you make some very good points, Alisa.

Of course it's possible to have a good time in a big city in a short period of time, but having realistic expectations helps!

>><i>we wanted to stroll the streets, enjoy tea at Laduree, and slurp some oysters in a park. The best memories from those days aren't the sights, but the experiences.</i><<

Absolutely! Sure one can have a wonderful, relaxing two or three day break in Paris or London or anywhere.

Unfortunately what we often get is something like >>Is this doable? 09:30-Louvre; 10:30-Ste Chapelle; 10:50 Notre Dame; 11:30 Musee d'Orsay; 12:30 lunch; 1:30 train to London<< . . . . Only a <i>slight</i> exaggeration >)