mcgeezer

Wouldn't the "exhustion aspect" of much of this advice depend on two things?
1. Where is the starting point of the journey? I live in Southern California, so taking a trip to Europe is a 24 hour endeavor. If one lives in the Eastern U.S. then it's only an overnight hop.
2. How well does one sleep on a plane?
If you can sleep on a plane, no problem. My husband gets off the plane in Europe and is refreshed and ready to go. I, on the other hand need recovery time.

rj007

They are flying from Atlanta. I live in So. California as well, and I can't sleep on planes. But I could do a long weekend to Europe with no problem. I've never had jet lag -I start exploring right away. I went to Ireland last year for 6 days and had a good time. Airfare was $315 (taxes incl.) LA to Dublin on Aer Lingus.

portia

Thank you everyone. Your responses have been great. Those of you recommending that we not take such a short trip to Europe are listing exactly the concerns I have had. We did consider New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. However, New Orleans will just have to wait for May and the jazz festival. I also considered the Caribbean, but have realized that Europe is where he most wants to go. Thanks for the suggestion to look for direct flights. I'll do that today. Rome, Paris, Vienna and London are starting to look good.

Austin

How about a trip to Europe for Spring Break - but give him a card on his 50th with a "Coupon" made by the family, giving him the trip, to be taken on Spring Break? You could even let him fill in the "blank" with the city he wants to go to...Then you can all plan it. Or, go ahead and plan it ahead of time and in Nov. you can give him the Coupon that says "Good for one family trip to____"

Just a thought...

maitaitom

I took my wife to Paris for her 40th (Dec. 30). If he loves food, wine art and music, I can't think of any place better. That's because even if it rains or the weather is miserable the entire time, you can still have food, wine, art and music. And there is no place I'd rather walk in the rain (or take the metro) than Paris.

maitaitom

I should read through all these threads. I disagree that you will spend all your time recovering from jet lag. We arrived December 27 and left January 1 (And we flew from Los Angeles). Zero jet lag. I always feel the excitement of a trip to Europe trumps jet lag. Of course, when you get home...(but who cares. You can always sleep through work).

Grasshopper

I've taken several "long weekend" trips from the West Coast. I completely support your idea to do this. But one thing I've learned is that you need to have a direct flight.

Since it's Husband's birthday and he would prefer Paris or Italy why are you even considering anywhere else? That said, can you fly direct to Rome? If not, Paris is it. It's a reasonable flight from Atlanta (7 hours?) and you absolutely can't beat the options for what to do there. What a fun birthday surprise he will have!

bardo

Considering weather, geography and it being one of the top sites in the world: ROME. Nonstops is definately worth the extra $100 - the extra time in Rome (and recovery time) is priceless. This gives you 5 FULL DAYS (the minimum, IMO) in Rome. Someone will have to call in sick on Tuesday

Found this on ITAsoftware.com:
$642.29 in US Dollars
This ticket is non-refundable.

Airport legend:
ATL: Atlanta Hartsfield
FCO: Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino
Atlanta, GA to Rome, Italy: 5020 miles 9 hrs 30 min
Delta Air Lines Flight DL70 on a Boeing 767 (jet) in coach class
(dinner, movie)
Departs Atlanta, GA (ATL) Mon, Nov 22 5:15p 9 hrs 30 min
Arrives Rome, Italy (FCO) Tue, Nov 23 8:45a
Note: The flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Rome (FCO) is overnight.

Rome, Italy to Atlanta, GA: 5020 miles 11 hrs 25 min
Delta Air Lines Flight DL71 on a Boeing 767 (jet) in coach class
(lunch, movie)
Departs Rome, Italy (FCO) Sun, Nov 28 10:45a 11 hrs 25 min
Arrives Atlanta, GA (ATL) 4:10p

bardo

If the cold, wet weather isn't a concern, PARIS is a great alternative.

Similar Mon. night - Sun. afternoon schedule.

Also from ITAsoftware.com (non-stop):

$577.33 in US Dollars
1 adult @ $577.33
Show booking details


This ticket is non-refundable.

Airport legend:
ATL: Atlanta Hartsfield
CDG: Paris Charles de Gaulle
Atlanta, GA to Paris, France: 4381 miles 8 hrs 15 min
Delta Air Lines Flight DL8659 on an Airbus A340 (jet) in coach class
(operated by Air France as Flight AF301)
(dinner)
Departs Atlanta, GA (ATL) Mon, Nov 22 4:15p 8 hrs 15 min
Arrives Paris, France (CDG) Tue, Nov 23 6:30a
Note: The flight from Atlanta (ATL) to Paris (CDG) is overnight.

