Exploring the world one trip at a time is the path Kelly Ferguson and fiancée Lachlan Olsen are eager to pursue.
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And why not? In their 50s, with grown children — some already out of the nest and others old enough to fend for themselves —they’re well and truly ready to embrace that freedom and travel the world.
I couldn't agree more — pack those suitcases and set off on an adventure!
However, what sets this couple apart is their passion for inspiring others to travel too.
COVID and work commitments meant lots of domestic travel, and although they’ve only taken one overseas trip together as a couple, both Kelly and Lachlan are seasoned travellers in their own right.
With their combined experience and the expert guidance of Travel Manager’s travel consultant David Brown, they have become a globe-trotting duo well-versed in the top destinations that should be on every bucket list.
So, get ready to pack your bags — mentally, at least — because their five-week journey to Italy I’m about to share with you will have you wanting to call David to book your own adventure.
It’s September 2023, and where is their first stop you ask? Well, every international holiday usually starts with a plane ride, so their first destination is Melbourne Airport.
“We had a seamless journey from Melbourne to Doha with Qatar Airways and arrived in Rome. Even the airport in Doha is an amazing place and our trip had only just begun,” Kelly said.
“We spent one night in Rome, and then we went down south.
“Train to Naples, a ferry to Sorrento and then enjoyed the Amalfi Coast for a few days before going back up to Rome and joining the Trafalgar Tour.”
Kelly and Lachlan believe during their trip they experienced every form of transport imaginable.
Their journey was carefully planned, with each of the three stages offering a different level of effort.
The first leg of the trip took them to the Amalfi Coast, where they navigated the challenge of catching trains, ferries, taxis and buses, made their own plans, and essentially became self-sufficient travellers.
The second stage was a Trafalgar Tour by bus, where the focus shifted to simply having their bags ready and allowing the tour guide to lead the way.
Finally, the 10-day cruise provided the ultimate relaxation — time to put their feet up and enjoy an entirely different pace.
Kelly and Lachlan’s 11-day Trafalgar Tour adventure in Italy began and ended in Rome, creating a full circle through the country’s northern rich cultural and historical landscapes.
They started by exploring Rome’s iconic sites like the Vatican and the Colosseum, before heading north to the medieval town of Lucca and the picturesque Cinque Terre.
Their journey continued through the art-filled streets of Florence and the rolling hills of Tuscany, where they visited San Gimignano and Pisa.
They then travelled to Verona, famous for Juliet’s Balcony, and soaked in the magic of Venice’s canals.
The trip concluded with a foodies heaven in Bologna, a serene visit to Assisi and a final stop in Tivoli before returning to Rome.
“On the first night of the Trafalgar Tour, we were kind of doubting if we were going to make friends with anyone, but on the second day, we went to a winery and that was it,” Lachlan said.
“There are a lot of people we have made friends for life with and photos of the group antics we won’t share for the magazine.” he added with a laugh.
“The Trafalgar Tour was amazing, and again I am going to come back to David, because he knew the different companies and gave us the best advice on what we really wanted to see and do,” Kelly said.
“Trafalgar has a cheaper version called cost saver, but we wanted to make sure we were staying in Florence and staying in Venice, whereas with other companies, you’re actually staying 20 minutes out of the immediate area.
“We researched from other people’s experiences that tours like this can be go, go, go every day and sleeping in uncomfortable accommodation and not being able to explore the town easily, whereas with Trafalgar, we stayed everywhere for two nights and the accommodation was great and the tours amazing.
“It was an incredible experience, and we could not complain about anything. I was very impressed.”
After returning to Rome, Kelly and Lachlan extended their stay for an additional three nights in Trastevere, a vibrant and lively hub of the city.
They both commented that Trastevere was easy to explore on foot, offering convenient access to historical landmarks, and also felt very safe and were warmly welcomed by many friendly locals.
“We just loved it there. It had a fabulous atmosphere and can’t wait to get back there.” Kelly said.
“It had a young vibe with quaint cafés, and it was just so easy to get around and keep exploring,” Lachlan said.
“There were some spots we visited a few times at different times of the day, and each time it offered a different view of the history you were around.”
Kelly and Lachlan's next adventure was the 10-night European cruise on the Norwegian Breakaway.
It took them to a variety of stunning destinations, starting and ending in Civitavecchia, Rome.
Along the way, they explored Santorini, Athens, Corfu, Valletta, Messina, Naples, Livorno, and Cannes, experiencing a rich blend of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery.
“Again, David helped us pick the right cruise ship, and basically, he organised it all for us and the cruise was brilliant,” Kelly said.
“It sailed at night and then the following day you would be in a new location where you would be on a tour, exploring the area yourself or staying on the ship — flexibility to do a cruise as busy or as relaxed as you want it to be.
“There was around 4000 people on board, but it honestly didn’t feel like there was that many people at all.
“Some of the tender ports were a bit harder and longer to get off, but you figure out all that as you go along and just having a chill out day on the ship was amazing too.”
After meeting such fantastic people on the Trafalgar trip, they weren’t sure how the cruise was going to top this, and it certainly exceeded their expectations.
They once again met some of the most amazing people from all over the world during the cruise whether it was over dinner, on tours or parties at night.
With more travel plans on the horizon, including their next adventure in the United States and another Mediterranean cruise planned — this time as a reunion with their Trafalgar Tour friends, Kelly and Lachlan said that if someone was interested in travel, they should absolutely get out there and experience it.
“Just make it happen because it's absolutely worth it,” Lachlan said.
“It’s the people you meet and the amazing day-to-day experiences that you will have with you for a lifetime,” Kelly said.
“If travel is one of your passions, don’t let it be a barrier. Explore different countries and enjoy the experience, whether you’re on a budget or seeking luxury — there’s an option for everyone.
“There are so many options for worldwide travel now, and having someone like David as a local expert in Shepparton to help map everything out makes the adventure much easier to arrange and more enjoyable.”
This story originally featured in Betty & Don Magazine 2024. Find the full magazine, here: https://www.sheppnews.com.au/features-and-magazines/betty-don-magazine-2024/