OK, Maybe I am being a tad overly dramatic. But I am about to venture into the unknown. To boldly go where I have not gone before. To take perhaps the most complicated vacation I have taken in all my 36 years on this planet. I'm going... to Europe.

Having planned and booked this trip myself, there are a lot of details to consider. There is the flight across the Atlantic and back, the hotels in each city, and the transportation between cities for one. That's the basics. If nothing screws up there, then things should be good.

Then there is the things to do in each city. Will we have enough time to cram everything in? Is it better to spend a day walking along the cobblestone streets, stopping for a coffee in a sidewalk cafe and doing a bit of shopping? Or is it better to try to hit a bunch of museums and monuments in that day so if someone asks “Did you see THIS?” I can respond “Yes! Of course, wouldn't miss THAT.”

It's a tough balance. Hopefully we'll be able to enjoy the ambiance of the places while not missing out on the highlights. A friend warned me not to do too much, and I will try my best to keep a brisk yet easily manageable pace of activities.

I don't want to be on the plane home totally exhausted and frustrated.

Wish me luck. (Thanks!) And I'll see if I can do a few blog postings from across the pond.