"What company is planning this trip for you?"

Earlier this evening, that was the text I got from one of my old friends. Although he has spent more over a year in Australia, the incredible breadth and scope of what we have been able to do with this trip has given him the impression that it was set up by professionals. I freely confess that I have done little to no planning for myself, and have followed people around who have far superior planning capabilities, but that has only allowed me to take in all of the amazing places that I have been this week alone.

For starters, the AIB has taken me to two cities in three days this week, with guided tours and free exploration to be had in both. Starting with Koblenz on Monday, we visited an opera house, a fort, and the German Corner. The opera house and its tour showed the inner workings of a historical opera house, from prop making to stage preparation. The fort provided a stunning overlook of the two rivers and the point where they met. The German Corner and its monumental statue were exceptional as well. The next of the AIB excursions took us to Cologne, with a guided tour that covered many of the quirks of the city that set it apart from the other places in Germany. The funny statues were especially memorable.

In addition to the excursions taken with the AIB, I have done quite a bit in my free time as well. Hiking to the ruins of Drachenfels for starters, followed by a pitstop in Brussels before a weekend in Paris. Taking a full day to appreciate the palace and gardens of Versailles was an experience that cannot be put into words. The following day was spent seeing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc, and just walking along the streets of Paris, enjoying the sights and foods that the city had to offer.