AAA Traveler - Winter 2020 - 31

Hadrian's Wall in Ireland

tell them, 'I had another insomniatic night!'" Clark says. One
detail - a Germany tour - gave Clark sleepless nights as
they all waited to see if the tour would meet its minimum
booking requirement to run. "We kept waiting for it to go
definite. It was right in the middle, so if that didn't work, it
was going to be a 'throw it up in the air and start over
situation.' But it went definite and everything fell into place."

Travel Dreams Come True

While Leon counts his favorite stops by country, Jan has
single standout. "Edinburgh, [Scotland] was my favorite city
of the whole trip. I liked how it was set up, with old and new
parts. I enjoyed the wide-open space, walking the Royal Mile
and touring the castle," she says. "I think it was my favorite
because it was a nice surprise." In some cases, the surprises
weren't as nice.

The Titlers' trip has a long highlight reel. They explored
Ireland, bending over backward to kiss the Blarney Stone and
seeing the Cliffs of Moher they'd long seen in movies. Leon
fulfilled a dream of riding through the Channel Tunnel, aka the
Chunnel, under the English Channel from France to England.
In Paris, they visited the Eiffel Tower. Notre Dame had long
Go With the Flow
been on both their lists. They happened to visit just after a fire
The trip went off without a hitch - almost. Hiccups, the
raged through the famed cathedral. While their Notre Dame
Titlers say, are inevitable in travel, especially on such a long
visit hadn't been what they expected, it was no less historic to see
voyage. One happened when they were visiting Paris and their
the building at this crucial point in its history.
transportation dropped them off at the wrong pier. They were
Also in France, they saw Pointe du Hoc, the locale of the
stranded for hours far outside of town at a pier for a Viking
Allies' Normandy landings during World War II. Both had
cruise ship when they should have
family members who served during
been in town at a Uniworld cruise
World War II, so visiting the soldier
departure point. The Viking concierge
cemeteries there was a poignant
They explored Ireland,
helped them get back into the city with
moment of the trip. Visiting other
bending over backward to kiss
a reliable cab company, and Clark was
World War II historical sites in
the Blarney Stone and seeing
in touch with them via phone, even
Germany during other points of their
the Cliffs of Moher they'd long
though she was at home since it was a
trip, had a similarly somber tone. Their
seen in movies.
Sunday in the U.S. "It's just one of
time in Germany also included
those glitches," Jan says. "You have to
numerous visits to castles; they agree
go with the flow." Clark also ensured
King Ludwig II of Bavaria's
the Titlers received a refund for the
Neuschwanstein Castle was a standout.
unanticipated cab fare.
Russia was Leon's pick, which the architecture buff added to
Clark took a vacation herself during the Titlers' anniversary
the agenda so he could see the onion domes of Orthodox
tour. While she was away, she ensured a co-worker was on
churches and the Kremlin's grandeur.
standby to support them during the trip even when she was out
Jan enjoyed their time in Hong Kong. It hadn't initially
of the office.
been on the itinerary, but Clark added the four-day stopover
The Titlers marked their anniversary after their return, on
to bridge their time between Russia and China. "We were
Aug. 30, 2019. Leon was released from the hospital that day
right down the street from where real people lived," Jan says.
after emergency gall bladder surgery. "We were so pleased
"When you go on tours you don't often see where people live.
none of this happened on our jubilee trip!" Jan says.
You just see the highlights and what they want you to see.
The Titlers are already planning another trip; they're going
But we were able to see the real city."
on a Celebrity cruise with friends this month that Clark
planned for them. "She took over the planning for all eight
Yangtze River, China
of us," Leon says. "She got us additional benefits and perks
we wouldn't have had otherwise."
Celebrate a milestone with an unforgettable
vacation! Call 800-750-5386 and your local
AAA Travel Agent can help you plan it.
AAA Traveler - Winter 2020

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