Fodor's Paris 2008; London 2008

ttt

Congrats to all those who got quoted!

That was very nice to send a copy of the guide to Ben's family.

It was the least we could do--it was nice of his nephew to be in touch.

I was surprised to see neal_sanders as one of the quoted Fodorites. His "One Traveler's Opinion" trip reports were the finest that have ever appeared in these forums, but he hasn't been anyplace in the forums since 2005 and his last contribution to the Europe Forum was 3 years ago.

I am honored, <blushing> to be quoted in the Paris edition!!

How nice to remember Ben Haines..we have lost a few great posters in the past few years

Neal Sanders deserves recognition, anytime! Thanks for that..
And thank you, Katie for posting this ..

Thank you! I look forward to receiving my copy

I agree with the sentiments about Ben Haines. Very thoughtful of you!

Congrats to all of you who got quoted!!


Layla

to all you fodorites in all the books CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Well, this is very cool, indeed! Congrats to everyone!

Johanna

Elvira is listed and hasn't been here for several years?

I am not listed in the link, but was quoted a couple of times in the latest Amsterdam guide. Am I entitled to a complimentary copy?

Awww, Katie_H, that's so wonderful you guys sent a copy to Ben's nephew!

Ben was the first person to answer my first-ever query on Fodor's. I was heading to London & Paris back in 2001, my first ever trip to Europe, my first ever trip on a plane. He was always so gracious to me.

I always said that when I got back to London I was taking him to tea. But I didn't get back to London fast enough.

Thanks, Katie_H! It's a thrill to be quoted in the Gold guide Paris edition.

Wow! I can't wait to get my book!

Monica

We are starting the free guide policy with the new 2008 books. There is a chance smueller that your quote will be in the next Amsterdam book. We are in the middle of upgrading/overhauling/massaging/loving Word of Mouth. The goal is to have new quotes in each guide every year; but in some cases quotes (particularly if they're very good) have been carried over. The publishing cycle--especially on the annual guides--is tight. Our editors focus the majority of their energy on insuring that the guide is in tip-top shape.

Word of Mouth isn't all "grown-up" yet and there will be many changes to come. We feel sure that the next step is getting these guides out to those quoted. Obviously, we'd like to include as many quotes as possible from those currently actively participating on the Forums. I know in some cases we've quoted someone who may have only just stopped by and posted a few times or someone who is long gone---if it's a helpful, it's a helpful tip. Does that make sense? Of course, we want to include recent, great tips. Doing so will be easier in due time---an upgraded search engine and other technology advancements on the Forums will facilitate all of this. Thank you for your patience!

Incorporating a feature like this in all of our Gold guides can feel a bit like steering the Queen Mary; but we'll get it right.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy your books. For those featured in past editions, thank you for understanding and your contribution; hope to see you in a future edition. That goes for everybody--in the end, who is quoted doesn't really matter.

The quotes are the tip of the iceberg; there's a lot of very knowledgeable folks here.

On our end, there is also the hope that we might get more direct feedback about our guides from our web users.

I think this is a great idea to give complimentary copies to the quoted. Congrats to all of you helpful travelers!

Can't wait to see what I said that was worth being included in the Paris guide. Thanks for choosing my Words.

It will be exciting to buy the book when so many we may know are quoted.

OMG! I can't wait to see what the heck I wrote that got quoted!
Very cool to get free book - thank you, Fodors.

Wow! I'm in the Paris 2008 book! I can't wait to see the book!

Congratulations to those cited!

Katie, is it possible to post the references (aka word of mouth) here so we can see all of the tips in one spot...or would you prefer we buy the book, (wink).

congrats and you people rock....

Hope to be able to put up the tidbits in the future; at the moment I'm just focusing on getting the books out.

It's a good idea though and will be a goal as we streamline the process on our end.

I've just decided to take another trip to Paris in the spring, 2008 so I've been reading up on my favorite city and I was so surprised to see that I'd been quoted!

THANK YOU!

Wow, one of my travel companions, Amy, told me I was quoted in the Paris guide. Gee, I'm flattered. Thanks so much. I've e-mailed for my guide today!

How about we each add our "word-of-mouth" on this thread when we get our books?

Monica

I am absolutely horrified by the omission of audere est facere and BTilke from the London guide. These are two of the best posters on London and its environs. They should both go into the Fodor's Hall of Fame.

