SPRING TRAVEL 2017 BY NUMBERS

My spring 2017 expedition is drawing to a close, and I'm writing today during a layover in Paris. I deliberately built this into my journey to a) rest, and b) to get a start on some deadlines. I'm also easing myself into re-entry to my regular home life, something that I occasionally find difficult. However, after five weeks of living out of a suitcase, I've reached the stage of looking forward to being home for a while.

From my hotel window, CDG

This morning, as I watch the big jets landing from N. America at Charles de Gaulle airport, I'm mulling over my five week expedition to Morocco and Madrid. Thinking about the highlights; considering what would have worked better; and remembering the excitement.

Goats in an Argan tree near Essaouira

By the numbers:

• Days away: 34
• Flights: 8
• Trains: 2
• Bus: 1 for two week tour of Morocco
• Camel: 1
• Cities visited: 22
• Hotels: 17
• Tours: 5 (one lasted two weeks; others one day)

These figures show a very fast-paced trip, sometimes too fast for me to process or photograph well. Wisely, I did build in some downtime in Marrakech and Fez, but wish I had spent longer in Madrid. I barely scratched the surface here, partly because there is so much to enjoy and partly because I was tired. I need to return, which wasn't in my plans. So next time I'm close to or flying over Madrid, I will stay again.

ALL IMAGES: © Photos by Pharos 2017. All rights reserved.

MY FIRST OVERSEAS TRIP IN OVER TWO YEARS....

In four more sleeps, I take off on my adventures again after a two-and-a-half year hiatus. This past stretch has been difficult for someone who has itchy feet like mine. First my husband was in poor health and was unable to travel, then he passed away, and I devoted most of 2016 sorting out his estate.

Last September I started planning my travel again with much joy and excitement, and one shock.(See http://stampsinmypassport.blogspot.ca/2016/10/solo-travel-is-now-for-me.html)

This is not my first solo travel by any means, but it does feel different with no one to talk to about my upcoming explorations and no one to come home to. One thing I am interested in experiencing is more of my fellow travelers and meeting more locals — couples tend to be left alone and singles are more approachable.

Today, my camera gear sits ready in a corner of my office. The mail is on hold, the newspapers cancelled, and my phone is unlocked. My hot weather clothes are laid out on the spare bed.

Fez, Morocco

I'm flying to Paris and thence to Morocco for a month. I have chosen to start with a small-group tour of the whole country with Explore, a British company. A good friend whose judgement I trust recommended Explore to me and I have been delighted with their customer service so far. The low British pound and reasonable solo supplement are a bonus.

The tour takes a busy two weeks but once it's over, I'll not be done with Morocco. I have built in a rest in a resort in Marrakech for four days, during which I shall also see what I missed with the tour.

Fes is next for a week, but here I will be staying in a traditional riad — a large house surrounding an inner courtyard with a fountain that has been converted into a small hotel in the medina or old quarter of the city. I will have spent 36 hours here already but have plans for a day in a cooking school and a private guide for another day to show me what I've missed.

Prado (Wikimedia CC)

I will be spending my final week in Madrid. I've visited a lot of Spain
already but I want to focus on the famous art here, especially in the Prado. I thought it was silly to fly back to Paris overtop of Madrid without taking the opportunity to stopover.

I may not have internet everywhere I'm going but I plan to post when I can, both impressions and images. Stand by!!

SOLO TRAVEL IS NOW FOR ME

I'm used to travelling solo by choice, but now I have to go alone. My husband passed away ten months ago and after two years of being unable to travel and then ten months of dealing with his estate, I am now able to spread my wings again.

I have plans, BIG plans for 2017.

I have booked a Russian cruise for September 2017 after a week in the UK visiting friends. After three days touring Moscow, we sail north for seven days to St. Petersburg, which we tour for another three days.

After spending a few days in Paris, I head for Amboise, which is the base for my small-group, chateaux and wine tasting tour in the Loire Valley. I'm going to add a couple of extra days at the front end of this adventure.

Back to Paris for a couple more days, and thence to Ottawa on my way home to see family and perhaps stay till after Thanksgiving.

My biggest shock has been the single supplements (SS). Some are as much as a 100% of the per person cost — I won't go there! The Russian cruise ships have single cabins and a very reasonable SS. And this is partly the reason I'm not cruising the Loire River. The other reasons are that the road tour has a much cheaper SS and visits the chateaux I'm interested in. The vineyards offered are better too and I shall get to eat in French restos, not on a ship.

I haven't firmed up my trip in April yet as I'm waiting for a few adventures to firm up. But I will be going to Morocco, hopefully for a writers' retreat, and back through Gibraltar and Madrid to visit the Prado.


My passport is about to get a work-out! But first, my annual golf pilgrimage to Palm Springs in a month.