Countdown to your next trip... Part II

Hi flygirl,

Thanks for your kind words! What a timely *new* thread:

Where is your next trip and how many days until you leave?
Berlin & Dresden. Plane departs in 25 hours.

What are you most looking forward to doing or seeing?
Lots of art, paintings, museums; and soaking in the history ... Oh, and 3 operas too!

What have you been doing to prepare?
Read about 5-6 novels set in Berlin (some set pre-WWII, some cold war). Saw movie Dresden (fantastic), documentary on Berlin Air Lift, and the 1960s cold war spoof movie One Two Three. We also watched DVDs of the operas we'll be seeing to brush up on the music and synopsis.

For the last 4 hours, I've been finalizing our itinerary, printing out confirmations, double-checking our tickets, and last-minute research on restaurants. I *think* I'm prepared but probably not. I also did laundry. All that's left to do is PACK!

I hope next year to be able to go to Copenhagen, and take a cruise along Norway coast in August... When swimsuits go on sale in winter, I'll get one to put on The Mermaid... anybody knows the size?

yk- have a great trip! Are you arriving in Berlin on election day? That should be interesting. Have a wonderful time- I can't wait to read your trip report when you get back!

flygirl- I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for your trip reports too! I'm planning on spending a few days in Belgium next May, nothing happening in 2009 unfortunately Well, I'm being dragged to Lake Placid next month for a long weekend but that hardly counts as a real trip.

Hi
Our next trip is April 2010. Back to Britain, our roots call us about every five years. We have the flights booked, the London Hotel, and ten weeks self catering accommodation from the Scottish borders to the Isle of Wight. I am looking forward most to the Scottish section, we have seen little of the borders area, tend to concentrate on the Highlands and Islands, but this time we have a week in Argyll and a week in Dumfries and Galloway. Also looking forward to a week on a narrowboat on the Lancaster Canal, always enjoyable. We have never been to Lincolnshire, so that is on the list, plus two full weeks in Wales, another favourite place. Just have to organise the car hire and then up up and away. Haven't got round to counting the days yet, still have to get through Christmas!
But we still have that frisson of anticipation.

Rosemary

Rosemary, now that is the way to travel!

YK, have a great time!

Apres_Londee, will do. I'll also be posting queries shortly so that might have some ideas, as well. I'm notoriously bad about posting trip reports (I usually just post photos) but since this is a short trip the odds of it happening in a timely manner are a little better!

Dayenu, that sounds great. I've always wanted to do that and every few years say "this is the year" and then other things come up instead.

Where is your next trip and how many days until you leave?

I’ll be heading to Rome in 33 days! I’ll spend 3 nights there and after, will board a cruise ship for a 14-night transatlantic cruise! Ports include: Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, a day at sea, Lanzarote (Canary Islands), Tenrife (CI); and 6 days at sea.

What are you most looking forward to doing or seeing?

All places except Rome and Barcelona are new port stops for me, so I’m looking forward to seeing new sights, meeting people, enjoying some delicious foods (during port days and of course on the ship), and having fun with friends that I have cruised with before and meeting new friends.

What have you been doing to prepare? (reading books, taking language classes, watching movies...)

Mostly reading books and brochures received from the various tourist offices. I meant to brush up on my Spanish, but never got to that.

Monica

Where is your next trip and how many days until you leave?
To La Villa Favorita in Alba, Italy. HELLO truffles, barolo, grissini, and agnolotti. Leaving tomorrow for 10 days!

What are you most looking forward to doing or seeing?
Have appointments to taste at several wineries including Pio Cesare and Luciano Sandrone. Looking forward to the Fiera del Tartufo Bianca, the Palio degli Asini, the Food and Wine Exhibition, a cooking lesson with Rita, and a truffle hunt. And the great restaurants.

What have you been doing to prepare?
Since coming back from our last trip to Northern Italy in May 2008, I've been looking at guide books. But most of my research has been on the Internet. I've researched enotecas, wineries, restaurants, sites, driving directions, truffles, cheeses of the Piemonte. Brushed up on my Italian. And checked many past posts on Fodor's.

Where is your next trip and how many days until you leave?
We are leaving in 6 hours for Paris, Provence, and Stresa, Italy.

What are you most looking forward to doing or seeing?
I am looking forward to catching a boat tour of the Canal St. Martin in Paris. I figure that may be an easy thing to do on our first day in the city. In Provence, we look forward to just touring the countryside and stopping whenever something catches our fancy, especially markets.

