How do you wait?

One thing you could do is read up on Greece; history, literature, art history or whatever. There sure are plenty of good books.

I'm not the best person to talk about waiting since I bought a new set of transAtlantic plane tickets within 6 weeks of being wheels-down from a 2-month trip this spring, but ...

could you play tourist in your home town/ home state ? Get a Fodor or Lonely Planet tour book and see what other people travel miles to see (and locals don't even notice any more) You could even haul DH along if it's only for a few hours out of his day.

figure out what clothing or accessories you will/might need on a future trip, and then troll the thrift shops to find the items at 20% of retail. If you have six months, it's like a scavenger hunt.

Greek lessons ?? Greek festivals ?

Happy planning !

To add to Mrs. EB's excellent suggestions, read some books on Greek history.
And, I hope your husband will be able to join you soon.

I don't think I would be packing now for a trip that's still 7 or 8 months away because after you finish packing, then what? You still have to wait.

I'd focus more on reading up on my destination. Not just guidebooks, but websites and articles specifically about the places I would be staying. I'd want to find out about things that you just might not see in a guidebook or that are pretty off the beaten path.

I'd also see if I can find some interesting tv shows on my destination that might feature something I'd like to see or try. Old episodes of Anthony Bourdain, Samantha Brown, Rudy Maxa, GlobeTrekker and Rick Steves can all be found pretty easily online. The public library and local Barnes & Noble brick and mortar store are also great places to gather a lot of information on your destination - you don't have to purchase everything. I've gone to Barnes & Noble and sat in their cafe and ordered a coffee and just browsed through their books and magazines without buying something until it's much closer to the trip (many guidebooks for the coming year don't get published until late Fall - October/November).

I'll also do a lot of research in advance on great local foods to try and restaurants in all price points that get really good reviews from other travelers on sites like Chowhound, or from articles online in publications like the New York Times or Conde Nast Traveler. It comes in handy to have a list of some possible places to try out in various neighborhoods so you have choices.

If I had that much time to wait for a trip, I would maybe think about getting some new clothing or gear for the trip as I would have loads of time to compare prices and take advantage of sales. Shoes especially since you would have enough time to try different styles and break them in properly before the trip.

Finally, I might look at planning and taking a very quick trip somewhere in the U.S. Even planning and taking a weekend trip can prove to be a good distraction - and it doesn't even have to be someplace on the other side of the country. Even something 1-2 hours away by car might serve to distract you for awhile.

I get (way too much) email from travel websites but there's some fun articles and photo galleries to peruse. I love reading fiction and watching movies set in my upcoming destination (but no romance novels thanks). My sister turned me on to Khan Academy for free online study of art and history. I would bet there's a lot about Greece.
And I am addicted to this website. I assume you' ve checked out the "watch read listen" section for Greece?

I don't wait well. I totally understand the desire to do some test packs...in fact my brother sometimes is a recreational packer, hahahaha.

You'll need different clothes for Greece than for your trip last year, to Sweden, right? I would start my packing list for next spring while it is still hot at home.

I would also pencil in my timeline for the next few months and figure out how many extra days you'll need based on the research the others have you doing!!

So sorry your husband has had difficulties but also glad he is on the mend.

Have fun!

One thing you might enjoy doing while you're waiting is to put together an album (on Pinterest or elsewhere) of the sites you are looking forward to seeing. Maybe share them with your friends on Facebook to get them involved in the anticipation.

I have a countdown clock. I am now 276 days from wheels up for the next trip. I got back from the last trip on Sunday. So I am probably not good for waiting advice, but I do like the idea of auditing a class, or studying the language. I also like to study maps.

I make lists of potential hotels (you won't need this unless you extend your trip). Since you'll be on a tour, you could research options for filling your free time.

Look for Greek products at your grocery store and perhaps try cooking something, or try a Greek restaurant or two.

Indulge your anticipation rather than avoid it!

Movies and videos are great distractions, too.

I'm with you on haunting this forum and thinking about packing to help get through to my next trip! I also spend a lot of time planning, get books from the library on my next destination, reading books and watching movies about my next destination when possible. I also watch movies and read books that aren't about my destination but are about travel to help get through. I go to travel group every month to talk about travel. I research and buy new bags and travel supplies. The best, though, is when I can schedule smaller trips between the big ones. I just recently scheduled a weekend getaway this fall to help get me through until my next big trip next spring.

How about learning how to cook some Greek dishes - then you can appreciate the food a bit more when you are there.

I'm happy to hear your husband will be OK. Happy planning. A trip to Greece sounds amazing!!!!

