Europe, North America, Travel

The Upcoming Plan of Attack

Erica
Old key chain in the shape of a small Earth globe
Picture via Creative Commons on flickr by Haria Varlan

It is weird writing about our “next big trip” – something I couldn’t even fathom at the beginning of our last year in Central and South America.

It is like we are a perfect fit for long term travel or something.

So I present:

THE PLAN OF ATTACK – FALL/WINTER 2012

Because, you know, there may be another plan of attack after that. Hell, we’re still considering doing the 2013 Mongol Rally if we can get the sponsorship involved (if you have any ideas or would like to sponsor us, please feel free to drop me a line on our contact page).

But first on our list:

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

Western Chugach mountains - a few minutes from Anchorage
Creative Commons on flickr by Frank Kovalchek

If you haven’t heard by now, Shaun and I will have the opportunity to visit Anchorage, Alaska with our partnership with Hilton Garden Inn on August 23. I literally was flapping my arms, hopping around, and screaming at the top of my lungs when we received that email.

Alaska has been one of those places in my dreams, but not one I thought I would be able to visit any time soon. I have heard such great things and we are super excited!

Keep your eye out for a post about us glacier trekking. With my ungraceful moves, it should be an interesting time for sure.

ICELAND

Iceland: Svartifoss Cascade
Creative Commons on flickr by Victor Montol

We will be flying from Anchorage to NYC for a night to catch our plane to Reykjavik, Iceland on August 28. It is funny how things ended up – I’m not a fan of the cold but we’re spending a few weeks in colder, icy regions of the world!

A week will be spent there while we go to the Blue Lagoon, Gulfoss, Jökulsárlón, SCUBA diving the tectonic rift, and whale watching. We will also be renting a car to go around Iceland in a week on the Ring Road. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. I’m just glad I’ll have my camera with me to capture everything. *drool*

EUROPE

map
Creative Commons on flickr by Mark Köber

On September 11 we will be flying into Heathrow (London) to begin our Europe trip with our partners at EURail to helps us along our way. We were trying to get an itinerary going but I think we’re mainly playing it by ear. We will be going to TBEX in Costa Brava, Paris, zooming around Italy, Munich for Oktoberfest on my 30th birthday, Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam, and back into London in time for the World Travel Market – in which we will be flying back into NYC on November 9.

If you happen to be in Europe, let us know. Maybe we will change our itinerary to hang out where you are. We’re looking for adventure and leaving our options open is the best way to do it! 😀

HOME

Austin City Lights
“Austin City Lights” Creative Commons on flickr by Stuart Seeger

When we get back, we’re not really sure what we’re doing. Hell, we don’t even really know how we’re getting home from NYC. It is all part of the adventure right?

We’re hoping to get some snowboarding in at some point this year… maybe we’ll head south to get our Dive Master certification. Who knows?

All I know is that we’re having a blast in the process.

Where do you think we should go in Europe or when we get home?

Published by Erica

Your resident adventure geek, and travel photographer extraordinaire, Erica likes to keep life interesting. A few of her favorite things to do include Burning Man, Diving, Downhill Mountain Biking, and laying by the beach with a good beer.

55 thoughts on “The Upcoming Plan of Attack”

  1. I’ve regretted not going to Belgium since I was in Europe and totally skipped it. Let me live vicariously through you – go to Belgium!

  3. Oh man you guys are going to TBEX too?! This is making me really feel a bit left out… working on a way to get my ass there, but the flights from Oz are just so expensive. Sounds like a great trip — have a blast!!!

  5. This all sounds awesome! I have been hearing so many great things about Berlin lately that it would be one of the top places on my list, but I don’t think you can go wrong with anywhere that’s new to you, really.

  6. Sounds like a good trip! Always wanted to go to Alaska. Tbex in Costa brava sounds like a real party, coke and wine time.

  8. EEEK! We will definitely keep that one in mind. We are planning on going back at one point (how could we NOT) as there is so much to see!

  10. This will be our second TBEX in 3 months? lol

    I’m sure being in OZ can be expensive. We are thinking about heading to Japan for a while and the thought of traveling places from there are a bit scary.

  11. I KNOW. Isn’t that SO RAD?

    I can’t guarantee I will stay on the glacier. Shaun is my balance most of the time.

    Good luck?

  12. Berlin is going to me AH-MA-ZING! I’m super excited about it and I already know a few things that are a must for us!

  15. Your route sounds awesome, Glad you guys were able to make it happen!

    The diving in Iceland has to be the ultimate Wow factor in this plan though…how cool is that?

    congrats on the plan and maybe i’ll see you guys in London before you leave (if i ever leave thailand)

    🙂

  17. How exciting! My 2 favorite stops in Europe are Italy and Spain. Have the best time!!!!

  18. I would avoid the Alps particularly Switzerland. You will have a ball in Amsterdam and Berlin. I’m off to Prague myself next month. London just speaks for itself. I’m there a lot at weekends. Enjoy your trip.

  21. Alaska and Iceland are still dream destinations for us, but I have to figure out the right time to go since I don’t do so well in cold. Can’t wait to follow along your journey there!

    Let us know when you’re Berlin-bound. There’s a chance we may be here in October…

  22. Very exciting!

    Oh, and they do the coke and wine thing here too. I’ve never tried it.

    So…. when you say head south for scuba diving… does that mean you’ll head back here as well?

