peeky

I joined an Italian Language Class last night and some of the women were telling me they are going to Europe and especially France and Italy to look for romance!

Two women went to Paris last year and all of them are heading for Italy next year. I think they saw Under The Tuscan Sun and got sunstroke. Is this one of the reasons some of you go to Europe? I thought only young people did that in hostels. Here I was worrying about cafe etiquette and I was missing the whole point!! Duhhh on my part.

Now the light is on and I understand!!

annesherrod

My question- did they find romance in Paris last year? Do they expect romance in Italy?
I went to Europe the first time in college. I found romance, but I was not looking for it. I cannot imagine "looking " for love now - there. Why not in our own back yard?

If they are unencumbered, why not? I would love it! But, what do they expect from it? Hopefully nothing.
I travel to experience everything but Romance at this point in my life. (still young in my opinion) If that is the impetus for traveling, well, not my cup 'o tea.
To each his own.............

Scarlett

I have only traveled to Europe with my husband. We found Romance .
But then, we find it in Florida too

WillTravel

I have to say I don't quite get how romance would bloom in most hostels. Certainly there's not much opportunity for privacy in the average dorm. Perhaps the couples meet in the dorms, and then take off for a private hotel room.

But as to peeky's class, it sounds like these ladies maybe watched Summertime and Three Coins in the Fountain also. There was a very funny satirical Onion article about this phenomenon - sadly I see they no longer have free archives.

I do think your class might be atypical. I took both a French and Italian class this year, and in neither class did it seem that this was an incentive for any of the students.

Boodja

Is mid-thirties middle aged? Some days it feels like I'm ancient...

Anyway, I found romance unexpectedly in Venice during my first trip to Italy three years ago and we are still carrying on strong. I'm in the midst of tying up loose ends in the US to move over in the New Year.

peeky

I don't think mid thirties is middle aged but I'm glad you found romance Boodja. Yes, I didn't get the whole rundown but they did find romance last year in Paris and they are visiting the men this year and then going to Italy.
It is nice that you are married, Scarlett.

I wonder if my class is atypical, should I join them?! They laughed at me when I said you shouldn't wear jeans in Europe with black because there would be too many bands. I don't think they knew what I meant, then again I don't know either.

Marilyn

peeky, you're lucky if all they did was give each other significant looks with a raised eyebrow when you started talking about "bands." My advice: never assume anything on this board is common knowledge in the real world.

"Why not in our own back yard?" Because Italian men really know how to make a woman feel like a woman, IMHO. Even if you are traveling with your husband or there is not the slightest chance of romance, they are still gallant, flirtatious, and charming. Not so sure that this continues "afterwards," however!

TopMan

"Romance" has little, if anything to do with "privacy" or lack thereof in hostels or anywhere else, much less etiquette. And, often I think, the old adage of "those who do don't talk (about it), and those that talk, don't do" might govern some of the "reality" in this sort of situation. It certainly describes some of the "reported" goings on on this board, that's for sure.

Neil_Oz

Women look for romance, men (apart from a few boring SNAGs) for a quick leg-over. As long as everyone's happy, so am I.

Anyone who can read an extended burble like "Under the Tuscan Sun" without puking has my respect. (No, sorry, can I take back that last bit? Please?)

walkinaround

So going to europe for romance is now some sort of trendy thing based on a movie?

I think going to see out some idea of romance is not a good idea. Setting the expectation that you will be swept off your feet by your idea of the stereotypical italian or french man is just setting yourself up for disappointment if it doesn't happen.

i agree with topman that anyone who boasts about their "perfect" romance with stereotypical romantic stranger may be selling you a bill of goods.

My advice is that if you try to travel some more and get to know people from around the world, you will have a more mature view...not one that is blurred by fairy tale stereotypes.

caroline_edinburgh

"I said you shouldn't wear jeans in Europe with black because there would be too many bands"

Please, someone, end the suspense & tell me what this means !

Eloise

Caroline, I simply cannot believe that you have been so remiss as to miss M_Kingdom2's obiter dicta on the fashion sin of "banding" that results if one wears black with blue jeans.

For your overdue edification, I refer you to the following thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34536321

USNR

My European correspondent, Carlo, tells me that he loves to pursue middle-aged and older women. He says that, although they are slower, they are much more grateful.

degas

Carlo has been horning in on my romance business of late, but I'm sure we can work things out given the high demand for our gracious and refined services.

Scarlett

LOL, peeky, I am glad I am married too
But I kinda meant that no matter where one goes, one can find Romance. Even if one is already married.

NeilOz, honey, I feel the same way about that book and movie. I don't think it is just a guy thing.

Perhaps single ladies feel that they have tried in the area that they live in, so what a treat to have such a great undiscovered territory to find love and romance. It happens all the time! In fact, I do know of one young lady-not middle aged- who found love in a hostel in Europe.
My philosophy on that- If your gonna find it, you will. You never know when or where. Sometimes it is better not to look so hard.

SuzieC

And some middle-aged women do not go to Europe with the expressed intent to meet men for a shag, to put it politely...or "romance".

Oh, how romantic...being seen as a green card!??

PLMN

You never know...how about an American woman meeting a delightfuly adorable American man while on line to climb 463 stairs in Florence.

Ahhh, if I had been single and my folks weren't waiting for me at the cafe.

(When asked if he had been to Venice yet he replied, "No, I'm waiting to go with a girl.&quot

AisleSeat

well, at least this changes my outlook on the female travelers I meet along the way. And all this time I thought they went to see Mona Lisa.

ira

>...they are still gallant, flirtatious, and charming. Not so sure that this continues "afterwards," however!<

Read the articles about being married to Italian men at www.slowtrav.com.

One part I liked:

He: Someone has stolen my underwear.
She: How do you know?
He: I have 8 pair and there are only 5 in my drawer.
She: There are 3 pair that I picked up from the floor and put in the laundry basket.
He: Laundry basket?

caroline_edinburgh

Eloise: I apolgise for my naff remissness - consider me edified (And thank you for pointing me in the direction of a good laugh )