I sent this in an email to many of you but it’s nice to have a record …

Leaving Chicago Tue, 4/9, arrive in Amsterdam 4/10

– Amsterdam & vicinity w/Luca, 4/10-4/17

– Baltics (starting in Vilnius, Lithuania, but presumably also Latvia and Estonia, in that order), 4/17- 5/4 ish??  I may go to Finland and wander or just daytrip to Helsinki — trying to not overplan the Baltics/Nordics and leave room for spontaneity

– Sweden (Stockholm and environs, I think — and maybe other Nordic areas?), 5/5 ish – 5/12?

– Norway (starting in Oslo and actually booked the “Norway in a Nutshell” fjords trip from Oslo – Flam – Bergen), 5/13ish – 5/21

– Berlin (flying from Bergen), 5/21-5/23

– Back to AMS then roadtripping with Luca, a few nights/site, AMS – Metz – Como – Cinque Terre, 5/25-5/30

– Camogli for wedding, 5/30-6/1

– Milan 6/2-6/4

Return Chicago Tue, 6/4 

I’m currently at O’Hare. I am apparently taking the easy road. I was going to take the blue line to the airport but the Lyft to the CTA was so outrageously priced I just went for the extra $15 to go straight to the international terminal. (Otherwise there would be lots of stairs, sidewalks, shuttles and of course the L itself.) Confusion because no line for business class KLM tix — bag checked effortlessly. I did have to go through regular security lines and taking off of shoes. The KLM woman was surprised I do not have tsa pre or CLEAR. Ah well it was all still quite quick.

Then I found the biz class lounge. With Delta (and Air France — and maybe Alitalia since I just heard Italian even through my noise canceling AirPods) but very new and nice. I had NO idea. Buffet spread. Hot and cold food. I’m going for seconds of other stuff (pita and hummus not very good) and maybe desserts. Really good caffe latte and other drinks (definitely getting more coffee). Showers (!). Tons of comfy seating with plugs for devices. Perhaps too many children but I have the AirPods and honestly moved twice. So this is how the other half lives.

Side comment on these lounges .. the KLM ticket agent waxed rhapsodic about the KLM biz class lounge in AMS. She said she spent 6 hours there and paid the 50EU and that it was well worth it. High praise indeed from a Dutch person (if you didn’t know they are famously economically-minded. “Goedkope” – their word for cheap — is literally good buy — not inexpensive or possibly flimsy or crappy quality. Nope. Good buy. Anyway apparently if you’re ever having a layover in Schiphol pay out the big bucks and spring for the lounge).

Well heading up for seconds!!! This is my test first post!!?? For Cynthia’s European adventures part II.