we're going on vacation!!!

Okay, so the title is a bit of an overstatement. Nonetheless, our impending move and trip inch closer.

Mom and Sissy have purchased their plane tickets! Hooray!

The plan:
Peter and Kimberly fly off to a fabulous vacation (in lovely Europe) and are joined by Mom and Sissy, taking their first intercontinental flight. We spend 2 fabulous weeks together, meeting in-laws, eating great food, and visiting old, old places. (Remember that that our dear state only became a state in 1859). For Mom's recent birthday, we arranged to stay at an agriturismo (like a farm plus B & B) and signed up for cooking classes! Should be fun!

Then we escort Mom and Sissy back to the airport and head off on our own great adventure. Current plans are rather vague, including visiting southern Italy, Spain, hopefully Portugal, and a flight out of Germany. Our plans are still evolving- so if you have any recommendations please feel free to leave them in the comments. It'll be my first trip to Europe (although Peter's an old hand at this) so I'm interested in all sorts of ideas.

My list of must dos
1. ride on public transport- I meet the neatest people and so enjoy the experience with culture when you're crammed together with the "locals"
2. visit grocery stores- so eye-opening!
3. see old stuff (yeah, I know this is on everyone's list) Particularly... old homes, old ruins, and countryside.
4. just hang out- it's so easy to get caught up with a list of "must dos" while traveling. I want to stop and just have a coffee or people watch. Hang out in a square and write. Visit with people. Make a fool of myself in foreign languages.

so that's what I have right now... let me know what I'm missing!