Elvira? I knew Elvira back in the day and she was fabulous, but she has not posted here in about 5 years.

What is up with this, Mary?

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

monica--Good idea

I seem to recall seeing BTilke mentioned several times in either the France 2008 guide or the most recent Amsterdam guide (which does not have a year in the title).

Katie, will you mail to Argentina?

Many fodorites have been quoted in prior year editions. But back then we had to discover it for ourselves. No note from the eds or anything like that. Let alone sending out complimentary copies.

Just goes to show what an improvement the new "regime" is.

Thanks for welcoming our improvements with open arms. As we're in the middle of a major improvement to Word of Mouth right now, you may find that some of this fall's guides may feature some quotes from the previous edition. So--for those that were quoted in 2007 editions, you may have your chance again. It is a work in progress and it's one that I'm glad to be a part of. It feels good---who doesn't love receiving free books!

Argentina is a go.

Congrats to all

In all the excitement I forgot to say CONGRATS to everyone who made it into the books, both past & present!!

Monica, I think we should take bets on what we think made it in as a quote. I have 3 guesses for mine:
1) My accolades for Hôtel les Degrés de Notre Dame; I've been lauding them for year and now they are a Fodor's Editors pick!
2) Wallace Fountains - mentioned them in my trip report one year and they showed up in the next edition.
3) Place du Marché Ste-Catherine - after mentioning them one year they've now been added as an interesting feature for Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc.

Of course, to be quoted in any aspect is
pretty

darn

coooool.

It was in the France 2007 and Germany 2007 guides that I saw BTilke's comments. So her very useful comments have been noted.

There certainly is a lot of collective experience in these forums (I'm tempted to say "wisdom," but we seldom seem to agree on anything).

Wonderful! You may be the only people I'll ever know in print!

Oh Good! Thanks again, Katie!
It will be even more special, reading the Paris Guide in my apartment in Argentina :- )

Hey Beatchick!

Hmmmm, my guess would probably be a restaurant recommendation, as lot of people complimented me on my restaurant listing. I did splurge at Les Ombres, which could be an option. As you said, being quoted in a Fodors book is "pretty darn coooool."

Congrats to you and everyone else!

Monica

Actually, Mon, my guess for you was your Chez Maître Paul restaurant rec. All your reviews are WONDERFUL but that one stands out in my mind.

My guess for StCirq is her fave hotel, Hôtel des France Invalides but I'm hoping it's something more pithy.


I'm hoping in the future to see quotes from CigaleChanta since she's regaled us with great info on jazz haunts (I actually created a jazz listing from her recs) and SFowler since she was my greatest Parisophile influence (along with you, Monica) when I first happend upon Fodor's. And of course, BTilke has long been a Paris expert!! Glad to see she's in the France guide.

Probably not Beatchick. The last time I was there was in 2002! Maybe Chez Marianne or Bistrot de l’Oulette.

Monica

Holy Hermes, how you all fall all over each other. It is so sickening--I am gagging right now. You all act as though Carine Roitfeld complimented you on your boots. You aren't being quoted in French Vogue you know, sweetie.

Now that would be something to brag about.

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

Well, I wasn't quoted in French Vogue BUT my photo was used on NYMag.com's website! And I'm not the type to care if someone compliments me on my boots. Surely you know me by now!

You needn't be so bitter, thin, it's so transparent. And besides, it sounds as if you're quoting someone else. You wouldn't happen to have a negative influence in your life, one who is upset that people aren't falling all over him/her? If so, I'm sorry you've been roped into that. Hmmm, and I thought you & I were friends? Oh well, life goes on.

I'm not here to engage in fruitless arguments nor to bow to negativity. Have a great weekend. Ciao, dahling!

What? Huh? My post was a joke. When have I ever been serious on this forum?

What would I ever be bitter about?

I guess you really never got me.

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

I can't begin to imagine what I might have said to get quoted.

I posted a Paris with teens trip report in 2005, but it only got one response, so it can't have been very interesting. I've answered a few questions from time to time, so I am looking forward to receiving my Guide (sent to the UK, thanks Katie) to see what Pearl of Wisdom has granted me the honour of getting in print, even if it's not Vogue!

Also, I too am surprised that our friend audere does not appear on the London list.

