My hubby, Denis and I live in a small town in Eastern Ontario, Canada. I was born and raised in Montreal (Go, Habs, Go) and Denis was born in Windsor. We met at Carleton University in the late 1970s and have been together ever since, married since 1982.
We have 2 children in their early twenties and 1 beautiful grandson, Sebastian, who is the light of our lives. I have worked in the investment industry for the last 12 years. Den & I both love to cook and we really like to try new ethnic cuisines. Our love of good food was a determining factor in choosing France and Italy as our first European destinations. We had previously made 8 trips to the Caribbean (Mexico, Cuba and the last 5 to Negril, Jamaica)in the last 6 years. Last year,we fulfilled a long time dream and took a 3 week European vacation to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We did all the planning and booking ourselves, which was almost as much fun as the trip itself. We visited Paris, Tuscany, Rome and Positano and our lives were changed forever.
Discovering the history, culture, beauty (and food!) of France and Italy made us want to see more. What we thought was a once in a lifetime trip has become a quest to discover more of these beautiful countries. We thought we were content to take 2 beach vacations a year and just relax in the sun for a week at a time. Well, discovering Europe has made us want to see more. We are going back to Paris for 2 weeks next month and are planning another trip to Italy in 2009 and possibly Greece in 2010. Denis has become convinced that we will retire in Paris in about 12 years (we both speak French fluently) and has already begun slowly exploring the different possibilities. I'm not quite there yet, but I know that travel to Europe has become both our passion and we can't wait to continue to live, love, eat and travel!
Comments (9)
Look beyond Paris to the French countryside for your retirement.
Posted by Ken | April 16, 2008 8:06 AM
Posted on April 16, 2008 08:06
Congratulations on your new blog -- I love the header photo, a great shot!
Posted by Sandra | April 16, 2008 9:49 PM
Posted on April 16, 2008 21:49
Welcome to Slow Blog! Love your header photo and look forward to reading more.
Posted by Annie | April 17, 2008 9:55 AM
Posted on April 17, 2008 09:55
Loved reading how your European trip for your 25th anniversary spurred a whole new direction for your lives. Very, very exciting! Will be looking forward to reading all about the upcoming trip. Great start for your blog and you've got readers out here waiting for more! Barb Cabot
Posted by Barb Cabot | April 19, 2008 1:43 PM
Posted on April 19, 2008 13:43
This is a great start! I look forward to reading more about your advantures.
Posted by Jerry | April 19, 2008 8:30 PM
Posted on April 19, 2008 20:30
Hi! Just stumbled onto your blog and I am hoping you get to Paris before me (early June) to tell all about it! Cheers! Suzanne
Posted by suzielarose | April 20, 2008 9:16 AM
Posted on April 20, 2008 09:16
A belated Happy Birthday to you Jo!!
Wonderful blog...very enjoyable!! Have a great evening & hug Den for us!
We'll keep tuned in for more...
Liz
Posted by Liz | May 14, 2008 2:33 PM
Posted on May 14, 2008 14:33
Great blog. I love your header photo too!
Posted by Ya Ping | May 23, 2008 3:28 PM
Posted on May 23, 2008 15:28
Somehow I didn't notice your blog until now! Great blog, love the header photo.
Belated welcome to the slow travel blogosphere!
Posted by Chiocciola | May 27, 2008 9:20 AM
Posted on May 27, 2008 09:20