As always we will be there in spirit!!!

No lobster no go!

I'll be there, hopefully. I look forward to this trip every year. Thanks for the heads up re: the date. Nice to have this info early in the planning. I will understand, though, if that date changes to a week earlier. I can deal with that.

Hanuman, there is plenty of lobstah in Boston! Come on over!

pook---if you comr, we will have tons of fresh lobsters

s/b: come

Looking forward to it, lobsters and all...

Hmm... I wonder if we can manage this so close to our Japan trip.

cheryl will pay from her new retirement monies!!

alaska air, direct flt fr SEA

ttt

Missing it again, darn. I'll hopefully be in San Diego at a wedding. Maybe 2014?

ttt

I plan to be int eh states for three weeks around those dates so if there is a date change please post immediately.

Hmmm... Will keep this in mind. Would love to meet some of the folks who have given us such great advice.

As always, we will be there.

Maybe one event just north of Boston somewhere between routes 128 and 495?

Any interest in moving the GTG to Sat night dinner from Sat. afternoon lunch. The dinner at Similans is always such fun and with really, really good food. We've gone the last couple of years and have met some really lovely people.

First, Bob (and Karen) deserve a lot of credit & thanks for all of their efforts over the years in organizing this thing.

I think it would be a good thing if the main event were at a relatively central location that's easily accessible by public transportation. That would give people the most options for where to stay (for out-of-towners) and how to get there (for everyone).

we had thought that in the past don, but discovered no one came by public transportation... we will rethink it again however..

N of boston-- will keep that in mind too. we'd love to get a lobster venue of some kind...

finding a place on a sat. night without a huge room charge, and with some privacy, might prove difficult, but we will entertain it.

I've put it on the calendar. Our schedules are hard to predict this far out, but hoping we can be there again this year--although I will be very jealous of everyone getting ready to leave for Japan!

see you in japan also..

BOB, sorry M and I can't make it, we will just have to make do with BKK .

I'll put those dates on our calendar! We will plan to be there! We had so much fun at the last one and look forward to seeing everyone again and meeting new people!

we may have to cancel the boston GTG if everyone is going to be in japan

ttt

hope to work out all the details before mid-april when we leave for 6 weeks in europe

do not have all the locations yet, but expect we will be back at the same hotel (residence inn, norwood), same restaurant for the GTG as it was well received, and hopefully a seafood place (local) for sat. night... K says she will host friday night again as we really enjoyed that last year...

date: oct 11-13, 2013

This is the definite date?

yes, but wait a couple of weeks before making reservations... i need to speak to each venue

It's on my Calendar.

I thought the Norwood place was great--easy to find, easy parking, good space.

Another six weeks in Europe, eh? Wonderful life you and Karen have. Such a life couldn't happen to a better couple : )

Thanks, Bob and Karen, for all your hard work in putting this GTG on the calendar! Much appreciated.

Thanks, I think we may try and adjust our fall vacation plans to make the GTG. Would love to meet some of the people who have helped me with my trip last year and again this year.

We have the dates on our calendar and are looking forward to it!

Where in Europe are you going? Have a great trip!

FLA---our ship (celebrity silhoutte transatlantic from ft lauderdale--15 days) arrives in rome and from there we will visit my sister who lives near todi in umbria... from there we will stay near poppi in tuscany for a few days... we will drive north to lake maggiore and stay at bavena for several days... from there we spend a few days near asti... we will finally spend 8 days in the small town of collobrieres, france, west of st tropez in the hills, with some english friends. the house we will rent belongs to some other english friends--we have stayed there several times in the past...
we will fly home directly from nice via gatwick/LHR (ugh--to the transfer).

Bob, say hello to my Umbrian friends when you are there! They are in Spoletto. Your trip sounds great. Do you have any/many ports of call on that cuise??? Fifteen days at sea might get "old"... for me anyway. Hopng you have calm seas all the way!!

Wish I could get DH to go back to Italy next week when we are going over to Switzerland, but alas... not this time. No free time in the schedule...

