Day 1: Terceira to Lisboa

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Today we begin the crazy journey! I continue to get a kick out of the reactions I get when we tell people what we're doing. At first it seemed like a 50:50 ratio of "that's awesome" to "what the...?", but lately the pendulum seems strongly in favor of the incredulous crowd.

Today was the beginning of our journey- we woke up at the TLF(Temporary Living Facility) on base in Terceira, finished packing, fed the boys and loaded up in a borrowed van(thanks Richards!) to drive the 10 minutes to the mercifully small local airport. Check was a breeze, security was the friendliest you'll ever find, and we were the last to board the plane.  Saying goodbye was gut wrenching, as it always is.  

One of the notable things about travelling internationally is that the airline staff seem nicer in foreign countries(with some exceptions, I'm sure). The SATA staff and crew were exceedingly helpful and kind to our cumbersome cadre as we navigated an overseas flight with 4 little boys.

The flight from the islands to the mainland is only a couple of hours. The boys were awesome- it's a blessing to see the excitement and joy they bring to the travelling process- it's infectious!

 We arrived in Lisbon around 1:30pm and waited in a VERY long taxi line for a taxi big enough for the whole family. We finally loaded into a sweet Mercedes Benz van and made our way to the port.

No joke, the port is just that- in industrial port. You have to wander around and find someone who understands enough of your lousy Portuguese to explain that your car is there somewhere and hope they decide to help you.

We loaded in the van and made our way to the apartment rental we had arranged through AirBNB. Thus began the first snafu to the trip. Due to the long taxi wait and delays at the port, we arrived an hour later than expected, and no one was there to let us into the apartment! We called the owner(in southern France) who was able to get a different friend to come let us in after about an extra 2 hour wait. In this time we walked around the corner and had a delicious traditional Portuguese meal.  Here are some crappy lighting pics of our place:

 

Now we're settled into what is an amazing place for $120 a night in the middle of Lisbon. Tomorrow is leg 2: Lisbon to Madrid!

Boa Noite!  We are very tired!

The route

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When we found out we were moving to Turkey Rebekah and I started talking about driving.
"It's crazy, right?"
"Yeah, it's crazy."

 

"But we're doing it, right?"
"Oh yeah, we kinda have to."

 

When it comes down to it, both Bek and I are adventurers at heart, and we're trying to raise boys who are courageous, outgoing, lovers of learning, selfless and up for anything, and this trip seems like a great opportunity to practice those traits.

So here the plan:

Day 1, we all get on a plane in Terceira and fly to Lisbon. Pick up the van from the port, drive to an apartment in the city and get organized for the trip!

Day 2, drive from Lisbon to Madrid. Hit up the Temple of Debod and the adjacent park.

Day 3, drive from Madrid to Barcelona. Catch the Font Majic at dusk.
Day 4, day in Barcelona. We'd like to see La Sagrada Familia, the Christopher Columbus Monument, and the Castell de Montjuic/Olympic Park 

Day 5, drive from Barcelona to Avignon, France with a pit stop at Carcassone. Hope to see some lavender fields in bloom!

Day 6, drive from Avignon to Camp Darby(near Pisa).
Day 7, visit the Leaning Tower for obligatory tourist photos, and rest!

Day 8, drive from Camp Darby to Roma!
Day 9 and 10, see Rome! We're planning a private tour for families to the Colosseum, Forum and Palatino Hill, some Roman Gladiator school, and Underground Rome tour with the USO, and lots of pizza and gelato!

Day 11, drive to Naples, visit Pompeii/Vesuvius

Day 12, drive to Brindisi, load on a ferry, depart at 8pm. We have two adjacent cabins for the night!
Day 13, arrive in Patras, Greece at 1pm and drive 3 hours to Athens.

Day 14, see Athens! Ancient Greece with a travel guide, Hellenic Children's Museum

Day 15, drive from Athens to Thessaloniki

Day 16, drive from Thessaloniki to Istanbul

Day 17, drive from Istanbul to Ankara

Day 18, drive from Ankara to Adana and our new home!

 

That's the abbreviated plan! I get exhausted just thinking about it! We have lodging(mostly through Airbnb) through Rome, tickets for the plane and ferry, and we're working our way through the last of the little stuff.

We're excited to continue to share this journey with you, and hope you enjoy following along with us!

Have a "must-see" in one of our stops, or want to tell us how crazy we are? Leave it in the comments!

Intro to EuroTrip2015

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When we have told people that we're taking this trip, we will get one of two responses. Either they speak with envy and excitement and hopefulness, or they look as us like we're crazy and mutter something about terrorists or carjackings or hostage situations or the like. My 83 year-old patient recommended a stun gun and fighting dirty.

So why would we pack up our 4 young boys in a 7 year old minivan and drive from Portugal to Turkey?

Why not?

The logistics are extensive, but doable.
The risk is present, but acceptable.
The participants are excited and adaptable.

As those with young children know, travelling is difficult. When we move to Turkey, we'll probably do a lot of local travel, but it is daunting task to plan long distance travel into a foreign country with kids. This may be the only chance we get to try something so crazy!

Also, because it is part of a move, the US government will pay for the majority, if not all, of the trip. When else are you going to get a most-expenses paid road trip to Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey?  I'll tell you- never.

Finally, many we talk to are nervous for us about the safety of the trip. While I appreciate your concern, bah-hum-bug! Europe is a safe place to travel and, while we will practice proper discretion, we also are approx 100 times more likely to die in a car crash on this trip than we are to experience a violent attack of some kind. Additionally, according to the State Dept, the most dangerous location is our destination.

So here we are, two weeks from setting out on this grand adventure, that will be epic either way. This blog will be a way for Bek and I to keep our friends and family in the loop as to our adventures and travel progress.

Tomorrow I'll walk you through the route. Until then the Map screenshot will have to do...