Once again we’re sayling away.
On a last minute flight to Europe for free.
The weather will be cold.
The skies will be grey.
But Europe is Europe,
and is good anyday!
Talk to you soon from Amsterdam~
Jim basically booked this while I was at the grocery store, free round trip flight and accomodations at 70% off. He can’t pass up deals like this! It will be nippy though!
No, but when you are retired and can travel off season you can get some ridiculously good deals, cheaper than eating at home. But you have to be willing to go with little notice. I saw the flight is about 50% full which will be nirvana!
Jim did it. He got an offer online. He bit while I bought, and now off we go. He gets a lot of deals like this, free flights, 2 for 1’s or in this case 70% off. It’s like you can’t afford not to go. Of course it’s last minute, which you need to sign up to be on the lists for, off season, and it will be COLD! But hey, we’re retired, right????
I don’t really speak much Dutch, Cindy, only the few phrases one needs to get around in a “foreign” country. I used to know how to say “fill ‘er up and fluff the tires, please,” in Portuguese when we rented a car there. 🙂
I’m going to Finland on business … and pleasure later this month. Tickets will be last minute too 🙂 Then probably to Switzerland and Hungary little later, mid-winter’ish brrr…
But, you have the benefit if the Christmas markets which I have never seen and would really love too! We will just miss Budapest’s Christmas markets by one day. You will be there. I can’t wait for your photos. It is so incredibly cool blogging. I get to talk with people like you. <3 <3
When we return we have five months with no travel! Whooopeee! I am looking forward to it…..Well, I shouldn’t say this. Jim may encounter an offer he can’t refuse!! 😉
I will be the one who is actually blown away, while you are toasty at home. The winds in most of the places we are going, gut your umbrella in a couple of minutes. And then there is the sleet and the rain. Oh, the joys of travel! Laughing….. 😉
⌒°(❛ᴗ❛)°⌒
Gorgeous shots. And, woo hoo! Love Amsterdam. I wanted to go back and spend more time in the Rijksmuseum, but my hip locked up. I didn’t make it to the Hermitage either, but that is supposedly good. I loved Rijks though. Have fun!
Well it is a small world isn’t it? The last time I was in Amsterdam the Rijks was closed for rennovation. Now it will be open and empty. Benefit of going in a blizzard. 😉 It will be windy and raining and COLD! But not inside the Rijks. And then we move on to Germany for a long time, Slovakia and Budapest for five nights.
I did see the hermitage. It is really something.
It is so cool to know people like you Nicci! <3
Cindy, we get the special benefit of your photography skills while we will also be chilly, rushing in and out of work and rather boring places. Ha ha! 🙂
Enjoy and explore to the utmost. We all have our hidden “havens.” Discover elegant, exotic and unique places far away from crowds. I will pray for you to enjoy mild cold days and warm sunny skies which brighten cold days. Hugs, Robin
Where are you going to? In Germany it’s quite warm for november at the moment, about 15 degrees. The sun ist shining and the sky is blue. So maybe you will have beautiful weather. I cross my fingers!
Wow, what a surprise! Luck is surely smiling upon you Cindy! I look forward to all the beautiful cold weather photographs you’ll be taking. Have a wonderful trip! ~Lynn
Well we just arrived in Amsterdam and it is raining just a tad and is not too cold so this is promising. Plus the Christmas displays are going up and I wanted to see them!
Have a wonderful time. It’s been ages, but Germany is vunderbar all times of the year. What part will you visit? Try to make it down to Bavaria if at all possible. That is my favorite part.
That looks like a lot of fun. I’ve never tried it before.
Can’t wait to see your photos from Amsterdam! I visited it once but many years ago. Spent only a few days there but had such a lovely time in the incredibly beautiful city. Have fun, and cheers to you Cindy!
It’s a fun city, with all the old canals and Hanseatic architecture, not to mention all the errrrrr ‘coffee’ shops! I’m not into coffee, so they aren’t my thing.
Parasailing looks exciting, a little bit like the kite surfing my son is doing. That shore line, by the way, looks very Swedish!
Amsterdam is a beautiful city, I lived there for a while many years ago. Have fun and enjoy your European tour! 🙂
Safe travels – free is a very good price😳. I love Europe this time of year with shorter days and cosy indoor times. Along with everyone here I forward to your photos too.
And I am glad that you are willing to travel and share your beautiful photos. About five years ago, I suffered a spinal injury, which makes sitting/traveling for long distances very difficult.
