European beds

Most European hotels offer, at best, a queen size bed. That's the size of our bed at home, so . . . no problem. They call it a double, since it sleeps two. In some places this double is actually two narrow twins pushed together, and that actually works well--I wasn't bothered when Reg came to bed late and he wasn't bothered when I got up early.

Instead of a top sheet, blanket, and bedspread or other top layer, each person gets his or her own duvet. Each duvet is folded in thirds and placed on the bed when housekeeping cleans the room.

For cold blooded people like me, it was terrific. My own cozy cover! No struggle finding a compromise. For warm blooded people like Reg and in hotels with little or no air-conditioning, it wasn't so great. With the duvet on, it was too warm. With the duvet off, it was too cold. I spent many nights in an endless cycle of pulling on and pushing off the duvet.

And don't let the pillows fool you. European hotels offer feather pillows. Now you might like that, but we don't. They look nice and fluffy, but when you put your head on them, it sinks like a rock right down to the mattress. Ugh. And it makes it almost impossible to find a comfortable position to read in bed.

Last night I got to sleep in my very own bed with my very own pillow!! I missed my very own duvet, but it really was heaven to be home!