Alternate plans

 For the past two years, we did nothing else but making plans and having to cancel them afterwards, because of corona. Now that we thought this was finally past history, there comes the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

The situation being rather volatile, we deemed it safer to cancel our upcoming summer trip through the Baltic states (starting in Lithuania, then going to Letland, and from there to Estland) and Finland. These countries are a bit too near Russia and if the conflict escalates, we might be in the danger zone. 

We were able to cancel everything - plane tickets, bus tickets,  ferry ticket, hotels, excursions - at practically no cost. One learns by doing! 

Instead of making this roadtrip, we plan a trip to Malta in July and one to Bratislava in August. The last one will be cheap because we could exchange Hilton honors points to have a 5-night hotel stay for free. This is already the second time we could do that this year. We also are going to stay in the palace of Versailles without cost, early in June. 

We are now Diamond Hilton member, which means you get a lot of perks for free. Being a diamond member allows you to enter the executie lounge without having to book a room which gives access to it. You also get a free breakfast. Most of the time, the hotel offers specials like a bottle of wine and chocolates. And also pretty often you get an upgrade to a better room or suite. Best thing is that you save up a lot of points which you can then use to spend free nights 

All in all, it's nice being able to travel again. We saved up quite a bit during those two years. Normally we spent a nice sum per year - I suppose when you'd make the total, we'd end up having spent the price of a big villa with surrounding park, just on travel. But for us a big house means nothing. Neither do we need expensive stuff to wear and we even don't have a car anymore. Experiences count for far more than possessions. Besides, we have house and a flat at the coast. That's more than enough. In my situation, I like to do as much as possible, because I don't know how long I still have to live. What you've done and experienced, they can't take away from you. That's my philosophy now.