Traveling by rail and visiting friends in Europe restores and replenishes me. If I could arrange visas and work permits, I'd live there in a heartbeat without looking back. Due to current work requirements, this isn't possible, but a holiday is.

First, I'll fly to London, see friends, and attend "L'elisir d'amore" at the ROH. Then catch a cheap flight to Zurich, stay at Hotel Ermitage in Kusnacht, visit some of my favorite Jungians, and enjoy salade vert, escargots à l'ail, and selle d'agneau at Mère Catherine. From there, I'll take the Cis-Alpino to Venice, stay at hotel Lisbona, enjoy fruitti di mare at Calicce, and attend a Vivaldi performance. Next, fly back to the UK, visit friends in Wales, and return to the US.

I'll return with a post-holiday glow, beaming from ear to ear. I'll then begin planning my next overseas trip, which will hopefully turn into a permanent stay, complete with visa and work permit.