ESCAPESEEKER’S ROAD ADVENTURE–
LESSONS ON GRATITUDE:

Newport Beach, California — After 25 hours of traveling by car, plane, and car again, the ESCAPESEEKER film team is back on U.S. soil once more..ok, almost everyone. Gabrielle was offered a $600 voucher if she would volunteer to give up her seat on American Airlines’ overbooked flight…and she thought about it for a nano second…one more day in Rome and a free ticket for future travel? What else would you expect from an offspring of an ESCAPESEEKER? I do hope she’s on today’s plane. Gabrielle loves Italy almost as much as I do!

European lifestyle just seems to agree with Gabrielle!

Well, I awakened at 3:00 a.m. today, which I figured my body is thinking it just had a major sleep-in, because that would be noon in Rome. So, my options were to go to the 24-hour grocery store and start resuming my homelife, or begin making a slideshow of our filming adventure and attempt to convey in writing/images my reflections of what I’ve gleaned from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Honestly, looking back, my immediate thought is simple: GRATITUDE.

The month-long journey has filled my heart with GRATITUDE. First of all, none of it would have been possible without the support of my family and the group known as “FRIENDS OF ESCAPESEEKER” who continue to offer their generous support, (both ‘in-kind’ and financial) and, are helping turn our ESCAPESEEKER TV Series into reality! Next, there’s the talented film crew, who go to any lengths in order that we can accomplish what we’ve set out to do: TO JOYFULLY SEEK OUT THE WORLD’S GREATEST DESTINATIONS! If you think filming is difficult, that’s just one-third of the process. The development/planning phase that takes place, even before we set foot on the airplane, is intense. And, now that it is “all in the can” as they say in the business, the long sleepless nights that will follow in order to weave our images into a compelling story is a given…and we are excited to give it all we’ve got, just as we have done with the other previously shot episodes.

Third, on behalf of the entire ESCAPESEEKER team, I wish to sincerely thank all of the people who gave of their precious time, talents, and resources to participate in our filming process, including the hotel GM’s and their hard-working staff–our job would have been so difficult without you! THANK YOU so very much.

On a personal note, what the experiences of this past month has taught me is how ALIKE we all are. We may be culturally different, but when it comes down to it at the end of the day, we are all one…seeking to find JOY in our daily lives by engaging in worthwhile endeavors that make a difference in other people’s lives…and forging meaningful relationships with our family, our friends, and luckily for our ESCAPESEEKER team, you are all so open to make new ones. Thank you for taking us into your hearts, your home, and your places of business…and sharing with us those things most precious to you: Your country and its unique art and culture, along with its engaging historic past–we’ve all learned so much from you and have grown in so many ways (yes, our waistline can attest to that :-)…we are so thankful for the joy and laughter we’ve shared.

Last but not least, I am grateful for good health that enabled my to do? ESCAPESEEKER team to accomplish all that we had to do…for eyes that enabled all of us to partake of the many unforgettable wondrous beauty that abound…for God’s constant watchful eye that kept us safe during our long journey…and for this precious privilege I have been given to share it all with you.

For the next few days, I will attempt to recap each of the stops we made on our filming adventure. Here you go, today’s result from my 3:00 a.m. awakening. France, Part 1: ROYAL CHAMPAGNE.

Napoleon and his noble suite used to stop over at Royal Champagne en route to Rheims, where coronations for the Kings of France took place. The luxurious suites afford panoramic views of the vineyards of the Champagne valley. And, its exquisitely pure French restaurant will thrill your palate! Kid you not. But what you may even love most about Royal Champagne is the incomparable attentive service you will receive from every member of their staff. They will ensure your stay is truly unforgettable.

Below is a sneak peak at our ESCAPESEEKER experience.

Remember to stay tuned for Part 2, when we travel southward to Cognac and Bordeaux and arrive at Chateau de Mirambeau.

Keeping you posted,

Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER