Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to great places! You’re off and away. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go. -Dr Seuss
When we first started making this dream come true we talked of all the placed we’d like to see and things to do. I read many tour guides and blogs of what to see and do in different countries and cities. I started to make lists and more lists, later I had a paper per country for notes etc. then I started to put it into a calendar to see how it can work practically and where to go next. We bought our aeroplane tickets 8 months ago .We knew where we wanted to go and planned our route so we can incorporate Ryan’s birthday- he wanted to be in the Swiss alps for his birthday. After the aeroplane tickets we started booking Airbnb houses which we payed as we booked, so all accomodation are payed and leaves us with only food and sightseeing cost. We then started booking all the intercity and -country trains, and are so glad we did as all the cheap tickets fly of the shelves as soon as the bookings open 3 months in advance- The trains were surprisingly expensive! But MUCH cheaper doing it ourselves rather than getting a Eurail pass. Glad that’s done-now let’s not miss any of them!!
The Plan:
We will start in Dublin Ireland and do a road trip by rental car down south to Skellig Michael – this is on our bucket list as it was a filming site of Star wars. I also want to see the Puffins before they migrate. Then we will go to Wales by ferry and spend a few days there. Then off to Cologne Germany by plane. Making our way down to Stuttgart, the Black-forest and then into Switzerland and the Swiss alps for the birthday celebrations. After a few more days in Switzerland it’s on to Munich, Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber and then Prague. Only 1 day in Vienna, but then 3 in Venice Yeah! Florence and Rome next and flying then to Nice in the South of France. Renting a car to drive through Provence and hopefully see the lavender fields before harvesting. Next up is Carcassonne. Then into Spain- Barcelona, Madrid and Granada and hopefully Gibraltar before flying from Malaga to Paris. Yes 6 wonderful days in Paris. But I know it will not be enough. From there Belgium and the Netherlands. Leaving the continent behind we’ll take the Eurostar train to London and stay for 6 days. Then up to Scotland and ending in the Lakes district so we can relax after our hectic schedule! Last stop is Warwick castle before flying back from London.
This is it stay tuned for more photos coming up soon!
I am laying in my warm bed , traveling along after an hectic day and admire the woman you are. The planning, hours days and weeks of research . Living on a tight budget and orginizing the whole family as us woman do, and you did it with a smile. Now it’s time to sit back and relax… can’t wait for the photos and the next post. Think of me especially in those lavender fields, I dream of mine.