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Published: April 23rd 2015
The bags are packed and we're ready to begin our big adventure tomorrow. This trip includes three big things on our bucket list: visiting Bowen's brother in Ireland; river cruising through Europe; and visiting the Normandy beaches in France. We normally wouldn't try to do so much at one time, but Bowen isn't sure he wants to go back across the "pond" anytime soon. So, we've booked three cruises back-to-back that accomplish all three goals.
Tomorrow, we fly to Ft. Lauderdale for a day before embarking on a trans-Atlantic cruise on the Caribbean Princess. The two week crossing includes stops in Bermuda, Scotland, Ireland and England. We are especially excited about seeing Curry in Dublin as part of that leg of our trip.
On May 9th, we disembark in Southampton, England, and fly to Amsterdam for two days before embarking on a two-week European cruise on the Viking Skirnir. While in Amsterdam, we plan to see the Anne Frank House and several other historic locations. The Viking cruise will then take us through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. We'll be celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary on that cruise.
On May 25th, the first Viking cruise ends in Budapest. We then fly to Paris for two days before embarking on an 8-day cruise on the Viking Neptune out to the Normandy beaches and back to Paris. I've been to Paris several times, but this will be Bowen's first time there. I'm hoping to show him some of the beautiful parts of the "City of Lights" before the cruise begins, including the Palace of Versailles. However, the trip to the Normandy beaches is one of the things we both look forward to most out of the entire trip. Both of our dads were in the Navy during WWII. My dad was an officer on the Battleship Texas during D-Day. His ship pounded the German bunkers before the landing began and continued firing inland as the Allies took the beaches. I'll be taking plenty of tissues with me that day!
I'll try to post updates and a few pictures as often as possible. It'll be easy when we're in port and for the entire time we're in Europe. The only tricky times will be the sea days on the Atlantic crossing. We'll have limited wi-fi access at sea, so those updates will be brief. On June 3rd, we disembark in Paris and fly back home to San Antonio! I know we'll miss all of our family and friends while we're gone, but we'll be eager to share our experiences when we return.
We pray for our own safe travel, but we mostly pray that all of you will be healthy and happy until we see you again.
Love to you all!
Bowen & Susan
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Terri Prince
non-member comment
OMG
I just want to say thanks for taking me along and I will be reading every word!