What have you been doing to prepare?
I have been listening to a series of 25 French CDs to immerse myself in the language again (college French was such a long time ago!), have my boarding passes printed out, all our apartment information, train tickets, rental car info, etc. ready to go. I read the guide books 4-5 weeks ago, and have them packed for reference. Thanks again to all of you Fodorites who have given great advice concerning where to catch the trains, leave luggage, what to see or not see, etc.

Where is your next trip and how many days until you leave?

Leaving in 8 days, flying into Brussels and then training to Bruges for 3 nights. Then training to Normandy to pick up a car and spend 4 days/nights in the countryside just outside of Bayeaux, then ending with 3 nights in Paris.

What are you most looking forward to doing or seeing?

Primarily eating, drinking and relaxing. It's been a very stressful 2 years during which I lost a job that I'd held for 28 years (took me 16 months to land in a comparable position), my wife's father passed away, and dealt with various other un-fun things.
I am a history buff, and am really looking forward to visiting the D-Day Beaches.

What have you been doing to prepare? (reading books, taking language classes, watching movies...)

No real intense preparation. I used to attempt to map out every hour of every day of our trips with all the must-sees for wherever we went - hence my nickname "The Trip Nazi" ... but we are now more likely to have a few planned excursions, and taking the rest as it comes.

My next trip will be from Cardiff to Nice. Usually go there every Xmas. Dont care for flying so it's a train to Paris and then TGV to Nice all in one day.

Will book a Hotel for two weeks between train station and seafront so as to have easy access to trains for day trips to Monaco, San Remo, Cannes, Menton, Tende,Ventigmilia,Grasse,etc.

Nice and quite at Xmas and may stop at Paris to see in the New Year.

May seem strange to others but I love to watch TV around Xmas time in Nice as you can also get Italian TV. The programmes I like are the cabaret and circus type which alas are absent in recent years in UK.

Just came home on Sept. 1st. Looking everyday for a cheap trip to anywhere in Europe. Hope to do Madrid when United starts a direct flight from Dulles in April. Probably will end up in Germany for 10 days in late Nov. early Dec.

Just returned from Spain.

Next thing booked is an award ticket to Genoa (returning from Milan) in May.

But looking at mileage opportunities, maybe New York during the Thanksgiving break and somewhere in Europe in February, March or April.

Where is your next trip and how many days until you leave?
To Paris in 7 days for two weeks, then to London for 10 days.

What are you most looking forward to doing or seeing?
I'll be seeing parts of Paris I haven't explored, going to Giverny for the first time (I can hardly believe I haven't done that yet), going to Chateau de Malmaison (Josephine's home), working on night photography, spending time with friends.
London: Dinner on my birthday at Rules, Hampton Court, Burough Market and spending time with friends.

What have you been doing to prepare?
I'm meeting a friend in Paris and we're sharing an apartment (meeting my DH in London later in the month), so she and I have taken alternate days and are planning the itineraries. It's been fun!

Other than research, I've got all my tickets, exhibit tickets, new travel purse (Eagle Creek Bohemian--think I'm gonna love it!), new 20" hard-sided spinner (I only carry on) so I'm good to go!

Next trip: Rome and Venice with the DH, DD and 2 grandsons on Christmas. I've only bought plane tickets, arranged both apartments and ordered Scavi Tour passes for the DD and older grandson (DH and I have done this already). I'll worry about the rest of the planning when I return from Paris and London.

Well, I just found one must-see for this trip - the Getty Images Gallery. While the flickr exhibit mentioned below will be gone, it sounds like a great gallery to visit and it's not far from my hotel.

http://blog.flickr.net/en/2009/09/29/flickr-at-the-getty-images-gallery-london/

Phillyboy, enjoy your richly deserved break. You've had a rough go of it lately, I'm sorry.

flygirl - Thanks. On the evening of my final day (October 26, 2007)of the job I mentioned, where I'd worked for 28 years, 4 months, and 8 days,(but who's counting),we left for a week in Ireland to visit my daughter who was studying in Dublin. That was our most recent vacation, and for a while it seemed like we'd never get back to Europe again.

Things still aren't perfect - are they ever? - but generally ok now.

Just noticed that I had a Senior Moment in my last post - my nickname isn't The Trip nazi, it's "The Tour Nazi".

My trip is officially on the 10-day forecast, hooray!

The day I arrive is expected to be partly sunny and 55. Not that it means anything, but it's still cool to be on the forecast.

I love it when we're on the 10 day forecast....even though it usually changes daily before the trip! It just makes me feel good.

