annhig

up until our last trip to Paris, DH loved it and couldn't get enough.

However on our last trip he felt much like you, and came away wondering if he'd ever want to go back. I OTOH still love it, and would go back any time I could. ditto Rome about which he feels the same.

sadly I can see some solo trips coming on!

thanks for the TR - a really good job done.

janisj

For anyone looking for the second installment - here's the link:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...3-part-two.cfm

texasbookworm

janisj--Thank you.

To you above who have left me feedback--also thank you. My Fodor's community has been valuable beyond calculation when planning the few trips I've been able to make over the last 5 years, and I'm privileged (and feel obligated!) to give back a little with my experiences. A report on a tour may not be quite as helpful when planning independent travel, but all travel experiences can inform at least a bit.

(And to you who praise me for traveling with students--Well, for one, as my teaching is not just a job but a calling/ministry/gift, working with them is....well, it's just life, and good, and right. Two, I do chose to work not in the public school community and that road less traveled has made all the difference! And three--well, I do get to travel for practically free when there are 6 other travelers!)

As an interesting follow up to my comments on the Scottish ceilidh, as well as on the integrity and responsiveness of the tour company I used, in a follow up conversation with my consultant, I learned that others, from my TG C on down through the others on tour, had had similar responses, so the tour company refunded other people's money (we had gone free as compensation for missed first day time) and will not be using that vendor anymore.

irishface

I enjoyed your trip. Kids can be wonderful on a trip, but I am glad my days of leading high school trips are long over. (Forty five years ago I was as excited as the kids to see so many places and too dumb (naïve?) to think of the potential problems of such excursions.)

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

irishface

Re your comments about working in the private sector: I chose the public sector after a brief "tour" in the private school venue, and for me that was the right choice "which made all the difference." But I too found teaching a calling/art/ministry and feel so fortunate to have been able to spend over forty years in the field.

When I listen to my former colleagues talk about the paperwork (increasing exponentially) and state demands (made up by people who have never been in a classroom), I might choose the private sector if I were beginning today.