Just back from Paris and French countryside and I can't believe how much I miss being there. I have a great life at home but I always feel a little let down after holidays. I usually just start planning our next trip. What do you do?

I start planning the next trip, along with doing trip reports, photo organizing, etc. from the previous trip. I just try to keep busy with "travel stuff," along with reading this board. I love being home, as well, but always miss the places I enjoyed, too.

I imagine many people feel the same way.. When I come back from Europe, I feel, the first few weeks extremely restless,and sometimes it takes longer than that. Also my head is up in the clouds, my mind is still in Europe and I act like the absent minded professor..
I have yet not found a way to cure my homesickness ..The best way perphas,is to start have new ideas for the next exciting vacation.

Consider taking yourself out to the most authentic french restaurant in your town.

I just returned from Scandinavia, and wish I was still there! Mainly because it was sunny there every day, while I haven't seen the sun ONCE in the past 3 days here in NYC. Plus I'm overwhelmed with work...making up for all the stuff that came up while I was gone. Bleh.

I start planning my next trip right away. I have to have a trip in the planning at all times. Even a weekend near here or to Tucson to see my grandkids. I can only afford to go to Europe every couple of years.

Ain't no cure for the back-at-home bloo's!

I'm fortunate (?) to have a very large lawn and several gardens. The minute I arrive home I take my bags inside but do not unpack, I change my clothes, and immediatly go to work doing the most mundane chores, edpending on the season. I make it a point to do the things that always need to be done but that I take the least pleasure in doing. Perhaps its just psychological penance but it tends to ground me. One need not have a garden, I think any chore would do, but being outside does seem to help.

A freind of mine sets up an easel outside and paints, though she's the first to admit she has no particualr talent at it. It just "brings her home".

Think of what makes you so happy on holiday, and recreate it at home! As Bardo wrote above, treat yourself to a good restaurant. Take day trips from your own hometown. Take lots of photos. Try a museum in your city that you've never visited. Set aside time from your work, chores, etc to enjoy. Although you can't be in the physical place of your vacation when you're home, you can be in the mental place!

To every thing there is a season... a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together....

I try to savour both. May you all savour your time abroad, and at home.