Anticipation and saying Yes, Hell YES!

I am approaching retirement from my government job. The date has been decided and the planning begun. It is no doubt a significant life style change. I have been doing this work as a probation officer for a very very long time. Time now to enjoy a lighter side of life.

Certainly being a travel consultant brings with it many perks. All fun, and very exciting. Contact and meaningful connections with family and new travel friendships. I feel like I am living my dream!

As for my bucket list: The menu of possibilities is endless. I have been part of a Travel Club and am often on the look out for trips that others will enjoy. Cruising is one such option, however, land vacations and terrific excursions, flights and boutique hotels also intrigue me. How to decide? What are the best dates for ultimate travel experiences? Who wants to come with me?

I started out this calendar year with no trips planned. I met and spent some time with an amazing group who started making selections. Turkey and Greece, by cruise, planned for September 2015. Hell yes! I have been before and always wanting to expand the growing list of different Greek Islands. This cruise offers my favourites as well as a few not yet explored by me previously. Special and dear friends, and family joining me on this trip. Check.

So excited, have now also added another 9 day cruise for more Greek sailing after the cruise mentioned above. Planning a week or so on land in a villa in France for the dates in between. Reconnecting with travel buddies I met on Azamara cruise in Italy last year, Barb and Anne. I anticipate some Prosecco to be consumed!

Then the Amazon was suggested as an exotic destination, bucket list dream, by a wonderful world travelling member of the WomensTravelClub here in Victoria, BC. On board the luxurious yet casual Oceania cruise line, Regatta for 21 days repositioning from Rio de Janeiro Brazil to Miami, with a full 6 days touring on the Amazon River. Hell Yes again. Another deposit …. Sailing March 2015.

In April 2015 I am booked for a ten day Pacific Coastal round trip Vancouver, cruise on Princess (of love boat fame) with an overnight in San Francisco, ports of call of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Catalina island and more. Hoping to host a group of wonderful friends and family on this closer-to-Home vacation cruise! Hell yes!

Intrigued always by the Baltic, I have also committed to two week son board the fabulous Cunard ship departing end of August this year, 2014. Followed by 4 nits in London to see Tower of London, London Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Portabello Road, Buckingham Palace, Hampton Court Palace, the artist area of Bloomsbury and to take a stroll in Notting Hill. Places made famous in my mind from movies. I can hardly wait!

I then fly to Naples Italy, to spend a few days exploring that area, followed by a week at an Agritourismo outside Sorrento with seven women members of the WomensTravel Club. We will make pizza, pasta sauce and learn about making and possibly consuming the local product, Limoncello! Oh yah!

Five of us leave there, and in have now acquired my International Drivers License so have rented a car for a week, staying in a time share condo suitable for five Canadian women on the move. We will explore the south south coast of Italy. I have not yet been to this area of the Italy and the world and am already in love as I make plans and research the local lifestyle.

After five weeks in Europe I will come home to rest for a bit, adjust to retirement …and prepare for a fabulous ten day Caribbean cruise aboard Oceania Insignia (small boutique ship that I have spent three weeks on crossing the Atlantic and equator on about four years ago). Ports of call include Martinique, St Kitts, St Bart’s, Grenada, Barbados, Saint Lucia, and the Grenadines! Awesome. Lots of extra perks and I have some group space, inviting friends and family to join me as I celebrate my new traveling life and not returning to public service government work.

In April 2016, I am hoping to again enjoy the Princess ship cruising the Pacific coast, 10 days round trip Vancouver. I hope to return to England that year and walk some of Hadrians Wall … Perhaps travel to Asia with my life time friend Penny… And I am open to more ideas and travel bucket list destinations.

Thankful for every opportunity presented and for all of you for joining me. Please contact me if any or all of these trips entice you to join me.

I love my life and I am truly saying yes, Hell YES, to travel whenever I can.

How about you?