i want to go back to paris
Jan 7th, 2009, 06:07 AM
#21
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<i>will going back make this craving worse (gasp)???</i>
Honestly, yes.
The yearning for a second visit is stonger than the initail desire to visit Paris.
The call of the third visit is louder than the second.
The pull of the fourth visit is stronger than the third.
That's as I far as I can comment first hand. I do see an evil pattern though...
Honestly, yes.
The yearning for a second visit is stonger than the initail desire to visit Paris.
The call of the third visit is louder than the second.
The pull of the fourth visit is stronger than the third.
That's as I far as I can comment first hand. I do see an evil pattern though...
Jan 7th, 2009, 07:33 AM
#22
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Now I want to go back to Paris, too. Thanks a lot! 
-) )
What's the best of the off-season months to visit Paris? I can't see myself going in January, for example, since I am freezing in San Francisco, when it's 48 degrees F!
-) )What's the best of the off-season months to visit Paris? I can't see myself going in January, for example, since I am freezing in San Francisco, when it's 48 degrees F!
Jan 7th, 2009, 07:46 AM
#23
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I did not mind the cold too much if you dress right. I think I should have brought long underwear - not just tights - since I am a southern California gal.. I LOVED being there in the cold..something was special about it. Crazy? Perhaps.
Jan 7th, 2009, 07:56 AM
#25
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lilaki,
I totally relate. It feels like I lived in Paris in a past life. I belonged the moment I set foot in the city.
After the first time I went, I literally never shut up about it. I obsessed to the point that my husband bought me a plane ticket and told me to just go again already.
I figured the second time would help get it out of my system. Nope! Still can't wait to go back!
I totally relate. It feels like I lived in Paris in a past life. I belonged the moment I set foot in the city.
After the first time I went, I literally never shut up about it. I obsessed to the point that my husband bought me a plane ticket and told me to just go again already.
I figured the second time would help get it out of my system. Nope! Still can't wait to go back!
Jan 7th, 2009, 07:57 AM
#26
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I think you have found that many of us are fond of Paris.
I have been going for many years. I now like to stay for a month at a time just so the flight does not come around so soon. The flight is the worst part of the trip. I was there last April and a month mid Set-mid Oct and a short 12 days trip the first half of Dec. I am now all set for mid April to mid May.
I am working on my dining now..all takes time.
Enjoy your planning..that is half the fun of it all..
Enjoy....
Joan
I have been going for many years. I now like to stay for a month at a time just so the flight does not come around so soon. The flight is the worst part of the trip. I was there last April and a month mid Set-mid Oct and a short 12 days trip the first half of Dec. I am now all set for mid April to mid May.
I am working on my dining now..all takes time.
Enjoy your planning..that is half the fun of it all..
Enjoy....
Joan
Jan 7th, 2009, 08:13 AM
#27
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Welcome to Paris Anonymous....my friends don't understand why I am not seeing something new each year. But I always find something new in Paris, and for some reason when I am there I feel at "home." Don't speak the language, don't have any French background, but the city makes my soul swell. I hope someday to emulate Joan and stay for a month or more at a time. But for now I need to continue working so I can feed this addiction and can't blow all my vacation on one visit.
Jan 7th, 2009, 09:23 AM
#28
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While I love Paris, for me I just can't get London out of my mind. I love the city. I was just there this past May and am going back in late Feb. I've tried to rationalize that I'm going back because I want to see a friend who's in school over there and it's a free place to stay, but really I just want to go back and be in the mix of everything LONDON!
Jan 7th, 2009, 09:41 AM
#29
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Wow. I'm impressed with St. Cirq's 105 visits. I was feeling pretty smug with 30, but no matter the number, there is always for some of us a desire to return again and again. One thing I've found to help, is always to keep a Paris folder and drop in notes about new places to visit, new restaurants to try, etc. It fulfills a need to feel connected to the place even as it increases the longing to go again right now. The problem for me is that I've recently developed an almost similar addiction for Barcelona. So now I keep two permanent "next time" files that compete with each other. The more you get, the more you want. It's just how it is.