I leave 12/4 for a week in Paris. We'd like to see the holiday lights in Paris, possibly do some Christmas shopping and look forward to enjoying the fall/winter menus.

We have an apartment and have done no real preparation for our trip....have been to Paris many times. We'll probably make some restaurant reservations before we go.

Flygirl, enjoy your time in London....looking forward to the photos!

Thanks Judy! Ironically, I just today posted my FEBRUARY London photos, if you click on my name they should come right up. I posted Paris ones on Monday this week.

Your trip sounds great! Xmas lights and all...

Lucca, Montepulciano, Cortona and Florence March 23-29, 2010. Have hotel picked out for Lucca - Universo - $68 a night including breakfast but not yet booked as it is pre-pa on Expedia. Last March hotels in Florence were reasonable -- Westin Excelsior for around $170!!! For March 2010 they seem super expensive - maybe it is just too far out yet. So thinking of 2 nighs in Monte with a day trip to Cortona, just 1 night before flying home in Florence.

I am Italian and can read it a bit, order some things, check in in Italian but really would like to learn some more.

I would LOVE to go to Paris again and just wander, relax, check out some ancillary museums... but I don't see it happening as I have a new kitchen to put it and my VISA to get paid off...

I just returned from a three-week trip to England, Germany, and Austria. I have nothing planned for the near future, but I'm tentatively planning on attending a Goethe Institute in Dresden next year--during which time I will explore more of the GDR on weekends. In the near term, I want to take a two-week trip to Hawaii--probably in February, unless the winter here is so brutal that I'm willing to pay higher prices to go during high season.

The problem is money. I have mutural funds that I haven't tapped since the market tanked, but they're doing much better now, and I'm tempted to dip into them a little. My sister thinks I'm "nuts" to consider doing that. She thinks I'll need the money some day to pay for whatever costs aren't covered by my insurance, in case I some day have to stay in a nursing home for an extended period of time, etc.

I am in good health, though I'm almost 74. I'm careful about money--don't do recreational shopping, don't waste my money on drink or cigarettes. I'm willing to take the chance.

Hooray hooray, I'm on my way, the next vacation starts today! (that piece of corn, courtesy of Dad).

Wheels up tonight!

Vicky, have a great time - March is around the corner really.

Peg, three weeks sounds wonderful! I hope you had good weather.

flygirl, have a blast on your trip!

Thanksgiving night Art and I go on a Uniworld Christmas Cruise!!!

Peg, I'm with you on dipping into the funds! A trip is much more fun than a stay in the n.h. My feeling for me is that when I go to the nursing home, I probably won't know the difference. From what I have seen on my weekly visits to our local homes to bring communion, etc. there isn't much difference between those paying full fare and those who have used up their savings. Go for it!

Wish I were off for Europe, but right now am tied down with some ups and downs here. All the more reason to enjoy everyone's trip reports.

Irishface -I had this conversation with my Dad. We are flying Business class and getting nice cabins. I would rather have the memory than my Dads money!

I am roughly two weeks out from Belgium!

Amen on spending time with your parents!

I leave for Venice tomorrow morning! Going for a week with one of my sisters, and I can't wait to see her face when she sees the Grand Canal for the first time.

I've been reading novels and guide books, trying to learn Italian, watching television shows and movies, and pulling every bit of info I can from the Fodor's posters.

Look out Venice! Here we come!!!!

Anyone going in January or February?

Obviously weather would be better in the spring.

But vacation time would max out before the spring for me so have to go sooner than later.

I'm well into the 10-day forecast now, yay!

scrb - I've traveled in all months of the year. There are always tradeoffs - both good and bad. I prefer spring travel - better weather and more flowers - but travel at any time of the year is still exhilarating. You'll have an easier time with crowds in the winter and if you happen to like winter sports, well, there you go.

SCfoodie, sounds great!

I don't have a European trip booked til April 5 to Italy and France. I don't think I can wait. I also just booked my June trip using FF miles-what a pain in the butt. It's almost worth paying the money rather than all the trouble. Used only 60,000 miles But the exact schedule is almost $1500 on Delta.

1 month 3 weeks till Florida

9 months till Copenhagen and Norway (like pregnancy... requires planning labours LOL) - made a cruise deposit since my post earlier

4 days . . . I leave on Friday, Nov. 20 to Paris. I'll be there a week and will also visit Basel, Switzerland for the day.

There is so much to do that I feel anxious, but not anxious.

