European Vacation 2012

Packing for the BIG adventure...
My husband surprised me last Christmas with a 30 year Anniversary trip to Europe via Viking River Cruises.  We have a really helpful travel agent that set up everything, and I do mean everything, for us. He has lots of suggestions for every port we will be in. The travel package arrived a few weeks ago with luggage tags and information. Viking Cruises picks you up at the airport, takes you to the boat, plans excursions, and has a concierge services onboard so you can just let them know what you'd like to do or see and they will arrange it. Or, if you don't know what to see, they will suggest based on your interests. Cool. We leave on June 30 and return on July 17th. Hopefully, I will be able to blog each day to record our daily activities. This is a once-in-a-lifetime excursion and I want a record of it all.

While we are gone, Shannon and Libbie are going to monitor and entertain (I hope;) their little sister, who is really not going to be too happy to find her MaMa and Daddy gone for such a long time. I'm trying not to feel guilty about this; after all, she is family and certainly they are capable and quite used to her behaviors. But, I know she will have inconvenienced their day-by-day activities which is unfortunate but unavoidable.

So, I'm thinking I have all the clothes planned for the trip that will begin in Budapest and end in Amsterdam. However, I've been following the weather on my phone and noticed that the temperatures right now are ranging from 93º to 62º. Hmmm....guess I'll have to rethink this. I really don't like to wear shorts either, but I do have skirts. And seriously comfortable shoes, because a lot of walking will be happening.

Still trying to decide on what suitcase to use; two smaller ones are easy to manage, but one big one is easy too. I have a rainproof jacket and an umbrella, and the hubby has the same. Since I just had a hair makeover (now rockin' the short haircut), I figure if it rains, I'll just have curly hair.

I've been looking on the internet at tourist attractions and souvenirs for some of the ports and it will be interesting. Don't know if I need paprika or porcelain from Hungary, but scarves would be nice.

Anyway, gotta get off this computer and start packing. Later.