European Vacation!

We are traveling and blogging again…Only this time we decided to go international! Turns out there are a few differences between hauling your camper around the States and flying to Europe, so feel free to follow along on our adventure!

Wait, I am refusing to call this an adventure, because someone once told me that an adventure is a poorly planned vacation (and for real…the amount of time spent planning this…OY!). Also, synonyms for adventure include: dangerous undertaking and risky venture, so let’s maybe avoid the sentiment altogether. 

Journey. I’m going to go with journey. It sounds pleasant, peaceful, and eye opening (and like good music. ;) 

Where?

Our trip will include 1) Paris, France 2) Barcelona, Spain and 3) Prague, Czech Republic. 

Why?

We chose to travel to these locations for various reasons. The kids (now mostly young adults) said it was because we ran of states we could easily get the camper to. They are not wrong. 

Paris was chosen because that is where we will meet up with Cameron, who is in France studying artificial intelligence at a university in Rennes. 

After Paris we will go to Barcelona because Cameron and Matt have always wanted to go. Cameron because he speaks nearly fluent Spanish, and Matt because he is fascinated (who isn’t?) by the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. 

Our last destination is Prague. Matt saw a little bit of Prague while on a mission trip to Poland in 2009 and has always wanted to go back. He talked about how amazing the city was and how truly old as it was not damaged during WWII (another interesting story to explore). 

Who? 

We are changing it up a little this time. We invited Grace’s boyfriend, Evan, along for the ride. They have been together for over six years, so he is truly part of the family at this point. Evan graduated last month with a history degree, so he will truly appreciate the history and museums. The remaining cast of characters are the people you know and love: 

Matt/Dad - Not the driver or mechanic for once!!! While taking a break from his camper hauling career, he is not taking a break from providing regular dad humor and fashion. 

Emily/Mom - Playing her usual part as trip organizer/planner/budgeter (is that a word?), Emily is not new to Europe, but it’s been a minute, so she just hopes she translated everything right while planning because some words look very similar and mean very different things. Eek!

Grace - Daughter extraordinaire who will also be a student on this trip as she balances a summer course for her graduate work back home. She only needs to attend a few classes at midnight local time in Europe. Oh boy! 

Cameron - Son who will be coming off a month of courses in Rennes, France, and a week in Paris. So he will play the well travelled and sophisticated European in our group while we all look like the Clampetts fresh off the farm. 

Caleb - Son who brings with him hair that would make any European jealous (okay, it makes me jealous). And a go-with-the-flow and try anything attitude that really makes him a fun travel partner. And it’s his first trip to Europe! 

So off we go on our first international family vacation!