Are we there yet?

After nearly two years of planning and working on it, we are finally here.
Today, in exactly one week, we leave for Pieter’s birthday trip. Not just any birthday, a big one.

He turns 60!

To celebrate this big number, he wanted to do what he does best: Eat. Drink. Travel. From there the idea of a culinary adventure through Europe took form.

Since it is a big birthday, we invited friends and friends-of-friends to join us for part of the journey. There will be a big group of people with us on the cruise to celebrate on the actual day.

A quick overview of our itinerary:

  • Paris
  • Milan
  • Venice
  • Florence
  • Rome
  • Cruise
    • Pisa
    • Livorno
    • Villefranche-sur-Mer (Monaco)
    • Marseille
    • Sète
    • Barcelona
  • Madrid
  • Valencia
  • Barcelona
  • Paris

In case you are wondering… in every city (except for one or two on the cruise) we have an organized food tour.

There is also twenty (already planned and booked) train journeys in there!

As always, expect some stories about adventures, praising delicious “nibbly-bits and drinky-poos” and lots of photos as we try our best to keep up this journal.

Three weeks in Europe in winter, with only carry-ons? Challenge accepted!

The gówniaki is not impressed, and/or depressed.

Are we there yet? Read More »

Enough for Ken-nough?

Not officially packing yet.

Trying to make sure everything we want to take can fit into the carry-on. Three weeks in Europe, in winter, with only a carry-on. 

Challenge accepted!

What more do you need?

Enough for Ken-nough? Read More »

Out the door

And we’re off…

In case you were wondering, we did get three weeks of clothes for winter in Europe in our carry-ons!

An auspicious start!

Out the door Read More »

Trains, planes and automobiles

After a long day of traveling in cars, airplanes and already 2 trains, we made it to our hotel.

And since our train tomorrow leaves very early, we booked for location: the hotel on the train station!

Rest now?
NEVAH!

We are heading back to the city center for dinner with a good friend. We can sleep when we get back home. Eventually.

Liftoff!
Hello there France!
Gard de Lyon
Our charming hotel

Trains, planes and automobiles Read More »

Singing the Blues

We have read about this restaurant, Le Train Bleu, a few years ago and have simply not been able to get here.

With our hotel being on the station, we could not let this slip by.

Since we already had dinner plans, we opted for afternoon cocktails.

Maybe next time we will eat here…

The restaurant
Every inch is stunning
View to the bar
The bar
View from the bar
Being judged for day drinking?

Singing the Blues Read More »

An Evening in Paris

We headed to central Paris to one, buy chocolate and two, have dinner with a friend.

We achieved both missions with great success without falling asleep in our food!

It was a great evening.

Puppy love!
We came to the right place
Wonderful dinner
Heading back to the hotel for our early morning train

An Evening in Paris Read More »

Its Storytime, Kids!

Welcome to adventure time, kids!

Our word for today: PIVOT

Do you know what that word means, kids?

Let me give you an example: If you set a 5:30am alarm to make your 7:30am train, but you forgot to check the ‘weekdays only’ setting, guess what happens?

Since you did not realize it is Sunday, your alarm will not go off and you will sleep exhaustedly until 7:32.

And this, kids, is where our word of the day, pivot, comes in.

After a search across all possible train providers you will come to the realization that there is no available rail option that will get you to Venice in the same day.

Now what do you do to get to Venice?
Can you all say together: pivot!

A more generic search reveals a flight that leaves at noon!

We pivoted.

Even though the cons of a good night’s sleep includes no train ride and a scorched credit card for last minute tickets, there are pros as well: a much shorter travel time, and a lot more time in Venice!

And we’re off!

Its Storytime, Kids! Read More »

A Room with a View

For this whole trip we were only particular about one hotel room.

In Venice, we wanted a room right on the Grand Canal.

And what a room it is.

Happiness.

Even the bathroom has a view!

A Room with a View Read More »

Magic Maze

Venice exist only on its own terms, and does not care to compromise.

It is a city full of surprises tucked away in narrow alleys and seemingly dead ends. It is a incomprehensible maze between ancient looming structures crisscrossed with canals. A glimpse of something green behind a closed gate might indicate a very rare garden, usually in front of a palace. In the plazas you are blessed with a momentary reveal of the sky.

And, underneath all these buildings, are only wooden pilons driven into the ocean sand, and water. On top of this is built a place of wonder that would not even nature claim it.

It is pure joy to simply give yourself over to it and get lost in the magic.

First random stop for a glass of wine. A delightfully no-frills (ancient) little pizza place.

Another stop for wine. The place was so tiny you could barely get 6 people in the whole wine bar.

As Pieter yet again randomly turned into another dark and barely lit alley:

Kenn: “We are going to die!”

Pieter: “Seriously, have I ever gotten you killed?”

Gondolas in front of the Rialto bridge.

We took to heart the ‘rule’ that states: for the best meal, get away from the tourist areas and and find a place where the locals eat.

The food and service was fantastic and personal.

The view from the room at night

Magic Maze Read More »

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