Decisions and Lessons Learned

First Prosecco!

It was so hard for Michael and me to do a one or two week vacation. With our travel history and retirement status we know how easy it is to add on another week or two.  Here’s how the conversation goes:

“Italy would be a great place to go for our Anniversary this year. Why don’t we go back to our favorite places? or We could go though the areas where my father’s family came from, oh and then we could drive up to…orrr… Vancouver, Washington state…but…we haven't been to Eastern Europe so what would that look like, Germany, Austria, well what about Hungary and the Czech Republic. Two weeks, nah, three weeks that’s better but…four weeks would be great.”

Decisions

• We finally chose Eastern Europe for 34 days.
• Munich, Germany - 3 days
• Salzburg, Austria - 5 days
• Vienna, Austria - 1 week  
• Bratislavia, Slovakia - just a day trip from Vienna
• Budapest, Hungary - 1 week
• Prague, Czech Republic - 1 week  
• and an empty week for who knows where before we fly home from Munich. 

Lessons Learned

Luggage - Past vacations seem to teach us how to make the next one easier. Throughout our last European trip just a year ago we (really mostly Michael!) dragged around large overstuffed suitcases, off and on trains and lanes and up and down stairs and hills and through very long underground passages. It was Backbreaking! So this trip we committed to taking one carry-on and one back pack each.

2 carry-ons & 2 backpacks, ready to go

Clothing - Michael and I only see…Michael and me! 

No one will know if we wore the same thing 2 days ago. I can tell you after only a couple of days out it so much easier!  7 tops, a few pairs of jeans, flip flops, sneakers and one pair of shoes will cover all terrain (that we walk on, anyway ) and all weather, too. Some personal items for each of us, our tech stuff and we are good to go. 

Money

Money Money Money!

We will be using three different currencies. This time we ordered a nominal amount of each from our bank before we left and it arrived in 3 days. Now that we are here we don’t have to think about where to get the local currency at the best rate. Easy.

All (mostly) of  our housing is booked. 4 Airbnbs and one hotel, the last week  TBD.

Since we will be in big cities this time around we will not be renting a car at all (unless circumstances make it mandatory). I love to drive but the freedom that no car gives us is wonderful..Think parking, traffic, maps, NAGivator, tickets, petrol…

As of this writing we have been safely ensconced in a Marriott Courtyard and also received an upgrade when we arrived. NICE! We walked the nearby neighborhoods, have gotten to know the metro system and already have met some interesting people. We are feeling free and easy! 

We are sure there will be new lessons along the way, there always are and we will embrace them!

neighborhood

festival