Venice: The Floating City.

“I stood in Venice, on the bridge of sighs. A Palace and a Prison in both hands”.

In the air, on approach to land in Venice it’s hard to believe that these (sinking) islands can sustain such a bustling and influential city. The dream city that is famous on postcards around the world.

Who decided to build a city on (floating) islands? They sit in such a way it looks as though one wave would engulf them all – and this plane was about to land on one, we hoped.

Venice is a city of dreams, where imagination comes to life and is begging to be explored, I was so excited to finally, be arriving with my best friend to experience the whole thing and to begin our fleeting love affair with Italy.

Other than the city itself, I was attracted to the city to visit one of my very good friends I met while travelling and volunteering in Nepal. I hadn’t seen her in years, but we had kept in touch (by writing gorgeous letters) and I had always promised one day I would be back – and here we were.

How To Survive Long Haul Flying

For once you have tasted Flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned Skyward, for there you have been, and there you will long to return. – Leonardo Da Vinci

Flying conjures up a different feeling in everyone. Some people – like me – get overly excited, daydream about daydreaming out of the plane window, while looking forward to the rush of taking off and the thrill of the landing.

Others – like many of my friends/family – have the dread. Flying is the obstacle they have to suffer through to get to the next destination. It will be sleepless, uncomfortable and stuffy.

Whatever your feelings are about flying, I think we can all agree, Long Haul travel is a breed of its own and comes with its own pro’s and con’s.

After numerous trips abroad – many being long haul – here are my top tips on surviving long haul flying.