So with the Captain going out 20 days early there will be a little extra cash coming which will give us the possibility to take a vacation this year outside of Scandinavia. There is tons of different package deals out there so we’ve been looking around at what is available. There are however a few problems to be worked out before any decisions are made.
Problem number one: When we can go- if Isabella becomes pregnant then we will possibly be expecting puppies in mid June. Stig won’t get home until middle of May. Puppies won’t be able to go to their new homes until August and Stig leaves around the middle of August and won’t be back until beginning of October. So we are looking at end of May or beginning of October as possible dates. All of this has to fit with our dog sitter’s availablility and Sarah’s exams in the spring if we choose the spring option.
Problem number two: Where to go? Julia and Thomas want sun, swimming, and cool pools. Sarah and I could think to have some exciting experiences along the way, sightsee and do some shopping, go to street markets, and enjoy local foods. Stig wants to make everyone happy and as any good Norwegian he is neutral in his wishes..he’ll go where the majority of us will be happiest. GRRRRR…that neutral thinking of his gets me sometimes..Julia said all her friends say Greece is the place to go- specifically Rhodes.
However, for the price of one week in Rhodes you could have two weeks in Sunny Beach Bulgaria!
BUT…it doesn’t stay as warm the whole year in Bulgaria as it does in Rhodes. There is another option (in my opinion) and that is my beloved Italy….I adore Italy..we were there for two days picking up Isabella and I could have stayed two weeks…it was heavenly…wonderful food, quaint villages, beautiful landscapes, warm weather, wonderful food…oh, I guess I mentioned that part already…hahaha…I found a place on the Italian Riviera which we could rent for two weeks at a reasonable rate, everything looks and sounds great about the place- there is no pool but within walking distance to the beaches..you are 1.5 hours from Nice which is the closest airport to fly into- so you have to rent a car to get around, but then you could visit Nice and other places in the area.
I read it was only a 30 hour drive to this area of Italy from Norway…and we’d have our car with us. Stig just laughed at me…but hey, I’m sure we could drive down there for a lot less then the 12,000 kroner round trip tickets to Italy for all 5 of us. But Julia wrinkled her nose when I showed her the place- no cool pool…
So what to do? Where do we go where everyone can be happy and Mr. Wallet doesn’t have to stretch himself to the very limits?? We’ve also looked at Thailand and Maldievene Islands..but I think we’d have to win the lottery to afford to go there. So those destinations will have to wait until the kiddos can pay for themselves..hahahaha…
I suggest Karlstad Sweden…ok, are you done laughing???
We spent a couple great summers here at Bomstad Baden camping outside of Karlstad Sweden, the beaches were great, live music every Wednesday in the month of July, Ikea, Biltema (a big car parts store for Stig), seven day a week open grocery stores…but of course there was my key word there- July…that is really the month to visit Karlstad and we will be busy with pups this year in July…so that idea is out…and the kids are all wiping their foreheads in relief…still…I love that place..I’m easy to please!!!
Got word today that Kelli, Mads, and Jess ( http://madsandkelli.blogspot.com/ ) are going to stop in for a few days visit this July before they head to Texas to help Jess get ready for college start. I always appreciate it when people take time and spend money to come visit us and hopefully we can show them a great time while they are here. Anyone else who would like to spend some time here on the beautiful Helgøya should just let us know..we’re taking reservations for the summer now ;-)) hahaha…
Ok, time to make some dinner- have a great Sunday folks..
10 comments:
I would go for Greece - it's just so beautiful in photographs and I would love to experience all that blue and white through your eyes.
I would tell your children you have the power to choose and they can make suggestions. When they are adults and earn their own way, they can choose. I am sure you have checked Ryanair and the destinations from Oslo, but I'd keep checking back as their prices can be quite reasonable at times.
And count us in for a visit at some point. Not this year, but Hubby was talking to his friends over in Haugesund yesterday so I know we will be coming back at some point.
Oh and how about Croatia?
I'm on my way to visit you.... ;-)
Difficult decision - guess you could go to Italy, although it is very very expensive these days. So maybe Greece instead...
We have decided to rent a summer cottage about an hour from where we live. IT's near a lake for swimming and has a huge garden for the kids to run around in (our lawn at home is handkerchief-sized)... Now all I have to do is make sure we get some SUN!
Yeah I'd go to Thailand - sounds great! Packing my bags as you read this....
All the Danes go to the Canary Islands every time they get the chance and from what I have heard, it is not that expensive to get there. Maybe Ryan or Cimber air go???
But I guess I have to change that statement...not ALL the Danes go there.. some really cool ones go to Helgøya Norway :o)
Wow, what choices! Sure beats my choices of ...(drumroll please).. Arkansas or Oklahoma. Colorado isn't a bad one and that's a possibility.
Keep us updated on vacation plans. I'm going to have get my European travelling done vicariously through you.
The Canary Islands are especailly a popular destination at winter because it's loacted in the ocean outside Africa's westcoast and beacuse of this the temperature is pretty constant year round. In the summer there's many other warm destinations to choose from in Europe too.
In Scandinavia, Sunny Beach Bulgaria is "famous" as the new cheap #1 party destination for teenagers to go partying non stop for a week. Not a typical family destination.
Some mentioned Ryanair.
Norwegain.no low-cost airline is kind of Norway's answer to Ryainair, they have many very cheap flights to choose from.
I found you off my sister's blog - Kansas Chaos. I visited a tiny island off the coast of Sweden once - Visby on Gotland Island and it was wonderful. Not an exciting vacation getaway for kids - like amusement parks and such... this place is laid back, quiet - there are beaches, parks and tons of beautiful scenery. Kind of a hidden jewel and I tell myself all the time that someday I will return.
Post a Comment