Megan & Stanley

Inspired by a bookseller and designed by Antonio Gaudi, this unique Gothic and contemporary cathedral is not expected to be complete until 2026. It is open for viewing, however, and we would love to have a tour of the inside.

The Dolomites have been a popular destination for climbers since 1887. Only here can multipitch climbs end with wine and cheese on the mountain top, followed by a tram ride down ;). Sounds like paradise.

Its big...its iconic...we must see it!

A romantic gondola ride through Venice. What better way could there be to see a city that is partially underwater?

A Benedictine monastery on the outskirts of Barcelona surrounded by the birthplace of Catalonian climbing! We'd love to stay the night at the monastery and greet the sunrise from the top of the Gorros formations after an early morning climb.

Barcelona is peppered with fantastic boutique museums and art galleries, including MUHBA (which houses a subterranean Roman city in its subbasement) and the Museu Picasso de Barcelona.

The summer operas in Rome are held at the Baths of Caracalla. We would love to see a show with these amazing ruins as a backdrop.

Beautiful limestone cliffs located along the south coast of France. The Calanques offer multipitch climbing right above the water, a true climbers paradise.

While in Rome, we would love to explore some Roman ruins, including the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine.

A tour of the Dodge palace that includes its underground tunnels (the political underbelly of Venice) and its works of art (including paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto).

Is the Mona Lisa smiling? I think she is :).

We would love to visit Vatican city to see Michelangelo's Sistine chapel ceiling and St. Peters Basilica.

The Yosemite of France. Enough said ;).

The monastery at Montserrat is open to a small number of guests each evening. We'd love to spend a peaceful evening surrounded by the mountains in this magical place.

While we are out frolicking in Europe Porter and Indiana will need to stay in Irvine, at daycare. Provide them with a couple of extra treats while we're away and maybe a bath or doggie pedicure before they come home.

Stan will miss his piano while we're gone. Help us upgrade to an apartment with a piano so that he can play the night away :).

The Rifugi are alpine mountain huts that are common accommodations for climbers or hikers in the Alps. Many are quaint and charming, and most are secluded (only accessible by foot). We'd love to stay the night in one and have a nice meal during our time in the Dolomites.

Marseille is the land of seafood. Known for bouillabaisse, cuttlefish, grilled angler, and the sea urchin omelet! We can't wait to try it all :).

A romantic night out at one of the many lovely restaurants in Paris. Escargot anyone?

Treat us to some gelatto while we roam the streets of Venice. So many flavors to choose from!

As some of you know, Stan and I have a tradition of running to breakfast (or brunch...if we're lazy and don't get up until late ;)). We'd love to do this at least once in each town we visit.

Because sometime a glass of wine is perfect before a long inflight movie (perhaps The Princess Bride...as you wish ;))

Megs favorite! The best way to try "just a little bit" of all the flavors of Spain :).

Ah yes, an airplane. Because we have to get there somehow, and swimming would take longer than the available sabbatical.

The best way to travel around Europe (when not scaling buildings in a single bound ;)).