The really big picture: Seattle > London > Valencia > London > Reykjavik > Seattle.

First, a few days in London, specifically Chiswick:

Next, three weeks in Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia – chosen because it has history and charm coming out of its ears, is the true home of paella, and is (according to R’s extensive research – fingers crossed) about the most reliably sunny city in Europe at this time of the year:

For the first two weeks we’ll be at the Españole Escuela de Idiomas, in the heart of the old city – after which, for sure, hablaremos español con total fluidez:

Then a week of playing tourist in the city, i.e. absorbing the history, eating too much, and walking a lot in an attempt to compensate; and then a week touring north to Tarragona along a route perhaps something like this:

After that, back to London for a few nights. And finally three nights in Reykjavik, all because one of K’s key goals in life is to see the Northern Lights while lying in a hot tub:

Then home to Anacortes on May 25th: