DRUMROLL PLEASE!
The moment has arrived. Johnny and I have finalized our travel plans (so far). We managed to narrow it down to 5 countries; sadly Greece didn’t make the cut because the plane tickets from Athens were insanely expensive. I’m proud of Johnny and I for making compromises, for working together as a team and not losing it during this whole process. There were plenty of times I just wanted to scream, especially when trying to find an apartment in Paris (more on this later). But I’ve held it together. Thank God for wine.
I mentioned it in my post on Friday just how crazy planning a trip like this is. There’s so much to think about. I’m the type that has to have everything planned, all our accommodations booked, our plane tickets ready. Thank goodness I’ve got all of that major stuff out of the way. I’ve already printed out all of our confirmations and organized it in a folder according to date. It’s all slowly starting to become real now. Insanity!
So, on November 15, Johnny and I have a one way ticket leaving Los Angeles to London. We arrive in London November 16. From there:
Rome.
Paris. (for a month and a half! eeeeeeeeee!!)
Venice.
Barcelona.
Lisbon.
Madeira, Portugal (one of my dream destinations!)
Porto.
I’ll be in Paris for my birthday, Christmas and New Years! I seriously cannot deal with the fact that I’m going to be in Paris for the holidays. It’s a complete dream come true.
After Porto, we’re debating on heading on over to the lovely Bangkok, Thailand. We’ve been monitoring tickets and it’s actually cheaper to go to Thailand for a month (ticket, food, accommodations included) than to fly back to LA or Buenos Aires. At this point it’s almost silly to not go. Johnny’s secretly been looking at Muay Thai camps to go to, and I’ve been fantasizing about beach bungalows. After spending winter in Europe, I’m already dreaming of heading to warmer weather.
I think it’s funny after all of this time I’ll probably end up going to Thailand after all. Life works in mysterious ways.
I can’t believe this is happening. Each time I printed a ticket confirmation, it was a testament to how truly blessed I am. I’m finally following my dreams. And I’m not doing it alone. I’ve realized just how lucky I am to have a boyfriend who not only supports me, but actually shares the same dreams that I do. It’s going to be incredible to experience all of this with him. After 5 1/2 years of being together, I’m looking forward to really taking our relationship in a completely different direction.
I couldn’t ask for a better life right now.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great itinerary! Paris is always wonderful, because, hey, it’s Paris. But during the holiday season, it is absolutely magical. Maybe we should plan to meet in Paris…
Paris is just SO dreamy. We should totally plan to meet there!
Did Johnny end up checking out that Muay Thai camp I told him about on Friday? Hopefully that’s enough to get you both over the edge and take the plunge to buy that ticket to Thailand haha.
Congratulations to both of you on making the decision to travel, wishing you all the best!
He did!!! It’s all he’s been talking about…while trying to practice kicks with me. I’m pretty sure we’re going to go!!
It was wonderful meeting you both. I hope our paths cross sooner rather than later!
Wahoo!
High fives to your new life and your ultimately exciting itinerary!
I’m also going to be in Paris for the holiday season. I wish I could say I was excited as you but my wallet is quivering in anticipation….
It looks like you’re going to have the time of your life! I’m a bit jealous, I have to be honest…
Give me a shout if you end up in the Southern Hemisphere at all!
I totally will girl!
I’m so incredibly happy for you both! Eeek
EEEK! Can’t wait to meet you and hear all the details about your Africa trip!!!
So exciting! You won’t regret adding Thailand.
This is amazing! So happy for you! I can’t wait to hear about Portugal, it’s one of my dream destinations!
I can’t wait either! My boyfriend is Portuguese so he’s jumping out of his skin!
Sweet! You guys picked some of the best European destinations! I’m sure Paris will be beautiful in the wintertime, and the fact that you get to spend your birthday AND the holidays there is just amazing!! Happy travels
I’m so excited! Thank you!
I am not ashamed to admit I am jealous, but I am also happy for you! Congrats on reaching your dreams. The itinerary looks dreamy! May your travels be filled with many wondrous moments.
YAY! Thank you!
ahh!! sooo exciting!! im definitely jealous but i also cannot wait to hear about all your adventures! and ive never been to thailand but ive heard great things, including that the most expensive part is the plane ticket and then everything is super cheap once youre there … so if you already finding a plane ticket that’s decently priced it seems like fate that you must go!! take 1.4million pictures!
