Going to France, Spain this summer

At first the whole Europe trip seemed unlikely. Not only is the dollar at an all time low against the euro, but plane tickets to Paris began at $1,400.

Was it really worth it?

Sadly, yes.

How many free summers like this will we have?

Then we learned we could pool our American miles and get one ticket for just $300. The other, full price ticket was $1,450.

Things were looking up.

Then, disaster. American Airlines practically laughed at us when we tried to book a summer trip to Europe with our miles. “Our AAdvantage members are already booking trips for next spring,” they said.

Totally deflated, we searched Expedia one last time and, like a freak beam of sunlight that pierces torrential skies, United tickets popped up for under $700!

Europe, here we come! May 21-31, which gives us 10 full days over there.

We’ll start in Paris.

Hit Avignon or somewhere else in the south.

Then spend a very long weekend in Barcelona before flying home.

Whoo hoo! Thank you God! Thank you United!

[photos by flickr users cuellar, manufrakass, and 3dom]