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11/13/2006: "Getting Ready for Germany"
I have been so engrossed in planning our trip that I often forget that the main purpose is to have me receive the Dendritic Cell Therapy. We have never taken a two-week trip with just Nick and thus have never left Alex for that long.
This weekend, I think we finished our itinerary. We need to be in Cologne the morning of the 30th and return after nine days. Other than that, we are on our own. At this point, we have our flight, my doctors appointments and our Eurail Passes. Next, come hotel bookings. Here is what we are considering.
11/28 - Fly SFO to Frankfurt
Arrive in Frankfurt and hop a speed train to Cologne (2 hours)
Three nights in Cologne, Germany with time to enjoy the museums, old town, Christmas markets and day trips on the Rhine to view castles and small towns.
12/2 - Speed train to Brussels for three nights
Visit with our friend Mike, tour the city (sample the best beer and chocolate in the world), see the most impressive art nouveau architecture and add day trips to Bruges and Ghent. For Nick, the Belgian Center for Comic Strip Art.
12/5 – Travel through Antwerp on our way to three nights in Amsterdam.
Lots of art museums with a chance to see the best collections of Rembrandts and van Gogh (only sold one painting while alive). Time to walk the city and cross a few of the 1281 bridges. Maybe a side trip to Volandam and country side. Nick may enjoy the famous Anne Frank House (or not).
12/8 – Train to Dusseldorf, Germany for one night.
Fond memories of my first visit here some 25 years ago. One of the most modern cities, yet still holds a wonderful old-world charm, with its cobblestone pedestrian-only old town and beautiful castle.
12/9 – Return to Cologne (1/2 hour away) for live cell injection at the clinic. Travel south down the Rhine through the highest density of medieval castles in the world and stay at pensions in quaint towns such as Boppard, Koblenz, Bacharach and Mainz
12/11 – Frankfurt for an evening and flight home the next afternoon.
Of course we are open to suggestions from any of those European travelers out there. I imagine we may be adjusting the schedule as we go but at least we will start with a plan.
Over the two weeks, we will be running a tag team of friends and family caring for Alex. She will be in school during the weekdays. Our nanny, Jonathan will be doing after school and overnights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We will then try to fill Tuesdays and Thursdays after 5pm with overnights and two weekends from noon on Saturday. If you are interested in enjoying our house and getting to know our special daughter, let us know. We have family that can help but will need some friends as well. Naturally, we promise rich rewards from Europe upon our return.