Answers to questions from our faithful readers. :-)
What surprised you most?
Sojourner A. That everything went pretty much according to plan. B. That the kids were so awesome and uncomplaining. C. How much more we spent daily than I thought we would, particularly because cooking for ourselves was harder than expected. D. I completely failed on language learning, but the rest of the family rocked. | Wesley How much I liked Croatia | Luigi A. Nimes B. It's possible to get sick of Italian food | Columbia The whole trip ... that we went on it! |
If you could live anywhere (but here in US) what place would you choose and why?
Sojourner Everywhere! If I had to choose: A. Paris (never run out of things to do) B. A suburb of Genoa --- closer than Rapallo but not in the city (fascinating area and very central in Europe too) C. Dubrovnik (gorgeous and warm) | Wesley South of France, because it's warm and beautiful and the food is great | Luigi Antarctica, to be with penguins | Columbia London, because they speak English and there's lots of fun stuff to do |
Was there anything you would not do if you had to plan the trip again?
Sojourner I knew we were moving around too much but there was so much to see. I can't think of a place I wish we hadn't gone. I will never take an overnight ferry again! | Wesley If we ever visit Rome again, I would not stay in the suburbs, because it took too much effort to get into town | Luigi I would not do that 6-hour walk at Plitvice Lakes. We did too much walking and some of the museums were boring. | Columbia Not so much sight-seeing, more playground-seeing! |
Would you recommend a trip like yours for other families? Why/why
not?
Sojourner Heck yeah! But we did move around too much. | Wesley Yes, but less "epic". 1 month in each location would be better than moving so much. | Luigi Yes, it was a great experience. We got to be outdoors a lot, see other countries, have fun. | Columbia Yes. You get to know other countries, make new choices, take chances, and try new things. |