When I was a young guy, my friends knew how well I cooked. When there was a big party, they said, “Why don’t you bring chairs?”
I still don’t bring any dishes to a party…but what I cook up is travel plans. I just love helping friends and family plan their trips. It’s what I do. In the last week, I’ve been immersed in helping plan our daughter’s Iberian escape.
(Later in the summer, Jackie will be assisting on our family tours — Rome to Paris, two weeks — orchestrating the kids’ activities. But on the way to Rome, she’s dropping into Spain for her own little vacation.)
As a parent (and her travel advisor), I’m excited to follow her adventures in Spain and Portugal. In fact, starting Sunday, I’ll be letting Jackie and her best friend, Zoe, take my blog stage and pack us all along for the adventures of two 19-year-old young women in Iberia.
With all the heavy news lately and my penchant for steering this blog into politics, their report will be a breath of fresh teenage air. Imagine just flitting around Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon with your BFF simply to enjoy the art, beaches, food, and boys.
Every day for a couple weeks, we’ll hear from Jackie and Zoe about their escapades. As a travel teacher, I’m personally fascinated by the party-centric hostel world that teen travelers enjoy. It’s something I can never report on. But Jackie sure can. I’ll be right there with you, commenting as the Dad 5,000 miles away to their blogs, and I hope you can travel with all of us too.
Then, when Jackie and Zoe finish their trip, I’ll hop back in: blogging from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and Germany for the rest of July and August.
By the way, if you’d rather have anxiety-ridden and polarizing politics instead, my take on the tumult in Iran is featured in an editorial exclusive to the Seattle Times.
I’ve enjoyed reading Jackie and Andrew’s travel posts in the past (even though they seemed to have been timeshifted about 6 months). Looking forward to reading about Jackie’s adventures (and Dad’s responses!).
Welcome back Jackie! Will look forward to reading your posts.
Jackie ……….How lucky you are to have your Dad helping you and your friend with your travel plans for Spain and Portugal……… Having used Rick’s books, DVDs, website and maps for European trips (at least 10 now) I help family and friends when they want advice on their European vacations. It’s fun to help and hear how their trips went. ……Have a great trip!!! Looking forward to your blog.
Great editorial in the Seattle Times. Thank you.
No offense Rick, but it will be summer fun to go on vacation with Jackie and Zoe! Things are a little too heavy and serious for me right now. Despite the world, economy ect. ect. we need to have some fun!
How small the world is! I have read all Rick’s books, watched all the videos, pledged on PBS, seen him speak, carried my guidebook on my one trip to Europe – and now, my son is traveling through Europe with his wife and his guidebook – and who do they run into but Rick’s Jackie? He was telling her how Rick is “guiding” their trip – and then finds out she is his daughter.
I look forward to Jackie’s blog. She has a different style (and perspective) of writing than Andy and Rick. I look forward to her adventures in Spain and Portugal as I have been to both as well. It will be different to get her take on this being younger than myself. I look forward to this blog taking on a young traveler’s perspective. Her writings have always been enjoyable and I look forward to her trip!!
Hello Rick, I have seen your editorial in my local paper. Good job! Maybe it will help sell your new book.
Seems like just yesterday I was watching (on PBS of course) your very young teen daughter eating kipper in west Ireland. Wait, it WAS yesterday. I’m certain she’s a lovely young lady!
You must be so proud of Jackie, that is awesome how she is traveling. Looking forward to reading about her travels. Where does she blog> Im blogging on Baraaza this summer for my travels.
Hi Rick! I just want to say your travel shows rock!!! You and your crew are the best in the business.
I can’t wait to hear about your Norway adventures, Rick. I moved here a year ago, and keep an eye out for you everywhere. We use your guidebooks and podcasts for guidance all the time.
Saw that you’re off to Estonia later this summer. I’m in Tallinn right now for their Song Festival, and had to mention that we had an absolutely amazing private tour with a company called EstAdventures (http://estadventures.ee/) that was really inexpensive with a great local guide. :-) (we’re talking $20 each for 4 hours and a beer!) This city is amazing!