Day 92: Vacation Favorites: Biarritz, France 1999

Hands down, the most extravagant trip I've ever- EVER - been on, was to Biarritz, France my sophomore year of college. Dad, in all his beloved spontaneity, had come to BYU on a Friday night to watch Joe do a show. I still remember sitting across the table from him at dinner that night when he told us that he had received a last minute invite for a media trip to go to France the next Tuesday (4 days away) and that there were 2 extra seats available. I gladly volunteered myself to go (to the ultimate disapproval of several professors) and scrambled to get a passport together and projects finished before we took off.

From start to finish, this trip was non-stop luxury: floor to ceiling windows featuring a view of the ocean and lighthouse (only for me and bobby - sorry mom and dad that you guys got stuck in maids' quarters), 600 count Egyptian cotton sheets with down feather duvets, REAL gifts on your pillow every night, complimentary spa treatments, a gourmet feast every night, an open soda bar, day trips to Spain and Basque country, and, to top off the week-long celebration - a ROYAL BALL where we were outfitted in costumes based on the royal period of the late 1800s and danced the night away. It was heaven to be there!

Dad - all of the trips you were able to take us on were definitely not part of a typical childhood. Thanks to you and your job, we've all seen incredible parts of the world that have enriched our lives and improved our understanding of different cultures, languages, lifestyles, etc. I hope to see more posts from us highlighting some of our favorite vacations. Thanks for this one, dad. Je t'aime!