France, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein: Trip Wrap-Up and Thanks, Oct. 8

Have I mentioned how much I love travel?  The past two weeks overflowed with everything I enjoy about seeing the world: stunning landscapes, tangible history, new friends, moments of joy, laughter, and awe, delicious food, fresh perspectives ….  The list is never-ending, and each trip offers novel experiences that help me grow as a person (waistline included, alas, but the cheese!  The wine!  The croissants!).

As I always do in my final post about a trip, I want to end with expressions of gratitude.  I’m a big believer in being thankful for all the delights life offers up, both small (a crispy baguette) and large (being surrounded by stimulating, open-minded, life-affirming people).

So here goes:

Thanks to the wonderful crew on the AMA Amacello – Monika, Kostas, Bojana, Alexandra, Gabriel, Captain Adam, Bogdan, and so many others – for their kind attention and impeccable service on our trip from Arles to Dijon.

Thanks to all the people whose efforts made my touring and dining experiences unforgettable –  the guides who shared their insights, expertise, and humor; the wait staff who stopped to share a bit about themselves; the cooks who prepared such delectable meals; the professional and dedicated hotel staff.

Thanks to my wonderful travel agent, Lauren Clark, for taking care of all the details, designing a fantastic itinerary for our time in Switzerland, and being unfailingly responsive.  I look forward to planning many more trips with you!

Thanks to my amazing friends, Andy and Char, for once again being the best of travel buddies.  We have seen the world together, shared countless meals, and spent untold hours in each other’s company, without ever running out of interesting conversation or exchanging a cross word.  I have never felt like a “third wheel” or tired of your companionship.  May we continue to travel together in good health and good spirits!

Thanks, most of all, to my wife, Sandy.  We don’t share a love of travel, but we do share the deep desire to make one another happy.  Your encouragement of my yen for travel means the world to me, figuratively and literally!

I’ll be back with fresh posts in a few weeks, when I head to Egypt for my next adventure.