Well it's time to travel again - for most of us - and after losing three trips that would have taken me to Portugal, Vietnam, Cambodia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Croatia, and Germany (that we lost due to Covid) I've rebooked three Euro hops in the next 18 months. Thank goodness!
Some logic and thought starters here.
First off, you can break down your life's travel opportunities in this manner - as it aligns with my pattern.
From age 20 to 35 hit Las Vegas as often as you possibly can, get absolutely stupid, then...get married.
From 36 to 50, raise your kids (start saving for Disneyland...both of them...or more) and enjoy your peak earning years - head to Hawaii, or some other warm spot, during the winter to download some stress and soak up some sun,
From 51 to 65, see the world..as much of it as possible. Learn about the different cultures; experience the glorious history of that country; expand your knowledge on why it's ok to be 'different' from others; and pass that knowledge on to others.
*Leave the kids at home - they'll love the break - and they won't understand the complexity of what they would see on these trips until they are much older.
From 66 to 'whatever' cram in as much travel as you possibly can because the reality of life is that your body slowly breaks down and makes simple things like waking up in the morning harder as every day goes by.
There’s no known ‘best before’ date…so…go…
My knees are causing grief; my back surgery 40 years ago isn't getting any better; and my sleep patterns are bizarre. No need for an alarm clock anymore. Anybody need a 6:31 am wake up call - consistently?
Plus, in the past few years 'covid' has made travel an absolute pain in the butt (not physically) and it's going to be more and more difficult in simply getting to parts of the world from now on.
As well, sadly, many of us think we will 'travel later' and that reality can often be lost.
In the past five or so years alone I've lost close to 20 friends...most of them younger than me...many who didn't enjoy a single moment of retirement or enjoying the benefits of very successful careers.
I know this isn't possible for everybody. I know...I'm fortunate....I live a wonderful lifestyle because of my media career. I was fortunate enough to visit many places, through business, that gave me a free preview of wonderful places to return to - Miami's South Beach; the beautify of the California and Oregon coasts; and other amazing places.
A five decade career isn't exactly easy so before you think I'm boasting just remember that I ran radio stations in the biggest markets in Canada and they all have one thing in common...they never close.
A minimum nine to five office day 5 days week; meetings for several community groups you're wise to join; and when you get in the car during the evening and weekends it's not always a good idea to tell your wife to "shushhh I have to listen to this!"
So, over the next 18 months I'm going to blog and post my trip highlights so I can 'hopefully' help others in understanding the complexities of travel these days and open some doors to some countries you may have not ever thought of visiting.
Am I scared to travel right now? Absolutely! It's a wild card.
Cancelled flights.
Bumped off somewhere you don't want to spend more than a few hours in.
Lost luggage - both ways - coming and going.
Sitting beside people you have no idea of their health situation and hoping that they don't cause you any unnecessary grief.
Weather issues. Custom issues. Language differences.
It's a long list - but - travel is an adventure and if you keep an open mind some of the 'mis'-adventures can end up being the highlight of a trip that you will remember....forever.
I'm travelling with 30 people in a private bus through Italy, Austria, Germany, and Hungary. I've been to all these places before but usually rushed and didn't have enough time to discover the many amazing things in those cities/countries and without a local guide.
The last 7 trips overseas have been done solely with Amawaterways.ca or with Azorcan Tours hosted by my good friend Paul Almeida.
They have one thing in common. Amazing organizational skills and opportunities, a worry free goal for their customers, and neat 'surprises' like meeting people like ex Oiler Jari Kurri in Helsinki, Finland..
Your only obligation, honestly, is to 'be on the bus on time.'
With both groups you hand your luggage off at the airport, hop on the plane, and get set to enjoy everything the travel brochures highlight because these folks have you covered top to bottom - safety included.
I'm travelling with some incredible friends too, Bryn Griffiths is the worlds best traveling partner and can get you 'anywhere' you want to go with his forensic planning via all transportation modes with no language issues. .
In countries where English is as scarce as hens teeth it's a huge comfort.
