Tiff: I'm so glad it all worked out for you and your DH!

I changed jobs in April but informed them from the outset of a prior planned trip to Hawaii in July (3 weeks total time off).
Everyone at this company from management on down were nothing but supportive and encouraging!

Have a wonderful trip!((y))
Belle

Tiff,
So glad the trip is on! Sounds like a great opportunity for your husband and it is good to see what kind of company it is from the outset.

Yes, we had to cancel a trip with 4 days left until departure this past July. My mother fell gravely ill. She passed away November 23rd and I am so glad I spent the time with her. The good news....we are going ahead with plans to London on December 24th and the Italy/Switzerland trip is rescheduled for June. It was hard at the moment to face what we had to face and it is still difficult, but it will be good to go have some fun and family time.

(BTW, I got your Santa Monica restaurant recs - thanks).

Mimi, I am so sorry to hear about your health problems, but listen if you are still in pain , is better to see a Dr just to make certains that everything is Ok.
Travel is indeed very important in my life, time pass so fast and is better enjoy today because tomorrow is a mystery..
I do hope that you feel better by February, just bundle up and if you cant walk too far ,take the tourist bus.
Sending you good vibes..
Ciao Bella..

Merry Christmas, Yipper!

Yipper, you are a lucky mother, I wish EVERYONE'S SON could be home for the holidays.

Broke my toe 1 week before a month long European vacation, a few summers ago. I had just made my final reservation on the computer, and swung around in my chair & broke my toe on a CD rack!
I just postponed my trip by a week & shortened my stay. I was going to try to avoid walking as much as possible, by taking public transit, but that was the year that Prague flooded,and the metro was closed! I ended up walking ALL over! ((b))

I hope I never land up in this situation. What I wonder is if one does cancel all holiday plans at the last moment, what does it cost? Are deposits refundable are the Europeans keen to cancel without penalties?

Tiff, I'm so glad to check in this morning and find that everything is worked out with both the promotion AND the trip! Congrats! :)

Leslie ~ I am so pleased that your Dad was able to and did retire early and that he and your Mom have been able to enjoy their retirement so very much. My Dad fell ill six months after his retirement and passed away five months later at the young age of 60. We never know what is around the corner, do we? It does make me happy to know that your Dad didn't keep working with that company and since has spent so much time with your dear Mom! Well done, Dad!

MaiTai ~ You're funny. Good news on the vino! LOL

Suexxyy ~ Yes, the martini glass was the closest thing I had to a wine glass, ha. Anything soothing would do at that point, ha.

Thanks Faina, thanks mvor.

Susan Eva ~ Thanks and I hope we get to the islands too, especially Torcello!

Yipper ~ What happy news to hear your son is home safe now, and yes, you are right, if we did indeed have to cancel it is nothing compared to what you experienced.

leonberger (Gayle) ~ Excellent point, we also thought it was a sign of good things to come.

Cigalechanta (Mimi) ~ I am sorry for your health problems sweetie. Hope you are better soon.

kafkamafia & OSB ~ Thanks! And Belle, what excellent news you were able to hula for three weeks, hee! Lovely!

fun4all4 ~ Sorry about your Mom sweetie, I know how hard that is. Glad to see you got the restaurants recs.

Rd ~ We do have travel insurance but it would not have covered voluntary cancellation of this sort, only illness, etc. We would have taken a penalty with the airfare, but could have used it at a later date less the penalty and change fees. Not a biggie in teh big scheme of things, but a small loss.

Amp ~ Sorry about your bad luck, man, a toe can really change things, huh!?! I feel for you!

Statia ~ Thanks you sweetheart!

Thanks for the good wishes everyone, I hope I didn't miss anyone, my DH & I appreciate it! We'll toast all of you dear Fodorites 'across the pond'! ((L)) Tiff

Tiff, that definitely sounds like a good company to work for. Today, many more companies are paying attention to what is good for the mental and physical health of their employees -- the only good byproduct of healthcare costs rising so much!!! :)

My second trip to Europe (England/Scotland/Wales) with my now DH (was then just fiance) was in August 2000. I had gone before (1996) so had a valid passport, but DH hadn't been overseas for over 15 years, so needed to get his done. He applied for it rather late (IMHO), but still before the six weeks recommended. When he called them two weeks before we were due to fly, they said they had never received the application -- but we checked, and the check was cashed. Obviously they had received, and lost, the application. So he had to go in to the passport office physically, re-apply, pay ANOTHER fee, and pay for Fedex service for the passport to be delivered to us.

The day before we left on the trip the Fedex package finally arrived with DH's new passport. Talk about nervous!!!

Congrats Tiff. Sounds like your husband scored points by his offer, and that the company was stand-up enough to not take him up on it. Have a GREAT trip!!

Oh my GreenDragon ~ That whole passport thing, how many times have I read about those nervous waits on this board and felt for those people! Our little Fiesty in a n above post is doing that wait right now! It is so out of your control. Great news that yours came in time!

((o))

After reading all of this unfortunate situations, of course loved ones falling ill or passing away are the worst and quite sad.
On a lighter note, when I read Alan64's post, can you imagine being on the plane actually buckled in and having your company track you down to get you off the plane, unbelievable! I think I would almost be laughing, thinking in my best McEnroe voice, "You cannot be serious!"

Thanks Alan ~ how ironic, I was just typing my post about your situation when you posted.

Your experience still blows me away.

At the time I was a courier for a transplant program, and there was a potential problem with the donation. At first I thought the stewardess was joking with me about getting off the plane but she was dead serious. As much as I was disapointed at the time, my first concern was for the patient. Fortunately, the donor was cleared the next day and I made the trip (with 1 less free day). The patient's doing great almost 6 years later!

Tiff - Thank you for the kind words. I am glad everything worked out for you and your husband. Have a wonderful time.