High Tea, Bagettes and Bicycles!

Just days away from a trip across the pond with my sisters and nephew!  We have been planning this for several months now.  Initially the idea started out as a celebration of sorts for my sister Barb who turns 50 this month (I know she won’t mind me telling you!).  I am the youngest of 4 kids and we are close in age and spirit/friendship.  We have tried to “make a big deal” out of this monumental birthday and do Something Truly Special (hey, thats my biline).  Barb and her late husband Jim’s good friends just moved to London so what a great excuse to visit!

First stop…London. Four days taking the city by storm!  My nephew Max is 9 years old and will be able to see his best friend Brendan and younger sister Lauren.  We’ll see a show (The Lion King) have High Tea, visit the Tower, eat Indian excellent food, “Pub Night”, museums and much more!  I hope they have good coffee in London!

Second stop…Paris. Barb, Max and I will take the high speed Eurostar train to Paris on March 25th and meet up with sister Janet where we have an apartment rented out on Ile de la Cite (adjacent to Notre Dam de Paris).   The itinerary is jam packed!  I KNOW they have good coffee in Paris.  This is my second time in Paris (the first was just a 36 hours layover and total tease!).    Ever since that first visit I thought, “I have to come here with the sisters”.  Yaaay!

Third stop…Amsterdam. After sister Janet and I stay on a few days longer in Paris, I am flying to Amsterdam and going solo for four days.  So much to see!  One childhood dream is to visit the Rikesmuseum and see many of the greatest works of the Dutch Masters plus visit Rembrandt’s home!  Of course there is the Van Gogh museum, Ann Frank, and tons of other intriguing things.  I understand there is more than one bicycle per capita in Holland…gotta love that.  I can’t wait to rent a bike and cruise around the city.

So stay tuned, I’ll have some news to share when I return in early April! Until then (as Rick Steves says) “Keep On Traveling”!