And We're Off!

Where to begin my #BackpackEurope trip? UK? France? The Netherlands? All great places to start! After much deliberation, I just closed my eyes and pointed. My finger landed on the Netherlands!

With that decided, I promptly bought my plane ticket. After a connection and layover in Dallas, I will be arriving at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam - bright and early at 8:15 am.

While in the Netherlands, I will be reading a book by Dutch author, Tonke Dragt. De brief voor de koning, translated as The Letter for the King, won the "Griffel der Griffels" award for the best Dutch children's book of the previous 50 years, yet it took 50 years for it to be translated into English. Ms. Dragt was born in Batavia on the Dutch East Indies (Jakarta), survived World War II in a Japanese prisoner camp, and moved to the Netherlands after the war. She wrote The Letter for the King in 1962. Tonke Dragt was knighted in 2001. Ms. Dragt's background, and the immense popularity her book has enjoyed, have me intrigued. Needless to say, I am excited to begin!

Whimsical Tour Planning

Isn't travel planning the best?! It is exciting to imagine all the possibilities, so unlimited in scope! (At least initially) My roseate view is that I will read, read, read - flitting from country to country - seeing all of Europe in three months. While I imagine this Herculean task is not only achievable, but a foregone conclusion, I have begun choosing book options for EVERY country. 

I will return here to add new book ideas to the list, so please feel free to make suggestions! 

Belgium

Czech Republic

England

France

Germany

Greece

Iceland

Ireland

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Norway

Scotland

Spain

Switzerland

Wales

Elizabeth's Whimsical European Tour

From July 2 to September 30, I will be literarily traipsing across Europe! 

The Reading Room is running a Summer 2018 Reading Challenge. The theme? Backpack Across Europe. How fun! 

Currently, I am packing my bag and studying my trusty Satchel Guide. Being highly impulsive, I haven't purchased my plane tickets, for I still haven't decided the country in which I will begin my travels. My options are to fly from my home country (USA) to Charles de Gaulle (France), Heathrow (UK), or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands). 

Once I arrive in my initial destination, I will read a book set in that country or written by an author from that country, write a review, and travel on to an adjacent European country. Imagine all the amazing things I will see and learn along the way! If I am lucky, I may get to see one of these amazing landmarks:

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Buda Castle,   Old city of Dubrovnik,   The Gran Bazaar, Istanbul

Brandenburg Gate,   La Grand-Place, Brussels,   The Charles Bridge, Prague

Parthenon,   Alhambra,   Mont-Saint-Michel, France

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In my travels, I will read, read, read, and my itinerary may be enlivened by new travel hubs, weather warnings, travel delays, or even special events. To complete my tour, I will depart from Frankfurt (Germany), Istanbul (Turkey), or Adolfo Suarez Madrid (Spain) and return to the States!

As soon as my initial destination is finalized, and my tickets have been purchased, I will post an update of my travel plans! Now to figure out how to fit Bella in my knapsack...