We spent 7 weeks in August & September with our two daughters (14 & 9) on the "Grand Tour" of England, Italy, Austria, Germany & France. My husband and I hadn't been back for 15 years.

My parents, who split the year between Montecito, CA and my father's hometown in Italy (Molise) had been begging us to bring the girls over for years, but we wanted to wait 'til they were past the whining stage. Finally scraped together enuf $$ and took the plunge!

It was a little unsettling to fly to London just after the bombings, and return from Paris just before the riots. The Londoners seemed to take it all in stride (after all those years with the IRA, I'm told). No clue of restlessness in Paris while there ~ everyone we met was actually very gracious (quel surprise!).

Hit many of the great spots my parents took us to when my sisters & I were young ~ Neuschwanstein, Capri, Salzburg saltmines, Venice, etc. ~ both my parents were teachers and led summer student tours to Europe. Got to fulfill a lifelong dream taking my girls!

Next year, hope to visit Washington, D.C. and New York. We'll be sure to let them know how lucky they are, as I was!

Rhonda Lancaster, CA