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Back on the forum

It’s been a while since I’ve checked, read or posted on the Forum.

We returned from our 2 1/2 years living in Italy in November 2020. We hadn’t planned a trip back to Europe yet as we just couldn’t do a two week trip after living there, and hadn’t figured out a good option to take care of our Barley the Labrador for more than a couple weeks.

So today, it’s falling into place. My brother used trusted house sitters this summer for their pets/animals this summer and raved about the couple they used. So after contacting them today, found out they are doing stays within 10 miles of our house in the next two weeks. So we have chance to meet them, see how they are with Barley and discuss a 4-5 week stay next fall.

Yeahhh! A trip back to Europe.

Most of our unused Covid Vouchers were ferries, which we never used. However, we had a voucher for Contours Hadrian’s wall hike. They agreed to extend the expiration date from Dec 22 to Dec 23. So we will plan on the hike, time in Scotland, then northern Italy, then Sicily in Sept to October.

We’ve done a lot traveling the US in our camper van with Barley. But am excited to starting thinking about Europe again. I realized I haven’t been in a plane since our return to US in Nov 2020.

Posted by
2305 posts

Welcome back! Any tips you’d like to share from your Italy adventure?

Posted by
3961 posts

Karen, welcome back! I can’t believe it’s almost two years ago. Hope it all works out for your next adventure. Hugs to Barley!

Posted by
4297 posts

Welcome back. I too can’t believe it’s been two years. I remember when you were writing about leaving. I followed your adventures and enjoyed every post. Barley is one lucky dog.

Posted by
33994 posts

Welcome back, Karen and Barley!!

Scotland will be quite different from Maggiore.

Posted by
16618 posts

Hey, Karen's back!!!!! YAY!
How's everyone's favorite adventure pup, Barley?

Posted by
1641 posts

Thanks for the welcome back responses. Surprised people remember me and Barley.

Barley is doing great at 12 1/2 years old. His state and country count is 12 countries and 27 states. Since buying our camper van the end of last year, we’ve been on the road in the US camping or staying with friends and family for a total of 98 days so far this year 14,000 miles). Barley, as always, takes things in stride and is a great road trip, camping, or house guest dog. Along the way we’ve met a few of Barley’s followers who were excitedly to meet him in person.but we all miss traveling by train.

Someone asked what we learned from our time in Italy. From a planning perspective I learned to be spontaneous and would sometimes book stays a night or two out. And if weather didn’t cooperate, we’d change our plans.

The best thing about our Italian adventure was the amount of experiences and places we visited over those 2 1:2 years. And since we weren’t cramming things into a ‘“vacation” we took our time and savored the experience. Still enjoy glancing through my iPhone albums or seeing Facebook memories.

Our repeat destinations were Torino (3), Alba (3), Switzerland (too many to count), Dolomites (3 including a ski vacation). We experienced Venice and Cinque Terre post lockdown with zero tourists.

Even experienced 8 nights in an Italian hospital after an appendectomy the beginning of Covid.

And it was cheaper to live in Italy and travel 25% of the time than living in California without traveling. Turned out it was a great way to stretch our money during the first few years of retirement. For those dreamers out there, highly recommend!

Posted by
4115 posts

Thanks for the update and the update! Welcome back and continue your adventures here and abroad.

Posted by
3102 posts

We are going to Italy Sept-Oct, and one of our destinations is Torino. We are going to a food-wine fest there (Salone del Gusto), and will be there 09/21-09/26. Any tips for the town itself? RS has nothing about Torino