TR

Topping this - poor thread hardly gets any attention anymore (nor does its predecessor, which was well over 1000 before it stopped..).

Any big trips planned? We are coming on to Spring soon!

Leave on Easter Saturday for Rome, arriving on Easter. Second trip, looking to refine a few experiences we had last time, and add Pompeii to the trip this time.

Love pasta and vino, can't wait

Chicago, in May. Just to make it more exciting, we'll be meeting friends from Wales -- they'll be driving from the West Coast along Route 66 -- to explore the city together.

I was supposed to leave March 24 for Orvieto, Cortona, Montepulciano and Florence. But with airfare over $900 it is just too expensive. ( A year ago airfare for same time frame was $550). I can fly to Pisa and base in Lucca with day trips to Siena, San Gim, Florence, maybe Volterra and stay within budget - airfare probably still over $900 but with a combo and Hotel Universo at aroudn $68/night, overall total would be acceptable. OR I could go to Vienna... or to Maui... or I can skip March and look at Nice or Capri for September... it's only 8 weeks away and I love to have everything planned out ahead, but also am waiting to see how much my tax refund will be. But just can't stomach paying $900 for airfare in MARCH - I have never paid that much ever at any time of year.

Venice (Florida) in February. I know, it's not Italy but it will have to do for now. In October I am going on my first cruise so I think I need another trip in between!

NYC - CDG,pickup rental car and drive to:

Vernon/Giverny - 1 night
Rouen - 2 nights
Honfluer - 2 nights
Brugge - 3 nights
Antwerp - 2 nights
Brussels - 2 nights
Reims - 1 night

Then drive from Reims to CDG for my flight home.

Germany and England in April:

- Bacharach (on the Middle Rhine) for 10 nights
- Gengenbach (in the Black Forest) for 4 nights
- Frankfurt for 2 nights
- London for 4 nights

Everything has been booked except vacation rental apartment in Gengenbach (email sent, waiting for reply).

We are a little worried about airline tickets as they are with British Airways.

Also, car rental has gotten a bit wierd. National initially confirmed van rental for just under 1000 euros in October, but now web site confirmation say it will be over 1700 euros. Since the actual rental is with a third party through National they (National) are saying they will honor the initial offer since I still have the email confirmation. After I return from my trip I will send them the email confirmation as well as my bill and they will credit my card. We will see how that works...

Miami for a week in June
Russia for 10 days in September, the trip I've always wanted to do!

Ten days in Paris, arriving April 1 on Air France nonstop from SFO. We've been to Paris four or five times, so there's no pressure – just walking, museums, walking, bistros, and streets recommended by Kerouac. I'm a teacher and this is a Spring Break Birthday Celebration.

My own very next trip is next Friday to Florida for three nights. Visiting my parents who winter there now, and, my brother will bring his kids down (my niece and nephew) and we will show them the ocean for the first time!

I'm still planning on Italy in May (haven't asked da boss yet) but I'm thinking Paris in April (3 nights) might be out because we are so swamped at work I don't want to push my luck. Eye on the prize is Italy near Memorial Day. I can do a long wkd in Paris or London later in the year...

Leaving May 4 for 4 days in Prague, then 15 days in Paris and finishing this great trip in Nice for 10 days.
I was lucky to be able to use frequent flyer miles for this by booking early.
The planning as usual was fun. Each trip I try to do something different. This trip I am attending opening night at the Paris Ballet and a concert with Jushua Bell.
As usual I can't wait.

Time off sought and granted: Italy and Switzerland a few months from now. Hip Hip Hooray!

We are leaving at the end of the month to spend six weeks in Provence, Cote d'Azur, Portofino and Cinque Terre. I have never been to Provence and I can't wait to finally see it.

In a mere 167 days (September) we are off to Poland for a few weeks! Can't wait, Krakow, Bieszczady area and Zakopane. AmyB, wow, will look for your trip report on Russia! We are trying to decide if that should be on our radar screen for future trips.
RNCheryl-I'm with you-love Pasta & Vino and there is no better place than Italy to enjoy it!
Vicky-we hear you on the airfares. We bit the bullet and bought ours. Quit smoking 11 years ago and every time I need to spend more than I like to I remind myself I have a huge cache of savings from no longer smoking

Off to Venice and surrounding area, plus a little Rome, in 45 days.

Love Venice....

We leave for Italy on April 6th for 10 days, all spent in Rome.

Next trip will be to Israel May 20-30 with people who have been to Israel before. Tiberias, 2 days. Dead Sea area 1 day last 5 days in Jerusalem.