Oh, goodness, you are the most jet-setting friend I have (in real life or online)! 🙂 Great series of photos to go with your announcement! I’ve always wanted to try parasailing. 🙂 Bon voyage!
I was puzzled, thinking, These are Netherlanders, and I’m a Southern Californian. Why I am I the only one without a jacket? I think the weather may have been unusual and hence unexprected….. 😉
I’m too old to go parasailing……. Laughing! 😉 😉
But truthfully I wouldn’t do it when I was young. I saw a lady once land in a palm tree in Mexico and that was it for me!
I am disabled and I am not sure I can get on the boat but I have been jet skiing on a cruise. It was a ball, but it probably won’t be repeated. But I did it once and I am glad. Hugs, Barbara
Well there was one tiny unmentioned catch, ,it was a Viking river cruise and the rivers have become un-navigable due to drought! Still we are off das boat and are so happy to be in Budaphest now for the Christmas markets! We saw them in Germany, Vienna and Slovakia too, which was wonderful!
Hope you have a wonderful serendipitous time. When we lived in Spain, they had beautiful Christmas markets on the plazas too. Hundreds of nativity scene pieces and old sorts of Christmas sweets. Wish I could see all the ones you are seeing… Here, I’m just stuck with the mall! have fun!
Have a wonderful time, Cindy. We actually had blue sky all day, at least over my town on the SE coast of the UK. Quite unusual, though. It rained for most of the time I was in the Isle of Wight the weekend before, not to mention the gale that was blowing and the choppy crossing I had on the ferry on the way there. I don’t know what the weather has been like in the rest of Europe, though.
We have had sun most of the time. Encountered your storm in Viennna, and the first day in Budapest. So dreary and cold. But this morning awoke in Budapest to cold, crisp, sunshine and clean wonderful air. Excellent photo day and the city has no tourists, although I met a lovely male exchange student from New Hampshire. I always meet US exchange students in Europe. They make excusés to talk to me because they are missing their mom´s. Love them. my daughter was one once…….
Have a wonderful Trip Cindy!
Thank you, we are packing our woolies!
How exciting. Have a great time! Safe travels to you.
Thanks Carrie. Look forward to talking to you from Europe~
Have a wonderful trip – what a way to go! Safe travels.
Jim basically booked this while I was at the grocery store, free round trip flight and accomodations at 70% off. He can’t pass up deals like this! It will be nippy though!
Wow, free? Can’t pass up a deal like that ~ do you belong to a club.
No, but when you are retired and can travel off season you can get some ridiculously good deals, cheaper than eating at home. But you have to be willing to go with little notice. I saw the flight is about 50% full which will be nirvana!
Can’t wait to see Europe through your eyes!
You got the steps warm where I’ll be walking!
Enjoy and who can resist a deal like that? 🙂
Not Jim, that’s for sure! 😉
Awesome! Looks like great fun.
Thanks I am hoping so, we are going to places we have never been which is always fascinating.
Cool! Enjoy.
<3
I’d go any time I got a chance too. Enjoy!!! 🙂 <3
Yep, once you’re bitten by the Europe bug, you can never resist!
Awesome! You know how to enjoy life. Stay warm, and I can’t wait to see photos. Stay safe..,blessings and peace.
Visa versa 2 U X 2! <3 <3
A free flight?! How do you do that?! Points? Tell me your secrets 🙂
And have a wonderful time. As you say – Europe is Europe!
Alison
Jim did it. He got an offer online. He bit while I bought, and now off we go. He gets a lot of deals like this, free flights, 2 for 1’s or in this case 70% off. It’s like you can’t afford not to go. Of course it’s last minute, which you need to sign up to be on the lists for, off season, and it will be COLD! But hey, we’re retired, right????
Have a wonderful trip!!! Can’t wait to see the beautiful pictures you post!!
I can’t wait to travel with you my friend~
Veilige reis!
I’m impressed that you speak Dutch. I speak not one word of Dutch! But we will be in Germany soon where I will fare better language wise….
I don’t really speak much Dutch, Cindy, only the few phrases one needs to get around in a “foreign” country. I used to know how to say “fill ‘er up and fluff the tires, please,” in Portuguese when we rented a car there. 🙂
I had a Portuguese boyfriend. I will not tell you the words I know in Portuguese! 😉 😉
Have a great trip, Cindy! I’m going to the cool weather in Europe soon too. Looking fwd to pictures!
You ARE!!! Pray tell, where are you going and when???
