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A mum-of-five has revealed how she is travelling the world in style courtesy of well-heeled men she has met online.

Suzanne Thatcher, 52, has travelled as far as Italy and across the US, staying in luxurious hotels and flying first class - all paid for by men she has met through a dating website.

"Men I've met through online dates have enabled me to see some amazing places, but I've also made some good friends," said Suzanne, of Destin, Florida.

"My friends laughed at first but now I've even persuaded some of my male friends to sign up to find travel companions themselves."

Suzanne insists that she is honest from the outset with men she dates, making it clear that they will have separate rooms and she won't do anything she doesn't feel comfortable with.

She said: "If you are someone looking for an experience that you can't afford, this is a fabulous way to do it, as long as you do it properly.

(Image: PA Real Life)

"It is important that you talk about expectations from the outset, but also that you have good chemistry from the start."

After the breakdown of her second marriage last year, Suzanne was looking for new ways to enjoy life.

She explained: "I'd done some travelling with my girlfriends to Mexico and Puerto Rico when I was younger, but with five kids, a job and my husband running his own business at the time, it was difficult to get away, as I got older.

"When my marriage broke down and my kids flew the nest, there was so much I wanted to do and see.

(Image: PA Real Life)

"But I was volunteering full-time in local politics and at an animal shelter and didn't have the means to do so.

"One of my girlfriends mentioned a website called MissTravel.com - a site for travel seeking singles - and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to do some of things I enjoyed."

Although some friends and family - including her three daughters aged between 18 and 33, and her sons, aged 28 and 21 - had some doubts, Suzanne was determined to have some new adventures.

She said: "My kids thought it was crazy and a little bit risky, but I am an adventurous person and I knew that if I was diligent and did it my way, it would be an amazing opportunity."

Within a few weeks, in September 2016 Suzanne went on her first trip across the US – spending the weekend in Texas.

(Image: PA Real Life)

She explained: "I met this guy online and he seemed like a really nice, genuine man. He works as an analytic consultant and was just a few years older than me.

"He was going to a charity event for motorcycle enthusiasts. I loved motorcycles when I was younger, so I decided to take the plunge. I felt safer having my first trip within the US.

"It was very important from the beginning to be really honest about what we both expected from this and if I wasn't comfortable with it, I wouldn't continue it.

"He flew from Florida and I flew from Wisconsin and we met each other for the first time at the airport. From the moment we met, I really enjoyed his company."

He whisked Suzanne off to a five-star hotel, where they had separate rooms, and she was able to pamper herself ahead of the event.

(Image: PA Real Life)

She said: "We had amazing food and drink and went to the event on a motorcycle, with a police escort from our hotel to the ball because there was a huge crew together. It was so fabulous and so much fun."

The next day he took her for breakfast and introduced her to his family, before taking her back to the airport.

A short time later, eager for another adventure, Suzanne began speaking to another man online.

Keen to impress, he asked her where she would like to go and she chose a holiday in Rome.

But, with conflicting schedules, as Suzanne prepared to volunteer for local politicians during the US election, they put their trip on hold, but kept in touch.

She said: "As the election came around, I told him I would have a three week window, but I wasn't sure he could make it work. Within a few days, though, he called me and told me we were going.

(Image: PA Real Life)

"I couldn't believe it. It was like a dream. Before I left, we'd confirmed that I would have my own room and there were no expectations with the relationship. I thought I had nothing to lose.

"His wife had sadly passed away a few years before and he just wanted someone to enjoy travelling with. He was again around the same age and owned his own business"

Suzanne was flown first class to Rome and lavished with amazing food and wine for 10 days in some of Italy's most famous cities.

She recalled: "It was all perfect. We got to know each other and really clicked. It was a real adventure and exactly what I was looking for.

"We went sightseeing around Rome, as well as to Florence and Pompeii, where he had arranged for a one-on-one tour with an archaeologist in Pompeii. He made it so special.

"At the end of the trip, we said goodbye at the airport and it was actually quite emotional because we had such a wonderful time. I would never have been able to do that without his amazing generosity.

"We have remained great friends. He's started dating someone now and I'm so pleased he is happy, because he gave me such an amazing experience."

Just weeks later, Suzanne moved from Wisconsin to Florida to start a new job as a retail manager and travelling became more difficult.

"Starting a new job, it has been hard to have time off. I have had a couple of offers to go places, but it's just not possible right now. I have lots of plans for the future though," Suzanne explained.

Now settled in her new home, she has already started chatting to more men online and hopes to set off on another trip in the coming months.

"I was never really looking for love. I wasn't ruling it out but I wanted to meet people with a common love of travel.

"There are still so many places I want to see. I'd love to go to Tahiti or London or Japan. I don't usually set out for a particular destination - it's more about what comes up - but those places would be amazing.

"I have nothing negative to say about my experiences so far so I can't wait for more in the future."