Looking forward to the GTG, as we do every year. I really have to look at possibly going back to Japan for the GTG there. One of the best times we ever had was meeting up with Mr. and Mrs. Hawaiiantraveler and Mr. and Mrs. Karanosuke. We met up in Tokyo at a yakatoria and drank them out of sake! We didn't feel too good the next day, but we sure did have a blast!

Bob, too bad we will be missing each other. We leave for Sicily April 7. We will be spending 24 hours in Rome April 18-19. When will you be there?

laurie--we won't be in rome at all... just to get off the boat north of rome..

do come to japan---oct 25-28 in tokyo... nov 2-7 kyoto

Sounds like a great trip, Bob! I haven't been to Italy in many years and really want to go back! What fun you'll have! I trust you'll write a trip report!

Laurie - I want to hear the details about Sicily at the GTG. I've been wanting to go there too! Of course, I'll be looking for your trip report too!

thinking i will not write a trip report...

Florida, I wish I was looking forward to Sicily. I mean, I am, but so far, the only thing we have booked are the first two nights in Catania and the last two nights, in Rome and Munich. I really need to get going, look at the guide books and Michelin map of Sicily I bought, and decide what we want to do and where we want to go. And if we want to rent a car. We leave April 7, not a lot of time.

Bob, believe me, I would love to come to Japan. It's one of my favorite countries. Loved it both times. I think about going back all the time, so maybe...

Good luck with your planning, Laurie! April 7 is not far off!

I will just look forward to heariing about your trip at the GTG, Bob!

I would love to go to Japan when everyone else is going, but we won't be able to plan this far out. Just have to wait and see.

".....thinking i will not write a trip report..."

I doubt that, Bob!!

Got my BOS ticket and hotel reservations made. Bob, if you get a better deal with the Residence Inn, pls post here. I can always ask for the discounted group price.

If I'm in BKK for two weeks end of October, which I probably WILL be, I could swing by NRT and make a 2-day stopover on my way home... Something to think about. I can't think of any better place to be than having a lot of laughs with the Asia board fodorites!!

Laurie, enjoy Sicily! Florida1, looking forward to more travel talk at the BOS GTG.

And now I need to start packing for Lucerne... just hope we see the SUN during our 2-week visit.

Carol

Have fun in Lucerne, Carol! I'm glad you're coming to the GTG too and look forward to seeing you!

We have selected the new Dedham, MA location of famed Chef Jasper White's Summer Shack for our Saturday night dinner.

The menu generally is fish and seafood, fresh from the NE sea, as well as some meat and vegetarian options.

Jasper White is a contemporary of Julia Child and operated one of the first chef-centric restaurants in downtown Boston when the food craze first began. Many years later he opened his first Summer Shack in Cambridge, in a low rent area, in an attempt to bring more informal dining of the freshest seafoods to the public. He runs that restaurant to this day and has added 3 other locations in more recent years.

As requested, the restaurant is just a few miles north on Rte 1 from our Norwood hotel. No more need to trudge into Cambridge and search for parking.

THINK CLAM CHOWDAH, LOBSTER, FRESH FISH, CORN ON THE COB, CLAMS, PLUS STEAK AND VEGGIES.

Sounds wonderful!! Love love love the clam chowdah!

I haven't been to Boston since the 80's and I've always wanted to return, especially in the autumn. I can't commit just yet but I will keep this in mind.

The restaurant sounds fabulous, Bob! Clams, lobster, chowdah - yum!!!!

I hope you will be able to come, P_M!

I hope so too Florida1, there are so many people I want to meet including you.

Has anyone heard from yk? The last I heard she lives in Boston. I've met her brother rkkwan at several of the TX GTG's and I would love to meet her too.

well, although I only attended one for 5 short minutes, it seems like a well traveled group that is interested in culture and art and history and nature. . .
if it's true that public trans isn't a priority and locals commute with visitors. . . perhaps

The Wayside Inn in Sudbury. Unless things have changed, you can certainly take over a corner of the dining room and seeing as it is an autumnal time of year, visiting the Griss Mill and the Little Red House and the Chapel all add to a more cultural GTG.

http://www.wayside.org/

look---a good idea for the future, but far out of town for some..

wow, you actually gave my suggestion three minutes of consideration including typing time?

nevermind

How does 24 minutes=3 minutes?

