I have always loved to travel. When I was in my late teens through my early 30s, travel to me was camping, or going to Disneyland, Disneyworld and the occasional trip to Hawaii. It was perfectly ok to find the cheapest hotel, the cheapest flights and eat the cheapest food. After all you were young and that’s what you do when you don’t have much money.
It wasn’t until I went on a business trip to Seattle with my aunt, that I learned what it was to travel “well.” It started off by her surprising me with a first-class airplane ticket. I couldn’t believe it; I had only ever walked through first-class. The second surprise came when we checked into the hotel, and I found out she had booked us into a suite. It even had a doorbell!
We had a fantastic time in Seattle. We ate at the best restaurants, and we went on VIP tours. When we checked into the airport on our way home, we waited in the board room, not just at the gate. Dr. Ruth was sitting right next to me. It was a great way to end a wonderful trip. It was also right then that I decided, if I was going to travel, this was how I was going to do it.
Over the years, that is exactly what I have done. I am now in my mid 50s and my aunt and I have traveled together to London, and we are planning a literary trip to several places in England once the world is completely open. We are not stopping there, as we have several other trips we want to take that include Japan, Sicily and a trip on the Venice Simplon-Orient Express. She has also continued to pass along valuable information on how to use my Amex card for certain perks, how to book and find the best VIP tours, the best luggage to use, etc.
I know that my way of travel isn’t for everyone, because it can be expensive, like VERY expensive. I also know many people, my husband included, that don’t like to get to the airport super early. But for me, my vacation begins the moment I check in at the airport.
This is a photo I took out of the window of the plane last Tuesday, just as we broke through the clouds on our way out of Memphis, Tennessee. I will be back with more about my latest wanderings.
