I have only one month. Thirty days. Departure from ORD to who knows where. I wish I could report that I have more details, have shaken down a bit of information of the destination from our vacation planner extraordinaire – but alas I have not. I still have no idea where I am going for nine nights and ten days.

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Itinerary (I use this term loosely)

Less than a year ago this whole adventure started over breakfast. Idle chit chat to planning an adventure, destination unknown. Finally, we are under a month counting down till our departure. It is exciting, know that we will finally know where we are going. It is also very nerve-wracking knowing so little about our destination and what we could possibly be doing. Here is what little we do know:

• Wednesday
  • Depart ORD in the morning, arrive somewhere else in the evening and stay at the hotel (Site #1 of 3 – city location)
• Thursday
  • City location, full day to explore
• Friday
  • City location, full day to explore, dinner reservations in the evening
• Saturday
  • Check out of hotel, taxi back to the airport to pick up our rental car. Drive to Site #2 of 3 (town location), taking about 3 hours to drive. Prior to arriving at Site #2 will pick up groceries for our stay.
• Sunday
  • Town location, full day to explore. Has walking trails and cultural sites. Possible mystery excursion but no info until we are at the airport.
• Monday
  • Spa day in the morning – four hours planned. Additional time to explore the town location.
• Tuesday
  • Check out, depart for Site #3 (town/nature). Distance is approximately 4-5 hours away, including a stop at a “must-see” place. To arrive at Site #3 there is also boat ride involved. Not certain on the size of said boat but assume it can hold the rental car? Maybe? No idea.
• Wednesday
  • Full day to explore
• Thursday
  • Full day to explore
• Friday
  • Return to mystery airport by early afternoon, taking into consideration there is a boat ride and drive to the airport. We arrive at ORD in the evening.

Current Adventures

The one thing I do know is that there will be a spa day. This occurs on Monday and is the one thing I am really looking forward to. We were given options initially on what to choose so that everything could be booked ahead of time. I believe I have selected the aromatherapy massage with the body scrub.

Packing List…Possible Location Hints?

With less than a month to go, when I plan trips I actually know where I am going, I would be deciding on outfits, which coats to bring and shoes to pack. Problem is I do not know where I am going. Guidelines are helpful but still leaves the “what to pack” wide open. The only thing I really have control over is what I pack with. This meant I got to go shopping.

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I have a nice suitcase that I plan to use my new packing cubes in. This should also help store any purchases I make while on the trip since I have been told there is ample shopping. Since I usually pack all my toiletries in two small bags, I am really excited to use the eBags folding flat toiletry bag. This should make packing the suitcase even easier with all these little rectangles to position nicely as we travel from location to location. Since we are four ladies in a medium size rental car, I thought it would be practical to find a nice undersize travel rolling bag for under the seat. Here is hoping I can get everything I need in it!

Here are the guidelines we were given to help guide us for packing: “Regarding clothes, the arrival city has a metropolitan feel to it and we have a few occasions where nicer clothes may be appropriate (and by nicer, I mean simply not jeans/leggings/schlump clothes). There will be no “fine dining” level of clothes required. Your usual “Chicago” clothes are completely sufficient. Plan on packing with flexible layers in mind – tank tops, short sleeve, light weight long sleeve, legging/tunic, light weight capris, jeans, etc.”

This gave me no insight. None. The only thing I can think of is that we are somewhere that is not hot. I will probably focus on a few things over the coming weeks to distract myself and leave packing to the last minute. Maybe this will make certain I do not stress about the unknown. I have absolutely no idea on where we could be going, my guesses lead me to believe Europe (England? Spain? France?) What I do know is that I am looking forward to the day we arrive at O’Hare and FINALLY find out where our adventure will take us!