Planning Ahead
I’ve spent the day researching and contemplating the Solo Tracy Trip–multiple snow days in a row have afforded me the time to do so. And after thinking and researching and researching and thinking, I’ve come to a decision. Great Britain it shall be.
While it makes the most sense to stick with the trip that not only is planned but also makes the most sense, both geographically and monetarily (as well as matrimonially and linguistically, as my husband is ok with it and I speak the language), there is one very good reason for foregoing Switzerland for a solo tour of England and Scotland: this is the kind of trip I likely won’t be able to take ever again.
For those of you who actually know me and will freak out about this next part–don’t worry, I’m most certainly NOT pregnant. But some day I might be–or, more likely, we will adopt. And when we have a child–however that happens–I would like that child to be able to travel. However I turn out to be a mother I do not want to use contraceptives or IUDs to stop from being one for the time being. The Mirena Lawsuits that I have been hearing about lately have broke me into pieces feeling the pain those women would have had to endure. I just wish to have a healthy life, a healthy child, and peaceful trips. And not just to the Jersey Shore. I feel certain that I will find a way to make this happen (though, again, that might involve selling actual organs–or perhaps we could take the easy route and just win the lottery.) So I am forced to ask myself–would I take my future possible child to the Alps? Would I show him or her The Sound of Music, and dance around with him or her in my living room in preparation for an Alpine adventure? Absolutely. Would bring him or her on an uber-budget tour of England and Scotland, stopping at every castle and cathedral and pub along the way? Um…no. No I would not. This is not to say that children and castles and cathedrals do not mix (though the pub option is most certainly out)–I’d love for my future possible child to be able to appreciate these things. But will he or she? Probably not–at least not for many, many, MANY years. And he or she does not even exist yet. So to England I shall go, on the dream trip of every nerd, history buff, and English teacher–as I am all of those, I am sure I will have a wonderful time.
Good call. Switzerland is expensive like you might not believe.
oh no, i believe it! i’ve done my research (as in over $100 for one person to go up the mountain in a gondola? seriously???) thus the need to win the lottery!
have you been? and if so–would you mind sharing your most mind-boggling price experience? just for my own amusement (and as a warning!)
We went to Switzerland in 2006 for 2 weeks. Mostly I remember a hotel room for 2 being in the $200-225 range no matter where we stayed in the country (we like a 3* room which I’d classify as comfy tourist class – nothing fancy, ensuite bath, elevator). Lausanne was among the more expensive cities. I have a credit card with a zero rate for the first 3 months after a charge – it was tough paying it off in the zero rate period.
It was a great trip – I’d go back tomorrow – but Italy and even the UK were much more affordable.
Ahhhhh….but a child would love Schloss Neuschwanstein…
um, yeah…i’ve never heard of it before, but nevermind kids…I would love it there! i google image searched it, and then actually looked it up to make sure it was real. wow! way better than disney world! (or euro disney. which the husband actually suggested visiting whilst in paris…i laughed. hard.)
oh my god. not only does doug know of it. i showed him a picture and he said ‘is that neuschwanstein?’–and pronounced it in a way that i didn’t even realize he was right at first. and THEN he told me all about it. it seems he made a MODEL of it in 12th grade for his GERMAN CLASS. i knew i married a nerd, yet i continue to be amazed. i’m sure our future nerd child will like it there, too. dear god…what have i signed on for?