What's the Plan?

Since we both love lists, tables, and spreadsheets we actually had a somewhat methodical way of coming up with our destinations. We used a white board (kind of embarrassing actually) to list each continent with cities we wanted to visit. In case you're wondering, Australia/New Zealand, Asia, Europe, and South America were on our list. Then we created a table listing each destination with average temperatures by month. Crossing off destinations with poor weather basically gave us our draft list....well that and the fact that we really wanted to go to Asia and I HAD to see the Tour De France. Thus Asia and Europe won out. And finally, we changed stuff based on input from friends and family.

When we first started planning we were thinking about traveling for 2 months. Once we actually started mapping it out we ended up with a 4 1/2 month itinerary. I know - crazy!! We just figured that we probably won't get an opportunity like this again so we should make the most of it. :)

So here it is....the final plan. Asia is pretty much locked down. Europe may change slightly since train travel allows more flexibility.

Apr 20: Our journey begins!

Apr 21 - 27: Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, Kinosaki)

Apr 28 - May 1: Beijing

May 2 - 5: Shanghai

May 6 - 9: Hong Kong

May 10 - 25: Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue/Hoi An, Nha Trang/Mui Ne, Ho Chi Min)

May 26 - Jun 1: Cambodia (Phnom Penh, Siem Reap)

Jun 2 - 3: Bangkok

Jun 4 - 16: Bali

Jun 17 - Jul 6: Italy (Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast)

Jul 7 - 20: Spain (Barcelona, Madrid, Pamplona)

July 21 - 31: France (Bordeaux, Paris, Provence, South of France)

Aug 1 - 14: Spain (Seville, Southern Coast, Ibiza, Barcelona)

Aug 15 - 25: Croatia/Prague/Budapest (Not sure we'll do all this)

Aug 26 - Sep 3: Ireland (Dublin, Cork, Countryside)

Oh and yes we split up Spain because we're meeting peeps in Italy and had to run with the bulls and see Tour de France!!

That's it....we're hoping that many of you can meet up with us!!