The couple who I am going with had a potluck dinner for the group who is also going. It was a real preparation for this trip. Also I am also reading tour books, although our tours will be led by a former Captain in the Israeli army.

Next trip just booked last week is a riverboat trip out of Paris Oct. 30-Nov.7. Could not pass up the deal 2 for 1 price -Uniworld. I realize it will be cold at that time,but had enough airmiles also at that time to book for my daughter and myself. Never been on a riverboat trip-only the big cruise ship Solstice to the Greek Isles and Turkey the last of Sept. into Oct. of 2009. Will be an interesting comparasion.
Happy and safe travels to everyone.

Will go to Paris 2 days early before we get on the boat.
Flygirl I have read and reread your trip with your Dad to Normandy and surrounding area which is what we will be doing off the boat.

I'm surprising my wife with a trip at the end of June for our 25th anniversary. She thinks we're going back east to visit family, but when we touch down on the east coast we'll actually be transferring to another plane. We'll fly to Paris for 10 nights, with a quick one night trip to Venice. Then we'll take the train down to Avignon, get a rental, and spend 5 nights in St. Remy. After that we're going to drive up through the Rhone and Burgandy wine regions, spend two nights in Beaunne, and then finally drive back to CDG.
We've both been to Paris many times, but almost always in the winter, so I'm really looking forward to being outdoors in the parks and jardins, good meals, etc. We've been to most of the museums that we'd want to see, so the focus will be on smaller, quirkier places and the things that we've put off over the years. I can't wait!

Zeppo2:

Fabulous!

When and where is next trip? 19 weeks from today DD, DH and I leave for a 13 night trip to England and Wales. It's an early graduation present from college for DD--and we used DH's FF miles for "free" (there are still those pesky fees and tax!) airline tickets!

What am I doing to prepare? Last fall I spent hours here, on the internet,and with guidebooks figuring out an itinerary that would work FOR US. I love doing this preparation to tailor make a plan for our unique needs, while learning from and listening to reliable advice. (When I posted the itinerary here for some feedback, just as I suspected, I was advised it involves too much driving per day and too much moving around--but this is the trip I've designed for the 3 of us, this summer, with our available time, with our 3 wish-lists combined. We'll have to make adjustments, but we're prepared for that.) I also secured all the rooms (all BandB's except for 2 nights, one at a hotel using reward/points and one for the last night near LHR for a very early flight). Made arrangements for rental car, and bought Great Britain Heritage Passes. I still play around with maps and possible schedules, and I'm reading this Forum often.

What am I most looking forward to? Time there with both DD AND DH (been there with each before). A not-so-packed agenda in London. Oxford again. Little village where a distant relative was born. Wales, if only for 2 days. Several castles and the city walls of Conwy, Carlisle, and York. Hadrian's Wall. Showing Dover to DD.

(What am I NOT looking forward to?--encountering much-predicted horrible traffic and having to scrap seeing things on the way from point a to point b! But we are going forewarned!)

*Where is your next trip and how many days until you leave?*

Leaving for Italy (trip length - almost 3 weeks, hitting Venice, Florence, Sorrento and Rome (with 2 nights at the beginning in Switzerland)) in 9 days.

*What are you most looking forward to doing or seeing?*
Hard to say, it could be:
1. Standing in the Pantheon, a building that was standing 1400! years before the first permanent settlement was established in my home country.
2. Gelato, Gelato, Gelato!
3. Standing in St. Mark's Square in Venice at night.
4. Strolling among the ruins of Pompei.
I could go on all day, better to ask me after I come back!

*What have you been doing to prepare? (reading books, taking language classes, watching movies...)*
I took an Italian language class, which while hardly making me bilingual, did allow me to gain enough vocabulary to communicate a little, plus enough understanding of how to pronounce things in Italian to use a phrasebook successfully. (Or so I believe)

Also, I have downloaded a bunch of lectures on Roman Architecture from Open Yale (and bought the texts that come with them, so have been doing the reading assignments that come with each lecture). Kind of dry in places, but still I am learning a fair bit.

Watched Roman Holiday.

Yesterday, I butchered my guidebooks to Roman and Florence, so I have day sized pieces I can take with me with guides to the attractions I am seeing on a particular day.

<<Yesterday, I butchered my guidebooks to Roman and Florence, so I have day sized pieces I can take with me with guides to the attractions I am seeing on a particular day.>>

I photocopy them, take the copies with me and toss after using. My guide books remain in tact for reference in putting my photo albums together.

