Wish You Were Here
FRANCE: The Beaudry-Larson family is billing their vacation a “48th Parallel European Trip, from Pornic on the French west coast to the châteaus to Zurich and Bern, ending with 10 days in Paris,” Greg Larson says. A pause at the base of the Eiffel Tower gave the Santa Cruz family — clockwise from top, Camille Beaudry (10), Eileen Beaudry (Mom), Greg Larson (Dad) and Cavanaugh Larson (8) — the perfect photo op.
Travel tips: “Our kids are at a great age to travel, but we learned some key tips: Only one church or museum a day, always carry books for cafe time, keep a family journal at breakfast with everyone highlighting something from the day before, let the kids own the camera at times, enjoy the fantastic parks and rivers — and if you let the kids sleep late, one of the adults can sneak out to enjoy a morning walk and espresso in a new neighborhood.”
PACIFIC CREST TRAIL: A family trio — right to left, Campbell resident Esther Gamberutti, her brother Fernando Lugo, from Fresno, and her daughter Angela Carmack, from Santa Clara — are tackling the mighty Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches 2,650 miles from Mexico to the Canadian border, one section at a time. A six-day trek this spring took them from Campo, where the trail begins near the Mexican border, to Mount Laguna, pictured, and beyond. “The original plan was to do 110 miles, Campo to Warner Springs,” Esther says. “We only did 60 miles, and we’re still patting ourselves on the back. Our motto is, it’s not the miles, but the smiles. My brother, 74 years old, and I, 63, were the oldest hikers we encountered during our six-day adventure. I had a great time bonding with my brother and daughter. Precious memories made by all. Met interesting people and so many lone hikers going all the way to Canada! Wow.”
Travel tips: Go light, Esther says, with a pack that weighs 30 pounds or less. “We were each carrying 40 to 45 pounds — too much food and too much clothing. For our next adventure on the PCT, we will all be going lighter. We are learning.” NEW ZEALAND: Hayward residents John and Carol Hyde visited Akaroa during a 12-day cruise of Australia and New Zealand earlier this year. “You can see our ship in the background,” Carol says. “Akaroa means ‘long harbor’ in Maori, and it definitely was that. This was probably our favorite port. Charming town — half British, half French — and the local people were so kind and friendly, as were all the people we met on this journey.”
Travel tips: “We were there midsummer and the sun is very intense. Don’t forget sun protection of some sort. The American dollar is very strong against the Australian and New Zealand dollar right now, so you can find some real bargains.”
CUBA: San Jose residents Rosa Campos, Lupe Aguilar, Rose Flores, Emma and Mario Ramirez, Elaine and Don Wright, Becky and Mike Gomez, and Delma and Richard Gonzales, from Grandbury, Texas, are just back from Havana, where they stayed at the Quinta Avenida Hotel, pictured. “It was a trip of a lifetime,” Emma says. Among the highlights: “a ride in the classic cars of Cuba, salsa lessons, trips to a cigar farm and an organic farm, where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch (with) all the food grown on the farm.”
Travel tips: “Be prepared for the mosquitoes! Lots of them around the coastal areas. Be willing to explore and enjoy all the different Cuban food.”