June 4, 2018 - Elisa Updates her Travel Bucket List and Tanya is Back in the USA

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Covering Long Island & NYC Boroughs
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Updated Travel Bucket List

Here we are again - it's Monday and what a messy, wet day we have, here on Long Island.  

I must say, however, I'm lovin' it and at 8:30am, I've already accomplished a great deal.  Love productive days!!

Today also happens to be the first day that Tanya is back in The States, having returned last night from her Poland, Germany and More trip.  I texted her at 10:55pm last night and was thrilled to get an immediate text reply saying "Just landed."

I absolutely love the above quote - nothing could be more true!! Different environment, different language in many cases, different smells, cuisines, customs, architecture and people.  All of these experiences change a person forever.

Anyway, as I was posting each day for Tanya, (living vicariously through her adventures!, I started thinking about some of the places I want to visit sooner than later.  

Most of these were already on my travel bucket list, but, I've gotten more aggressive in my attitude about making these visits happen!

Take a gander...

(wanderingsicily)

1) Sicily
This trip is happening next Summer , 2019. I haven't locked into dates yet, but me and the girls have been talking very seriously about this for months, so it is a go!!
This is the homeland for my father's side of the family - and Tanya's mom's side.  My grandfather and Tanya's great-grandfather came to American from Taormina, Sicily and with all the traveling we have both done, it's hard to imagine that neither of us have ever been!!

I need to do some plotting and planning and see what makes the most sense in terms of a travel route as well as the dates.

(noavg.me)

2. Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges
I really thought that Kelsey was going to want to go to London to celebrate her 13th Birthday next Spring (2019), but she didn't (insert sad face!)

I was so excited to go for the Tulip Festival, which will take place April 20, 2019 - May 5, 2019.  Wow - what an exciting thing that will be.  I'm not giving up on the idea of going next Spring, since we will be celebrating Kelsey's 13th in Disney in February 2019.

Additionally, traveling to Brussels and on to Bruges is what I would ideally love to include in this trip. This sweet capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium, is distinguished by its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings.

You may remember that Tanya was there back in 2014 (UK/Scandinavia Trip).

​

3. Georgia
You may remember that I spoke about Georgia back in January of 2017 - when I was talking about my bucket list. But, unfortunately, the divorce and all the nonsense kept me homebound for a while and from making plans. 


I even had to cancel my Croatia Trip with Tanya this June (so depressing!).  

But, I am really intrigued and in love with the Eastern European area and as Georgia is situated at the strategically important crossroads where Europe meets Asia, it is somewhere I SOOO want to go! 

Georgia has a unique and ancient cultural heritage, and is famed for its traditions of hospitality and cuisine.

There's been alot of unrest here throughout the centuries as it was the object of conflicts between Persia, Turkey and Russia.  This was all prior to eventually being annexed by Russia in the 19th century.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia gained independence in 1991 and has blossomed into its own becoming a lovely travel destination.


There you have it for now - I have to fit the above three into some kind of schedule for myself - with and without kids - and keep you posted.

In other blog news...

Me and Edgar Allan Poe - featuring Poe Cottage in this week's article in Elisa's Long Island and NYC Outer Boroughs column (c) travelincousins.com

Check out my newly posted article on Elisa's Long Island & NYC Outer Boroughs:

Poe Cottage: Poe Cottage: National Historic Place, NYC Landmark & A Legacy to An American Poet

So glad to have my cuz back state-side and we'll be talking more about upcoming exciting stuff in the coming weeks.  

For right now, catch up on Tanya's Scoop  - first-hand from her - as she tells you about her upcoming trips!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop​​
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Back in the USA

Well well well - look who is back in town!

​The trip back was a LONG one, with the first flight taking us to Oslo, where I had originally had plans of going out for the day and exploring this city a bit more. 

If you recall I had made my way around Oslo on my own just a few years ago...

Oslo in a Day for the Solo Traveler

2015 visit to Oslo (c)travelincousins.com

​Even finding myself on the local news before my day was over!

BUT... after walking over 131 miles on foot over the course of 19 days and going non-stop from the early morning until late at night - completely exhausting Dave (who was a trooper, just a very tired trooper).
​

Leaving our hotel - Steinberger Berlin (c)travelincousins.com

Boarding our first flight (c)travelincousins.com

I figured that since we had both already previously explored Oslo (each separately) and since there was nothing specific that we REALLY wanted to go and do, we would just stick out the rather long layover in the beautiful air-conditioned Oslo airport.
Oh yea and did I mention the fact that the temps out there were in the 90's and that is what really pushed my decision to stay inside! LOL

So we shopped, ate and wondered about in the airport - it is like Dave says - I'm like a dog...
I need to be walked! LMBO

Smoothie Bowls and various salads (c)travelincousins.com

Then going through heaps of extra security for our flight back to the States causing the flight to leave late.

Finally boarded (c)travelincousins.com

I figured that the pilot would make up some time in the air.   Guess I was wrong.
When we would finally be above the smoggy skies of Los Angeles I noticed that it was almost 8pm!

We were definitely late and I bet our ride wasn't sitting around waiting for us!

Now the big question was, how were we gonna get home - which is a good hours drive at best.  

All the last minute rides were up-charging, my mom had offered to come out - which was nice of her, but it would also mean more waiting around since she would need at least an hour to get to LAX.

I eventually looked around enough and found a decent ride with Lyft that was hugely discounted from $130 to $60!    SOLD

And we were on our way home.
Arriving to find the open arms of Cosette and Chaplin who were very eager to get lots of hugs!!
​
Amia (Chaplin's pup) was also bursting at the seams and wanted to be greeted and get some attention. Goldie (Cosette's rescue) was so excited that she was running in circles! 

Of course Dominic and the rest of the fam bam were glad to see us and happy that I was home.

​We got semi caught up with stories told and then it was time for me to hand out all of the gifts that I returned with!

And now that I'm back, aside from the general catching up with things and getting right back into the swing of things. I have to focus my attention on the next few upcoming trips and make sure that everything is in order.

July - Washington DC & Virginia 
For the MLB All Star Game, Monticello and Shenandoah National Park

July - Up and Down most of the Eastern Sea Board
Annual visiting trip and this time Elisa and I are filming a short sample pilot of the Travelin' Cousins Travel Show!!!

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire (c)travelincousins.com

August - Cruising the Caribbean
We will be at sea for an 8 day cruise visiting     Aruba, Curacao and Turks & Caicos - none of which I have ever visited before!

Cruisin' (c)travelincousins.com

September - Hawaii
We are going to soak in the sun, enjoy the beauty,  and be on island time. BETCHA DIDN'T KNOW - Hawaii is pretty much the ONLY place where I slow my pace down and actually kinda sorta relax!

Kauai (c)travelincousins.com

Now I also have quite a bit of catching up to do on the Travelin' Cousins blog from all of the days that I was dealing with lousy wifi. I have so many pictures and details to share that it is gonna take me a while more than I have right now.  So be sure to check back tomorrow and hopefully things will be in order.

Have a great one! It's time for me to head out and log off.
-Travelin' Tanya