  23. Europe, yaaaay! You have to go to Poland – such an amazing, beautiful country and my favourite in Europe (and so easy to get to from Germany). Poznan, Wroclaw and Gdansk are amazing 🙂

  26. I’m super looking forward to Italy because I’ve never been before. I’m giving Spain a second chance since we weren’t too impressed by Madrid and surrounding.

  27. We were looking at Prague but it really depends on how much money and time we have before we get there.

    London is one of my favorite cities! 😀

  29. I am going to feel like such an old lady. When it rains I get aches in my knees – I can only imagine what icy cold weather will do to be. There is a reason we live in Austin!

    As for Berlin, we are hoping for October and will DEFINITELY hit you up. <3 <3

  30. By South I mean Mexico. 😛

    Unless Salta has an unknown beach somewhere. There is no way for us to afford getting down there again – at least for a while.

  33. Well it looks like we might be staying in Thailand til December then back to the UK 🙂

    Awesome! I’m posting your interview next Wednesday too! I’ll wait to post mine so I can include your before and after!

    I look forward to seeing your revamped list!

  34. Have a great time Alaska! In the past month I posted literally two dozen Alaska articles in case you need any ideas 🙂 Make sure to watch your step on the glacier trek so you don’t absentmindedly plunge knee-deep into freezing glacial water. (Not that anyone in our party did such a thing, of course.)

    Iceland is at the top of my list for international travel, so those stories will be fun to read.

  35. Congrats on the Anchorage trip! Anchorage won’t be cold in August, but wherever you’re going for glacier trekking should be. The rest sounds great too. Just a reminder (I know, like the 5th time or something) you’re more than welcome to come crash with us for a bit in Freiburg if you want! It’s about 4-5 hours on the train from Munich. Either way, have a great time in Europe!

  36. Cripes! I have immovable dates that I have to be in France for then, (waving farewell to an aging grandparent) but I’ll be over in the Munich region from around the 10th for a wedding if you guys are around then 😀

  37. All of this sounds mightily exciting! Looking forward to following your travel tales!
    Safe Journey 🙂

  38. What a fantastic calendar you guys are looking at! Things are going very well, I look forward to reading about diving in Iceland- now that’s cool!

  39. A formidable plan of attack! Is Cinque Terre in Italy on the list? It’s totally worth a visit. Btw, I’ll be at TBEX too, maybe will see you guys there!

  40. Hi there! I just found your blog and have really enjoyed hearing about your travels.
    I haven’t read through all the comments, but I just wanted to say how great Italy is. I studied in Florence for a year and it was unforgettable! Here are a couple of my recommendations if you find yourself there:
    The BEST gelato is at Il Procopio near Piazza Ciompi. Giampaolo is the owner and you can taste his passion for making gelato. And my favorite wine shop is Bacco Nudo owned by a little old lady and her brother in law. If you get her talking she’ll have stories for you all day long!
    Ristorante La Giostra has delicious Pear Pecorino Ravioli.
    Gusta Pizza in Santo Spirito across the Arno is also a favorite.
    And you should definitely watch a sunset from Piazza Michelangelo, its magical.
    I hope you have a wonderful time in Italy. It truly is an amazing place. I would also recommend visiting Lucca, Renting vespas and driving to the Saturnia hot springs, Cinque Terre is not a let down, and Spoleto and Arezzo are a cute little towns.
    Let me know if you’d like any more information, I’m full of it and would love to share!

  41. …definitely sounds like experience and something that I’m likely to do with my uncoordinated body.

    SUPER EXCITED about Iceland. Not so excited about freezing my ass off.

  45. We’re not really sure what is on the itinerary for Italy. We’re just playing it by ear right now.

    See you at TBEX!

  46. Tiffany! Good lord! Thank you thank you thank you! 😀

    I’ll make sure to use this as our cheat sheet when we get there. You may be receiving an email from me!

  47. You guys are going to have so much fun. Alaska and Iceland have always been on our radar and Europe, well, it’s just a matter of time until we are back. Prepare yourself for Oktoberfest, it’s insane.

  48. I think you should head from the UK up to Scotland, as I arrive on Sept. 18 with my mom and sis! Pretty please? =)

    Also, Iceland is awesome–I went solo when I was still doing a lot of CouchSurfing back in 2007 and it was one of my most memorable trips to date.

  49. Hi there Erica & Shaun…Where to go in Europe? My personal favourite is and will likely remain the Greek Isles, least of all because it is cheap in the current climate. Whilst you’re there, try Turkey, but seeing as you’re planning this in advance, there are many festivals in Europe you’ll have the opportunity to attend (unlike postcard & travel brochure victims). I have recently come across a mini-copendium of sorts of them – have a look at travel-inspiration.net/inspiration – you’d have to scour around a bit but they do speak of festivals you’d never know of that’ll provide you with real adventure! Cheers, Rob.

  51. HA! I wish I could girlie but we’re going to be in Barcelona then.

    Just arrived to Reykjavik. We’re taking a day off to recoup and work. I feel like DYING!

  52. Hey Rob!

    We’re looking at Paris, Barcelona, Girona, some parts of Italy, Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam and possible Prague. If we can get to Turkey we will TOTALLY go.

  55. “SCUBA diving the tectonic rift”
    I’m so jealous right now I can barely contain myself!

    Thanks for sharing 🙂

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