Mc’s European Vacation

We are headed out tomorrow bright and early for our first ever European vacation.!!!!
I am just thrilled b/c it has always been in the back of my mind of something i would just LOVE to do: Visit Italy and Spain… Never did I think the opportunity would present itself so soon.  I am still in shock that we are actually doing this.  Our friends, Megan and Brian had plans to go and when they found out it was something we always wanted to do they encouraged us to go with them.  Finances were the factor in the decision making but God provided a way thru my grandfather’s generous inheritance to me… without it the vacation would have been a no go.   I’ve thought about him constantly thru this whole planning process and I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity.

Here’s where we are going:

1. Rome
2. Cinque Terra
3. Florence
4. Barcelona

I’m most looking forward to Cinque Terra and Barcelona.  Rome makes me a bit nervous with all the pick pocket warnings etc… but I am sure I will be blown away at the beautiful buildings and culture.  This kid-free couples trip will be something I’ll never forget.. and couldn’t be more perfect timing.  I have been swamped with orders and working until midnight for weeks.  Charles (the man who says, “Who needs a vacation!?– you get one every weekend”) is even saying he’s in dyer need of some time off.  With both of our jobs keeping us so busy, we are looking forward to some time together.

Most people have never heard of Cinque Terra.. so I included some pictures:

 

Our plan for Cinque Terra is to hike down the 5 small towns and take a scenic ferry ride back…. ooooh!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait!

In Rome our plan is to site see and take it all in.. we are doing some of the suggested self guided walking tours Rick Steve has in his book – one in particular I’m thrilled about is a night one where we stroll around to all the highlight spots and of course stop for gelato!

We decided on doing a date night in Florence – how fun!!  Not sure what we’ll do just yet – we’ll have to see when we get there!

I’m looking forward to the Spanish culture – Tapas and Siestas!  Definitely will have to go back to spain for a longer stay.. We have decided that it will be fun to go back with Kari, Angela and Chris in a few years.

A lot of people have asked lately what exactly is backpacking?

instead of hauling around a huge rolling suitcase we pack light and are more mobile to get on and off trains and upon arrival we don’t have to wait for check in times etc.. we are easily on the go.  It does not mean that we are staying in a tent or even hitch-hiking…. haha..

unfortunately my backpack  is to the brim full and I was hoping to have room to take some stuff back with me.. I’ll see if my packing could be edited down before tomorrow.. (I’m not even bringing a hair dryer or straightener!!)

Some things we’ve included are:
Walkie Talkies to communicate with our friends, Flip Video Camera (& blank DVD’s to burn onto in the cafe’s),  My fancy camera (canon – I got a cool neoprene case for it to take up less room) extra battery and extra camera card, Band-Aids for our feet (hopefully we won’t need them!!  Comfy walking shoes and sandals and a few sun dresses, shorts and jeans.  Oh and I found these packing cubes on Ebags.com that you can organize your bag with.. I just love this idea – stuff a cube full of rolled up T’s, undergarmets etc… so you aren’t digging thru your whole pack for just one item. Love that.. Charles did too!  He had his whole backpack packed and I showed him those cubes and he undid everything and re-packed with cubes… :)

 

I’m sure we are forgetting something – but we’ll survive without it…. or just buy it there.

We are, however staying in a bunch of mom and pop places (recommended by Rick Steve) to soak up all the local flair we can.

I’m going to just die leaving my babies for 8 days – I know they are in good hands though and it will be back to reality when we return.  I’m trying to train my brain to enjoy every minute and not to feel sad about them.

Audrey and I made a paper chain today to help her get a feel for how long we will be gone and have a tangible way of knowing when we will return.

I’ll take lots of pictures!!!!