Congratulations to everyone else who has been quoted.

I'm sorry, thin. You know I love you! I suppose I read your post in haste. My grandest apologies to The Great and Powerful Thingorjus (The Just). ;D

Now, I have a question. A few posts back when you asked "What is up with this, Mary?", was that directed at me or to Marys in general?

Cheerio, Marginal_Margiela!

I'm going to have to pick up a new London guide to see your quote, julia_t.

Ohhhhhhhhhh, I get it now. You are Mary C--Beatchick. I always get you confused with Bookchick. I couldn't understand for the life of me why you would attack me like that when I was being obviously facetious.

Now I understand completely.

Did you and that other person you wrote about have a tiff? I know nothing about that.

Mary is a "gay" diminutive.

Thingorjus

But it's the Paris guide I'm in, Beatchick, same as you!

I don't visit London enough to be able to offer much information - there are so many others much more knowledgeable about London than I!

"Mary is a 'gay' diminutive."
Oui, I know! Just trying to be funny.

Sorry, 'bout that Julia_t. Then I shall look for you when I receive the book! Of all the great posters on this forum and all their great collective wisdom, I really can't imagine what I could have said that made it into this book.

I received my Paris 2008 book today! I see lots of quotes including Beatchick, StCirq, Scarlet, etc. Still looking for mine.

Thanks again FODORS for the book. I love the format, photos, and pull out map.

Monica

I was wondering what I said in my quote, I ordered the Italy book instead because that is where I am going next, trying to be practical.

I have already written to Katie that it is an honor!

Found it! Page 286: "You can't miss L'As du Fallafel [You'll see] lots of people enjoying their food. There are other fallafel places, but apparently this one is the best and I loved what I ate."

I see that Scarlet and Elvira are quoted twice. Lots of great word-of-mouth in this book.

Monica

Interesting, thanks.

SeaUrchin, you are on page 101, which is the first page of the "Montmartre" section. On that page with your quote is a picture of dancers of the Moulin Rouge caberet. Your quote:

"The Moulin Rouge is pleasant entertainment, nice show, great historical setting, fun evening."

Monica

thanks monica.

Monica, thanks for e-mailing me quote - you're totally awesome!!

And thanks for posting other quotes!

Is the book on the market now ?

I believe it was released on the 28th, Mimi!!

monica, thanks! Twice and so was Elvira?
Looking forward to getting my book

Scarlett, yes, twice!

Monica

I finally got my book and looked through every page to find my 'Word of Mouth'. I would be so honored that it was a chapter header if I had written what they quoted me as saying. Do I have to return the book?

Abby, not your quote???

Nope! It was about Place Monge which we haven't gotten to yet. I was skeptical when Katie mentioned it was about the Latin Quarter where we haven't spent much time. I did get a free guide though!

Wow, abby! well, shhhhhh don't say anything. There are people who post lists and lists from other guides and get credit for it...I am sure you have said something very important and helpful..it just was not quoted..next time..they owe you one

Ta da! I received my book today (Mr. Connolly bought the book yesterday for himself) AND I found the thread from where I was quoted:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34929966

It's funny because it's not an exact quote, but close enough:
"You mentioned the Champs Elysées which has tons of international jetset type of bars & clubs (Mandala Ray, Buddha Bar, Le Latina Café & Le Queen quickly come to mind) where all the beautiful people gather. However, as you said before, the hotels in this area generally exceed the 200€/night. Is this per person or per room?

If it were me, I'd stay near the Bastille area where they'd have access to the bars & clubs in the Marais, the Bastille area and the Ménilmontant/Oberkampf area (which really has the hippest, most eclectic clubs) and would also give them quick access to some of the clubs on barges such as Batofar (which is found across the Seine and upriver a bit at 11, Quai François Mauriac - they specialize in drum'n'bass & techno)."

My quote came from this thread: http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34998495

Monica

I got my book yesterday (Paris 2008). I like all the integral maps plus the extra pull out map at the back. I look forward to 'road testing' the guide in April....

UPS knocked at my door and presented me with two books. Patrick was happy to receive his Paris 2008 book and Neopolitan was delighted to receive his New York City 2008 book. They BOTH thank you.

No fair...I'm still waiting Seriously, I can't wait to get the book...thanks!!!