Also, maybe you could fly to Europe a few days before the RS Tour and do some sight seeing on your own at a different location. That could be fun to figure out. :)

I like the idea of seeing if you can tack a few days on before or after the tour. That way, you can plan some activities on your own which may keep you somewhat occupied - reading up, etc. If you are taking the Greece tour posted as early 2017, you are a few days from Palm Sunday. What would that be like in Rome?

Will tulips be out in the Netherlands? Too early for bluebells in the UK? Wonder what Highclere Castle's spring schedule will be or what will be playing at the new Wanamaker theatre in London? How about a quick jaunt to the RS headquarters to shop and keep the travel mood going?

Sometimes I can beguile myself for a tiny bit of time with webcams. And then, read, read, read. Have you thought about writing Morning Pages?

I so know how you feel! Spent a year in Hell with my DH going through medical issues. He is now better but our next trip is not until August of 2017! UGH! But it will be 3 months when all is said & done!

I spend too much time here for sure. I am researching a lot for 2017 trip - it will be 64 days on the ground in Europe, including Russia, followed by a 15 nt cruise back to the US - so lots of moving parts to plan! I keep watching RS online.

Maybe watch Mama Mia? ;)

I do have a couple of trips planned in the interim - a cruise this Oct, Christmas in Phoenix with fam, I will likely squeeze one more in between Phoenix and August!

I agree with the others. Learn all about your next destination, seek out clothes or other travel items on sale, read, watch movies set or about your destination.

But also "travel" at home. Take a day or even a weekend trip if you can. Or just an afternoon doing something new close to home. Sometimes a big part of what we miss is just being out of our routines and doing new things. Traveling forces that, but when you can't travel you can explore your home region

I read articles about where we are planning to go. Look for hidden gems to visit. And - as others have said - haunt the forums so I can at least talk about travel!

Last year we had two 'big' trips, which was a first (NYC in July and France in Oct) and this year we only did one in May and mostly stayed within Canada. We are planning next year to go back to Europe in April (and probably somewhere else since I just found out my fav group U2 is going to do a world tour next year, so hopefully we'll go to Montreal or maybe to California to see them, maybe Chicago - it'll depend on the dates and places! Maybe they'll have dates that coincide with our trip in April. ACK - now I see that is just a rumour...oh well, will see). So probably in Sept I'll start hunting for places to stay for our April trip and start booking them in Oct or Nov...that always helps. I'll kinda go in spurts where I'll get a little intensive with planning for a few days, then leave it for a few weeks and not think about it.

Have you thought about learning any Greek? I am sure there must be a Greek community in Boston or at the university. Students would probably be happy to tutor you for a reasonable price. Perhaps visit the local Greek Orthodox Church. Do they have any festivals there? Immerse yourself in everything Greek, language, food, customs.

I've been taking my trips in late spring, then I have to get through the summer months at work (crazy busy industry that does not allow me to be off for even a minute) during which I begin toying with various trip plans for the following year. Once summer winds down and I am frazzled and in need of a pick-me-up, I plan in earnest and usually book in November/December. Only 5-6 months to wait that way.

Once I know where I'm going I do my intensive research, read all kinds of books pertaining to the places I'll visit, watch movies, etc. Since I seem to want to return to Hungary (I have a strong feeling next year will be a couple of towns in Hungary then Budapest for the 3rd time) I've been working on learning the language.

For me, it's researching and planning. Even once travel and lodging are booked, I still like to read travel blogs, guidebooks and forums, as well as window shop (or actual shop) for clothes and accessories, look up bars and restaurants near where we're staying, look up activities, etc. A Google street view walk may or may not be something I've done.....

Wow. Thanks for all your words of wisdom, and so many ideas. And thanks for the good wishes for my husband. As they say in yoga, it's been a 'growth experience'. It started 1/1/16 with multiple inpatient visits, and then 3/2 - 6/15 all inpatient, 131 days all together! Phew. It was touch and go, but we've been released to more freedom this week and he's getting stronger so... Thanks!