I’m going to Finland on business … and pleasure later this month. Tickets will be last minute too 🙂 Then probably to Switzerland and Hungary little later, mid-winter’ish brrr…
But, you have the benefit if the Christmas markets which I have never seen and would really love too! We will just miss Budapest’s Christmas markets by one day. You will be there. I can’t wait for your photos. It is so incredibly cool blogging. I get to talk with people like you. <3 <3
how cool… you’ll love it… so what if its coolish… wear your woolies.. as long as your camera works.. we gonna be happy..=^_^=
You are a sweetheart! Cheers to you~
Safe journey, Cindy. Have a great time on your spur of the moment adventure!
When we return we have five months with no travel! Whooopeee! I am looking forward to it…..Well, I shouldn’t say this. Jim may encounter an offer he can’t refuse!! 😉
Whoa, I’m blown away! (((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o))) Have a fun trip! ⌒°(❛ᴗ❛)°⌒
I will be the one who is actually blown away, while you are toasty at home. The winds in most of the places we are going, gut your umbrella in a couple of minutes. And then there is the sleet and the rain. Oh, the joys of travel! Laughing….. 😉
⌒°(❛ᴗ❛)°⌒
Oh yes, lucky you! ﾍ(=￣∇￣)ﾉ
Like you said, Europe is Europe! Have a blast Cindy.
Europe is Europe,
No Matter how cold!
😉
Bon voyage, Cindy! I look forward to your posts & pictures from Amsterdam!
So wonderful to have shared our lives all these years now my friend~ <3
Gorgeous shots. And, woo hoo! Love Amsterdam. I wanted to go back and spend more time in the Rijksmuseum, but my hip locked up. I didn’t make it to the Hermitage either, but that is supposedly good. I loved Rijks though. Have fun!
Well it is a small world isn’t it? The last time I was in Amsterdam the Rijks was closed for rennovation. Now it will be open and empty. Benefit of going in a blizzard. 😉 It will be windy and raining and COLD! But not inside the Rijks. And then we move on to Germany for a long time, Slovakia and Budapest for five nights.
I did see the hermitage. It is really something.
It is so cool to know people like you Nicci! <3
bon voyage!
<3 <3 <3
Wish I was there…it looks like so much fun! Hugs!
Cheers, hugs and blessings Wendall!
Cindy, we get the special benefit of your photography skills while we will also be chilly, rushing in and out of work and rather boring places. Ha ha! 🙂
Enjoy and explore to the utmost. We all have our hidden “havens.” Discover elegant, exotic and unique places far away from crowds. I will pray for you to enjoy mild cold days and warm sunny skies which brighten cold days. Hugs, Robin
You are the most delightful friend Robin! Cheers & blessings my friend~
Where are you going to? In Germany it’s quite warm for november at the moment, about 15 degrees. The sun ist shining and the sky is blue. So maybe you will have beautiful weather. I cross my fingers!
Whooooo Hooo! That is the best news! Thank you for telling me! <3
Wow, what a surprise! Luck is surely smiling upon you Cindy! I look forward to all the beautiful cold weather photographs you’ll be taking. Have a wonderful trip! ~Lynn
Well we just arrived in Amsterdam and it is raining just a tad and is not too cold so this is promising. Plus the Christmas displays are going up and I wanted to see them!
Excellent! Looking forward to seeing some holiday-inspired photos from you! Yay! Have a great time Cindy! ~Lynn
Bon Voyage~! Have a marvelous trip and enjoy Amsterdam 🙂
Thank you and be well my friend~
Have a wonderful time. It’s been ages, but Germany is vunderbar all times of the year. What part will you visit? Try to make it down to Bavaria if at all possible. That is my favorite part.
We are going to Bavaria, Passau, Bamburg, Regensburg, Nuremburg as well as Austria, Slovakia and Budapest~
Have a fantastic time, love your photos so colourful, and bright. Hope the weather though cold will be as bright as your lovely photos. 🙂
You are very kind! Be well my friend~ <3
Have a great trip. If you have time, take some pictures to show us. 🙂
Thanks Suzanne and I will endeavor to take some of interest to you!
That looks like a lot of fun. I’ve never tried it before.
Can’t wait to see your photos from Amsterdam! I visited it once but many years ago. Spent only a few days there but had such a lovely time in the incredibly beautiful city. Have fun, and cheers to you Cindy!
It’s a fun city, with all the old canals and Hanseatic architecture, not to mention all the errrrrr ‘coffee’ shops! I’m not into coffee, so they aren’t my thing.
Safe travels!!! On to another adventure !!!
Life is just a coninuing one……… 😉
Fantastic, I feel like joining:)
Please do, virtually, if you don’t feel like flying over!
