I have always thought that it's better to spend my money on experiences than on things. I live well within my means so that I can spend my extra money on vacations. When my children were younger, many of those trips were to Walt Disney World, where I now consider myself an expert. But now as my children are getting older, I want us as a family to experience more than just the Most Magical Place on Earth. I had all these plans, and then Covid hit.
Planning is half the fun when traveling, as the anticipation of a vacation is a wonderful feeling. So while I wait for a time when I can travel again, I've started planning out my future vacations, with money as no object since that is more fun. Let's begin with Italy!
I'm lucky that I've actually been to Italy before. In high school, I did a trip with the Italian Department that took us to 9 cities in 8 days. It was exhausting, but that experience allows me to narrow down my search to Florence. This is a trip I actually want to take with my mother one day before she gets too old, and so I plan it around her. She loves Michelangelo, so I search for all the museums that hold his work. We can visit the Museum of the Duomo to see the Pietà , which is one of his best IMO. Then I google lists for the best hotels in the city, deciding to stay at a hotel on a hill overlooking the entire city. I also search for local tours, deciding that I must try the Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class in a Tuscan Farmhouse. I write this all down, ready to give it to my travel agent just in case Covid disappears tomorrow and I am gifted thousands of dollars.
Next I move onto cruises. What sounds better than a week floating far away from my worries? I usually choose a cruise ship line that I can afford for this adventure. I can play for hours on their websites deciding to go on an Eastern Caribbean cruise or an Alaskan cruise. I'll research their excursions, onboard spas, choose my stateroom (a balcony is a must!), and even decide what I'm going to order off their restaurant menus.
Finally, there's always Walt Disney World. One of the ongoing conversations in my marriage is where we need to eat the next time we make a trip to Orlando. Do we stick with our favorite, Sanaa, or do we try the new restaurant at their newest hotel? Should we go to Oga's Cantina, the new Star Wars bar, once or twice on the trip?
There are also a ton of travel books in the library that I will also check out. There's a book for every area of the country and pretty much all nations on Earth! This is another great way to plan the trips you won't be taking in 2021. Want to pretend you're going to Iceland? There's a book for that! Curious about what there is to do in New Mexico? The library's got you covered!
Anyone else dreaming of somewhere else? Where would you like to travel to?