Nevermind

I think a Boston minute = 8 real time minute? Or is it the other way around??

hai! laurie san, we six did indeed have a good time. don't mind doing it again.

I share Lookin_Glass's thought that the Boston GTG would do well to have something that relates to local culture. The migration of the Boston GTG to the beyond-128 suburbs is now complete; nothing remains in Boston/Cambridge.

The GTG may well be a tradition and a good time, but it's sad that it will have lost any sense of being of Boston.

don, i agree with you but the boston costs and limited parking in the city caused us to move out.

to my knowledge there is only one attendee from boston proper and one other from the city's larger population, and both of them always drive... add 2 from Cambridge and that amounts to 10.1% of our attendees. plus the city is less than 30 minutes drive or train ride from our venues...

i would WELCOME another planner for next year---how about you, and we would gladly go whereever you plan a GTG...???

At least we're not having it in the Hartford suburbs...

Seriously though - Bob and Karen have put a ton of work into this over several years now. In fact, the job they have done is exemplary. Please appreciate how difficult it is to take everyone's input and then come up with accommodations and meals that end up pleasing most of us.

Frankly, I love not having to drive in the city of Boston to get to the venues. I've driven in dozens of very large cities and have not been flustered nearly as much as I am when trying to navigate the winding streets of Boston...lol!!

And yes, Bob and Karen have done a superb job of herding this sometimes crazy group of fodorites. Hats off to them for taking on this very tedious task!

Hartford would be OK too, Craig

Bob: I sure hope the GTG will be at the same Residence Inn as last year. We hope to come, and we liked that venue a lot!

PS there are at least three threads about this 2013 Boston GTG, and you know how easily I get confused!

So maybe you could list the threads for the aged and infirm.........

OK, so maybe there are only two threads, and I'm just losing it.

I do remember that you changed your name to Bostob (or was it Botsob?).

when all of the plans are made, i will start yet another thread with the full story...

betsy---just ask the camel (elephant) what the plans are...

yes, it is the same residence inn (norwood/canton). i spoke to them today and they are sending me a contract... all rooms have been completely renovated (although they did not need it) as has the lounge..


karen and i did the friday night menu today and i think that you will like it, if not, mcdonalds is about 2 miles...
sadly new price too--$125. i think..

i forgot to say that i also send a personal e-mail to all past attendees with all the details..

I just want to thank Bob and Karen for doing all the work of planning this GTG, and considering the preferences (and budgets) of those coming from near and far. And they do it with grace, good humor, and competence.

Taconic... so happy to read that you are planning to be there again. Is the camel coming with? Is it a travelling trophy, somewhat like the Americas Cup? lol

CW I agree with your comments...especially the "good humor" one. The BOS GTG (where ever it is held) is always a fun/funny time! There is no place I'd rather be for Columbus Day weekend than with my fodors family.

The $125 that Bob has spoken about above in the Hotel price, not the cost of dinner at our house. The opportunity for each of us to share our travel experiences is what the GTG is all about. This can be done in or out of Boston. In an effort to make the weekend more affordable ( and we do recognize it is not cheap) we have moved to the burbs. It is not that far into Boston if people want to take advantage of the historical and cultural events.

Karen, is that $125 the group rate? I booked the other day and I think I am paying $139? I'll have to look. In any case, I'll call and ask for our group's rate to save a few bucks.

I am happy to be going back to Norwood! Driving in Boston is a little hairy - we've also driven in lots of large cities and the only more difficult one was London!

The main attraction to us - as first time attendees last year and the thing we are looking forward to the most is talking to and getting to know Fodorites - we'll save the sightseeing for another time.

I know this event takes a lot of time and energy to plan, so thank you to Bob and Karen for taking it on again!

Wish we could make it this year.....maybe next. Good luck and have a great time. We will miss you all!

Aloha!

i do not have the contract yet, but i believe the contract rate will be $125. for the hotel..

HI, you could come for the weekend, you don't have to be in japan until the 25th...

"Maybe next year..." I've heard that before!! (that's what the Chicago Cubs fans say every year)

Simpson: I believe it is only fitting that it be a "traveling" award, don't you?

