We're Backpacking Across Europe! Sort of.
But in a more modern hipster type of way. We are civilized after all.
Happy New Year! It’s two days into 2023 already, and I’ve gotta say I’m completely stoked because we have TWO EPIC adventures planned.
Donetta and I have been eagerly awaiting our opportunity to return to the Netherlands to see our family and friends. It’s been several years since we visited, and we’ve been dying to get back, but because of the ridiculous COVID-19 vaccination requirements, we've been blocked from a place we absolutely love. But the bans have been lifted and it’s time to GO!!!
A TransAtlantic Cruise
On March 9, 2023, we will set sail across the Atlantic Ocean on the Symphony of the Seas, a ship we’ve cruised on before thanks to Scentsy.
This 12-day cruise will depart from Miami, Florida, and sail to Spain, with stops in Málaga, Valencia, and, finally, Barcelona. We spent a day in beautiful Barcelona a few years ago and have wanted to revisit ever since.
While it should be an incredible and memorable journey, I admit I’m scared shitless. The Atlantic can offer up some extremely rough waters and nine days at sea might be more than this guy can handle. But I love my wife, and it’s what she really wanted, so I’ll be sucking it up and making the best of it. Hopefully with a smile. LOL
OH … and by the way, it’s a one-way ticket only.
An open-ended plan.
Once we disembark in Barcelona, our plan is to enjoy a few days roaming Spain before making our way to Paris, France. We’ll spend some time romantically frolicking in the City of Love and then hopefully achieve my bucket list item of visiting the D-Day beaches and Normandy.
From France, we will hop on the train and head to Maastricht, the Netherlands. Holland will be our “basecamp” for our time in Europe. We’ll stay with family and friends, making new awesome memories, while tasting delicious Dutch and Belgian beers.
Our goal is to revisit the places my grandparents and mother lived, see some WWII battlefields from Market Garden, hang out at the beaches in Scheveningen, and soak up the culture while I practice my Dutch.
Then the plan is to take short backpacking trips around the region.
Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium are countries we hope to see on this adventure of a lifetime. There is SO MUCH we want to do, but, unfortunately, we also know we have to prioritize with time and budget.
Overall, we expect to stay for two months before flying back to Oklahoma and taking another big trip this year.
Alaska. Our 50th and Final State.
Additionally, we are super excited to have booked an Alaskan cruise for September 1st, 2023. This is the only state Donetta, and I have yet to experience, and we’re finally going to achieve it together. #BucketList
We’ll embark on this journey on the Radiance of the Seas, beginning in Anchorage, Alaska, and ending in Vancouver, British Columbia. This seven-day cruise will take us to Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and a few other places.
Our trip will actually begin before this cruise as we fly into Alaska to visit Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and other cities along the way. I mean, why not make the trip count by hiking?
And I hope and pray we will finally be able to see some bears up close and personal, and experience the magical Northern Lights. Preferably naked, of course. LOL!
That’s it for now. We hope you have the best year yet.