Jan 7th, 2009, 09:59 AM
#30
I titled my last Paris report "Paris Again?" because that is what our friends always say to us. Of course, none of them have ever been there.
In comparison to some on this post, we are Paris novices at 6 times, but there is just something about the way we feel in Paris that calls us back.
We usually add another place on to our Paris trips, but Paris is the city we relive over and over again in our photos and dreams.
Getting to chat about it on Fodors keeps the dream alive.
In comparison to some on this post, we are Paris novices at 6 times, but there is just something about the way we feel in Paris that calls us back.
We usually add another place on to our Paris trips, but Paris is the city we relive over and over again in our photos and dreams.
Getting to chat about it on Fodors keeps the dream alive.
Jan 7th, 2009, 10:40 AM
#31
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wow!!! thank you to everyone for your insights/advice ...
i checked on my top apartment pick for paris ... it's available for the time we want to go ... and we've got enough FF to get there ... talk about tempting...
and i love the idea about keeping a folder ... great way to stay organized.
to all you fodorties who have been so many times that you need both hands to count, i am JEALOUS! maybe someday i can join the club!!
i checked on my top apartment pick for paris ... it's available for the time we want to go ... and we've got enough FF to get there ... talk about tempting...
and i love the idea about keeping a folder ... great way to stay organized.
to all you fodorties who have been so many times that you need both hands to count, i am JEALOUS! maybe someday i can join the club!!
Jan 7th, 2009, 11:02 AM
#32
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But of course, this is normal , non?
As my 'nom de plume' implies, I am a big fan of the city. Been 8/9 times and have started planning for a March/April visit. It encompasses eveything I like to see in a city...good food, architecture, history, arts, style, and a certain 'way of life'.
My list of places to see there is not complete, my restos to try is not any shorter. I've been in all four seasons, and each has its own attraction.
I've been at hotels and an appartment, and look forward to trying the appartment life again.
And yes, I find myself scanning real estate prices just to dream that maybe..
I do visit other places, and enjoy them also (Ghana and Turkey were my last big trips). But for going somewhere where I can just relax and do nothing or a lot, Paris will always be near top of the list.
As my 'nom de plume' implies, I am a big fan of the city. Been 8/9 times and have started planning for a March/April visit. It encompasses eveything I like to see in a city...good food, architecture, history, arts, style, and a certain 'way of life'.
My list of places to see there is not complete, my restos to try is not any shorter. I've been in all four seasons, and each has its own attraction.
I've been at hotels and an appartment, and look forward to trying the appartment life again.
And yes, I find myself scanning real estate prices just to dream that maybe..
I do visit other places, and enjoy them also (Ghana and Turkey were my last big trips). But for going somewhere where I can just relax and do nothing or a lot, Paris will always be near top of the list.
Jan 7th, 2009, 11:22 AM
#33
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If you want to go back to Paris, then go back to Paris and don't worry that you're doing a repeat trip. You'll not have a repeat experience, but a new one and with new things to do.
I've been going to Paris, almost annually, since the mid-70s. I'm lucky in that I take 1-3 overseas vacations a year, so I can repeat Paris and then on one of the other 1 or 2 vacations, go somewhere new.
Probably for the first 15 years or so of traveling, I stayed traveling in Europe and also North Africa the whole time, before moving on to other continents.
Each year of those travels, Paris fell in there somewhere, although I was living for 20-plus years of summers in Copenhagen and during those summers would train it down to PAris.
Many other years, I just flew to Paris directly from the States.
So, if that's what you enjoy, and are interested in, then do it and don't stress out about repeating a destination. Happy Travels!
I've been going to Paris, almost annually, since the mid-70s. I'm lucky in that I take 1-3 overseas vacations a year, so I can repeat Paris and then on one of the other 1 or 2 vacations, go somewhere new.
