Last night I put the finishing touches on an epic trip to Spain. I love choosing the most adorable boutique hotels in prime locations, typically located to the oldest, most historical part of town. I love to figure out how to make the most of each day in each location – the perfect mixture of sightseeing, great food and drink, and relaxation in a beautiful park, plaza or unexpected setting. I love booking reservations for incredible meals, like the best paella I’ve ever had on the Barcelonetta in Barcelona, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, or authentic Spanish cuisine in downtown Madrid. I love learning about local architecture and choosing the perfect Gaudi destinations in Barcelona, or planning the perfect tour through Madrid – from the medieval to the historical – to the recently famous. I love purchasing advance tickets with the best views for popular sights like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Royal Alcazar in Seville, and Royal Palace in Madrid. Such a treat to bypass lines and see unexpected, unique parts of these incredible buildings. I love to plan the perfect daytrip to places like Toledo (pictured above), a completely beautiful hill town in Spain merging Arabic, Renaissance and Gothic architecture.
I am in love with this trip. But its not for me. My parents will enjoy this trip soon – and I CANNOT wait to hear how much they loved it. I had the privilege of seeing these sights last year and fell in love with Spain – the culture, the people, and the history.
This year, my sisters and I helped them plan a Mediterranean cruise (14 days!) and then convinced them to add on a week in Spain. I’m so proud of them for taking this adventure.
We didn’t travel much as a family growing up. We sisters were very obsessed with sports and hated to miss practice (even in the summer and on holidays) and travel wasn’t super common in the town I grew up in. We took one big trip to Disney World in Orlando. Driving the whole way there in our humongous Oldsmobile. I remember clearly how exciting it was to see a new place. And its hilarious to remember fighting over the middle line of the back seat with my big sister while my tiny, little sister enjoyed the floorboard (pre-seatbelt days). My parents were saints.
Over the years I’ve developed a love for travel. A few years ago I went to London for a work trip and my mom met me for an extended vacation. We had the absolute best time and she caught the travel bug. She and my dad took a tour of Italy a few years ago and now, they take on multiple countries.
I am so proud of them for choosing adventure. Choosing to continue to create amazing memories. And making the most of each year. What a gift that they are both healthy and strong.
They have done so much for me over the years and have worked so hard to create a great life. They truly don’t need anything – so the best gift, I believe, is the gift of experience – helping them plan this trip. It’s a gift of adventure. Of learning. Of curiosity.
If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend giving this gift. For some of our parents, the planning part is the overwhelming part – not the finances, time or other factors. Making the time to help with planning is ultimately a gift for all.
I am as excited for their trip as if I were going with them – almost….
So I’m so excited to wish them bon voyage soon. And I can’t wait to hear about their paella.
The Redefining 