i want to go back to paris
Jan 7th, 2009, 01:16 PM
#41
Hey Luvparee,
Great name for this thread!!
I love Paris but was a bit underwhelmed by Provence. I tease my husband a lot by saying, "I think we went to the wrong Provence." Can I ask where you went?
gruezi
Great name for this thread!!
I love Paris but was a bit underwhelmed by Provence. I tease my husband a lot by saying, "I think we went to the wrong Provence." Can I ask where you went?
gruezi
Jan 7th, 2009, 02:04 PM
#42
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I have been to Paris every year since 2000 and I will never ever get tired of it. There is always something new to see, something new to experience. And my best times there have been things that were unplanned or places that we just happened upon. It is truly my favorite spot on earth. I adore reading Paris posts here and reading the many, many beautifully written trip reports.
I have shared Paris with my two daughters, my son, my husband, my sister, and my best friend. Most of them understand my need to return and fortunately my husband is very, very understanding.
Right now, I am rather depressed as I have nothing on the horizon for 2009 (just had knee replacement surgery, so I need to get that behind me), but as soon as I feel I can start planning, my spirits will immediately be lifted.
I have shared Paris with my two daughters, my son, my husband, my sister, and my best friend. Most of them understand my need to return and fortunately my husband is very, very understanding.
Right now, I am rather depressed as I have nothing on the horizon for 2009 (just had knee replacement surgery, so I need to get that behind me), but as soon as I feel I can start planning, my spirits will immediately be lifted.
Jan 7th, 2009, 02:19 PM
#43
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gruezi,
We ARE soul sisters
. I do the same thing..always seeing myself living there, wondering if I could ect. I have felt that in Paris and Florence to date out of all our travels - stateside no place but Southern California to date... so here we still are...
We ARE soul sisters
. I do the same thing..always seeing myself living there, wondering if I could ect. I have felt that in Paris and Florence to date out of all our travels - stateside no place but Southern California to date... so here we still are...
Jan 7th, 2009, 04:54 PM
#44
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hello fodorites (and paris-addicts!!!) ...
i think i have practically planned a trip and still haven't made the 'go' decision yet. this probably tells me that we're going!
thank you to all for sharing your insight and stories ... i noticed several of you mentioned ways to save money on return trips to paris so i'll be posting another thread asking about that one ...
i'm about to book the apartment and i just called the airline to confirm our FF status.
really, now i just need to convince myself to get off the fence and go ...
plus, i'll be posting yet another thread about normandy/loire ... possibly something we can do straightaway once we land at CDG or after paris ... however, seeing as how we did paris then provence last time, i think i'd like to switch it up and return home after spending the last week in paris.
thank you thank you thank you! the posts have been truly invaluable.
i think i have practically planned a trip and still haven't made the 'go' decision yet. this probably tells me that we're going!
thank you to all for sharing your insight and stories ... i noticed several of you mentioned ways to save money on return trips to paris so i'll be posting another thread asking about that one ...
i'm about to book the apartment and i just called the airline to confirm our FF status.
really, now i just need to convince myself to get off the fence and go ...
plus, i'll be posting yet another thread about normandy/loire ... possibly something we can do straightaway once we land at CDG or after paris ... however, seeing as how we did paris then provence last time, i think i'd like to switch it up and return home after spending the last week in paris.
thank you thank you thank you! the posts have been truly invaluable.
Jan 7th, 2009, 05:18 PM
#45
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I've had two trips to Paris (totalling 21 days). These days I am travelling vicariously through Fodor's forums, which I must admit I scroll through desperately searching for Paris posts. Lilaki you have definitely got the bug, I think your summary of tearing through Paris on the run for your first visit, but now wanting to see it in a much slower way is probably fairly typical. We had 10 days in Paris last June and each day we wandered the steets, sat in the Jardin du Luxembourg and just generally took our time. It was fabulous and we can't wait to return. We stayed in a divine little apartment opposite the Jardin and were lucky enough to be able to open our windows and hear the summer concerts that were playing! Who needs TV??
Like others I am now taking French lessons, my christmas gift from my HB. He also gave me a lovely 'Paris' coffee table book - I think he's as addicted as I am.
A little story to share..... probably at the time you were in Paris we had friends to dinner, one of the men made a little comment that we needed to update our kitchen. It's ok, we've known him a long time - no offence was taken and he is absolutely right. However, my response (which I didn't have to think about for even a split second) was "hmmmm new kitchen or a trip to Paris" He laughed and agreed that my priorities were ok.
Going back with probably make the craving worse, but it can't be helped!!
Like others I am now taking French lessons, my christmas gift from my HB. He also gave me a lovely 'Paris' coffee table book - I think he's as addicted as I am.
A little story to share..... probably at the time you were in Paris we had friends to dinner, one of the men made a little comment that we needed to update our kitchen. It's ok, we've known him a long time - no offence was taken and he is absolutely right. However, my response (which I didn't have to think about for even a split second) was "hmmmm new kitchen or a trip to Paris" He laughed and agreed that my priorities were ok.
Going back with probably make the craving worse, but it can't be helped!!
