We took our first trip abroad since covid. It was amazing, fun, challenging, and memorable. There were a lot of changes to how things work, some were good, and some could have been better. We also challenged ourselves more as a family with this trip, traveling to countries where English is not the first language, so that did add a little extra stress and excitement.
Pre-covid, I would research exciting things and places to explore and maybe book an adventure or two, but we really like to see where the fates will take us. In the past, this led to fantastic walks along barren cliffs, discovering amazing music in tiny pubs, wandering into a private tour of the Vatican, and finally finding an elusive castle. It has also led to crying, wet socks, and a few disagreements, but the adventure and discovery were worth it.
Post-covid, things got more scheduled. Our lives are scheduled enough, so this was not a pleasant discovery. Granted, we were traveling in June (once the US schools got out), and we went to some of the most popular destinations, but we have visited some of them before, so we saw the change. Almost every major site, the Eifel Tower, the Paris Catacombs, the Roman Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Louvre, required reservations months in advance to avoid two-hour lines with the possibility of never getting in. Trying to purchase tickets directly from the sites two or three months in advance was almost impossible. We really wanted an informative tour of some places, but there were some places we just wanted to wander on our own. I could not book more than two things directly from the site. Everything else was an up-priced tour or ticket through a third party. This means getting into ticketed places costs at least double the listed ticket price. This may be because of covid restrictions or just because so many people are traveling again. Still, it definitely impacted the budget and our typical travel techniques.
All of that said, we still had a glorious time and managed to take the time to simply wander and explore. I made sure to book only one scheduled thing every other day. In Athens, we walked the ancient neighborhoods, discovered peaceful ruins, ate a ton of great food (both modern and traditional), and had time to take in the juxtaposition of this ancient and contemporary city.
In Rome, we got lost in alleyways and parks, wandered into beautiful churches, ate so much pasta and gelato that we thought we would burst, and learned about the beauty of the mid-day nap to avoid the heat. FYI, the ancient springs all over Rome are one of my favorite things ever!
Then came a much-needed break in Switzerland. We took a train from Rome to Lucerne and had four blissful days in the Swiss Alps. I still prebooked a golden ticket trip to Mount Pilatus (through the actual organization), but it was just for the breathtaking transportation. After the heat and energy of Athens and Rome, we needed the quiet pace and natural beauty of the Alps.
We left the peace of Lucerne and headed to Paris by train. So much has changed about Paris since we were there six years ago. No more walking under the Eifel Tower, nor more early short-line entry under the Louvre (it's still an entrance, but the line was crazy before opening), no more wandering into Saint Michelle or Notradam. Paris still takes your breath away. You can still roam the streets and parks for miles and miles, stop at lovely cafes to people-watch and have a drink, and enjoy amazing pastries. Paris is still magic; you just have to plan more.
Our favorite experiences were still the moments we wandered and discovered. Wandering the Plaka in Athens, stopping for wine and snacks while overlooking ancient ruins, and talking to the street cats will never be forgotten. In Rome, we got to watch the swallows from our rooftop terrace. One evening we sat drinking prosecco, watching the swallows in the changing light, when the neighbor, a concert pianist, started playing one of his compositions. Waiting in line for Enzo's in the Trastevere, talking with strangers, finally eating one of the best meals of our lives, and then wandering back to our flat was amazing. We loved simply wandering the fairy-tail-like streets of Lucerne, eating the best chocolates ever, and beating the heat by swimming in the Alpine lake. Paris.... well, it's Paris. My best night was simply walking towards the Arc de Triomphe without any real plan besides finding a place for dinner and seeing the Arc at night. We found a great little cafe, ordered a bottle of wine and a ton of food, and enjoyed each other's company for several hours. We continued wandering to the Arc and were not disappointed by the site. It was amazing.
There was arguing and snipping, and things were too crowded, expensive, and hot, but the adventures were worth it. I am already planning for our next adventure!
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