I don't think you think I'm sitting quietly in a chair, waiting, but just in case, LOL, I'm not. I think the RS trip requires less planning than my other independent trips so I was surprised when airline and the limited hotels fell right in...and I was finished with that. Yes, I am reading and planning my free time. I have gone thru Lonely Planet and I am eagerly awaiting the RS books to complement them. I'm always, repeatedly, a tourist in Boston and New England. However, I think it will be a couple of months before we feel comfortable getting too far from 'his' hospital. Sure glad I live so close to world class hospitals. So my ongoing plans:
1. I always think about packing...I didn't mean literally...yet. I think any clothes I buy now, I consider their weight and how well they will travel.
2. UMass Boston has a great OLLI program. I have signed up for their Greek Tragedy Literature class and I plan to study Greek thru the language program....Manga (?) I think it is called-obviously I haven't started this yet.
3. DH isn't really interested in Greek Ruins, but more important, I think it will take him awhile before he feels comfortable traveling, so I am not extending the trip. I am spending one night at Heathrow (my system of avoiding arriving exhausted), and then two nights in Athens before the tour begins. I'll return home right after the tour. There are several reasons I'm taking this tour, one is because I know he won't worry about me so much if I go on a tour in Greece (seems a lot easier for transportation to the ruins, also.)
4. I hope to reread my college 'Art of the Ancient Greeks' textbook, which is what started my desire to see Greece...hmmm 40 years ago...

Pam, Zoe, Laura B.: yep. :) We're on the same page.
MrsEB: I don't know that I'll ever be bored in Boston! I am only a Red Sox and Bruins fan, though. ;)
Christi: You understand then for sure. Glad to hear your husband is back to traveling. Hopefully, we'll have a trip more like yours in 2018.

Again All, thanks for your well wishes, and ideas. I guess there really is nothing to make the desire to get there go away...but maybe by a longer lead-time I'll be even better prepared? ...now if I can just master the Greek alphabet! Thanks, Wray

Anna,

A Google street view walk may or may not be something I've done.....

I love doing this, roaming the neighborhoods I'll be visiting or might want to visit.

I love this topic. I too have been waiting all year since my last trip in June 2015 to go on the RS tour 17 Days in Italy in October. A loong time to wait!
In this time, I have been reading the forum, started a travel group meeting here in Atlanta to socialize with travel lovers, to hear trip reports, to share ideas about itineraries. Basically, traveling vicariously through others' travel adventures.
Also, I have been reading histories of Venice, the Renaissance and Rome. And guidebooks for the cities and towns we will be visiting. I have managed to make it this far - about 60 days till my departure of Oct 6 to Milan, arriving 2 days early. Made my hotel arrangements and walking tours including the Last Supper and a tour of a famous art gallery all with Walking Tours of Italy.
I adore Boston and know you will enjoy taking courses on Greece, also glad your husband is on the mend.
Judy B

Maybe start a walking program so you can build up your endurance! Also watch those 'end of season' sales- you might find some great travel pieces. In a few months start looking for your walking shoes. Try on several!!! Then begin to break them in. As the fall moves in start practicing wearing layers- work out what works well together. Maybe contact the Rick Steve's people and see if you can find out who else is on the trip and email or write them. Maybe see if any are some in your area you could meet up a few times- and share book and site reading ideas, or each prepare a special 'presentation' focusing on some aspect of the trip. I'm sure there are some good museums near enough that you (or you and others) could visit. I bet there's at least one that should have some displays related to Greece.

Judy B. : I am so happy for you that your wait is almost over. It makes my 9 month wait not worth whining about. Have a great time. October will be here before we know it.
Toni: Great ideas, thanks!

Check your local library for travel programs. I work at a public library and our staff is a well traveled lot. We offer an Armchair Travel presentation once a month. (I present my second [Spain] in October).

We also have a very successful travel agent do talks every few months (he is a Tahiti specialist).

Andrea: Yes, I will pay attention to this. Oddly, my photography club is often asked for members who want to put on a travel talk...for a nearby town library, and yet I never have attended them. I think I'll change that this year. Thanks.

Thanks for your kind words, Wray. I know you will have a creative "waiting" time for your trip to Greece!
So many good ideas from others on the forum.
Best,
Judy B

Language lessons.

So glad to hear your husband is doing better!

How about watching the Rick Steves' Travel Talks - here's the link to the one for Greece:

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks/greece-with-reid-coen

Also, perusing the RS tour scrapbooks is always a great way to make entire afternoons disappear!

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/scrapbooks/tour-alum-scrapbooks

I agree with the walking program! Nothing gets me more motivated to get in shape than a trip to Europe! I also love to read historical fiction set in the country I will be visiting.

Dawn, Thank you for the scrapbooks link. I thought I could only watch the winners! Love these, Greece or not!
Christine, Yes, I have started my more formal exercise, which I need after sitting in medical facilities for 5 1/2 months! Those Greek hills are motivation!

Re Street View: if you're lucky, you might even get captured on the streets of Europe like my husband and I did in Copenhagen! So keep your eyes peeled for that van! I go back every so often to check that we're still there ;-)