OMG Pictures….that reminds me that I need to start looking into cameras. Ohhhh man!
Great choice of cities! Wish I had half your spunk when I was your age. Will definitely be following your blog.
So exciting! I can’t wait to read all about it.
SO amazing! So is Buenos Aires not happening now?! Though I do think it’s really good that you’re compromising. If he’s giving you a month and a half in Paris, I think it’s fair to give him a month in Thailand. Plus, Thailand is much cheaper than many destinations (including BA) and his heart really seems set on the Muay Thai. I can’t wait to hear all of the experiences you guys will be having and am vicariously living through you both! xo Is initial the plan still six months before you go back to LA?
Buenos Aires is still happening…at some point. I just can’t seem to find any relatively inexpensive tickets to fly there. If by some miracle the tickets there end up being cheaper than going to Thailand, I’m definitely going there.
And you’re totally right about Thailand. Johnny’s been talking about doing Muay Thai in Thailand for as long as I can remember. Not all is lost in Paris though, as he plans to try and take Savate (French Kickboxing) classes while we’re in Paris.
And we’re basically trying to travel until our money runs out. We’ll see how it goes!
That itinerary sounds…AMAZING! What a memorable birthday Paris will make. Post lots of photos!
I will!! I have to find a camera…..sigh!
Can’t wait to read all about it, lady! It will be an amazing trip and I can sense in this post that you feel exactly how I do about my trip next year. No matter where it takes you or how long it lasts, it will almost definitely change you as a person and you will have the memories forever. Exciting!!
Eeeee! Thank you Julia!
Wow, great plan, Portugal is very much on my list, and also Venice, because (shame on me) I’m Italian and I’ve never been there!
oooooh!!! Everything I hear about Venice is wonderful. Come join me!!
I can’t wait either!! Dying to read all about it
Thank you for following the adventure!
First of all, so glad to see Porto made the list! Second, do Thailand!!
I was on Facebook today and someone had posted photos of their apartment in Chaing Mai and seriously, it made me wonder what the heck I’ve been thinking living in Europe and Australia. Three times as nice and I guarantee it’s the same price if not cheaper!
Can’t wait for you to start your adventure, yay for Paris! I’ll live vicariously through you!
EXACTLY! That’s exactly why I want to go to Thailand. The amount of money I’m paying for my apartment (aka closet) in Paris would probably be a freaking mansion in Thailand. I’m leaning towards it more and more everyday.
You have chosen places that are just made for you, hun. I know it. I couldn’t be more excited for you. Seriously!!
And I love love love that you’re going to head to Thailand after Europe too. *squeals*
Hi there! I found your blog through Elle and I’ve gotta say I am REALLY jealous of your vacation!! Holidays in Paris? I am literally wishing you could pack me in your suitcase. I actually came home from Greece about 10 days ago- it’s too bad it didn’t make it on your list because it’s really beautiful, but you’re going to so many other places you won’t even realize
Hi Melissa!
I’m so sad about Greece. We had planned for it all along, but the flights to and from there were just so expensive. For the same price ahttp://thewanderlustproject.com/wp-admin/edit-comments.php#comments-forms Athens to Barcelona, we managed to add 2 other cities in! I’ve already been to Greece, but it was the country I think Johnny was really, really looking forward to. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that a cheap flight happens to pop up!
Can’t wait for pictures on this!!! BTW I found your blog through Oneika.
Paris is definitely one of my faves…have fun getting lost on the metro! But really, getting lost is the only way to travel
YAY! Thank you Oneika!
I can’t wait to get lost in Paris. I get the feeling I’m never going to want to leave.
“We’ve been monitoring tickets and it’s actually cheaper to go to Thailand for a month (ticket, food, accommodations included) than to fly back to LA or Buenos Aires.”
^^ there’s your answer. you HAVE to go to Thailand!!
great plans chica, excited for you!
OMG I will be in Paris during the Christmas holidays with my bf!!!! Can you PLEASE give me tips on where you ate on Christmas Eve and Christmas day since I know most places are closed.
Love the site!