Europe here I come!

Getting ready, physically and mentally, for this little trip to Europe.  Tagging along, as a tourist though not a student, with a student study tour.  While they’re in their studies, I’ll be exploring Belgium, Amsterdam, Paris and London/UK a bit.  I have not firm plans for most of the trip so this will really be an adventure.  Anyone who knows me well, knows I almost always have “everything” planned!  So this is a lovely trip outside of my comfort zone on many levels…sort of what this whole year has been about.  I look forward to discovering historic Belgium from Leuven, Ghent, Bruge and  Antwerp to adventuring by train to Amsterdam.  In Amsterdam I hope to see the Ann Frank home and a Jewish Museum there commemorating WWII.  I’d also love to see the windmills and anything else I’m able to get to!  After the Leuven stay, we venture to Brussels for a short stay while the students have professional experience to add to their workshop.  All of Belgium in December is supposed to be beautiful and decorated for Christmas!  Between the Belgium and the UK study tour, there is a two-day “free time” for all travelers.  I’ve joined a group who chose to go to Paris for the “day and a half” and we’re staying 1 night just across from the Eiffel Tower.  Here again, I have no real plan and no idea what we’ll be doing and seeing, so I’m very excited!  Then on to the university in the countryside of London.  Our Bed and Breakfast is, according to my understanding, on university grounds and is a castle with lovely gardens attached!   Here again I have no specific plan.  Having lived in the UK for almost 2 years and traveled there before as well, I know I don’t need to do the obvious “tourist stuff” {Harrods, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, York Minster, etc.}, it will be interesting where this part of the trip takes me!