100 Days

In 100 days I will embark on a Grand Tour through Europe.

When you work for Rick Steves you’re sent on two tours to Europe each year. One for training, so you don’t always get to pick where you go, and one for your own personal travel. My training tour this year, or liaison tour as we call it, is the Best of Europe in 21 Days. Exactly what I would have picked.

Starting in Haarlem, the Netherlands, I’ll “experience the best of Amsterdam, Germany's Rhine Valley and Romantic Road, Austria's Salzburg, canals of Venice, Renaissance Florence, the art and history of Rome, seaside villages of the Cinque Terre, the majestic Swiss Alps, country charms of France's Burgundy region, and the City of Light — Paris.”

Holy shit.

There are many thoughts swirling through my head as I prepare for this adventure: who will take care of my cat, what will I wear, can I keep up with walking 6-8 miles a day, how will I manage my car sickness on a bus for hours, am I worth this amazing opportunity?

Part of me wants this blog to be personal. Being able to share myself without the mask I’ve worn since 2019 would feel like a such relief. In order to do that I’d have to actually explain what has happened in my life over the last 6 years and that feels overwhelming.

I think for now I’ll use this space as a way to share my preparation for this humbling opportunity. Thanks for following along!