...constantly searching to find the best travel deals and places to visit. A never-ending quest for adventure!

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Mid-Year 2021 Travel Check

The coronavirus is still lingering in 2021 which is affecting travel plans and a return to normal.  Airlines and hotels have made adjustments however I believe it will be some time before we get completely back to 'normal'.  I've resumed flying and trips (thrilled!) though wouldn't be surprised if there are adjustments through the fall.

American

I do not currently have status on American given limited flying in the past year.  Miles that I accumulated during the year were used to plan for a return trip to the Maldives in November on Qatar.  Can't wait to be in Qsuites!

United

United is still primary for me and with the early-year promo for PQP I'm surprisingly on track to requal for 1K.  Flying out of SFO hasn't been bad so far but I am missing Newark (I know, I know, bit of a contradiction).  

Hyatt

I've been enjoying Globalist this year for a number of trips and also during my cross-country drive.  Given my job change I've also been able to leverage extended stay rates and will easily re-qualify for Globalist next year beyond the offered promotion.   


It hasn't been easy to plan travel or see family over the past year - I'm optimistic that we are on a good track as countries around the world reopen.  Here's hoping I can still get back to the Maldives in November and Europe in October for a conference presentation!

Monday, July 19, 2021

25% off Swiss Pass (train) until July 31, 2021

Are you planning travel to Europe and Switzerland in the coming months?

RailEurope, one of my go-to sites for securing train passes, is offering 25% off the Swiss Pass - this gives access to any train and many city transportation systems in-country. 

Get 25% off the Swiss Travel Pass. Book now, before 31 July 2021. Travel remains completely flexible: the Swiss Travel Pass retains its validity for 11 months from the purchase date.


Thursday, July 15, 2021

Genealogy discovery

I was pretty thrilled over the past week about a major genealogy find for my family, one that opens the door to an entirely new section of research and history.  

To summarize: I've been searching for some time to find more information on a great-great grandparent on my dad's side of the family. He emigrated to the US through NY in 1890 from Switzerland, however, neither Great-Grandma nor my Grandma knew much more than that. He apparently never shared info about his parents nor birthplace/extended family, and no one has been able to locate his citizenship documentation.

A songbook that Grandma shared contained notations about him being "in Glarus" in 1876, so that was a key clue found a few years ago. My initial searches in online databases in Switz didn't find anything and I suspected this might be a dead end. 

This past week, however, I happened to find a website and individual who focuses solely on family genealogy for Glarus, and took a chance sending an email to see if he may have recommendations or information. He was able to find great-grandma's dad's family and more! 

- His family were in Ennenda: https://www.glarusfamilytree.com/kopie-von-riedern

- My first ancestors lived in Saanen, near Gstaad, Switzerland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saanen

- Eventually the family lived in Laufen an der Eyach, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laufen_an_der_Eyach

The information and links are absolutely fascinating (the name list in our tree is now over 2700!) The researcher confirmed that we have a direct line to Charlemagne and the links go back even further to BC. Some highlights:

Berengar I, King of Italy (abt 850) - 32nd Great Grandpa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berengar_I_of_Italy)
Mathilde Plantagenet von England (born at Windsor Castle 1156) - 27th Great Grandma (Matilda of England, Duchess of Saxony) and daughter of Henry II
Antenor I (abt 483 BC), last king of the Cimmerians (Cimmerians) - 85th Great Grandpa

Some framing info on the noble/royal connections is here: https://www.glarusfamilytree.com/nobility

I'm really looking forward to more research and visiting these towns during upcoming trips to the region.  Genealogy is such a rewarding activity and persistence is required!