The Joys of Planning.

So, what do I do when I have an international trip on the horizon? I start planning other trips!

Since Spain is in October of 2011 I decided that 2012 needed some attention as well.  Sarah has mentioned a fantastic idea to drive down the coast of Croatia! I am totally interested in joining her and am so completely excited.

My research on the Croatia area began at Lonely Planet’s website http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2058704 where there was a ton of posts related to the topic of travel as well as informative responses to my enquiries. The plan is to travel from Rijeka to Dubrovnik which I hear is completely breathtaking. All I am waiting for is Sarah to land the dates for us.

My second plan is to travel to Bangladesh.

I recently bought the book Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011 purchased through amazon.com http://www.amazon.ca/Lonely-Planets-Best-Travel-2011/dp/1742200907 and found a section on affordable travel destinations. Apparently, Bangladesh is extremely cheap, with the book claiming that you can eat for less than $1 US and find lodgings for even cheaper. As well, it is reported to be a far superior travel destination to the neighbouring India.

Since I was already planning a month stay in India, perhaps I will do Bangladesh first and India in future years. I have also researched this trip on Lonely Planet’s website and have received a bunch of tips and information about the area (such as, don’t travel during monsoon season!).

I hope to do this trip next year as well.

As for my October Spain trip, I have discovered that travelling around Spain as I originally planned to do will probably not work out. I have recently redirected my focus to Barcelona only, though I will definitely squeeze in some time in Valencia since I hear the food there is amazing. If it works out however, I will head for Granada also.

Happy Travels!

Serena

Viajar a España (Travelling to Spain)

In T-Minus 5 months...I will be flying to Spain.  While this particular trip involves my husband, it will be no less exciting and truly blog material.  The initial purpose of the trip was to satisfy the years of putting my true ambitions on hold.  Now, with the youngest of my 3 children nearing 2 years by that time, I am free to begin my solo journeys again.  After much thought was put into what to do on my debut trip out of the kitchen (and Canada), I decided that I would like my husband to awaken his inner travel bug and join me.  Since he is much more content with the stability and monotony of regular life, this was potentially going to be a hard sell.  I chose Spain due to its culture, architecture and other-worldly charm.  Additionally, the language barrier, which would create a challenge, and the relaxed way of life, which I hope will transfer onto my husband countering his workaholic nature, were major draws also.  In short, I think it would be an easy international trip for my less adventurous husband that could possibly lead to his desire to travel more…and of course who doesn’t love Spain?

 So to make this more exciting, we are travelling with no itinerary.  With backpacks packed full of necessities, we will step off of the plane and onto Barcelona soil with hope and ambition.  Chances are though that I will book the first night in a hotel to ensure that we are rested prior to our adventure, but after that warm, soft, inviting sleep, we will be finding hostels (or park benches) to lay our heads.  I would like to explore Barcelona for a few days and then make our way to the Granada area.  I am not certain as to whether we will fly or take the train.  The Lonely Planet books all describe Spain’s train system in comparison to “Alice in Wonderland” since “nothing is as it seems”.  This could create some challenges for us…but also could make for some great blogging stories. 

In preparation for our trip over the next 5 months I need to:

A)     Learn Spanish.  I have some French since my son is in Immersion and did well in French class as a teenager, but as experience has shown me, once I am put on the spot to use those skills I become a deer in headlights.  I recall driving through Quebec and stopping at a gas station.  As I looked around for a trash bin a man spoke French to me.  I looked at him as he pointed to a garbage can.  I searched frantically in my brain for the words “Merci” but could I find them?  NO.  A sheepish “Thank You” came out.  I fear this is what will happen in Spain. 

I need to brush up on my Spanish before I go.    

B)      Read my Lonely Planet Spain book.  I am sure a lot has changed since the “Europe on a Shoestring” book came out which I have been basing my knowledge on.  Knowing the ins and outs of Spain will ensure I won’t miss anything or waste too much time on problem areas (like the trains!).

I need to stop procrastinating and read the book.

C)      Stock my bag.  Thankfully I have a friend who has travelled in this style many times before.  I have my list of ‘must haves’ and have been prepped in hostel etiquette.  I still call her with questions and concerns from time to time.  Like the beautiful person she is, she answers my enquiries with grace and patience.  Thanks Nat!  Check out her blog at http://footlooseadventurer.blogspot.com/

I need to shop for my ‘must haves’.

Wish me luck!

Serena