Europe and Oceania 2023

September - October 2023

Second trip “around the world”. Much less time than the last trip, but sheer time doesn’t determine the greatness of an adventure!! Determined to enjoy ever second. Read more

53footprints
6countries
50days
625photos
34videos
32.5kmiles
30.3kmiles
232miles

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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 6, 2023
- ☀️ 97 °F
- Altitude: 358 ft
- United States Virginia Loudoun County Willard (historical)Washington Dulles International Airport 38.948944, -77.44838738°56’56” N 77°26’54” W
Day 1
And we’re off!
September 6, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 97 °F
Well, it’s been a tad over 8 months since the end of my last adventure - my Round the world trip in 2022. I’ve been home, trying to adjust (ever so poorly) to “real life”. It’s a first world problem, but its been a problem none the less.

So when given the opportunity to join Adam on his first trip “across the pond”, I jumped on it! I’ve been to the countries he wanted to see, but I haven’t seen them thru his eyes, so excited to be a part of his first trip. I consider it an extreme privilege to now have gotten to travel with BOTH my kids.

So we’re off! Can’t wait to be in awe again of this world we live in.Read more
Christie how exciting. I know you’ll love getting this opportunity to travel with Adam!! [Stephanie Etherly]
9/7/23Reply
Traveler Have tons of fun and hope you both have a very easy going trip together. Always think how grateful you both are to spend this time together. Let everything else roll off your backs.
9/7/23Reply
Traveler Thanks for sharing! Looks so exciting!!
9/8/23Reply
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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 7, 2023
- ☀️ 88 °F
- Altitude: 98 ft
- England Camden King's Cross Royal National Throat Nose & Ear Hospital The 51.528927, -0.1191251°31’44” N 0°7’9” W
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Day 2
It’s London, baby!
September 7, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
We had a fantastic (yet exhausting) first day! We flew red eye and both didn’t get much, if any, sleep on the flight. We Landed at 7:00am, and the hotel wouldn’t allow us to check in until 5:00, so we had no choice but to power through!!! So we operated on pure adrenaline

Stopped into St Pauls Cathedral, walked across the Millennium Bridge, and then got some yummy food at the Burroughs Market. After resting a bit, we powered through and toured the Tower Bridge and then finished the day on the London Eye.

Fantastic day, as I said before. I honestly never thought I’d see London once, let alone twice! And even tho I have “seen most of it already”, it’s really fun seeing it all through Adams eyes this time.

9.5 milesRead more
Traveler Yikes!
9/8/23Reply
Traveler Nice view!
9/8/23Reply
Traveler woah
9/10/23Reply
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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 8, 2023, 12:52pm
- ☁️ 82 °F
- Altitude: 115 ft
- England Windsor Windsor Castle 51.482738, -0.60558351°28’58” N 0°36’20” W
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Day 3
Day trip to Windsor castle
September 8, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F
We took a train out to Windsor castle today. Its 90 min or so out from London and a beautiful trip through the countryside. When I went last year it was PACKED but this time was really pleasant. Lots less people in the fall.

Headed back to the city and met up with a friend of Adams from college and her wife for a great Italian dinner and Filipino ice cream! Not quite sure what Adams look of surprise is about, but thought it was too cute not to post. 😂Never had it before - was a little nervous, but it was awesome. Hard to describe sweets in Europe … they just do them differently than the US. Much more flavor - not just sweet. Was fantastic.

6.0 milesRead more
Traveler Great expression!
9/8/23Reply
Traveler Is that ice cream in the middle?
9/8/23Reply
Christie Mitchell Yep!! Coconut ice cream with activated charcoal! It was yummy.
9/10/23Reply
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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 9, 2023, 10:34am
- ⛅ 72 °F
- Altitude: 384 ft
- England Dover District Swingate Langdon Bay 51.132545, 1.34427851°7’57” N 1°20’39” E
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Day 4
Day trip to Dover
September 9, 2023 in England ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
We took a day trip to the White cliffs of Dover today!! Located on the Eastern coast of England on the English Channel. It’s a first for me. It was a 90 min high speed train ride to get there but so beautiful getting out of London. We hiked the top of the cliffs for a couple hours, and then went down to the water front for proper fish & chips. Yummy.

We also took a boat ride so we could get a good view of the cliffs - which was well worth it. The cliffs are gorgeous- very impressive.

A bit of history - we saw the home of Ian Fleming. For those not aware - a famous author. Wrote Chitty Chitty Bang bang, as well as the James Bond series. You could see his inspiration in both he got from living at the base of the cliffs.

9.03 milesRead more
Traveler So beautiful. Makes me think of Scotland.
9/10/23Reply
Traveler That looks much more modern.
9/10/23Reply
Looks like a perfect day❣️Those cliffs ARE impressive! Beautiful! [Donna McGovert]
9/12/23Reply
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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 10, 2023, 10:41am
- ☁️ 79 °F
- Altitude: 125 ft
- England Brent Wembley Watkin's Tower 51.555199, -0.27984251°33’19” N 0°16’47” W
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Day 5
Another day in London
September 10, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
When in London with a lifelong soccer referee, you can’t NOT go see the world famous Wembley Stadium. Adam was thrilled. It holds a few “best and biggest” titles - it is the 3rd largest stadium in the world, has the most toilets in any facility in the world (over 2600), it is built in such a way as there are NO posts or obstructions in the entire facility, it has an amazing retractable roof, and lastly, was the venue for the world renowned Live Aide concert in 1985. It was a fantastic tour.

We then took a boat ride down the Thames to Greenwich park, Maritime museum, and the Royal observatory. Again, can’t NOT visit when in London with an Astrophysics major. Fascinating learning all about the Greenwich Mean time and seeing the historic facility.