Probably for the first 15 years or so of traveling, I stayed traveling in Europe and also North Africa the whole time, before moving on to other continents.
Each year of those travels, Paris fell in there somewhere, although I was living for 20-plus years of summers in Copenhagen and during those summers would train it down to PAris.
Many other years, I just flew to Paris directly from the States.
So, if that's what you enjoy, and are interested in, then do it and don't stress out about repeating a destination. Happy Travels!
Jan 7th, 2009, 11:51 AM
#34
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Paris to me is magical, I would never get tired of it... but I don't think I'm going back, at least not in any current plans. Reason: I find it the most romantic city I've ever been in, I'm not now in a relationship -- and when in Paris I feel that most deeply, and that makss me melancholy.
Luckily I have fallen in love with Greece, and NEVER feel that way when I'm there... so I have an answer.
Anyone else feel like me?
Luckily I have fallen in love with Greece, and NEVER feel that way when I'm there... so I have an answer.
Anyone else feel like me?
Jan 7th, 2009, 11:54 AM
#35
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We too were smitten by Paris and have gone back 4 times in the last 8 years. I admit to suffering from wanderlust and am experiencing a bad dose of it now. After our last trip to Paris in May, I finally felt we could go somewhere else and we are planning on Spain. I studied there in college and speak Spanish. However, last night we watched International Househunters, which focused on Paris, and now we are thinking perhaps Paris again???
Jan 7th, 2009, 12:08 PM
#36
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lilaki - I feel the same way about Italy. Specifically the Tuscany region, Venice and Rome. After our first visit, I cried when I had to get on the plane to come home. I spent the next two years planning the second trip. And when that trip was over and it was time to go home, I cried again.
Of course I am driving my husband crazy. All I want to do is go back to Italy! There are so many places I haven't seen, things I haven't done, and people to meet! Not to mention all the wonderful food and wine to enjoy.
So, I'll keep saving and planning and I will get back - hopefully sooner rather than later.
And the craving will only deepen with each visit.
Of course I am driving my husband crazy. All I want to do is go back to Italy! There are so many places I haven't seen, things I haven't done, and people to meet! Not to mention all the wonderful food and wine to enjoy.
So, I'll keep saving and planning and I will get back - hopefully sooner rather than later.
And the craving will only deepen with each visit.
Jan 7th, 2009, 12:10 PM
#37
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Plan to go back ... Paris has a way of doing that to people. We started planning our second trip, upcoming in about 9 weeks) right after we got back from our first trip in November 2007.
And yes, going back will probably make the craving worse, but the solution is to plan a 3rd trip!!!
I think Paris is like an onion -- peel away one layer and many other layers remain unpeeled ...
I like visiting my favorite cities more than once. The more I visit, the more "at home" I feel.
And yes, going back will probably make the craving worse, but the solution is to plan a 3rd trip!!!
I think Paris is like an onion -- peel away one layer and many other layers remain unpeeled ...
I like visiting my favorite cities more than once. The more I visit, the more "at home" I feel.
Jan 7th, 2009, 12:11 PM
#38
The thing about Paris is that nothing else really quite measures up.
I've been living in Europe for 2 years now and I've traveled all over. Almost once a month I'm headed somewhere. I've been to Paris 4 times (and first fell in love with it 25 years ago). There are a few other cities I would also like to return to for a second look, but none can compare to Paris for me.
I always have a little fantasy when I travel - I imagine if I would like to move to the place I'm visiting. Paris is at the top of my "moving there" list. It has it all - the cafe culture, the art, the Seine, the walking, the FOOD and the FOOD obsession, handsome gentlemen, charm galore.
