And So It All Begins...

We got our EURail Passes! 

I can't believe that this is really happening. It's the little things like this that remind me that it is actually going to happen - that we are in fact leaving for Europe in less than 2 months! 

It has been a long time coming. We have been dreaming of and planning this adventure for the past 5 years. It is a bit surreal to think that is actually becoming a reality.  

Over the past year we've bought plenty of maps, made many a lists, watched movies and special, and read plenty of guide books. Being avid PBS junkies we have been unitizing many of Rick Steve's suggestions and tips along with tidbits from other travel blogs we've found along the way. We also made sure to check in with AAA to get our plethora of free maps and travel insurance.  

All and all we have pretty much nailed down the itinerary. I will say that Matt has been doing most of the planning and logistics including making one kick butt spread sheet. No really, I've never seen a more detailed spreadsheet. But don't worry, I've made sure to add my advice here and there along the way. 

Many have been asking us where we plan to go so here is a peek at our itinerary.

Ireland

• At the end of July we are starting out our trip by flying into Dublin. 
• Here we have plans to take a day trip to see the Giants Causeway, tour the Old Jameson Distillery (Whiskey of course!), and make sure to drink a Guinness in a pub!
• We are then renting a car (God be with us! More on that adventure to come) to tour southern Ireland. We are going to stay at a sheep farm in Dingle, see the Cliffs of Moher and visit Bunratty Castle. 

United Kingdom

• We will then fly to London where we plan to see the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the National Gallery, and the British Museum.
• We then will spend a few days with Matt's friend Tom, whom he taught English with in Japan, and see Oxford and Bath.
• Then we will travel to Penrith and stay for 4 days with Matt's coworker Philip in the Lake District.
• We also plan to take some time to spend a couple days in Edinburgh and a few more days in London to pick up the rest of the sights we missed before. On the list are Abbey Road, Tate Modern, Kings Cross Station, St. Paul's Cathedral, Borough Market, the National Portrait Gallery, the British Library, and the Natural History Museum. Of course this is just a list of nice-to-see's.
• As well as experience The Tempest standing in the Globe Theater.

France

• Near the middle of August we have 2 weeks planned in France where we plan to see Paris, Chartes, Pontorson, and Dinan. 
• In Paris we hopefully will be able to spend some quality time with Matt's family friend Kathy and see the city from a local's perspective. 
• On the list of things to see in France include: the Arch de Triumph, the Eiffel Tower (Of Course), Versailles, the Musee d'Orsay, the Rodin Museum, the Catacombs, the Louvre,  along with Mont Saint Michel.
• There are a few opportunities to cross a few Bucket List items here. So keep reading for those stories.

Belgium

• Belgium will include a few days in Brussels and Bruges where we don't have many planned activities but will definitely be taking a Chocolate Tour!

Netherlands

• Then in Early September we will spend about a week exploring Amsterdam. Some of the sights we plan to see here include: the Attic Church, the Red Light District, the Van Gogh Museum, The Anne Frank Museum, and the Rijksmuseum. 

Germany

• Then we are taking a quick 3 day trip though Germany to get to Prague. Don't worry we'll visit Germany again.
• During this quick stint we plan to do the Koln-Dusseldorfer Line Boat Tour and see Eltz Castle.

Czech Republic

• Prague, I hear, is spectacular! Here the sights include but are not limited to: the Jewish Quarter and Museum, the Sedlec Ossuary, the Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock and the Klementinum.

Hungary/Romania/Bulgaria

• Then from Prague we are going to be taking a series of overnight trains to get to Greece. Between each train we will get to spend a day in Budapest in Hungary, Bucharest in Romania, and Sofia in Bulgaria. We're just kind of going to see where the wind takes us in these place. If you have any thoughts or suggestions let us know! To be honest Greece was our original goal destination so these 3 cities are kind of a bonus!

Greece

• Then a week in Greece. Here we plan to see the Acropolis Museum, Agora, the Acropolis and the National Archaeological Museum.
• Of course we will also be eating lots of food and lounging on the beach as well.

Italy

• Then we will take the ferry from Greece to Italy where we will be for about 2 weeks.
• Here we plan to visit Rome and see Vatican City, the Vatican Museum, St. Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Naples National Archaeological Museum and the Pantheon. We also plan to take a day trip to see Pompeii and Vesuvius.
• Then in Venice we hope to see Saint Mark's Basilica and take a romantic Canal Boat Tour.
• In Florence we'd like to see the Academy of Fine Arts (David Statue!) and the Uffizi Gallery.
• We'll take a quick trip to Pisa to see that all-too-famous tower.
• And then wrap it up in Vernazza, hiking, eating, drinking wine and enjoying the vistas off the coast of Italy.

More France

• Then a quick trip though southern France via Monaco and Avignon
  to Spain.

Spain

• Then in early October we'll spend 3-4 days in Barcelona. I would have liked to spend more time and see more in Spain but that will have to be on another trip.
• Things to see in Barcrcelona include: La Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla, and the Casa Batillo.
• Of course I'll get to put my Spanish to good use here as well! 

Still More France

• Then we will travel back through southern France to see Carcassonne and Chamonix to ride on the Aiguille du Midi Gondola to see the view from the top of the French-Italian Alps!

Switzerland

• We will spend about a week in Wengen, Switerland. 
• Sights include: Schilthorn Cable Car Ride, a Day Trip Train to Zermatt, Mannlichen-Kleine Scheidegg Hike, and Jungfaujoch.

More Germany

• I told you not to worry...here is where we see Germany. 
• We'll spend time in Munich seeing Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, Mary's Bridge and Hike Above, Schloss Herrenchiemsee, and Linderhof Palace.
• Also on the list are Rothenburg, and Vienna.

Slovenia

• We'll finish our trip with Matt's extended family in Slovenia. Last time he was there he was forced to sit down an promises to come back. It is still up in the air how long we will be there but we will make it home in time for Thanksgiving!

So there it is! If you have any thoughts or advice as to must sees please don't hesitate to let us know. We are still flexible and in the planning stages. Unfortunately, Turkey and Croatia didn't make the cut this time around but we will see them next time when we go explore the Eastern Mediterranean. It may seem like there are quite a few museums and sites but again this is just a list of what what there is we'd like to see not what we have to see.

Some may think we are crazy spending so much time and money traveling. People have told us to use it to pay off our loans, put it toward a house, buy a new car. To me none of those things out weight the value that you get when you travel.  I recently wrote to Mary, fellow traveler and  blogger, from LivingBig:

It has always been my belief that travel makes you whole. It opens your eyes and heart to so much that you would otherwise never have known in your standard day to day routines. It those experiences that change your view on living that no one can ever take away from you that I cherish the most.

Please don't let the monotony of everyday life hold you back. Make everyday worth living. Travel, Eat, See, Live! Adventure is out there!

Keep reading along to hear more specific about our whirlwind adventure, the places we go, the sights we see, and the memories we make along the way!

More with what is Happening with the Habjan's to come!