The Amazing International Trip Cancelled Due to the Pandemic

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The Pandemic Killed Our Next Epic Trip…

Sometimes life happens and you have to rethink the entire plan.

After doing the whole 12 countries in 14 days, we were feeling pretty cocky about a reduced 5 country epic trip. The last trip ended up costing around $7,775 for both of us. That’s less than $650 per country, and we didn’t need to slum it. We were hyped for the upcoming five amazing countries in 14 days. Alas it was not meant to be. Sadly, I was not able to stunt on my haters.

By March 2020, the world was on lock down and the travel industry went into a free fall.

An Amazing World without Travel

Gone were all the travel enthusiasts and Instagram highlights, now it’s all lock down and hanging out at the crib. For unknown reasons, some people still tried to travel. Boarding near empty flights to destinations unknown, only to be trapped in a hotel overseas; doesn’t sound like a ton of fun to me.

People were trapped in their own homes in fear, surrounded by Netflix, Amazon Prime deliveries, and Disney Plus. For some reason, it was hell. Jokes aside this was trying time for those who deal with mental health, domestic trauma, and quite frankly a joyless lack of access to family and friends for the holidays.

I’m an adventure and travel type person

That being said, I love travel since it allows me to disconnect and take in cultures.

To see what others didn’t see or document, sounds trilling and new to me. I’m not the glamour nor resorts guy, give me the hikes, the snowmobiles, etc… My wife on the other hand is more of a planning and listening type. Throw in some food and an opportunity for photos and voila. But all of that got cancelled. And we spend about 3 months fighting for some of our deposits back.

Another thing that needs to be said

Traveling is truly a privilege of both wealth and mind. Without discretionary income, most will never be able to afford these opportunities. For that, we count ourselves blessed and extremely fortunate. Though my wife and I didn’t come from money, we were still able to pull together enough and comfortably afford the adventure.

If you are reading this and not quite ready to travel to this extent; 1. I started with staycation while giving back to my hometown, you never know the next experience in a familiar space; 2. You can always take weekend trips in the city you are in or in the cities near by, a 2-hr trip is still a trip, and 3. Short trips work too, you can hit up 2-3 countries easy for about $1,500. Remember that your time will come.

It’s all very possible.

Well there is always another year

Besides we retained plenty of memories that will last a lifetime. Tons of unique tours. About 20k average steps per day. Great food and tons of ad-hoc changes. Our own pics are available via Instagram (her Instagram) or at Unlaboured Flawless.

Altering Travel Plans til 2030

Rule of Thumb: These trips are generally tailored to the *Cultural + Adventure and Planner types.

Here is how the trip would have been

Unlike the 12 country madness, we would have good for a more centralized approach and a lot more grand in landscape and scope.

1. Majestic Switzerland

First up, Switzerland. This was the genesis for the plan. Once I saw Grindelwald, I was hooked.

Though the hotels were more expensive, the views was all around. A guaranteed feast for the eyes. The landscapes are sweeping and we added a paragliding activity to really take in the sights.

We did spot iQ 130 Hotel for two nights at a total of $421.60. However our travel points brought it down to $258.50. We also found Hotel Bernerhof as well for $600 for three days. Like I said expensive but worth it.

Our stay in Switzerland would have lasted 5-6 days which would have been capped off with a scenic train ride to Lucerne and then to Italy.

Attractions to see:

Rhinefalls, Switzerland
Interlakken, Switzerland
Gerold Cuchi Umbrellas
Eat Fondue and/or Chocolate
Drink from a Fountain
Altstadt
Soak in a thermal Spa
Eat Sausage at Zueghauskeller
Frau Gerolds Garten
Fraumünster Church Cable Cart Ride
Midday Paragliding and ride the Funicular to the Peak
Sunset Picnic (Photos and Video)
Alps Activities
Lucern, Switzerland

2. Luxury in Italy: From Como to Milan

The next stop would have been Lake Como, Italy.

If arriving by train is not breathtaking enough, the views of the alps and the water take the cake. Our hotel, Albergo Vista Lago garnered views from the lake. Absolutely rich and old vistas. This part of the trip was all about catching our breath and enjoying the day to day.

To top it off, we had cooking and wine classes set up, as well as more funicular rides. The design of the place makes it conducive to walking slow and a taking it easy. Open air elegance before heading over to Milan.

In Milan, we had a full day of exploration planned. Big cities are perfect for that, in my opinion. The Tiffany Room was out short stay in Milan, very air bnb style.

Attractions to see and things to do:

Cooking Class and Funicular Ride up to Brunate
Day trip to Bellagio & Lugano
Sunset and Wine
Duomo di Milano with Rooftop Access
Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle II
Sforzesco Castle
Teatro alla Scala
Piazza del Duomo
Pinacoteca di Brera

3. Destination Hallstatt (Vienna, Austria)

A quick flight to Vienna, Austria for a night until we go on the day trip. The hotel for the stay was Leuhusen Center Apartments.

This alpine region of Salzkammergut is surreal on the internet. Reminds me of a old adventure. A tale of heroes. On this half-day coach tour of Hallstatt from Salzburg, a guide will fill us in on the history.

At Hallstatt, we would get a chance to hike along the lake in a historic village, see the Muhlbach Waterfall, visit the museums and the famous “Bone House,” and more. We can also opt to take a cable car ride to the Hallstatt World Heritage Skywalk.

Read more about Hallstatt Half-Day Tour from Salzburg – https://www.viator.com/tours/Salzburg/Hallstatt-Tour-from-Salzburg/d451-3595HALLSTADT?mcid=56757

4. Black Forest and Castles in Germany

Besides hitting the bars in Munich in search of red beers, we would take in the open city scapes, and the familiar thumping of underground European dance parties. Guaranteed to get pretty wild. The hotel we found was Hotel Demas City.

Definitely the next fantastic location, Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century historic palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. The palace was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat and in honour of Richard Wagner. Ludwig chose to pay for the palace out of his personal fortune and by means of extensive borrowing, rather than Bavarian public funds. Construction began in 1869, but was never fully completed.

The castle was intended as a private residence for the King, until he died in 1886. It was open to the public shortly after his death. Since then more than 61 million people have visited Neuschwanstein Castle. The coolest part is that you seen this castle before.It’s the Disney Castle.

So yeah, I got to see that.

5. Somewhere in Sintra (Lisbon, Portugal)

To close off the trip, we are head back through Lisbon and taking in the Sintra region. Even saw Lawrence’s Hotel so I had to get the room. The price was right for $183.47 for two nights.

Attractions to see and things to do:

Quinta da Regaleira
Pena Palace. Recently named one of Portugal’s “Seven Wonders”, Pena Palace was ordered by King Ferdinand II in 1838 on the lofty ruins of an old monastery.
Cruz Alta
Cabo da Roca
Park and Palace of Monserrate. Monserrate is deep in the mountain range, slightly removed from Sintra’s other palaces, and so isn’t quite as crowded.
Old Centre of Sintra. If you arrive in Sintra early in the morning the first thing you should do is treat yourself to a walking tour of the old centre.

There is Always Another Travel Opportunity

I highly recommend, keeping up your finance during this pandemic.

We saved up. We planned and budgeted. I’m a big fan of living your life. Also, recommend traveling abroad to get disconnected from …America and to find that people on avg. speak 3.5+ languages. And people don’t complain about work or being a morning person.

There is a love of life out there that you don’t really find in the big hubs of America anymore. Whole streets shut down on weekends for families. Just less tv, good music and better people.