Also, I personally find Paris a great city for traveling to alone. It's easy to eat alone at a sidewalk cafe. I prefer seeing museums alone - not rushed. There is so much to do that you aren't too focused on being lonely. Stockholm was a city I was glad to have my husband along for - I would not want to hang out there in the winter alone.
gruezi
I've been living in Europe for 2 years now and I've traveled all over. Almost once a month I'm headed somewhere. I've been to Paris 4 times (and first fell in love with it 25 years ago). There are a few other cities I would also like to return to for a second look, but none can compare to Paris for me.
I always have a little fantasy when I travel - I imagine if I would like to move to the place I'm visiting. Paris is at the top of my "moving there" list. It has it all - the cafe culture, the art, the Seine, the walking, the FOOD and the FOOD obsession, handsome gentlemen, charm galore.
Also, I personally find Paris a great city for traveling to alone. It's easy to eat alone at a sidewalk cafe. I prefer seeing museums alone - not rushed. There is so much to do that you aren't too focused on being lonely. Stockholm was a city I was glad to have my husband along for - I would not want to hang out there in the winter alone.
gruezi
Jan 7th, 2009, 12:40 PM
#39
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One more month until our fifth trip to Paris in a little less than 9 years. We are both big fans of city and also do it less expensively each time we go.
We have to take a taxi/car service (gasp!) from the airport, because I have broken feet. It will be about 10 weeks when we leave for Paris, and I might be just fine, but DH says he doesn't even want to think about the RER.
There are so many places I still want to see in Paris. I'm a go go go kind of tourist, but this will be a new experience: being forced to slow down.
Things I haven't seen yet:
St Denis
Musee Marmottan
Canal St Martin
Viaduc des Arts
Opera Garnier
Palais Tokyo (Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris)
Loire chateaux (sp?)
Rouen
Reims
La Villette
La Defense
I could probably think of many more given a few minutes. Many of those on the list above will be places we will see in February.
We have to take a taxi/car service (gasp!) from the airport, because I have broken feet. It will be about 10 weeks when we leave for Paris, and I might be just fine, but DH says he doesn't even want to think about the RER.
There are so many places I still want to see in Paris. I'm a go go go kind of tourist, but this will be a new experience: being forced to slow down.
Things I haven't seen yet:
St Denis
Musee Marmottan
Canal St Martin
Viaduc des Arts
Opera Garnier
Palais Tokyo (Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris)
Loire chateaux (sp?)
Rouen
Reims
La Villette
La Defense
I could probably think of many more given a few minutes. Many of those on the list above will be places we will see in February.
Jan 7th, 2009, 01:11 PM
#40
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WOW, I SO feel like all of you!!! I fell in love with Paris and everything French a long time ago as a teenager -- can't even remember how the love affair began! I made my first trip to Paris in 1979 (for only 3 nights!) and the fire just grew out of control! I've been twice since then -- 2002 for a combo Paris/Provence trip (7 nights each) and again in 2006 for a Paris/Provence combo (8 nights in each).
With the economy and my portfolio down 35 to 40%, I have no plans at the moment to return. So, I just feed my addiction by daily (and sometimes twice-daily) visits to Fodors, Trip Advisor, OurParisForum, and anything else regarding Paris to get my fix. My home is "tastefully" filled with French "stuff" and my calendars each year are of Paris. I read every book about Paris (except the history) that comes out. Dreams are what keep us going!
So, see what desire gets the most thought -- Paris or the kitchen -- and go for it!!! I bet I know the choice!
Enjoy!
joy/luvparee
With the economy and my portfolio down 35 to 40%, I have no plans at the moment to return. So, I just feed my addiction by daily (and sometimes twice-daily) visits to Fodors, Trip Advisor, OurParisForum, and anything else regarding Paris to get my fix. My home is "tastefully" filled with French "stuff" and my calendars each year are of Paris. I read every book about Paris (except the history) that comes out. Dreams are what keep us going!
So, see what desire gets the most thought -- Paris or the kitchen -- and go for it!!! I bet I know the choice!
Enjoy!
joy/luvparee
