Showing posts with label Barcelona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barcelona. Show all posts

Friday, June 15, 2012

We're Off!!!

So we're off!!! Sitting aboard our Air Canada regional jet, comfy, half full, relaxed, ....the way Flying used to be! I'm sure that will change by this evening when we board a jumbo jet for our flight across the pond to Barcelona but for now, sit back and relax. At least as much as I can with my antsy son next to me wide awake with anticipation of the 10 days of family fun we have ahead of us. Amazingly, anyone hat has been to Barcelona has nothing bad to say about it, really! That never happens, there is always a curmudgeon or two with something to complain about, I hope what we hear is all true...even one step further, I hope no one in our group is THAT person. Barcelona will be great I am sure but the real experience will be our much anticipated sailing on the Norwegian EPIC on the Mediterranean although I am not sure if the kids are looking forward more for the ship or for France and Italy. My guess is they will have a blast on the ship and a surprisingly (for them) experience exploring countries they have only read about in books, studied in school and have seen on television.

Monday, June 11, 2012

European Vacation...with the Family

Every time I see European Vacation I think of the Chevy Chase movie hopefully the trip we are about to embark on does not urn out the same way.

The anticipation of our first family trip to Europe has reached a fever pitch. Now that the kid are out of school they have focused on trip preparation and at the same time have peppered me with more questions than I can answer. Their curiosity is refreshing to see, so many things now just don't phase kids anymore, the information/Internet age has kind of dulled the senses a bit.

Vacations however are real!!! They will be living the experiences now, all the reading and Facebook items about destinations just do not immerse you in the sights, sounds and culture of other countries. This will truly be an experience they will never forget, we will be writing family history, giving them something they will surely share with friends present and future and probably talk about it to their children one day.
Our trip will start in Barcelona, after a short stop in Toronto. We'll spend 3 days in Barcelona living out of a rented apartment with other family members and friends. Nothing like just jumping in and experiencing a world-class city right off the bat. Anyone I have talked to that has visited Barcelona has fallen in love with the city....we can't wait.

We will cruise aboard the Norwegian EPIC (www.ncl.com/EPIC), a destination in it's self. Funny but when was the last time you heard of travelers taking on Europe for the first time with their only concern being not enough time to enjoy everything on the ship (sounds like a revisit may be in the works).
Stops in Rome, Florence, Naples, Cannes & Marseilles will keep us busy and will surely be a senses overload!!!

Some may say traveling with the family & friends (our party numbers 15), may not be too relaxing but really I could not think of a better way to do it, nothing like sharing an experience that we can share for a lifetime. I'll take note of any tips we may need to share.
Look out Europe , we're on the way!!!!

My plan (and hopefully I can stick to it) is to blog daily when I can (hopefully before partaking in umbrella drinks and of course local wines) and of course we'll be taking pictures constantly.

Follow our trip on this blog, and on Facebook or Twitter, we're @ShipAhoyCP on both and please check out our website at www.ShipAhoyCP.com , sign up for special announcements and offers.