And it should intrigue first-timers (who have not yet encountered the legendary Kimball hospitality) and give them that extra impetus to come.

Who wouldn't want to have a great weekend AND go home with a trophy?

I have to say it will be a sad and difficult moment to part with my prize.

Taconic... keep a stiff upper lip there.... At least you will be confident that it is going to a good home (for the next year). What a grand trophy it is!!! It'd make anyone proud to put on display.

that's what the Chicago Cubs fans say every year

Sigh....

Oops, hit submit too fast (we need an edit function!). I meant to add, it's tough being a Cubs fan.

I actually was searching airfares today for this GTG. It was more fun than working. Maybe I'll make an impulse purchase soon!

Oh, do make reservations soon, ms_go. it would be great to see you both again.

taconictraveler: it's good that you're driving and don't have to carry your trophy on the plane. Or not--it might prompt some interesting conversation. Great that you're returning.

mr_go I saw a fare of under $200 for ORD-MHT (that's Manchester NH, which I prefer over BOS) so I grabbed it! Hope you'll do the same. I rent my car and drive down to the Boston burbs.

Should have addressed that to MS_go, not mr....sorry!

You can also fly into Providence RI....much closer than Manchester NH.

I am pleased to confirm that we will be returning to the Olivadi Restaurant in Norwood, MA for our GTG luncheon. There was universal praise last year for our experience there and I was able to have them open the restaurant to us again (normally closed for sat. lunch).

so our line-up is the following:

Friday night informal dinner at Karen and Bob's, Needham, MA-- 6PM.
Official hotel: Marriott Residence Inn, Norwood/Canton, MA
Saturday GTG, Olivadi Restaurant, Norwood, MA-- 11AM
Saturday Dinner, Jasper White's Summer Shack, Dedham, MA--TBA

Shortly, I will send out an email to those for whom I have an address, and then in late May I will start a new "official" thread about the GTG and place it on all Fodor's sites.

Remember, this is the Premier of Fodor's GTGs---- we have the most fun and the best food--- my neighbors are still talking about the wine bottles they found in their bushes after last year's friday soiree...


the only thing left to do is selecting a talking topic for attendees---suggestions?? 2 min. or less!!!

In case I drop by black tie?

pook, very relaxed and casual

For a topic.... what about "WHY I deserve the travelling camel trophy"... lol

good suggestion

Carol: Should have addressed that to MS_go, not mr....sorry!

That's OK, we're sort of a package deal anyway.


Bob: my neighbors are still talking about the wine bottles they found in their bushes after last year's friday soiree...

Sorry.

Carol: I think you are harboring secret thoughts about this camel, but it is a good topic.

my neighbors are still talking about the wine bottles they found in their bushes after last year's friday soiree...

I would have thought it was laurieco's bottles dropped while looking in the bushes for George W

Please count me in. I look forward to it. If anyone in the New York area needs a ride, let me know.

ltl---send me an email address for you at:

rhkonthailand@msn.com

Off topic a bit but Bob what does the "h" in "rhk" stand for?

> what does the "h" in "rhk" stand for

Hizzoner

Holden, a family name, but others may say Hellraiser

Bob you have email. I am really looking forward to this!

It's from a huckster's restaurant/food show, but gives you an idea of the SummerShack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dOOImovwgw

I haven't been to the Dedham location, but the other Summer Shacks I've been to (Cambridge, Back Bay, Mohegan Sun) have all been welcoming spots with reliable food.

i have the hotel contract. the price is $125., plus 11.7% tax per night including breakfast and free parking..

to reserve a room call 1-800-331-3131 and identify our group as "Fodors Travel-Gett Together Travel Group".

DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS AT THIS RATE IS SEPT. 10, 2013.

Bob: Why is it so difficult to find this thread on Fodor's. It took me about 7 different search topics to get to this today. And my memory is slipping by the day!!

I have now copied the pertinent information, in to another email file.

Maybe we should be sure to post at least once a week to be sure the thread stays somewhere in the upper reaches??

PS: Camel chomping at the bit.

Bookmarking, a cruise up to Canada has been on my list for a while, maybe this year.

If there is an e-mail, can you put me on? The address is in my profile.

Is there a discussion on Facebook also, or only here?