Shorter trips in the US because they cost more? No way. Shorter because it's practical and enjoyable to go somewhere for 2-3 days. This simply isn't true for a trip across the Atlantic.<BR>

Having "served my country" for many years, I have travelled a bit. I feel SO lucky that got to travel while I'm still young. The U.S. has made allocations for handicapped so therefore, I figure I can do more in country travelling when I'm old. In Europe, as you know, if you can't make it up to castle under your own power, you're screwed.

It was much less expensive to spend the holidays in Paris (flying out of New Mexico)then to have them in Santa Barbara, California or even Los Angeles. I don't know if that was just true for this year or always. So my friend and I went to Paris and split all expenses. Yes, doing it that way it was much more affordable than going to Santa Barbara, Santa Fe, or Fort Lauderdale. But, travel, alone, I find, no matter where I go is much more costly than going with someone. I love the West and Southwest U.S. and for me there's no place like home but I agree with Dottie, if there were only more money and time I would travel much more often but most likely overseas. However, if traveling alone, I probably would not go as often due to costs.

For myself, I enjoy domestic and foreign travel. <BR>One is not better than the other, simply different.

When I worked for AA in reservations, I worked the International desk for quite some time. The majority of calls that most of us got were for Mexico and the Caribbean. Not that those places were not nice but it seemed most people from the US want to go to the same places.<BR>It was nice to get those calls where they wanted to go to the Maldives or to<BR>South Africa.

I have to disagree with some of you--most of the places I've traveled to within the US have been a delight. From the Atlantic cliffs in Maine (ok, Ogunquit is pretty crowded in July), to the green mountains in Vermont (never crowded in summer or winter) to San Diego beaches, the Chesapeake Bay (you can tell I'm a water person), the natural beauty of America is amazing. True, the culture is not like that of Europe, but we certainly have diversity here! In what other foreign city can you walk from Chinatown to Little Italy, catch some jazz in Harlem, visit museums featuring every kind of great art imaginable, nosh on everything from an authentic Jewish bagel or brick oven baked pizza to the best gourmet cuisine, attend world-class theater and concerts? Let's hear it for NYC and the USA! Now, when you're tired of all of this and craving a CHANGE, hop on a plane and head off to a foreign country-but I would bet you will be very happy to come home when you've satisfied your thirst for Europe!

I'm a Canadian and right now, and with our very low dollar (another record low today I hear) it is definitely more expensive to travel to the US than most of Europe. It is so hard to believe that only ten years ago visiting the States was a good deal for us up here. Today, for the average Canadian, a visit Stateside is just not an option anymore due to the high expense. And, yes, the fact that one needs to rent a car for many areas (other than the walkable cities with decent public transport - New York, Chicago, San Francisco) and add up the atrocious taxes (up tp 30%) it just isn't worth it anymore. Also, we have a monopoly with Air Canada so flying to Europe has gotten substantially more expensive since Sept. 11. <BR><BR>Sorry to feel sorry for myself...but the joy of travel is getting unreachable for many of us in this bananna republic to the north.

I rarely plan a trip in the US. Not because I don't love living here, it is just I am so interested in the history and culture of Europe. I keep going back to Europe, even though I have seen little of the US. It just doesn't have the draw for me that Europe does. I have decided that I will travel Europe while I am physically able to travel long distances, and as I grow older, will travel more domestically.

Leslie - I was 42 before I made my first trip to Europe, been back twice, but I have and continue to travel more in the US. It's more a matter of time than money, although it's hard to find really Cheap airfare to Europe from Califnoria. In 4 days I can see and do a lot on the west coast, but in four days I can barely get to London and back. So I'll probably always travel more in the States than outside.

ttt

zina, there's really no need to top things that are still on the first page. most of us have scroll bars to assist us.

Leslie- I wonder what the responses would have been if you'd asked it on the Asia or US threads? As one who LOVES to travel, anywhere, any time, I find I get very excited going to Europe or Asia simply because of the "foreign- ness"-new food, new language, new money. Us travel is often awe inspiring...visiting a desert and wondering how those pioneers even thought they could cross them, or wondering how the Anazazi of Mesa Verde made their homes, and where did they go?.<BR>Transportation and rooms can often be cheaper overseas because I am willing to accept "charm" over Motel Six: a really clean room with cable Tv, a private bath, and blackout curtains is pretty cheap in America if you don't mind blandness. <BR>In addition, transportation in the US can involve some huge distances..If you just 'do' southern California, you are talking over a thousand miles to see 3 cities (San Diego, LA, San Francisco)...In Europe or Japan, you could have 3 countries and cultures in that same 1000 miles.<BR>So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that the passion is the same for many of us, but the destinations are different. We alternate our big trips: Europe, US, and Asia, but have a lot of fun squeezing in short one in the US as well. I hope To continue visiting all of them!

Another thing about travel here is that there are no lovely inexpensive bed and breakfasts as in Europe. I don't have a guest room and all the b and b s here cost as much as a hotel. So suggesting a place to stay at a reasonable price is not easy.

We have the most beautiful, fruitful, country in the world; I have travel extensively, I and many, many others have THE most passion for our country, as well as traveling here! G-D Bless America!!

Yes, I do have the same passion for US travel. My husband and I spent three years travelling the US in our RV...sold the house, put a few things and storage and away we went. Why did we stop? We missed foreign travel. Could we have done some foreign travel while living in the RV? Perhaps. But you don't have room for suitcases or travel items. And when you leave your stationery house, it's stationery. With an RV you have to find a place to park it until you return (safe place, that is).<BR><BR>Are there as great of things to see in the US vs. foregin? You bet. It's ALL great. Sometimes, we felt like we were in a foreign country when we were in a differing US culture (different from our own Colorado).<BR><BR>So now we're doing our once or twice a year foreign travel. And taking a couple of 2-3 day US trips as well.<BR><BR>Except for airfare, it costs about the same to do foreign or US trips...and we try to economize without being overly cheap.<BR>

Can we please put a cork in the hackneyed God-Bless-America platitude?<BR>I'm fond of my native land, but no God I'd want to believe in would favor one man-made institution over another. It's all-too-human hubris making that declaration, whther American or Al-qaeda.

to trythinkling. Be a brave American and Try using your own name! I am a very proud American, who's son is fighting to us a free nation; so please use the heart that G-d gave you, and be kind to ALL! THANK YOU!

lisa, I mean you no harm and I'm sure to you it's all very meaningful, but there are too many warring factions in the world today, all believing passionately that God is on their side. If you look at history, the results are horrible. I regret seeing Americans participate en masse in such thinking.

When I first started traveling to Europe, I was totally enthralled. But after many trips, the newness of it began to wear off and I could see the filth everywhere (particularly in England) and the low levels of sanitation in handling and refrigeration of foods, the half-a**ed way of doing everything, etc. So, I still travel to Europe on occasion, but I enjoy it less because of the ickiness of daily living in that mess. The United States may not have the history, but what it does have is healthier and cleaner, and the attitude can't be beat. So, yes, I have more passion now about traveling throughout the U.S. than I do Europe.

Karen -<BR><BR>Don't you think someone who has been to Disney World SEVEN times (good grief) has waived the right to scoff at it with such disdain? And if you truly enjoy a challenge as you say you do, a less U.S tourist friendly mecca such as Paris might provide it.