Kim and Katy strike a pose while waiting for the train in Bacharach, Germany on our way to Trier.
A POST SCRIPT
A veritable feast of German, Austrian and Swiss Tour-inspired foods! We threw a party at Kim's for our families and friends to share some of the culinary delights of our trip. (You can see a picture of Katy's amazing German Chocolate Kirsch-soaked Cake on the Germany page.)
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When Travel Doesn't just Change You,
It Changes the Color of your Room! I was so taken by the milky grey-green Weisse Lutschine flowing through the Lauterbrunnen Valley that Kim (who moonlights as a decorator) helped me pick the perfect reminiscent shade to paint my room. I think fondly of that beautiful place and smile to myself with pleasure at the memory. A little dose of #YES2JOY every day! |
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It may be dark and rainy in December in Seattle, but the friendship is warm! Kim, Sarah, Luke and Kristi. Enjoying Sunday lunch at Kim's and reminiscing about our "glory days" on the Tour!
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BUDDY MINI REUNION!
MEET Sarah and Luke - lovely people and two of our tour buddies. This was Sarah and Luke's first Rick Steves Tour, and their story is so sweet. Newlyweds, they'd saved and carefully planned to take the The Best of Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 14 Days as their Honeymoon, 6 months after their actual wedding. Which is totally cool! But, I think the back story is even cooler! Hailing from Texas, Sarah remembers watching Travel with Rick Steves on PBS as a girl (one of the only channels available in the rural town where she lived). Fast forward to meeting and marrying the love of her life - she always knew that a Rick Steves Tour was her dream honeymoon. Holger did his best to spoil them all along the trip! Making sure they had great rooms and extra special little touches. It was fun for the rest of us; we were all beaming with happiness for them, and celebrating with them. In December, for their one year anniversary, Luke surprised Sarah with a trip to Seattle and the San Juan Islands (she hopes to move here someday). . . and a mini buddy reunion at Kim's house! We totally relished catching up with them, and re-living our Rick Steves trip together. Super fun! We've made friends for life. |
Rick Steves Tour Reunion | Edmonds, WA January 26 & 27
It was so much fun to reunite with our Tour friends. And also to introduce our husbands to Holger, as well as Rick Steves Tours and Philosophy. As I listened to Rick Steves and the guides talk at the Reunion Party, I wanted to shout, "take my credit card and book me one of everything!" |
Introducing our husbands to Holger, and reuniting with two of our delightful tour companions, Gail (a self-proclaimed "Ricknick") and Dave, over lunch at Salt & Iron in Edmonds, WA. Holger, Gail & Dave, Katy & Scott, CC & Kim, Kristi & Neil.
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A FEW FUN FACTS
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Rick Steves gives his opening remarks at our Tour Reunion. Rumor has it that this used to be Rick's Junior High School!
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Put on a name tag, enjoy some snacks . . . and have fun mixing it up with our tour guides and dozens of your favorite travel buddies (we expect a crowd so don't be offended when we kick you out to do your own thing after two hours)! |
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What's a "Ricknick" to do?
Sign up for her 9th tour, travel to Edmonds for another fun Reunion and win a prize at the Reunion Party, that's what! It was super-fun to reconnect with fellow tour members Gail and Dave who came all the way from Georgia to spend the weekend in Seattle at the Rick Steves Tour Reunion! Gail is a self-proclaimed "Ricknick" because they love Rick Steves' tours and have been on 8. Gail is a 4th grade teacher and plans every June to literally lock up her classroom and beat it to the airport for Europe! They've already booked their tour for 2018: Village Italy in 14 Days - and we can't wait to travel vicariously with them as they've promised to post lots facebook pictures. Caio Bella! |
Hailing from Georgia, Gail and Dave sport their prize for having travelled the furthest distance to attend the Tour Reunion. YEAH!
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WE CAN'T WAIT!
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Katy & Scott : Took a "Loire to South France; Eastern France" Tour Class at the Rick Steves Reunion. They have their sites set on The Best of Eastern France in 14 Days, exploring the culinary delights of that part of France. You go "Delight of the Bite"!
Kim & CC : Have their eyes set on exploring Italy - it is the country of CC's heritage! Kristi & Neil : There's a big year on the horizon in the Trainer Household: Neil turns 50, Meg turns 21 (and graduates from University), Micah turns 18 (and graduates from High School). We think The Best of Turkey in 13 Days sounds like an epic way to mark all of those momentous milestones, and make piles of new memories together as a family. We're keeping our fingers crossed! THE WHOLE GANG : What could be better than traveling with Girfriends? How about we bring the guys along and make it a couples adventure! We're already cooking up a 5-year plan, after we've all successfully launched our kids from the nest, we're chomping at the bit to celebrate by taking in The Best of Ireland in 14 Days. Kim, CC, Kristi, Neil, Katy and Scott! In September 2022! Because it won't matter that it's the beginning of a school year!! |
I learned that the joy that comes from a vacation doesn’t just involve a beach and a tan. The fulfillment I felt from seeing incredible things, learning new things, experiencing new things, was different for me. I’ve typically taken trips that involve lots of relaxing and usually sunshine. "Touring" always seemed like work, but with the Rick Steves Tour I found I could relax and learn and enjoy in a way I’ve never known. This definitely won’t be the last Rick Steves Tour! I can’t wait to bring my husband!!" -Katy
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Auf Wiedersehen! Alles Gute aus Seattle! Goodbye! All the Best from Seattle!
Thank you for joining us on our "Girlfriends Go-To" Travel Adventure! It's been so much fun composing this Scrapbook; I hope that you've enjoyed the journey and that it's whetted your appetite for an adventure of your own - be it with girlfriends, good friends, or family. Whoever your travel companions, may you know the joy of experiencing all the gifts that travel offers: wisdom, delight, memories and #YES2JOY! |
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