Early last week we delivered Jace back to his parents safe and sound, after visiting five countries in two weeks: Germany (Heidelberg Castle), Salzburg, Austria (Mozart Dinner Concert, Salt Mine, Untersbergbahn), Paris, France (Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Seine River, Notre-Dame), Rome, Italy (Colosseum, Forum, Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain), and the Vatican Museum in the Holy See (the world’s smallest country with the lowest per capita birthrate – think about it!).
Along the way Jace got to sample German and Austrian Wienerschnitzel, French crêpes, escargot and foie gras, and Italian beef carpaccio, pasta, pizza, and gelato, while visiting some of the world’s most famous places. Some dishes required more bravery than others, but Jace was up to the task. Most of our hotels were Hiltons that included sumptuous buffet breakfasts. Jace's favorite morning menu choices included hot chocolate, freshly squeezed orange juice, bacon, croissants, and yogurt, along with the occasional waffle and fresh fruit.
We definitely faced some travel challenges before and during the trip, including two cancelled trains, two cancelled flights, and two significantly delayed flights, but we persevered and made it work. Jace, like all of his siblings and cousins, proved to be an excellent traveler and great travel companion, pointing us in the right direction more than once.
On the fourth Saturday in March we all departed from Seattle for Frankfurt. On the first Saturday in April we were showing Jace around Rome. On the second Saturday in April we were watching him play lacrosse in Stanwood, Washington. How quickly it passes.
It’s a bittersweet feeling to close this chapter in our lives. Over the past decade we’ve managed to take all eight of our grandchildren to Europe, the cradle of our culture and civilization. We hope Jace retains great memories of the trip over the years, and pursues his interest in foreign languages and his appetite to seek out the world’s richest hot chocolate, flakiest croissants, and most intense gelato.
2 comments:
I so enjoyed following your trip with your last
Grandchild how fortunate Jace is to have such fun, gracious and knowledgeable grandparents. A quick question… now that you are finished taking yours on the Grand European Tour, do hire out? My granddaughter will be ready in two years!!!! Oh, and welcome back, where to next?
Maybe you couldn't afford us! Seriously, start planning your own trip with your granddaughter. You won't regret it.
We're off to Lima, Peru Tuesday. We used our airfare credit from our cancelled Ecuador trip (political state of emergency) to return to this dining paradise.
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