Then I coaxed Adam onto the the London Cable Car across the river. (Really didn’t know he had such a fear of heights - the things you learn when traveling together). Beautiful views.

9.11 milesRead more
Traveler LOVE me some Maritime stuff
9/10/23Reply
Are you going to take in a soccer game?⚽️ [Donna McGovert]
9/12/23Reply
Christie Mitchell Nope. Not in season right now. Best we got was the stadium
9/12/23Reply
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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 11, 2023, 10:47am
- ☁️ 72 °F
- Altitude: 79 ft
- England City of Westminster Knightsbridge The Royal Parks 51.509153, -0.16132551°30’33” N 0°9’41” W
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Day 6
All the sites of London
September 11, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
We headed out to Hyde Park first thing this morning - it’s somewhat like Central Park in New York. We had a very relaxing walk. In the middle of the park is a unique fountain in honor of Princess Diana. Nothing like I’ve seen before.

We saw all the other London icons today as we made our way through the city, including Westminster Abbey.

My body has had about enough. We figure we’ve walked about 45 miles in 5 days. I did a lot of walking at home leading up to this trip, but not enough. Every night I climb into bed and am hurting everywhere. I guess a good hurt. My last trip I slowly upped the miles over a period of a few weeks - this one we just jumped right in.

9.91 milesRead more
Traveler You take the best pictures!! Bloody awesome!!
9/11/23Reply
Christie Mitchell Thanks so much!!
9/12/23Reply
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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 12, 2023, 12:12pm
- ☁️ 72 °F
- Altitude: 125 ft
- England Camden Russell Square British Museum 51.519172, -0.12656751°31’9” N 0°7’36” W
Day 7
Last day in London
September 12, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
It was our last day in London today. Kind of sad but ready to move on.

We went to the British Museum and I personally was very torn about the experience. They have some AMAZING artifacts - from ALL over the world. The sad part is very many, like … the majority, were “stolen” from those countries while being colonized or invaded centuries ago. Many of those countries are now asking for their artifacts back, and England is refusing to return them. So with that knowledge, it made me somewhat uncomfortable as I viewed amazing things from Egypt, Asia, China, Africa, Mexico and even some things from the United States and Canada. There’s a saying … if the British were to give back the stolen items, there would be no museum left - and after viewing it, sadly I agree.

After that we headed to the Tower of London and had a nice tour there to end our time in London.

We’re off to Paris tomorrow - high speed train under the English Channel. Should be an experience.

8.08 milesRead more
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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 13, 2023, 10:49am
- ☁️ 64 °F
- Altitude: 381 ft
- France Île-de-France Serris 48.8565, 2.77840848°51’23” N 2°46’42” E
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Day 8
Travel day to Paris
September 13, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F
We had a travel day today, which was very good - our bodies needed a bit of a rest after all the walking. Did 56 miles this week, and the body is feeling it.

Took the high speed train from London to Paris, under the English Channel - the Chunnel. The entire trip was about 2 1/2 hours, and it took about 25 min to cross the channel - our top speed we hit on the trip was around 200 mph. We ended up at Gare Du Nour train station in Paris - third largest in the world. It IS big.

Got all our needs taken care of - transit cards bought, bearings set - and got on the metro for another hour to our hotel for the night. Ended up at a HUGE grocery store to buy some snacks. Fun watching Adam experience the differences. Like I said, a pretty easy day on the body. Much needed.

4.28 milesRead more
Traveler Great!! Can’t wait to see Paris!!
9/13/23Reply
Pretty view😍 [Donna McGovert]
9/14/23Reply
Good thing you did all that walking to prepare for this trip❣️ [Donna McGovert]
9/14/23Reply
Christie Mitchell Not nearly enough, apparently! Old body is aching.
9/14/23Reply
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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 14, 2023, 10:04am
- ⛅ 63 °F
- Altitude: 374 ft
- France Île-de-France Chessy Disneyland Paris Parc 48.872978, 2.77926348°52’23” N 2°46’45” E
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Day 9
Disneyland Paris!
September 14, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Anyone who knows Adam knows he is a total Disney fanatic! I went there a bunch as a kid, and then we took our kids numerous times. It’s turned out to be one of Adams favorite places to go, so when given the opportunity to go to a Disney property overseas, it was a must with him.

So today was one of our two days at Disney. It’s much like Disneyland with just a few changes - no Matterhorn (which just looks weird) and no splash mountain. The lines were super short, the ticket in was much less than the US and of course, everything is in French. Kind of strange listening to all the characters speaking French.

It was a fun day though. Tired us out as always, but it’s not a good day at Disney unless you leave exhausted.

8.95 milesRead more
Traveler Did you go on??
9/14/23Reply
Christie Mitchell Oh yes - twice!!
9/15/23Reply
Christie Mitchell Took us upside down
9/15/23Reply
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Christie Mitchell Europe and Oceania 2023
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- Sep 15, 2023, 9:18am
- ☀️ 61 °F
- Altitude: 413 ft
- France Île-de-France Chessy Disneyland Resort Paris 48.868469, 2.78096248°52’6” N 2°46’51” E
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Day 10
Last day at Disneyland Paris
September 15, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
We had our last day at Disneyland - they have a second park called Walt Disney Studios (similar to California adventure Park in California). They have an avengers section and a Pixar section. There were some very original rides that we’ve never seen in that park which were real fun.

They also did a drone show tonight before the fireworks. I hadn’t seen one of those before, so found it pretty cool

I’m hoping we didn’t wear ourselves out and not have enough energy to now see Paris - just going to have to push through but both of our legs are pretty tired.

8.98 milesRead more
Traveler Love that!!
9/15/23Reply
Traveler Kind of surprised to see flowers blooming this late. Beautiful.
9/15/23Reply
Christie Mitchell I know, right?!
9/16/23Reply
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