New memorial in DC. It’s very awesome. So, if you’re coming here, be sure to include it. As time goes on, we tend to forget these poor guys. “War is hell”.
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Well, how do I even scratch the surface of the past 27 days? I’ve been globetrotting - first to Athens and a 12 night sailboat journey that took me through the Greek islands and several islands of Croatia, which by the way are out of this world - I highly recommend them!
Then it was time to put feet on the ground, literally, as my pedometer says I put more than 100 miles on them (my feet) in just 14 days (some days were 10 mile days, some were “slacker” 5 mile ones) - that doesn’t include the trains that took me from Italy to France to Spain or the metros and busses flitting from one end of a city to another!
I swam, I meditated, I painted, I took well over 1,000 photos, I museum and historical sites hopped, I went to cultural events, I heard live music in town squares, walked in the footsteps of Vincent VanGogh, Marie Antoinette and Antoni Gaudi, saw some of the most exquisite sunrises and sunsets ever, I learned enough French in 8 days to be able to make myself understood for certain items (hello….coffee & croissants!) and more, so so so much more! Oh, and I lost almost 10 pounds! All with one carry on sized bag and a small backpack. Nomad style is where it’s at!
You’d think I’d be tired, but I’m not. I’m ready to start planning my next getaway but unfortunately for me, that was planned before I left on this journey of a lifetime, and is “only” to Maui. Yes, my tongue is planted firmly in my cheek! And now I’m heading home via Dublin!
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Love your post and so happy for you!
You know, as much as CC travels and CC loves to talk/hear about traveling, maybe this is a good place to make a post from anyone after a trip to anywhere (domestic or abroad - plenty of good things here at home!) highlighting one or two sites/food/activities you would recommend to others visiting the same spot.
I know I would enjoy that! (don’t want to interfere on the OP’s thread title but COULD change the thread title to further suggest this thread idea)
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Wonderful post. I see that only barely touches what you did. So glad it went well and you had such a great time.
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Totally fine by me, the OP!!
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Since this is named a “general” thread, I was wondering if anyone has had recent travel experience to Thailand/Vietnam/Indonesia (or if their college kids has)?
DD and her friend group are talking about a post-graduation trip there next summer before starting their jobs. I don’t know much about those areas, so I’m nervous. She did fine last semester traveling all over Europe on her study abroad, so she has experience with foreign travel. Anyone know of there are tour groups that go to those areas? Maybe it would be better going that route.
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I hope it will put your mind at ease to know my D traveled solo for 3 months throughout SE Asia, from Nov 2016 - Feb 2017. Not one issue, not one. Loved every moment. Met a few other young women along the way and spent a day here or there with them (renting Vespa’s and tooling around). She loved her journey from start to finish. I would think a friend “group” (even if 2 or 3) would have no troubles at all.
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Thank you so much for that! My D knows a couple people who have gone for vacations and all have loved it, but it’s just a really unfamiliar part of the world (to me 
) It’s a relief to hear from other parents whose kids had good and safe experiences.
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We took our kids to Thailand in 2018. They were 18 and 20 then, both loved it. Thailand is super hospitlable and easy to get sorund with many different aspects: temples, jungle, ruins, markets, beaches of course. I wouldn’t be at all concerned. Vietnam is very popular with European and antipodean backpackers, along with the other destinations. I haven’t been there, but it’s fine afaik.
I went to Indonesia a long time ago but it was very geared up for tourism back then. Your daughter and friends will be fine if they keep their wits about them. They should go, before they have bills to pay.
Edit: I would not suggest a group tour for young people travelling together. 90% of the fun is exploring, and figuring out how to get places. They will save a ton of money doing it on their own.
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When she told me she was planning the trip I asked “who will you be gong with?” When she said solo, my heart skipped a beat. Like you, this area of the world is unfamiliar to me. But I tried not to put my concern on to her. She’s resourceful and bright - I need not have worried. Being a strict vegan she said finding prepared foods in Vietnam was difficult - but she found ways around it. That was her biggest challenge in 12 weeks! 
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One warning …. I’ve heard that travelers should steer clear of dogs in Vietnam… rabies is fairly common/.
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So, tell us what your next trip will be. We no longer travel so probably next summer, LOL. But I love hearing everyone else’s plans.
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This question is where was your last trip?
Ours was to R.I. in a coastal house with our whole family. Lots of fun.
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Our last trip was a summer 3+ week, 4800 mile road trip visiting lots of family and friends in many states. Next trip starts tomorrow night… taking a nonstop flight from Denver to London.
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H and I just returned from 2 weeks in beautiful Oregon. Hiked many state parks along the coast before visiting Crater Lake and Bend. Ended up along the Columbia River. Tasted many wonderful wines!
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H, D2, D2’s bf and I just returned Monday night from 10 days in Bermuda visiting family. Spent many lazy days swimming in the 82 degree water. Went kayaking and paddle boarding. D2 and bf went jet skiing. Long walks along our favorite beaches and great dinners and bottles of wine with family. Last Saturday night we made margaritas and had a taco feast at our nephew’s house. Then did karaoke with his 11 and 7 year old daughters and family and friends. A perfect way to cap off the summer!
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We’ve had a couple of mini-trips - weekends away, camping at the Columbia Gorge, sorts of things.
Last big trip was back in April with 4 heavenly weeks in France. Burgundy, Dordogne, Bordeaux, Loire Valley, Normandy, and Paris. Other than Paris, it was all new to us. Lots of food and wine and gorgeous sites.
My next trip will be in December. I’m spending two weeks in Germany with my sisters visiting a cousin and going to Christmas Markets. One of my sisters and our husbands did a similar trip in 2019; this one is girls-only.
Retirement is bliss
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We just landed 2 hours ago from Europe. It was a belated 30th anniversary and H retirement trip. Though both events occurred in June, this is the first trip in my entire life that didn’t have to revolve around school schedules! So we delayed it until now.
And it was ambitious. 11 days. Started in Amsterdam, trained to Bruges, train/flew to Stockholm, train to Copenhagen and then flew home (through Paris). Technically we don’t get home to tomorrow. We’ve made the mistake of trying to drive 5 hours after a long international flight. Won’t do that again. I would have been better off drunk.
It was a really nice trip! Everything worked well. But it is nice to be back in the states where I don’t have to do math to figure out what something actually costs.
And while I didn’t talk to anyone in a foreign language, I could understand a lot of German people around me talking. And then I understood enough French in Antwerp to realize that the employee was telling another traveller that our train platform has changed. I did confirm it with her in English! But I wouldn’t have realized otherwise. So sort of proud of myself there. Next December, my parents might be taking us on a Xmas market cruise, so I’m hoping to get more German practice in then!
Good night! It feels like 3am to me…
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LOL - I joked to friends last night that in London (about $1.30 / Pound) I am just going to pretend that prices are dollars. Only half joking. We used frequent flier miles and then factored exchange rate a lot in decisions for hotels. When we eat out and peruse the menu, I’ll try to turn off the brain calculator and just enjoy the experience.
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Recently spent a week in Switzerland- lots of outdoor activities and incredible beauty.
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