Now that we are retired, we have realized a magnificent truth: vacations need no longer be limited to two or three weeks: they can be two or three months if we plan carefully! We put this idea in action by planning and carrying out a visit to Paris from California without ever setting foot in an airport. Our overall itinerary was:

  • Drive from California to my brother's home in New Jersey.
  • Cruise from New York to Amsterdam on M/S Prinsendam
  • Take the train to Paris
  • Spend two weeks in an apartment in Montnartre.
  • Take the Chunnel to London
  • Go down to Southampton on the train
  • Cross back to New York on the Queen Mary 2
  • Drive back to California via Vermont, Williamsburg, Galena Illinois and the Black Hills.


Summary:

  • Leave home May 7, 2011. Return home August 2nd.; away for 88 days
  • Drive 9,583 miles in our 2005 Prius, using about 212 gallons of fuel (45.2 mpg)
  • 27 days at sea
  • Visit 26 states and 7 countries
  • Took over 8,000 pictures


It has taken me two months to organize the pictures and build web sites for the various segments. Those of particular interest to RTA fans are:
http://www.peacham.com/eastbound
http://www.peacham.com/westbound

The whole trip is shown at:
http://www.peacham.com/nofly



Enjoy!
Fritz & Marie