From Preface--

"Our friends usually don't ask us how we are doing--they usually ask, 'Where are you off to now?' 'How can you possibly top your last trip?' They know Vilma is forever having visions--searching out far-away adventure, with plans to drag her story-telling Sherpa (read husband) to places he couldn't spell, much less show you their locations on a map."

"Vilma, you see, was born to travel. She was blessed with a clear vision of her life's destiny, and possesses a determination and doggedness that only an ant colony could love. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, I simply call her Precious. An endearing term I use throughout this story."

From Chapter 4--The Feria of Sevilla

"As we sipped our wine, music began to play and the excited crowd started shifting to the courtyard square. Precious lunged for her camcorder; I grabbed my wineglass, and we were in close pursuit. Wow—the scene unfolding before us was electric! The evening dusk had settled, and the candles were just perfect. At the center of the square the colorful Flamenco dancers were dancing to the early sequences of Bolero. If you remember, each successive pass of the music becomes more and more intense. I was really getting into this! Suddenly, through the arched gate off to our left, a magnificent white Andalusian horse adorned with six-foot white wings entered—he was the winged Pegasus! All eyes were fixed on the mythical steed as he pranced under a spotlight to the music. The crowd was absorbed—this was theater at its finest. As the seductive dancers swirled and arched their bodies, they escorted the mythical horse to center stage. He pranced in circles, in step with the music while the dancers, now surrounding him, matched his every movement. Knowing what was coming, I was just tingling with anticipation. Suddenly cymbals clashed, cannons boomed, and the dancers reaching climax reached for the sky—freezing in position! The dancers appeared exhausted and all conquering—Bolero and the bowed winged Pegasus had once again worked their magic. Precious, I need a smoke!"

From Summary--

"Remember that back in February we were able to go to the Romantica Ball in Venice, Italy? How could you forget me parading around in tights as Romeo, and Precious, my beautiful Giulietta? St. Mark’s Square will never be the same! We headed to Spain and joined in on the annual Spring Fair—the Feria. Dressed in traditional costumes, we partied into the night. And let’s not forget the sexy Flamenco party at the finca." "... We drank Port wine while cruising down the Douro River in Portugal on our rabello boat. Next came the Formula One Grand Prix race at Monaco. Two weeks later we were in France marveling at the famous spectacle of the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race. In Germany we walked hand-in-hand with the town’s night watchman and even shared his wine. Budapest, Hungary was next, and we got up-close and personal to this incredible city. We won’t soon forget visiting Statue Park and getting chills while looking at the giant-sized Communist statues. And I will never forget the smile on Vilma’s face while dancing on the Blue Danube River. The tears running down her cheek simply said it all!"

"Not to be outdone was the beautiful city of Prague, Czech Republic—what a surprising city. We then sailed through the islands of Croatia on the Adriatic, stopping to marvel at Korcula and Dubrovnik—ports of mystical beauty. Italy came next, with a wonderful experience in a Trullo home in Southern Italy, plus the Amalfi Coast. Beautiful Tuscany, with a villa in the heart of Chianti followed; ah, that wine country! We ventured into ancient Greece and were awed by the beginnings of democracy and the ancient Olympics. Then Santorini, to be spoiled after yet another wonderful yachting experience through the Ioanian Islands with family and friends. And finally, our stay in Turkey, and our first look into the mysterious world of Islam."

"These are only some of our most memorable highlights. I also remember having my clothes stolen in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain; our feet hurting constantly; and being lost often in every major city. And I could go on. You can’t travel abroad for as long as we did without collecting a lifetime’s worth of experiences..."