Paris

Usually, I don’t plan travel to far in advance. Maybe about a month to six weeks out is the norm.  But this year is a bit different. My parents are going on a European trip with their church choir. I had half committed to meeting them somewhere, but I wasn’t sure where. (I half committed because I don’t like tour groups.) Then they said there was going to be an extension trip to Paris! I also learned they were going to bring my 10-year-old niece as well.  This would be her first time on a plane and overseas. I was sold! So in June, I will be joining my parents, my niece and who knows how many choir members in Paris. This must be the farthest out I have ever planned a trip on my own. However, there isn’t much for me to do as it is done with a tour company. I will be arriving a day before them because of the flight schedules and I also want to find places for us to eat.

I also found out this Fall that there is an art exhibition in Venice I want to attend. It is the Biennale. This year it runs from May 9 – November 22. So I think Venice will be my July Eid holiday.  I will also try to go visit some friends that now live in Italy near Rome. I am trying to decide if I will take the train from Venice to their town or drive.

I haven’t made any decisions on dates or even destinations for the rest of the year, but I do know I want to try to hit more of the Gulf countries this year. Here is my list to choose from:

• Oman
• Dubai
• Kuwait
• Cambodia
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Sri Lanka
• Greece

Obviously, I can’t go to all of them, but I have plenty of choices.  I will also be traveling for work. Most likely that will Dublin and maybe Iceland! Stay tuned…