After over a year of living abroad, from Colombia to Belgium, I’m moving back to the United States. To celebrate the end of an era (and the beginning of a new one), Ekaterina and I decided to go on a little pre-honeymoon. Due to a certain international viral sensation, we may not get to see one another for quite some time. We decided to say goodbye on a high note.

Happily, I got an offer for a job the very morning we left Belgium. Quite a delightful stroke of luck.

Luxembourg

We began by heading south, reaching Luxembourg in just a couple of hours. Perhaps the most laid-back capital city I’ve ever seen, it was a delightful place for a mid-day picnic.

France

We finally settled down in Aix-en-Provence. which I just spelled correctly on my first try — my only successful attempt thus far. Our Airbnb had a lovely terrance, which was the perfect place for a morning coffee.

We were right in the middle of fields and orchards. We walked throughout the nature each day, relishing being away from the city.

We also explored the surroundings, visiting places like the calanques near Cassis, the Verdon Gorge, and the red rocks of Roussillon.

Also, we may have wandered into a few flower fields.

Monaco

After France, we passed through Monaco on our way to Italy. Massively rich in millionaires, yachts, and steep hills, we could only afford an hour or two before carrying on.

Italy

After pit stops in Sanremo and Pegli, we arrived to our own little slice of paradise in Cinque Terre, a string of five seaside towns on Italy’s west coast. As a Fourth of July celebration, we decided to take a sunset tour, which we happened to share with families from Texas and Tennessee.

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We spent the next couple of days exploring on foot, hiking up and down the steep trails that separate each village. Evidently, these routes used to be all that connected the five towns.

After such hikes, we deemed ourselves worthy of some afternoon relaxation in our little backyard.

We said goodbye to Italy from our Airbnb’s rooftop terrace.

France…Again

On our way back north, we visited Mont Blanc — after making use of a 50 Euro (😱) tunnel between Italy and France. While the Alps were a rather different terrain than what we had grown accustomed to, we managed to adjust without too much effort.

Switzerland (More or Less)

Katia humored me. I wanted to add another country to my list, so we drove to the border of France and Switzerland and I ran in. She’s a patient woman.

Tot Ziens, Belgium

So, after this wonderful trip — and five months of living in Europe — the next stop is Seattle, then back to LA once this COVID business calms down. Please wear a mask…I need Europeans to be let in the United States ASAP.