Interview with Brian Boyle

Name: Brian Boyle
Age: 35

When and where did you go on your first ExperiencePlus! tour?
In 2005, I rode from Venice to Florence.

Was this your first trip overseas?
Yes it was. I didn't know what to expect, but I did have the time of my life and look forward to doing it again.

What does bicycle travel give you that other trips don’t?
It gives me much more satisfaction than traveling by car, plane or train. I get to go at my own pace and I get plenty of fresh air.

Describe your perfect bike ride or trip.
A great ride takes me to someplace new - somewhere I haven't been before.

What is the most unique or meaningful souvenir you’ve ever brought home from an ExperiencePlus! tour or from another trip?
Years ago, my sister lived in Southern California and took me across the border to Mexico. There were some kids peddling some small hand-painted bobble head turtles and I picked up a couple. When I visited Venice with Experience Plus, I was in a shop and found a small Murano glass turtle to go with my bobble head turtle.

Describe the best meal you have had while traveling.
My favorite meal while traveling was in Ravenna. It was a dinner-on-your-own night. My room-mate Ed, told the tour guides that the two of us would like to go with them for dinner. So the guides, Christina, Yorgos and Sara took us to a small restaurant just outside the town center. The company was fantastic and the atmosphere was outstanding. We ate outside on a patio under the stars. Sara was extremely hungry and took it upon herself to order for all of us. And to be honest, I can't really remember all of what I had, but I do remember it was very delicious.

How many bikes do you currently own?
Unfortunately only one. But I am dreaming.

Does it have a name?
No, but it seems like it should.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know.
I'd like to put a book together about my cycling adventures.

What question do you wish we had asked, and how would you have answered?
What was my favorite story from my trip? My favorite story is from Venice. I had just spent my very first full day in Europe and I was in awe of everything. And I had just finished my dinner and went looking for a grocery store to find a nice bottle of wine to take back to my hotel. I found a store that's no bigger than my closet. I was not really worried about the language barrier since I was in a touristy spot. I was told that most everyone in and around these areas spoke at least some English. So, I pick up a bottle of wine, do a 180 and set it on the counter and the woman behind the counter looks at me and says "Stop!" I couldn't figure out what she meant.

A view of Venice. Wild thoughts ran through my mind. I thought that they may have liquor laws. For example, in Minnesota you can't buy alcohol after a certain time. I thought to myself, "That can't be it, I'm in Italy and Italians drink wine like water." Then I looked down to see if I crossed a line. I didn't. So I said, "Parla inglese?" Which is one of the only Italian phrases I know. So then she said, in Italian, to the customer standing next to me something that sounded like, "How do you say stop in English?" Of course he said, "Stop". Then she looks at me and says, "Stop".

I have a really puzzled look on my face because I can't figure out what she's trying to tell me. Then she asked me if I was stopped. Then it clicked and I figured out that she was asking me instead of telling me. In the end, the wine was made even better through the experience of acquiring it.