Counting Down!

2020. The year no one will ever forget. Like many of you, we had big travel plans, but…

Four weeks from departure day. The unexpected occurred. Covid-19. Countries closed. Airlines quit flying.

Planning had required months; months were spent pursuing refunds.

2023. Lessons learned. Unpredictable happens. Winters are long. Life is short!

Maybe it was my unexpected all-inclusive “stay” at Sacred Heart Resort Hotel Hospital. Or perhaps I’m just tired of cleaning and cooking. Anyhow, I was ready to pick up where we left off and passed the long, cold, snowy winter deep in travel planning.

Crafting an itinerary was a huge ever-evolving project as I researched, considered, and eliminated destinations taking into consideration: cost, time, weather, and logistics. Italy went from 15 nights to 6. Bavaria and Slovenia were on – and then off. Hopefully next time.

Our 2023 Big Summer Adventure comes to a total of 117 nights, 11 countries (counting a 22.5 hour layover and two ports of call,) 1 group tour, 9 Booking.com reservations, 4 reservations booked directly, 3 AirBnB reservations, 3 cruises, 10 flights, multiple trains, buses and ferries.

I am so excited! This trip takes us to 4 new-to-us countries as well as new locations in some of our favorite countries – especially for eating: Italy and Greece.

• Escort group tour on 13-day tour to The Holy Lands of Israel and Jordan.
• 4 weeks in Poland: Gdansk, Torun, Warsaw, Krakow
• 4 weeks in Albania: Tirana, Berat, Sarandë
• 11 nights in Egypt: Cairo, Nile River cruise from Luxor to Aswan, Abu Simbel, Hurghada
• 9 nights in Greece: Athens and the Island of Aegina
• 7-day Mediterranean Cruise: Zakynthos, Mykonos, Chania and Corfu, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Ravenna, Italy
• 6 nights feasting in the gastronomical capital of Italy: Bologna!
• 1 night in Barcelona (I know!)
• 14-night Transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Port Canaveral, Florida: Valencia, Malaga, Canary Islands, Bermuda

Counting Down! (Hopeful, yet cautiously fearful…)

I invite you to come along as we explore cultures and historical sites – and eat our way across Israel, Jordan, Poland, Albania, Greece, Egypt, Bologna and a few other exciting stops along the way!