Parasailing looks exciting, a little bit like the kite surfing my son is doing. That shore line, by the way, looks very Swedish!
Amsterdam is a beautiful city, I lived there for a while many years ago. Have fun and enjoy your European tour! 🙂
Thanks! I am here, just arrived, and already getting into the spirit of things! Must have been fun to live here…..
Did you write that from your para-ssil?! He, he😁. Enjoy your trip! Be safe!
Para sailing is one thing I have no desire to try! 😉
I’m with you, sister!
Safe travels – free is a very good price😳. I love Europe this time of year with shorter days and cosy indoor times. Along with everyone here I forward to your photos too.
You are a lovely friend!
Happy trails… uhmmm… flight, I mean 😉
The plane was 50% empty, so I stretched out and slept on three seats!!! 🙂
Great!… 🙂
That only happened to me once on all my travels… Usually I am squeezed in with all the rest 😉
Great Photos, Cindy. 🙂
Thank you Ranu!
Un très bon voyage, Cindy- and do enjoy -Amitiés
Merci beaucoup mon ami! <3
Two people enjoying themselves … the flyer and the photographer.
Excellent observation and very true! 🙂
Buy more Delft!
Some one broke one of my Delft, so I would like too, but my suitcase is full of winter clothes!
You are faced with a horrible decision. I say toss the clothes. You can purchase more when you get home but you can’t buy Delft just anywhere.
Plus, I love it! Hmmmmm, maybe I can ship some……
Enjoy your trip to Amsterdam and say hello to this lovely city for me, please. 🙂
I just said it for you now and the city was pleased! 🙂
Thank you, Cindy!!!
Enjoy! 😀
<3
Dankjewel!
Have a wonderful trip! I look forward to vicariously sharing it with you through your photographs.
I am so glad you are coming with me! You make the trip more fun~
Seeing one of your blogs is always a highlight 😉
Your kindness is so appreciated!
So are your photos!
I am so glad you are traveling with me, you make the experience more meaningful!
And I am glad that you are willing to travel and share your beautiful photos. About five years ago, I suffered a spinal injury, which makes sitting/traveling for long distances very difficult.
Your photos certainly are not cold and gray! Have fun and I look forward to what you see through your camera lens.
Hope I find you some good ones & cheers to you my friend~
Oh, goodness, you are the most jet-setting friend I have (in real life or online)! 🙂 Great series of photos to go with your announcement! I’ve always wanted to try parasailing. 🙂 Bon voyage!
If you try parasailing, I want to photograph it! We could do a joint post, you write about your experience, I’ll take the clicks! What fun!
Gosh, that would be loads of fun, Cindy! 😀 We’ll see if I ever get on that… LOL!
Someday……..
Wow! Have fun… Okay you task is to take a nontraditional picture of a windmill… Since there are no moose there…
Mission accepted and looking forward to it too! Cheers to you my friend~
Being able to act on spontaneity is fabulous. Have a wonderful time.
It is one of the main bennies of being retired!
Thanks my friend. It is one of the benefits of not being tied down by anything.
What a deal! Have an enjoyable trip, Cindy! These are awesome images. 🙂
Where are you headed now Amy?
May go Maui in Dec. and Yellowstone next year. 🙂
Both of course are magnificent~
Glad you enjoyed them and where are you off to now Amy?
I’m not off until next early spring. May do a short trip in Dec. 🙂
That is a good time to travel~
I do hope the man in the parachute came back down! Enjoy – even though there will be no tulips in Amsterdam.
He did eventually make it back to earth! 😉
Wow! I don’t know how you do it but more power to you! Have a wonderful trip! 😀
Be well dear Linda! <3
Have a fantastic trip! 🙂
Thank you Bette & cheers to you~
Wish I could’ve stowed away in your suitcase, Cindy — have a fabulous time (and I know you’ll post some pictures, right?!?)
I hope too. I didn’t take my camera out tonight and could’ve kicked myself as the outdoor tulip stalls were lit with Christmas lights!
That looks so cool! I do not think I am brave enough to try that 🙂
You and I are on full accord on this! 🙂
Bon Voyage! Looking forward to hearing and seeing all about it!
So happy to have you as a traveling companion!
Fantastic photos. Safe travels.
Mil grazi my friend!
These are amazing!! ~Rita
Mil grazi my friend!
As you know, I am all in favor of sailing away but this sailing away takes the cake!
I am jet lagged in the hotel, but I still agree with you!
Wow kewl! Have fun world traveller friend! Hugz Lisa and Bear
Hugs back to you guys and cheers!
