Part One: Chasing Christmas in France
Ever since I can remember, it had been on my list to visit Europe during Christmas. While my recollection from my younger days seems to fade a little more every year, I imagine it had to do with this idealized vision of a proper winter holiday, wandering around villages blanketed by snow, with a hot chocolate in my hand. Growing up in Houston, Texas, there were a few winters where we bundled up with puffy jackets and layers, but it was never quite cold enough to have the Hallmark version of Christmas.
Fast forward twenty-something years. Imagine a stressed out, working adult using her lunch break to search for December destinations in the back room/office, on an old Mac desktop while eating a half decent homemade sandwich. Yeah. The stuff of legends. I clicked through offers of island getaways to the Caribbean and Mexico, when I scrolled down further on my Google search (yes, no creativity from my part whatsoever) and I saw a link to something akin to “Christmas Markets in Germany.” I squealed so loudly, my co-worker came in to make sure I was okay.
This was it. This is what I was looking for. I was bombarded with images of snow-covered churches, holiday themed booths, delicious savory snacks and drinks so hot you can see the steam from the top of every cup. I remember having flashbacks to my younger self wishing for this exact type of holiday. To say I was excited is an understatement. Within a span of several minutes, I had already envisioned myself in a colorful puffer jacket, new winter boots and cute accessories that any ski bunny would covet. Then I clicked on the bottom link.
Just as fast, it felt like my vacation plans were over before they even began. $3,000 USD? Just for one week? I paid way less for a full two weeks gallivanting through Italy, France and Spain a year before. I genuinely felt crushed. My face grew hot. Before I knew it, my lunch break was over and I begrudgingly headed back to work.
A few days later on a different lunch break, I had to look up something regarding my car so I opened up that old Mac desktop again. It looked like no one had used it since I had last logged in because my vacation search was still on display. Suddenly I was sad. My Christmas vacation dreams were so close, and yet so far. I exit out of the window and proceed to search whatever it was I was looking for. I proceed to eat my warm-ish pasta while staring at a blank screen. Something told me to search again, and I’m so glad that I did.
This time when I typed into the search box, I focused solely on European winter holiday destinations. It’s a genre all on its own. I was amazed to see the variety of packages available. Unsurprisingly, skiing and snowboarding were at the top. Since I really wasn’t in the mood to break any body parts, I continued on my search. A Viking Cruise through Switzerland? I’ve seen Titanic way too many times, so that’s a hard no. How about a romantic train ride throughout the European countryside? Hmm, I get claustrophobic after an hour or two, so maybe not.
I was beginning to lose hope again, when I clicked on a “Christmas Tour” link. I had never done a tour. My interest piqued. I read through several pages for specialized Christmas market tours. I could feel myself grow excited once again. Germany, Austria, Prague, France, and even Italy. This was so cool. Tours starting from a few days up to two weeks long, with planned itineraries filled with local cultural stops, promising shopping fun, and eating all the delicacies each city has to offer. I knew at that moment that regardless of the country I chose, I was going to spend my winter vacation in Europe. This time when my lunch break was over, I headed back to work giddy.
At home, I continued my search into the night. I had to narrow it down but how? I was logical. Started with my vacation availability. Due to working in retail, I knew Christmas and New Years were black-out dates, so the first two weeks of December it is. This actually narrowed down my search more than originally anticipated, because Austria and Prague didn’t have those dates available. At some point late in the night, it had come down to Germany and France. They both offer tours with different city configurations, the price points were similar, and both had cities I wanted to visit.
I must have fallen asleep at some point because I woke up to my alarm while I’m half hanging off the bed and my laptop hanging by my feet. Smooth. I closed my laptop and went on about my day. At work, fully awake, I had a sobering realization that the tours didn’t include my flight. I was so excited about narrowing down my vacation prospects I almost forgot one of the most important elements of planning any international trip - actually getting there! Once again, during my trusty lunch break, I began searching flights during my available dates, and could almost feel the crushing weight of a snow covered house toppling me over.
I thought finding a flight was going to kill me. While I had always been good when it came to trip planning and budgeting, this trip was slightly last minute. (It’s October, and I’m surrounded by Halloween decor in 90 degree heat. Thank you Texas.) I have a separate travel savings account that I hadn’t contributed to for a while, so no amount of girl math was going to save me from this one. I stopped my search again and focused on working that weekend.
It had been a few days since I last searched for anything regarding my holiday plans. Call it divine timing. What happened next was too perfect to be a coincidence. Within a span of three days, I received Google flight alerts with flights to France for right around $500 USD. Not bad for a roundtrip flight, right? I didn’t delete it as I tend to do when I get too many emails. Then I get a reminder email from my bank regarding my credit card. In the corner you can see my points. I very much had that ah-ha moment.
Of course I can use my points for this trip. How did I forget? I click through my bank's website and make my way to my account information. The reason I selected this credit card is because of the travel points, but I hadn’t used it in a while, so I forgot I had any points available. I began to search through the travel portal, and I found the same flight to France. Out of curiosity, I clicked the checkout button with my points and brought down my flight to right under $229 USD. I didn’t even hesitate. I just clicked the button and in seconds I had purchased my flight. Within minutes I secured a spot on the tour.
It was like I was hit with a jolt of electricity from the moment I clicked those buttons. I was going to spend a winter holiday in France! Finally! My 14 year old self would be elated. My imagination got the better of me again. I was mentally preparing all my cute outfits. I was making notes of gaps I would need to fill in my wardrobe. It was time to invest in a winter coat. I proceeded to go on my Pinterest board and found my Christmas Market pins I have had saved for years. I began researching each city stop, the weather, local customs, and so much more. I was ready.
Then I received a separate email from the tour group company. I began to read everything slowly. Over and over again. The excitement I felt quickly transformed into anxiety. I would be sharing a room with a complete stranger. I would be on a bus with people from all over the world that I’ve never met. I have to stick to an itinerary not made by me. Whoa.
As we come to the conclusion of Part One of this story, I realized that I’m coming from a privileged point of view. I’m spending a week on vacation in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Chill girl, right? Yes, of course I know. The panic I felt was still real. I have been an avid solo traveler for most of my adult life. On occasion I’ve had the opportunity to travel with friends and family, but I’ve never traveled with strangers. Not a new concept, but it was new to me.
Next up, Part Two: Packing, Panic, and Pumpkin Spice: Preparing for My First Group Tour