your own pace — whether guided or free-range, like we preferred… we were all about the free time lol!
We loved every second and would recommend this experience to EVERYONE! We’ll be talking about this one for years. Europe, you’ve been a dream. Until next time.
Hayley + Lauren x