Oh, yeah, highflyer, the new integral maps are great, showing where the hotels and restaurants are in proximity to each other. Much better than flipping back and forth between 2 maps of the same area - ingenious!

I see, too, that along with bringing back the map they've brought back the color photos! I only wish they had captions so we'd know where some of the places are.

Well, NeoPatrick, congrats to you both (ahem) for being quoted!

mms, hope you receive yours QUITE soon - I think you'll be tickled pink to see your name in there.

Beatchick--Yes, I am curious to see! I spent months pouring over my old books from our first trip there, and then Scarlett was so kind and loaned me all of her books. So who knows if my words were something I learned on our own, or something out of a book, lol!

I can find your quote if you'd like, and then you can decide for yourself!

Thanks, but I will wait. That way I can read everyones

I rather like the new format of the guides. My biggest complaint is that in this day and age, with all the restaurant and hotel listings what I really want to see is their website address and/or an email address, not a telephone number. I've noticed some other guides have started including those.

NeoPatrick, I've seen a few websites for hotels in the Fodor's Gold Guides for the past few years, but of course not for everything.

When they finally included my favorite hotel in their guide (Les Degrés de Notre Dame) they included the website.

Beatchick, I love the photos too.
Websites, photos and maps are really essential in guidebooks today. The quotes somehow humanise the guide and definitely make it userfriendly.

Are websites omitted because of frequent changes? Like Neo, I too find them more useful than phone numbers.

Yes, the color photos are great!

I'm with NeoPatrick on wanting to see email addresses and web sites. More and more hotels and restaurants are becoming IT savvy.

Monica

Okay, well it would be very nice to get the new London 2008 guide, (but no one's asked for my address?) However, I was in Barnes and Noble the other day, perusing the newest Venice and the Venetian Arc guide-was it 2007 or 2008? And I'm at the beginning of Ch. 8-so I wouldn't mind a copy of that guide as well!

"(but no one's asked for my address?)"

I made that same comment before and then someone pointed out that KatieH had said on one of the posts for those quoted to forward their mailing address to editors to have them send your copy. I did and they did.

Oh, okay-thanks, NeoP-I didn't see that!

mms...did you get your Guide yet?

And I will repeat here what I said to Monica on her trip report (linked above)
Shoot! Fodors should have published the Entire report!! not just quotes!
Ciao! Monica!

Scarlett--yes, it came yesterday! I was starting to get worried, lol! I guess I thought my quote would be from our trip this summer, but it was from a few years ago. It was fun to browse and read all of them. Now to sit down and just read the whole book. Sigh...makes me want to go back, but Italy will get a return visit first.

"(but no one's asked for my address?)"

I have to admit I missed reading the email instructions the first time! I had only gone to Katie's link to read all the names!

Thanks again Scarlett!

Monica

Mine came Friday! I've never been printed in a book before. Hah, I'm a regular J.K. Rowling now!

I'm so glad Ben Haines was included. Another poster who made London book was Lori, who departed around the same time as Mr. Haines.

Oops. A quote was attributed to me that I am very sure that I never said in any forum threads. I know - I never got a chance to see the Marais district on my first visit to Paris last fall.

Actually, I figured it out. Risab should have been attributed to the Marais chapter lead, and my quote is actually on the Faubourg St-Honore chapter lead. Just on the wrong page!

I'm blushing to know this has happened. Looking forward to seeing a copy. And ditto on the Ben Haines comments from above.

Mike

lmlweb; sorry about that! Setting the WOM boxes in the book layout is a slightly difficult process so mistakes aren't out of the question. I'll let the editor know!

I agree; it's always nice to have the web addresses.

This has definitely become a priority for Fodor's; you'll see in the London and Paris book for instance that most of the sights and hotels and many of the restaurants listed include web addresses. We make every effort to include an address when there is one that is officially sponsored by the property; we don't include third party hotel booking sites for instance.

I'm very flattered to be quoted, and I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

But when my copy arrived today, it came in a box 14"x11"x5", complete with enough bubble-wrap to fill the space and sixteen (count 'em) sheets of documentation. Among them, just to reassure, is a written confirmation that the package contained no unauthorized explosives, destructive devices or hazardous materials [unauthorized?] - complete with a photo of the person signing and a sticker to say that Random House authorized the rather fed-up looking woman in question to sign.