4 months 2 weeks till our trip to Copenhagen and a cruise north along Norway to the Nordcapp! Air, hotel, cruise deposit... how expensive it all!

Greece 6 weeks from today...Athens 3 nights, Mykonos 3 nights, Santorini 4 nights... devoured 5 books on Greece...can't wait for the Greece sunshine, the ruins, the history, the blue waters, the great time with good friends .

I am leaving in 24 more days (April 17) for Italy. I will be there for 18 days covering Rome (with a day trip to Bomarzo to see the Parco dei Mostri), then Spoleto and Assisi, Torino (I have a reservation to see The Holy Shroud of Turin) and onto Venice.

I have been putting my itinerary into Trip It which has been wonderful as it provides maps and a concise daily itinerary with confirmation numbers, etc. Trip it also allows me to kind of organize my trip and so I can get an overall view of where there are open slots and what my daily schedules look like. I have also been making any necessary reservations (museums, etc). I have also been brushing up on my Italian via Rosetta Stone and making a list of questions as I am taking private language lessons while in Rome.

Though this will be my seventh trip to Italy, I am as excited as I was on the first. I am looking forward to the food, the people, the sights, and all of the magical moments that happen when you open your heart and your spirit on your travels. I look forward to all that my travels wikll teach me about myself and about the world around me.

Maryanne, that's great, I am glad my TR was helpful. Let us know how it goes!

glenmd is on his trip already. We have some folks heading out soon, too.

We're 6 weeks out from Italy and Switzerland, hurray! 6 weeks from tomorrow...

I made a decision and leave for Maui in 12 days. Then Vienna over Thanksgiving. since Maui is already set, I am actually more focused on planning Vienna (I love the planning part). Maui is a 'chill vacation' but I am happily planning my cafes, sights, and tickets to the Lippizaners as well as looking forward to coffee and Viennese pastries! Airfare to Vienna is expensive so have to economize on the hotels this time.

Headed to Bologna and the surrounding area in October. My daughter is spending a semester at the university there, so it makes a good excuse for mom & dad to go.

Ah, I was wondering if this thread still existed! I'm getting a little anxious about all the flight delays from the Icelandic volcanic eruption, so I figured a countdown would help keep me focused on the positive.

We are leaving in 3 days(!) for Italy!! Sicily (Catania area), Naples & coast, Rome. My first trip to Italy in 22 years; my boyfriend's first ever!

Can't wait to see my sister and her family who have been living in Sicily for almost three years. Lots of good food and good wine to go with the good company. And all the beautiful sites and sights we can get to when we're not too busy with the first two points... But first and foremost, a leisurely caffe in the first piazza we see...

My boyfriend came home with a language CD *tonight*. I think this means he's finally on vacation - and as excited as I am for our trip!

ggreen - where are you? Leaving tomorrow/Wednesday I hope?

I am curious to hear the stories from those who had plans and what turned up, due to this volcano. If you are on this thread - are you stuck in Europe right now? Hoping your trip isn't canxed after all? etc...

Three more weeks now!

Leaving tomorrow for a few days in Istanbul followed by a cruise. We are not "cruise people" and are traveling with 4 other couples. While not my ideal vacation, ports are all great and I find myself getting very excited!

And now the two week countdown commences... will Eyefallover thwart our plans?

Judy, let us know how the cruise went!

I'm at 154 days until London and then Paris and everyday is a toture! I am so ready!

300 days. Paris & either Normandy or Loire Valley. DW, Niece and Nephew will travel. Ditto Avalon!

What have I been doing?

Have id'd two Paris Apartments, but not having the Bayeux or Loire Valley stuff locked down yet makes it a little difficult. Got guidebooks for Normandy and another of entire France that seemed to be the most descriptive of Loire. Constantly working on pinning down a budget but the Euro fluctuations are frustrating, but if the trend holds, in a good way.

Unfortunately, I'm the most anxious about the trip of the family. Niece and Nephew have said "I'm along for the ride, you pick whatever" and "what about this and that and can we do this". Trying to accomodate all their wishes is difficult, but we're having a family GTG next week and we'll discuss much of it then.

Oh, and saving money.

24 day until I leave for Germany and Austria. I just returned from Italy and France on April 15, but I am so ready to go again.

21 days till we cruise the rhine. hope the weather co-operates, yes and eyefallover too.

Exactly 3 months till our flight to Copenhagen, and 3 days after that - the start of the Norway Fjords cruise. Cannot wait, I'm ready to start packing