When Tim and I were making our wedding plans, we dreamed of going someplace exotic and wonderful for our honeymoon. Bali, Bora Bora, New Zealand … but it turned out that a honeymoon didn’t fit into our budget or the time we had together before Tim had to return to work. So we skipped a honeymoon. We got married at Lake Tahoe (special to us, as it’s where we got engaged), and spent a few extra days there instead. Not bad at all! Still, we talked all the time about taking a ‘real’ trip. As a fairly frugal couple, the cost always kept us from taking the leap (er, getting on a plane).
Shortly after my parents were stationed in Germany, they asked me to come for a visit. Tim had to work, so off I went (albeit a bit guiltily) to have an amazing time in Germany and the north of France, with my family. I was well-traveled in Scandinavia, but had never stayed in that part of Europe. When I returned home, I knew Tim had to get there; he’d only been in airports, on his way to the Middle East, when he was in the Army.
So we hoped and planned, and hoped some more, and then, a year or so later, our window of opportunity appeared. My parents had gotten pretty good at navigating Europe, and they invited us to spend some time at their home in Germany, and then go to Italy with them. Perfect! Thanks to my mom, our inter-European travel was downright cheap, as were our Italian accommodations, which were family owned, and as quaint as could be — no Holiday Inn Venice for us!
We saved for a few months, making sure we could pay for our trip in cash, and that was that. It was happening.
We set off for Germany and Italy and pinched ourselves no less than a thousand times on our flight overseas! Have you ever been? We are just dying to go back, and although we have another baby on the way, I keep reminding myself that children certainly don’t have to mean the end of international travel.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Which parts of the world are your favorite? Must-see cities? Hidden gems? Best food?
I’ve always been a planner, but I also love a good adventure, and I can’t wait to adventure more, with our little family.
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