FUN-travel: Summer 2012 – Trip Recap
September 26, 2012 by Susan Clarke
- Trip Recap – My travel mantra is, “I want to be surprised, but not pissed off.” Travel is very personal! We are trying to figure the best mix of land and cruising for us. We specifically broke up the Spain trip because we didn’t want to constantly be driving. (lesson learned from last year in Ireland, Scotland, England and Belgium) And we don’t want to just cruise because you miss staying in the towns and cities and really getting the “local flavor.”
- We take six to eight week trips because it is physically and financially expensive to fly out of the country. We only have so many airline miles left for our “free” tickets. (you still have to pay the taxes which get quite hefty when you fly to Europe) And we have decided that flying is no FUN! (Like it used to be in the “good old days” or unless you’re in 1st class, which we don’t want to pay for.) So the fewer flights the better for us. The baggage weight limits and charges are enough to make you crazy – even when you fly the same airline! We’ve encountered everything from Baggage Police to Baggage Nazi’s (those trying to take our carry ons at the boarding gate, when there was plenty of overhead space, seriously!)
- Size does matter when it comes to a hotel/cabin. It needs to have enough room so that you can walk around the bed without the other person having to move out of the way. We now check out the size before we book. We are boycotting Marriott hotels because they still charge for internet in 2012! Really!
Barcelona
- Rick Steves books have been an invaluable source of information for us. We have found places we never knew existed and have followed his advice on everything from tours to restaurant choices to hotel rooms. Just remember to make sure they have an elevator and A/C if that is a priority for you!
- And last but not least, remember that when you travel as Rick says, “It’s intensified living – maximum thrills per minute and one of the last great sources of legal adventure. Travel is freedom. It’s recess, and we need it. Of course, travel, like the world, is a series of hills and valleys. Be fanatically positive and militantly optimistic. If something’s not to your liking, change your liking.”
FF (FUN-fact) – In Pamplona during the Running of the Bulls everyone wears white pants & shirts with red sash belts and red kerchiefs.
More FF – If you plan on going to any festivals in Spain or Italy, and like us, want to experience “being there but without the crowds” contact our new Tomatina friend Jacopo at www.jacopodellatorre.com. We plan on seeing him again when we go back to Italy.