Winter Olympics 2026

Thursday – February 5 – Milano

THE WINTER OLYMPICS 2026 – MILAN AND CORTINA, ITALY

WOW! My first Olympics! I am so very, very excited!

I must begin by wishing my wife, Karen, a very happy 83rd birthday! I then want to thank my family – daughter, Paige, and spouse Jonathan, along with granddaughter Mae.

And their traveling friends, Chris Campbell and spouse Derrick Eells, and their two boys, Foster, age 8; and Brooks, age 10.

Paige and Jonathan met Chris and Derrick at the United Airlines counter in Lincoln many years ago. Turns out that both couples were headed to Iceland via Minneapolis, and the Lincoln leg was delayed to the extent that they would miss their connection. A quick call to Duncan Aviation, and the four of them made their connection on time. It was the beginning of a great friendship between lovers of travel and adventure. 

Derrick founded TenDot – a corporate travel and incentive firm. It is so perfect to have a top-notch travel guy in the family.

I began thinking about the ‘26 Winter Games months ago. I was surprised and delighted when Paige said they were going – sign me up! Derrick managed tickets to events, our hotel, and dinner reservations – just about everything.

On our flight from London to Milan, we were asked to turn off all our devices because of very low ceilings and fog. When we landed 10 minutes later, the sun was shining. It was either the Robert Duncan luck or a message that we are in for a great experience.

Our hotel is right in the center of Milano (I am picking up Italian very quickly). In fact, “Duomo” is part of its name. We met the Eells – had some lunch and a Long Island Iced Tea – then off to walk and shop with the Duncan/Henning family for the afternoon. We were just steps away from the incredible Duomo and its secondary neighbor “The Galleria.” Despite being here several times, I am amazed at the incredible beauty of both. Walking on, past La Scala, Mae found a “secondhand” shop, a most unusual eyeglass shop along with many more, selling all types of things. It was a great afternoon!

Dinner was scheduled for 7 after a 30-minute ride. Our driver could not get through the busy and often closed streets. We ended up walking for 10 minutes to a different neighborhood Italian place. The food was great – the family(s) even better! They had no martini glasses; however, I am here to tell you “The DuncanTini” tastes just as good in a wine glass!

I am so looking forward to tomorrow.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!