Paris, France to Atlanta, GA: 4381 miles 9 hrs 45 min
Delta Air Lines Flight DL29 on a Boeing 777 (jet) in coach class
(lunch, movie)
Departs Paris, France (CDG) Sun, Nov 28 11:45a 9 hrs 45 min
Arrives Atlanta, GA (ATL) 3:30p

ilovelabs2003

Everyone is different. I get horrendous jet lag both ways, so I would never go for such a short stint. Some people adjust better.

Paris sounds great if you really want to do it.

Remember, not all people can "sleep" through work. I think if I did that my seventh graders would rise up in insurrection and take over the school!

ilovelabs2003

Portia,

Are you or your husband teachers? Is that why you cannot leave until Tuesday night? Or, do you not want your kids to miss school? I think that Bardo's suggestion of leaving on Monday sounds better.


Just wondering!

maitaitom

Ilovelabs:
"Remember, not all people can "sleep" through work....my seventh graders would rise up in insurrection and take over the school!"

I thought that's why teachers invented "busy work" for their students.

Gardyloo

Ah, yes, but...

Since you will be jet-lagged anyway, with no chance to re-synch yourselves in such a short time, and since you list beautiful architecture as a priority, and since it's late November we're talking, when days will be short through Europe and especially northern and central Europe...

Why not go someplace in the south where everyone eats dinner really late anyway, so that when it's 11PM for them and 5PM for you you won't be out of place, where the wine is excellent and culture hangs from the rafters, and where the architecture is arguably the best in Europe, and where you can do just fine with English, and where there's a 50-50 chance of decent, maybe even warmish weather...?

Barcelona, baby.

One stop from ATL each way (Amsterdam, best airport in Europe) on KLM, around $590 all in. Can we come along?

lindilindi

If weather is not a concern; how about Quebec City or Montreal, or Halifax? They all have European flair, and aren't in a much different time zone. With the plane ticket and exchange rate it will be much cheaper, and you can start saving up for a longer European trip.

Or you could also consider an old South-American city. Many of them have beautiful colonial architecture, a lot of history and great weather. (I've never been though).

beachbum

portia,
I would answer your question to mikemo, "Nein." Wien and Muenchen are better left for later visits. Since you think your husband would prefer Paris or "someplace in Italy" I'd suggest you focus on those options. Personally, I'd lean towards Paris unless you're concerned about weather.

By the way, I'd love for my wife to get to know you!

portia

My husband and I could take Tuesday off. The kids' schools aren't so accommodating and they may not be permitted to make up missed assignments. They're all good students in 7th, 9th, and 11th grades who have never had an unexcused absence. Maybe the next step is to approach the school administration or individual teachers directly and see if they'll cut us some slack. What do you think, ilovelabs? Would that bother you? This will be a very eductional experience and more time would be great. I want to visit (or revisit)every place suggested. There are so many intriguing options, I think we'll have a friend who is above suspicion initiate a conversation with my husband. I may be wrong about his preferences, after all. If the kids and I try to bring up the subject in a roundabout way, he'll be suspicious.

ilovelabs2003

Portia,

Every school has different rules regarding make-up work. Our official policy is that a student has two days for every one day absent DUE TO ILLNESS to make up assignments. If a student misses days due to vacation, they have five days total to make up the work upon return to school, no matter how long he/she is away. I find that teachers sometimes bend the rules a bit depending on cirumstances, which your children's teachers may do because they are good students and because traveling to Europe is a great educational experience. In my professional opinion, missing one day of school to travel to Europe is not a big deal.

To be perfectly honest with you, I do not mind when good students miss a day or two. It is when parents remove their children from school for a week or more that bugs me. Even if students can make up the work, missing that many days of school is detrimental to any student. They miss so much instruction. Also, I don't really assign major assignments the two days before Thanksgiving anyway. Something may be due early that week, but I have allowed students to pass things in early if they will be missing school that week. Talk to your children's teachers; my collegues and I always appreciate advance notice. I am sure it would not be a problem.

wombat7

Much as I love the Great White North I really could not recommend Quebec, Montreal or Halifax over Rome or Paris. They cannot hold a candle in terms of architecture,art or history.

Nice places for an "ordinary" long weekend but not for a trip that is special.

Austin

I don't think it would be a problem either. If it's anything like schools around here right before a holiday, not much is happening in classes the day before. Too much excitement. Sometimes they have parties or special events. My guess it would be no problem at all to miss that Tuesday...Then you could fly out that Monday night!

bardo

portia,
Please check back here and let us know how this all turns out (I'm hooked on this saga, for one). I know how just great it is to see tickets to Europe in a birthday card from a loving wife (London, many years ago).