T-Minus One Week to the Mediterranean

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The preparations have begun. It's Memorial Day today, so Gigi and I have the day off to pack (and finish the wedding pictures). It's a stormy day so we don't feel badly about staying in and packing today. We spent the day on the boat yesterday in Lake Geneva and worked on our tans so we look a little more European when we arrive (even though we decided to disguise ourselves as New Zealanders this trip....German accents won't work like it did in Bali)

After hitting the outlet mall yesterday to get some last minute items, we have begun to pack. Gigi makes a master list and lays everything out on the bed, while I work from head to toe and stuff it in the suitcase right away. We've decided to go all carry-on luggage for this trip. Don't know how Gigi is going to do this after taking the two huge Hartmanns to Asia. I was successful in fitting 12 t-shirts, 6 collared shirts, 4 pair of pants, toiletries, and flip flops in the carry-on bag that mom gave me.

If Gigi is the physical organizer, I am the mental one. I have the trip memorized, down to the name of the hotels at each location. Our trip will span 32 days, from June 8 to July 9. We fly from O'Hare to Frankfurt on Lufthansa, then to Madrid. We will visit Segovia and Toledo before taking the AVE to Sevilla. After a short time in Sevilla, we will day trip to Granada to see the Alhambra. A Spanair flight will take us to Barcelona where we stay for 3 full days (possible day trip to Montserrat).

We then jaunt over to Venice, Italy. After 2 days in Venice we train through Milan to the Cinque Terre and the town of Monterosso for some hiking and 3 Euro bottles of wine. After that a short stop in Florence, then on to Rome. We'll try to fit in some wineries then.

At the end of June we fly Easyjet (from one of my favorite shows: "Airline UK") to Athens. Hoping for few/no riots, we tour Athens, then ferry to Mykonos, then after a few days, Santorini. Ferry back to Athens for the last 2 days of our European tour.

From Athens, we'll fly to Montreal and stay overnight. Then finally on to Chicago for the end of the trip.

We'll try to blog here at each city, likely from the train rides...we'll add some pics and video too!

Adios, addio, and antio for now (that's Spanish, Italian, and Greek)

Chris (and Gigi)

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Comments

[MKramer]

Very jealous
Have a great trip!

[Golden Jet]

Read entry 2 first
Looks like you are finally travelling light. Dad (KB)