Europe Eve

 Greetings Family and Friends 

As is customary, I will attempt to bring you along on our much anticipated holiday in Europe. My traveling companions are my lovely wife Jennifer and my wonderful mother-in-law Bonnie. I’m very happy Bonnie is going with us. As an artist and adventurer from years gone by, she will be able to see, experience and enjoy places she would not otherwise visit.  It is a rare thing in my experience to really love your wife’s mom, I do. She will spend half our trip before going home. Thankfully, our daughter Sarah came up from L.A. to take care of Woody and Ruby.

We all depart tomorrow, May 23 from San Francisco and fly via SAS to Copenhagen where we reset our timepieces ahead nine hours. We will stay overnight there and leave for Athens the following morning. Once we arrive there, we will spend a few nights getting over jet lag and seeing the ancient city. We will then board a ship that will take us to various Greek islands, Montenegro, Croatia and drop us off in Italy.

We will then head for Venice for three nights. We drop off Bonnie there to fly home via Copenhagen where she will be on her own for a night (cross your fingers) while Jenny and I will head to Verona, Florence and Rome. We’ll return through Copenhagen again and spend another day and night. May 23 - June 18.

Jenny and I having traveled so many times and so far have come up with a rule. Three days in any city is a minimum. Remember, days are really how many nights you stay. Day one you’re traveling for your first night. You may get dinner but it’s usually a lost day. Two more nights give you two full days wherever you’re staying, departing on day four which becomes day one in your next stop. So, stay two nights you only get one day to spend.

For many years whilst sitting with my clients and reviewing their portfolios, I encourage them to enjoy and spend the money they worked so hard for and saved so well. It is time for me to take my own advice, so #1. We are flying business class. #2. I’ve totally let go of any planning and left all decisions to Jen and Bonnie. #3. I’ve avoided my normal first question of “how much was that?” and finally #4. I’ve let go of all expectations. Living without expectations pretty much guarantees a good time.

After our last trip home from Vietnam that totaled 25 hours, the idea of being able to simply be prone on the flight is a dream. Yes, the food/drink/service is cool, but as we normally travel coach, it’ll be super not having my knees under my chin in the middle seat… I am very aware however, that after this, getting Jenny back in coach is gunna be tough.

We read a Rick Steve’s post that suggested being packed two days prior to departure would reduce last minute stress. It was great advice. Knowing Bonnie like I do, I’m guessing she’s still putting things together. 

I have tremendous gratitude for my ability to travel. It essentially began when I went overseas in the Air Force. I have seen much more of the world than most, much less than a few. My favorite trips are with my children getting to watch them explore and enjoy. You have heard me say many time “I’ll pay anything for experience, very little for stuff”.

So, we’re off tomorrow…much more to come.