I spend alot of time planning our trips. I find that there is often one part of the trip that I am not sure about. I book something...like a trip a couple of years ago to Switzerland...I changed the trip to include the Engadin which was great. This time I am planning a trip to Paris, Normandy and the Loire. I like the Normandy and Paris part of the trip, but am obsessing about the Loire plan. Its crazy...I am all booked but may change two nights. Does this happen to you??

All the time

Always. There are two things I am obsessed with: food and cooking/travel.

I agree with travel. Thats whats I obsess about. I end up driving my wife nuts.

Dear God YES!!!! My itinerary always changes a few times.

I am currently obsessing about my my upcoming Sept Italy trip....and hoping once I book I will find another trip to obsess about so I won't change my mind!

Not unless I'm heading for totally uncharted territory, and even then these days I'm pretty go-with-the-flow. I always have reservations for hotels, but apart from that and doing a LOT of background reading so I know what's closed which days and practical stuff like that, I like to go where the wind blows me.

I used to, though.

yes, as I troll this site endlessly. Though I rarely follow through on anything other than going. I don't obsess about much once I'm there.

Yes! I love fodors but part of the problem is that every time I think I have the trip planned I will read something, look it up, and decide that I <i>have</i> to go there instead! Although usually in the end the changes are for the best, I often obsess over where best to go.

Tracy

Nope, that doesn't happen to me. I do obsess about packing though

Obsess away, it is a way to lengthen your trip by dreaming of it BEFORE you go.

I just booked a Cosmos Best of Europe trip for Oct. I think I have taken every travel book/video out of the library and I'm well known at the local bookstore as well!! I'm compiling a notebook of &quot;to dos&quot; and restaurants etc, many thanks to all of the posts - it's been so helpful.

I'm an obsessive planner... spend more time planning the trip than we'll actually spend on the vacation!

Definitely! I always think others seem so much more confident in what they plan.

At the moment, I am focused on train tickets (leave for France in 10 days) and am obsessing about if I've done it right. I just picture myself with 4 worthless pieces of paper instead of 4 valid printed PREM tickets.

My friends would laugh if they knew I was being asked this question. Their answer would be a resounding YES. I would have to agree. But it's fun, what can I say?

Johanna

Oh, yes! That's half the fun

At this point in our lives, we travel to europe every other year. Because we use frequent flyer miles, we need to plan a destination at least 11 months in advance. I've found that researching the perfect itinerary, searching out a vacation rental (good ones need to be booked far in advance), and making it all work together, can be a complicated process. But I love it. It helps pass many long winter nights here in upstate New York. Sometimes I worry that the whole thing borders on obsession. But so far every trip has been absolutely memorable. I am planning our 12th trip for 2009. And I want to thank Fodors. I spend many lunch hours scrolling through questions, and trip reports, looking for inspiration for our next vacation destination. I've got some great ideas for trip 13.

Yeah! I'm not alone after all! I drive my husband nuts, too. He just cannot figure out why I spend some much time on trip planning. Part of it is that it's fun for me, but I also can't rest until I've tweaked the itinery enough so I'm satisfied with it. Until I ponder it some more, and change it again. At some point, I have to commit to an air schedule, non-refundable Eurostar tickets, whatever...(heaven forbid I decide I want to change something and it's - gasp - too late), and my torture/fun comes to an end...Then I can continue my obsessing with daily sightseeing plans and packing (with the associated shopping for the all-important walking shoes!).

Yes, and I always feel like I never have enough days to do/see everything. One thing that always changes after we arrive is our restaurant plans. I arrive with a list, but we usually find a charming cafe not on the list, and we say, &quot;Why not?&quot; We're hardly ever disappointed in our &quot;finds&quot;, though.

I think now I am also obsessing because of the strength of the Euro. I think maybe I should find a cheaper hotel...cut costs. I usually stay at a mixture of less and more expensive hotels. I like finding the quaint hotel full of character...but which doesn't break the bank.