I’ll share some traveling events from over the years with some helpful tips. It seems everyone wants to travel today whether to distant lands or close to home. Airports, airlines, and staffing in many cities are stressed to the max, especially in the peak travel months of July and August. Marla and I are pretty seasoned travelers and know that stuff happens. I’m close to 2 million miles with United Airlines. I would like to say we are prepared for unexpected events which mess with the best laid travel plans, but the truth is we really NEVER are! In the weeks ahead I will share pictorial posts on the most beautiful and inspiring places we visited on our summer trip to Paris, the island of Guernsey, Athens and Corfu.

When Marla’s cardiologist gave the “OK” to travel last spring we jumped at it with gusto! We took trips Dallas and the Bay Area to test her travel waters. She did so well we moved forward on a European adventure.

Our European trip to see family and friends included five different airlines: United, EasyJet, Aegean, Aurigny, and Lufthansa. We were surprised our first problem was in Denver with United! Cockpit air-conditioning issues caused a 2-1/hour delay resulting in our missing the Chicago O’Hare connection to Paris. We made a mad dash to United’s Customer Service desk to insure a next day booking, luggage whereabouts, and hotel and meal vouchers. The agent had the resigned look of someone who had seen this scenario way too many times. The photo above shows a line of over 45 deep dealing with their issues!

TRAVEL TIPS: A lesson learned years ago is to bring in your carry-on at least 3 days’ worth extra clothing and “travel size” liquids in a quart size bag, plus pills, razor, toothbrush, etc. Bring all charging and international adaptor plugs. Most electrical devices are multi-voltage. Bring a voltage converter if your item is only 120 volts as voltage is 220 in Europe. I placed Apple “AirTags” in each suitcase and carry on in case of a lost bag. Airport lounges are a very welcome respite from the stress of travel and available with specific levels of credit cards . For example, the American Express Platinum Card allows access to their “Centurian Lounges”. An International business class seat offers entry to some lounges.

We began our trip with a quick visit in Paris to see our grandson, the island of Guernsey to see family, Athens, and then to Corfu for a villa rental. Too much? Well of course it was! We had to fly in the absolute peak season of August and knew it would be nuts with all the vacationers ready for new adventures after the COVID times!

TRAVEL TIPS: We enrolled with Medjet Assist for emergency medical evacuation. Not all medical insurance is adequate in Europe, so we bought a one-trip policy with Allianz Global Assist. I always enroll our trips with the U.S. department of State on their “Smart Traveler Program.” Purchase a cellphone call and data plan with your carrier for the duration of your trip. We were constantly using navigation apps on our cellphones.

I carried Marla’s blood pressure machine, oximeter, a travel scale (to monitor any dangerous fluid gain), and a 3-week supply of her daily 28 pills. (Prescription and vitamins taken at 3 intervals during the day and evening.) We monitor her daily due to heart failure. I researched the best hospitals with cardiology departments in places we visited.

Paris was wonderful and the weather was perfect. It was crazily crowded with Americans! I couldn’t believe all the young people scurrying about (Usually way to fast!) on electric scooters.

TRAVEL TIPS: A number of restaurants and shops are closed for vacation in August. Many Paris restaurants open late for dinner (7:30 PM) so if you like early dinners try a “Bullion” which is usually open all day into the evening. Order your “Paris Museum Pass” to avoid big lines. Explore your favorite arrondissement in the morning before the crowds are out!

We reserved a 4:30 AM “Uber” to take us from our Paris hotel to catch a 7:00 AM EasyJet flight from Charles de Gaul to London Gatwick. Yes,…4:30 AM! London Gatwick airport was a nightmare mosh pit of frustrated travelers from all over the world! Marla is walking to our Aurigny Airlines plane from Gatwick to Guernsey.

TRAVEL TIPS: Pay close attention to the correct departure terminal at Charles de Gaulle. One can pay an upcharge for extra leg room on many airlines. Departure gates are posted on monitors throughout airports but can change at the last moment. Most small airlines have stairs rather than ramps for the airplane. This can be difficult for some with health issues, age, or carrying their carry-on.

We have many insane travel stories about flights to Guernsey over the years. There were many aborted, white-knuckled flights in the winter due to fog in the late 1970’s. We saw the top of the control tower through the fog on many flights. On many the pilot thought it was too dangerous to land, so we returned to London at the last second! On another flight after many failed attempts of landing in the fog, (seemed like an eternity!) we were forced to land in Dinard, France due to low fuel! The airport was essentially closed because of a big holiday. With disbelief, we watched the pilot and co-pilot climb a ladder with manuals to refuel. I looked out the window to see a man riding a bicycle to the unheated terminal with long loaves of bread for us. Check out the images above! One summer while visiting the island we booked a very small aircraft to France. There was no co-pilot, so I was in his seat! The pilot was very overweight, and I worried he would have a heart attack from all the Guernsey butter he probably ate! I frantically read the airplane manual in case I had to take over! Sounds ridiculous but it was true!

This was our first trip to Athens. We flew from Guernsey back to Gatwick on Aurigny and EasyJet to Athens.

Next up was to Corfu in the Ionian Sea. We found it both beautiful, exotic, and a little frustrating! More about Greece on a future blog.

TRAVEL TIP: Don’t travel to Greece in the peak, extremely hot summer months! Corfu can be inundated with people coming off cruise ships and cheap European flights. Corfu beaches are gorgeous and the water almost perfect but crazily crowded in July and August!

We flew with Aegean Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance. They do a nice job except for…controlling lines in check in and boarding! The check in area in Corfu and even with Lufthansa in Athens were just full of people so I flashed my Mileage Plus Gold Card and got in the business line. Or, as my grandson Paxton would say…”Papa just self-upgraded!” Lufthansa flights to and from the U.S. still require mask wearing!

I will be creating some beautiful and fun blog posts on each of our destinations soon. I think you will really enjoy them!

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.