‘Which ones can we cross off the list then?’ he asked with sincere concern. We had been negotiating with nations (I’ll give you Malta for Slovenia and raise you Bulgaria). But suddenly I realised how unrealistic I was being; perhaps we couldn’t see all the places in Europe…
Sure, nine months of travelling seems like a lot of time right now (when I’m living in the land of weekends and post-work evening hours). But how does nine months actually translate into transit, accommodation, visas, budgets and key dates?
After hours of synthesising, spread-sheeting, dreaming, juggling and plotting, we’ve come up with a an itinerary for our 2012 European adventure. The schedule sits somewhere between our wish list, visa requirements and the budget. Here it is…
View 2012 Travel Adventure in a larger map
| When | Where | What |
| January | Fly from Brisbane, Australia to Oslo, Norway then…
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| March |
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| July |
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| August – September |
Return to Brisbane |
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While we will need to be pretty precise with dates for some sections of the trip, we are hoping to embrace a casual, see-what-happens approach to a lot of our itinerary. In the end, travel, like life, can be so unpredictable, offering surprises and new options at every turn.
Please share your thoughts. Tips? Suggestions? I’d love to hear all you have to tell about your European dreams and travels!
Nic Freeman 
I have nothing to express except my extreme jealousy!
I’m sorry to make you green Haiku bear! If only we could jump on a plane tomorrow… I’ll do my best to keep you updated so you can live vicariously through me until your next adventure.
How amazing nic! I hope we at least have Morocco together, not sure if you saw me and Clarkey’s banter on FB? http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=176371102451228&id=775655283
I’m so excited for you and for Zac and I to get up there too! xxx
We need to catch up about this stuff sooooon!
Hey Nina! Yes! Let me just say that I think that travel planning is best done with food, wine and a big roll of butchers paper to mark up! (Shortly followed by lists and spreadsheets, of course). I am very excited about Morocco in particular. The colours!! Think of the eye-boggling photographic splendour!
Hey Nic, do you want me to email you guys some Ireland tips? P.s super jealous.
Yes please Darragh! Ireland is one of the places I’ve always wanted to go but without any specific idea of what to see… just, you know, the green and the accents and the little stone walls that run through paddocks. Would really appreciate your tips.
I’ll throw something your way. 🙂
Oh wow – what a wonderful itinerary! Green with envy – but also thrilled – I am sure you will have such great stories! Can’t wait. You are the inspiration that will get me one step closer to something similar!
Thanks Anita! I have a bit of trouble believing it’s my itinerary some days. Only 28 sleeps until it all starts though!! I’m glad to share a little inspiration – I find the more I read of others’ travels, the more I am inspired. Sometimes I think we forget what we can actually acheive when we just decide to go for it. This trip is a dream of mine – can’t wait to live it!
Hey Nic – I have printed and am putting on my fridge! Love it! Hoping to do the Camino too, although don’t think our times will over lap! Cycling and cafes in May looks awesome! (Not sure if this was on your list – but if you are into cycling – Mallorca is Amazing!!!! Hope skip and a jump from the mainland!!! Heading there in March again – just can’t get enough!)
Ooh cycling in Mallorca – what a grand idea. Can’t say I know much about our exact itinerary in Spain yet – only that it will include at least 4 weeks for el Camino, time for the Barcelona F1 Grand Prix and time in Valencia and Madrid. But of course, there is so much more to see. It would be great to hear all about your experiences in March. How exciting for you!
I can’t believe that you’re not coming to Switzerland! Is it the high prices that were a deterrant (although it’s not much pricier than Scandinavia, to be honest? 😉
Otherwise, well, what can I say except that I totally envy you for being able to travel nine months in a row! Although now that I think about it, I think it has probably more to do with a courage that you have and that I do not possess, that is to leave the rather comfortable and reassuring (if sometimes completely boring) routine that office jobs provides to be left to one’s own devices for so long…..
Hey Rayhaneh28, thanks for reading and commenting! Switzerland hasn’t been completely ruled out yet. It is on my list for someday and this trip still has seven months of surprises left, so I may still end up there. I’ve tried skiing for the first time this week in Bulgaria and am loving it, so Switzerland may be a ski trip in the future! As for having the courage to leave an office job and comfort zone to travel, I have to say it really is easier than you may think. Sure, at first it seems a bit daunting, but if you believe in your ability to support yourself then it’s really just the first step that is hard – the rest is just pure fun. And all the time is filled with other things. I’ve found myself reading more, writing more, drinking coffee, wandering streets taking photos, learning Spanish… all things I love to do but never have time for at home. Cheers, Nic