Itinererarery

Basics first.

We start with a flight that leaves at 9:20 am one day and arrives at 8:30 am the following day. A whole day in cattle coach. Only 24 hours at the dentist would be worse.

(I know it's not a REAL whole day, but I can't wrap my brain around the time changes long enough to determine how many REAL hours we'll be travelling. So I stopped trying. But I know it's a lot.)

Sunday, June 17
9:20 am - US Airways Flight 1542 to Charlotte
7:30 pm - US Airways Flight 732 to London

Monday, June 18
8:30 am - Arrive London

Everyone says the best way to kick jet lag is to stay up until 11 pm in the new time zone. Here's hoping!

Hilton London Metropole
225 Edgware Road
London W2 1JU, UK
Phone: +44 (0)20 7402 4141

Tuesday, June 19
Wednesday, June 20
All free days.
Some of the things we're thinking of doing include:

• Eating authentic fish and chips
• Drinking warm beer
• Taking an excursion to Sonehenge and Bath
• Maybe going to the Tate or Tate Modern
• Probably shopping (we have limited space as I will probably share in a future post, but we are taking limited requests from those we like. You'll know we like you if you get something [anything].)

Thursday, June 22
This is our guided tour day in London. Here's the description:
Your morning sightseeing in London (approximately 3 1/2 hours) includes all the famous landmarks: Knightsbridge with Harrods, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben beside the River Thames, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister's Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace. Highlights are a visit to ST.PAUL'S CATHEDRAL (not open to visitors on Sundays) and the ceremonial pageantry of the Changing of the Guard, if held.

Friday, June 23
Free day.

Saturday, June 24
Chunnel to Paris. I think the train ride is 2 hours.

Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel
61 quai de Grenelle
75015 PARIS FRANCE
Phone: (+33)1/40582000

Sunday, June 25
Tour day.
Morning sightseeing in Paris (approximately 4 1/2 hours); discover the world capital of chic and style with a Local Guide, enjoy a Seine cruise and admire the main sights of Paris; Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Champs-Elysées. For a panoramic view, take the elevator to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER.

Monday, June 26
Free day.
I really want to explore the Louvre.

Tuesday, June 27
Train to Amsterdam. Again, I think it's a 2 hour trip.

Crowne Plaza Hotel
AMSTERDAM CITY CENTRE
N.Z. VOORBURGWAL 5
AMSTERDAM, 1012 RC NETHERLANDS
Phone: 31-20-6200500

In what other city will you find yourself staying in a 4-star hotel within walking distance of the Anne Frank house, the Van Gogh Museum, a condom store, and a sex museum?

Wednesday, June 28
Tour day!
Morning sightseeing in Amsterdam (approximately 4 1/2 hours) with a Local Guide. Enjoy a CANAL CRUISE along gabled merchant houses and humpback drawbridges reminiscent of the Golden Age, but also the strikingly modern buildings of a young city with plans for the future. Time to visit a major DIAMOND CENTER to appreciate how a rough mineral is transformed into a sparkling jewel. Next visit the RIJKSMUSEUM with priceless paintings by Rembrandt and other Dutch masters.

Thursday, June 29
Free day.

Friday, June 30
Almost as mind-boggling as the 24 hours it takes to get there are the 5 (yes, FIVE) plane hours it takes to get back.

11:10 am - US Airways Flight 749 to Philadelphia
3:55 pm - US Airways Flight 701 to Phx
6:07 pm - Home for dinner.

If you read this far, you should leave a comment encouraging me to write more for you to read. I might tell you about the trials of planning to pack one <50lb suitcase per person when your general packing philosophy is the "kitchen sink" approach.