Join me on my first official “Around the World in 80 Days” (last year’s was technically only 68)! My travel includes the following:

1. The Trans-Siberian Express starting in Beijing, going westward to Moscow via Ulan Bator (Mongolia), Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Ekaterinaburg and Kirov; we will spend time in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

2. Stops in German-speaking countries including Switzerland and Austria (and of course Germany!). Traveling alone, I plan to hit various musical events including the International Salzburger Festival, where plan to see Jonas Kaufmann, one of my three favorite opera singers. I will also see Cecilia Bartoli in Gstaad, Switzerland, with friend Helena. A two-week course in Schwabisch Hall at the Goethe Institute will be the anchor for this travel and help me improve my German.

3. After flying back to the States via New York in the Fall, I look forward to seeing my favorite female opera star Anna Netrebko at the NY Metopera. After that, I’ll tour the Fall Foliage in Upstate NY with fellow traveler Karen.

4. The finale will be a cross-country trip via Amtrak via Philadelphia, Chicago, Santa Fe, and LA.

Those of you who have been following my blog over the past year recognize the focus on cultural events, art and architecture, history, and music. Please let me know if you have friends who may be interested in following my wanderings. I’ll send them invitations to join the fun. It helps me to track who’s reading, but I’d also like to get a sense of what interests them. Keep the comments coming–I appreciate hearing from you. It does get lonely at times so your messages are always welcome.

There will be plenty of twists and turns along the way, so don’t be surprised if there are deviations or last minute changes. We only confirmed our Chinese train through Russia two days ago, so it has already been a bit of a cliff hanger! The trip officially starts July 25, so get ready to blast off!

Photo Above: Breakfast on the Veranda of Kolubek Hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey (2014)
Updated (8/6/15)