HBlog has been quiet for a while, and with good reason: My husband Esteban and I have been traveling for the past month. I began keeping a journal of sorts in the weeks leading up to our trip. Here’s the first entry — with many more to come.

Exactly four weeks from today — on Thanksgiving Day, quite appropriately — we leave for a month in Europe. But it wasn’t until last weekend that we decided exactly where in Europe.

We knew for a fact we’d fly in and out of Paris (because we’re using frequent-flyer miles, and those were the cheapest tickets). The rest, however, was a giant question mark.

At various points we unfolded maps, read travel blogs, consulted friends, and checked out library books. We scoured booking.com for rooms in Prague and Greece and Ireland.

Then, one day, I approached Esteban with an idea: “We’ll be there near the holidays. Why not check out some Christmas markets?” It wasn’t much of an idea, but at least we had a theme.

Ladies and gentlemen, meine Damen und Herren, mesdames et messieurs, I present to you … our itinerary!

Up next: Figuring out what (and how) to pack.