I have a rule that I must leave the country at least once a year.

Last year, we went to Panama City, Panama for Thanksgiving.  In 2011, I spent 2 weeks in Bangalore, India in June for work.  2010 was Thanksgiving in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  2009 was our glorious sabbatical where we spent 7 months traveling Spain, Portugal, France and Italy.  2008 was another Thanksgiving week abroad, this time in Oaxaca, Mexico.  You get the drift.

I have another rule.  Don’t be afraid to take time off from work.

When Chad and I were dating, his former college roommate invited us to his wedding in Japan.  I told Chad I couldn’t go with him because I had a major project deadline at the same time.  Big mistake.  Of course, that project deadline got pushed back, and I missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Japan with native hosts, a traditional wedding, and other unique experiences that I will never be able to recreate.

Rule #3 – When I go to Europe, I’m there for at least 3 weeks.

Last spring, Chad expressed interest in attending a business conference in Milan in October.  This became a great excuse to begin planning our 2013 trip abroad.  After much discussion on where we wanted to vacation in Europe prior to the conference, we settled on Paris.  We had spent 9 days in Paris in 2009 and had a great time.  There is so much to do and see and eat and drink in Paris; we decided we could go back and spend 3 weeks there.  Then Chad would head to Milan, and I would head back to Atlanta.  As we continued to plan, however, things evolved, and we’ll both be in Europe for 5 weeks.

Enough with the rules.  Here’s the plan for the trip.

Saturday, September 28, we fly to Paris with Chad’s sister Michele.  We’ll spend that first week doing all things touristy in Paris, eating great food, and drinking good wine.  Michele will return to Atlanta on Sunday, October 6.  Chad and I will spend another 2+ weeks in Paris, probably at a slower pace.  On Tuesday, October 22, we’ll fly to Milan.  Honestly, I wasn’t planning to go to Milan until I saw the apartment that Chad had rented, and then I decided the balcony was too cool to pass up.  We’ll goof around for a day or so, and then Chad’s conference is on Thursday and Friday.  On Saturday, October 26, we’ll take the train to the Cinque Terre and stay there for 4 days because, well, it’s the Cinque Terre and it’s our favorite place on earth.  Then back to Paris for a final 3 days before flying back home.  Sounds terrible, doesn’t it?  :)

Check back on Saturday for my next post.  We’re going to Europe with carry-on luggage only, no checked baggage…  We’ve been told we’re crazy; I would argue that we’re crazy-smart…