As well, Craig Roskin, another media vet, is returning to Italy after over fifty years. We have known each other since 1955. My Dad (Jerry) started CHED with his Dad (Lou) at that time.
Of note...Craig enjoys The Art of Conversation (yeah that means he talks a lot) so I've packed my Bose headphones and added to my 5,000 song Spotify playlist, so I’m prepared.
Our Italy itinerary includes Rome, the Vatican, Siena, San Gimignano Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Verona and Venice. (Fortunately Naples isn't included...been there/done that/hated it/don't ever drive there!)
In Germany we head for Munich, and a stop at the legendary Oktoberfest. I was there once on a motorcycle tour through Europe and I can tell you that it honestly makes the Calgary Stampede look like a shindig.
Massive tents filled with gigantic jugs of beer, pretzels, Oompa pa music, a complete Fair, and a dozen ambulances lined up at the gates to take out patrons that can't walk. It's an amazing visual - trust me.
In Austria, one of may all time favourite countries, we will be stopping in Innsbruck (home of the 1964 Winter World Olympics) Salzburg - yup the Sound of Music city; and Vienna - one of my all time favourites with so many things to do in a fairytale setting - including some amazing music centres, Lipizzan Horses; and unique foods.
We will finish up in Budapest, another city I enjoyed a few years back. Anybody who has been there can tell you how stunning the harbour is between Buda and Pest - all lit up at night - during a cruise in the Bay.
We have local guides travelling with us and if you've done some of the worlds biggest city bus tours with those awful sound system head sets I can't tell you how rewarding it is to sit with people who LIVE in the countries you are visiting,
Paul can confirm that my seat in the bus is always at the front and often beside these guides where I enjoy some eye opening conversations about their lives.
The most compelling are in the former Communist countries.
Most of the things they grew up with we never learned in school - just too deep - and when you hear of the restrictions they faced as kids and young folks growing up - well - it just makes me shudder when I see about some of the meaningless things that we complain about over here in North America.
So - I will be posting pictures and short descriptions of our experiences as we roll through each country.
Hopefully, if you're thinking of getting back on the big silver bird yourself, these tips and thoughts may be of some assistance to you.
Essentials, by the way before I leave you, check all your documents well ahead of your travel plans. It's taking forever to get your passport renewed and the NEXUS fighting between Canada and the US is leaving most offices closed thus only 'renewals' are getting done.
My lounge pass benefit was cancelled by the bank without notice to me - so I would have handed out an outdated lounge card in Amsterdam after a 9 hour flight and 7 hour time difference…glad I double checked.
You'll need the ArriveCan app; Re-open Euro is helpful; Uber, TripCase is excellent; MyHealthRecords, my lounge pass is now Visa Airport Companion; Google Translate (it's gold); and of course your Airline app.
Make sure you turn your phone on to airplane mode OR purchase a plan that will cover you over in Europe. A mistake here can be very costly.'
Next, take a picture of your important information and leave it with somebody back home...a relative is best. I you lose your passport, or other documentation, it can be a real struggle to get it replaced and get back home. Trust me!
And finally, my last warning, that often gets overlooked.
Don't get hammered on the plane!
A hangover, 7 or 8 hour time difference, and jet lag can be an absolute killer.
We warned one gent on the flight over to the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic a few years back and he missed three days of the fun and games with a massive headache and certainly wasted a good amount of money needlessly.
As well border agents can be a real pain in the ass. It's their job.
If you are drunk and obnoxious they can do one of a few things. First, turn you around, Second arrest you, or third detain you for a very long tine to sober up and scare the hell out of you.
In fact...it's sobering. (Pun intended)
Often, when you step out of the airplane in a European country, you are met by guards, both male and female, holding automatic rifles - and they have zero tolerance for anybody misbehaving.
I have my four AHS covid shots, with both the MyHealth App and auto transfer on the Apple Wallet, my ArriveCan app, TripCase and Apple AirTag ready to go.
So..way we go...let’s roll..
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