Summer Plans
August is the time for vacation in Europe. Italy nearly shuts down as every Italian flees to a cool shady place. German businesses grind to a well.. not halt, but definitely slower. The idea that X can’t be done because the one person responsible is on vacation for 2 weeks is well to be expected in August.
Well not to be caught un-assimilated, we too are headed on vacation in August. Yay traveling again. I feel like I have spent too much time at my desk lately. I’m usually not a summer travel person, but definitely getting itchy to go see stuff.
Here is the plan.
Brussels
A weekend in the Belgian capital. There is a carpet of flowers event that only happens for a few days every other year to take in. I love Belgian beer and I am on a quest to eat a waffle. Not to mention the proliferation of peeing statues there.
But seriously, mostly the waffle thing.
Carcassonne
We are then heading cross country on the train to the walled city in the south of France. I know about it due to a well known series of board games. I am looking forward to seeing the castle. Ali calls me a geek for wanting to see a place just because of a board game. And you know what, I am totally fine with being that person. 🙂
It is totally a UNESCO site, so it is worth seeing. See Andrea’s look at the city here.
Andorra
Basically, heading here because it exists. Ali is into list-ticking, so another nearby country to check off is a priority. One night and a morning looking to get our passport stamped before moving on.
Barcelona
Last spring Ali won a weekend in Barcelona. So as we were coming back from Italy we cooked up this crazy scheme to see Andorra and Carcassonne, just because they are nearby. Now we are putting said scheme into reality. So we have a weekend in Barcelona as well.
We went to Tomatina in Spain in August last year, so kind of making it a habit.
So a week and a half and only one flight (back from Barcelona) with the rest by train. Yay.Hopefully I will get some other projects worked on. Half done book is screaming for attention, as well as various programming and blog-related stuff. Assuming I CAN get progress in the next bit, expect some changes around here this fall.
Portugal
September sees us for a very long weekend in Portugal. We are being the blog geeks and heading to another conference. Our second time going to TBU, this time in Portugal. Hey it might be a conference, but Portugal ain’t too shabby.
Rest assured there will be writing about all of these destinations. Some here on Grounded Traveler and much more on Ctrl-Alt-Travel.
Definitely go like the Ctrl-Alt-Travel Facebook page if you like my detail oriented somewhat off kilter look at travel.
Have you been to any of these places? What would you suggest seeing?
August 11, 2012 @ 6:16 am
Sounds like an awesome vacation. I love Portugal and Barcelona is a great city. I’ve never been to Belgium, Carcassonne, or Andorra so will be interested in learning more about those places. Look at you two being typical Europeans now – vacationing in August! Have fun!
August 12, 2012 @ 12:14 pm
Thanks. Yup, it should be fun. Especially looking forward to some new places and some big castles.
August 11, 2012 @ 6:00 am
I love that you are visiting Andorra to tick off something on Ali’s list. I do that too. I’ve actually heard really good things about Andorra, though.
Do me a favor- stop at the Delirium Cafe in Brussles and have a Delirium Tremens and a Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge for me. (I’d pay for it if I could figure out how 🙂 ) Trust me, I’m a beer snob and those are two of my favorites. I’m debating doing a Belgian Beer tour in a year or two…
August 12, 2012 @ 12:13 pm
That is more of Ali’s thing than mine, but I like being along for the ride. I especially like mountains, so it should be fun.
Not sure what kind of free time we will have for such things, but I will definitely keep it in mind. Do you have an address?
August 12, 2012 @ 4:18 pm
Impasse De La Fidélité 4 1000 Brussels, Belgium
It’s right across the street from the Mannekin Pis!
August 16, 2012 @ 6:20 pm
Ok. I’ll remember that and let you know if we make it.
August 10, 2012 @ 2:38 pm
Sounds like a great vacation! I’ve always wanted to see the flower carpet, so I’ll be looking forward to your pictures of that.
And I’m looking forward to seeing you both in Porto!
August 12, 2012 @ 12:12 pm
I vaguely remember hearing about it years ago on my first trip to Brussels, so really looking forward to seeing it live. Rest assured there will be pictures.
Yay Porto.
August 10, 2012 @ 12:05 pm
These plans sound awesome! You’re taking in a lot of different sites – enjoy =)
August 12, 2012 @ 12:11 pm
Thanks. Totally looking forward to it all.
August 10, 2012 @ 11:33 am
Thanks for the mention! I’m sure you’ll have a great trip, especially seeing waffles are involved. Enjoy!
August 12, 2012 @ 12:11 pm
Waffles! I am so looking forward to traveling again, even for just a week.