Beautiful and gorgeous…it’s amazing to be up there..I tried it once 😀
You are much braver than I!
Hehe..not at all..I was very much tensed …
Enjoy your travel Cindy 😀
Thanks Irene and be well!
Thank you Cindy
WOW! Have the best time. I know you always have the best time…. but have a better best time.
AND dress for the weather, then you won’t feel the cold!
Spoken like a true Canadian! Right now it is downright balmy!! <3 <3
You are so right: Europe is Europe. Enjoy your time away.
Thank you and be well my friend!
Thank you!
I live in Europe and I’ve STILL never been to Amsterdam. Enjoy it for me and go and see the Vermeers at the Rijksmuseum.
Heading there tomrrow! Today I spent wandering and enjoying the flower markets. Be well my friend.
Wow have fun!! Love the pictures and message!
So pleased you do and cheers to you too!
have fun we will wait for pictures…
Happy travels! May the weather not be too bad!
So far it is lovely. I haven’t even worn my coat although everyone else seemed to be wearing theirs!
Warm blooded creature then! Good for you!
I was puzzled, thinking, These are Netherlanders, and I’m a Southern Californian. Why I am I the only one without a jacket? I think the weather may have been unusual and hence unexprected….. 😉
tolle Bilder, schönen Sonntag
Vielen Dank und ich werde in Deutschland in nur wenigen Tagen zu sein! Gluckliche Woche zu Ihnen!
I hope it’s smooth sailing all the way—have fun!
Thanks my friend and have a great week!
Muy bonitas fotos de un deporte que no creo que yo llegue a practicar nunca. 😉
Feliz domingo, Cindy.
Gracia mi amiga y tiene un buena semana proxima! <3 <3
The photos have such vibrant colors. I love them!
Very pleased that you do, and cheers to you~
Enjoy! I can’t wait to see your photos of the trip!
Yay, I hope I get some good one for you!
Make sure you have a go on the parasail it is really good. And don’t say anything about age.
I’m too old to go parasailing……. Laughing! 😉 😉
But truthfully I wouldn’t do it when I was young. I saw a lady once land in a palm tree in Mexico and that was it for me!
Ah Well. Never mind. If they do it in the ocean and you have a flotation vest nothing can go wrong. Except maybe drowning.
Drowning is kinda of a no-no for me! 😉 😉
Well there is that benefit! 😉
Congrats! Have an awesome time!
Thank you Deborah and be well my friend~
Safe travels ! Wish I could join u – but have fun
Wish you could too!
♥️
Wow, this looks like fun. Good for you. Hugs, Barbara
Are you going to try it?
I am disabled and I am not sure I can get on the boat but I have been jet skiing on a cruise. It was a ball, but it probably won’t be repeated. But I did it once and I am glad. Hugs, Barbara
Such a jet setter!
I don’t think jet setters fly roach! 😉
LOL Roach, I like that one.
So Cindy, how did you manage a free ticket to Europe? sounds irresistible!
Well there was one tiny unmentioned catch, ,it was a Viking river cruise and the rivers have become un-navigable due to drought! Still we are off das boat and are so happy to be in Budaphest now for the Christmas markets! We saw them in Germany, Vienna and Slovakia too, which was wonderful!
Hope you have a wonderful serendipitous time. When we lived in Spain, they had beautiful Christmas markets on the plazas too. Hundreds of nativity scene pieces and old sorts of Christmas sweets. Wish I could see all the ones you are seeing… Here, I’m just stuck with the mall! have fun!
I have to say, Europe knows how to celebrate Christmas. It is so joyous and wonderful, not to mention beautiful!
Have a wonderful time, Cindy. We actually had blue sky all day, at least over my town on the SE coast of the UK. Quite unusual, though. It rained for most of the time I was in the Isle of Wight the weekend before, not to mention the gale that was blowing and the choppy crossing I had on the ferry on the way there. I don’t know what the weather has been like in the rest of Europe, though.
We have had sun most of the time. Encountered your storm in Viennna, and the first day in Budapest. So dreary and cold. But this morning awoke in Budapest to cold, crisp, sunshine and clean wonderful air. Excellent photo day and the city has no tourists, although I met a lovely male exchange student from New Hampshire. I always meet US exchange students in Europe. They make excusés to talk to me because they are missing their mom´s. Love them. my daughter was one once…….
That’s so sweet about the students talking to you because they’re missing their moms.
I meant to add in winter. It only happens in winter, when the tourists are gone and they are missing the holidays at home.
i want to do this someday 🙂
Be sure and post it, if you do~
trust me…i will 😉