Jan 7th, 2009, 05:22 PM
#46
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The first time my hubbie and I went to Paris was April 2001. Not only was it our first trip to Paris, it was our first trip ever to Europe. We stayed in the 1st at a hotel called the Mansart, and I remember distinctly the first full day there. We had breakfast (we were staying a week) and we walked outside and turned the corner to the Place de Vendome. We both stopped and looked at each other and said, I love this city, I could live here.
We returned in May of 2007 (six long years) and spent two weeks in an apartment just round the corner from the Louvre. We now are planning a six week stay for September this year.
So yes, we both feel the same way that you and DH feel. I truly think that it is about soul and history and comfort. I guess it is the first time that I can really say, I felt at home in Paris.
Between 2001 and our return, we spent 25 days in Italy and although I would love to go back and see some of the places we didn't get to, it just isn't the same.
Kirk and I are in our 60's and I certainly believe that we will always have Paris, and we will return as often as we can, even if it means a wheelchair and a nurse!!!
We returned in May of 2007 (six long years) and spent two weeks in an apartment just round the corner from the Louvre. We now are planning a six week stay for September this year.
So yes, we both feel the same way that you and DH feel. I truly think that it is about soul and history and comfort. I guess it is the first time that I can really say, I felt at home in Paris.
Between 2001 and our return, we spent 25 days in Italy and although I would love to go back and see some of the places we didn't get to, it just isn't the same.
Kirk and I are in our 60's and I certainly believe that we will always have Paris, and we will return as often as we can, even if it means a wheelchair and a nurse!!!
Jan 7th, 2009, 05:31 PM
#47
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hey fodorites,
i forgot to add ... my kitchen cabinets are 50 years old (20 years older than me!!!) ... so, postponing renovations for one year really won't matter! they've hung around this long ... and there's functionally nothing wrong with them.
i think it's a lot easier to live with my well-worn kitchen cabinets than foregoing a return trip to paris.
if we use our FF for this trip, we'll definitely have to wait a while to return to europe with free flights ... and since FF can't buy kitchen cabinets, then perhaps it's a sign!
i forgot to add ... my kitchen cabinets are 50 years old (20 years older than me!!!) ... so, postponing renovations for one year really won't matter! they've hung around this long ... and there's functionally nothing wrong with them.
i think it's a lot easier to live with my well-worn kitchen cabinets than foregoing a return trip to paris.
if we use our FF for this trip, we'll definitely have to wait a while to return to europe with free flights ... and since FF can't buy kitchen cabinets, then perhaps it's a sign!
Jan 7th, 2009, 05:32 PM
#48
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We are proud members of "Paris Anonymous" though that name suggests that there is something wrong with a Paris addiction. We know that isn't true. Our last trip was in June 2007 and we are really going through withdrawal. I keep thinking there is someway we can get back there SOON!!!
TPAYT- that is what our friends say. "You went to Paris last year!" I alwyas respond "yes but we haven't seen everything yet!" They don't understand the draw.
TPAYT- that is what our friends say. "You went to Paris last year!" I alwyas respond "yes but we haven't seen everything yet!" They don't understand the draw.
Jan 7th, 2009, 06:56 PM
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lilaki - I will say I LOVED having 10 nights in Paris - I was so worried it would be too long; that I would go stir crazy - that I had to get out - nope. I loved the laziness of getting up and strolling through the city - of being able to go to "one' or two things a day - and not feeling the pressure to rush about.
I am with you - I have 140,000 Delta FF miles - enough to get two coach tickets across the pond and I wonder..ohh..maybe by Oct our life will be settled enough to pull the plug and go back... You are lucky (I mean it!) you got the "bug" at 30..I am 41 and feel like 'oh all the wasted years of NOT going" .
I am with you - I have 140,000 Delta FF miles - enough to get two coach tickets across the pond and I wonder..ohh..maybe by Oct our life will be settled enough to pull the plug and go back
... You are lucky (I mean it!) you got the "bug" at 30..I am 41 and feel like 'oh all the wasted years of NOT going" .
Jan 8th, 2009, 07:58 AM
#51
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This thread is fantastic. I'm so glad to see others have the same Paris addiction that I do. I first went to Paris in 2000 as part of a tour, and then returned in 2001. Unfortunately, I was sick for most of that second visit, so I think it colored my view of Paris for a while, because I didn't go again until 2006. When I left in 2006, I almost felt like crying, I wasn't ready to leave yet. I went again in 2007 and could have easily gone again in 2008, but I made myself go some place else. I'm currently planning my trip for fall of 2009.
My friends ask me why I like Paris so much and sometimes it is hard to put into words. Other times they will say "Paris, again?" But then I remind them that they have made mutiple trips to NYC, Hawaii, etc. or whatever their favorite place happens to be.
At this point I could defintely see going to Paris every year.
My friends ask me why I like Paris so much and sometimes it is hard to put into words. Other times they will say "Paris, again?" But then I remind them that they have made mutiple trips to NYC, Hawaii, etc. or whatever their favorite place happens to be.
At this point I could defintely see going to Paris every year.
Jan 8th, 2009, 08:13 AM
#52
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Gruezi -- don't want to hijack this thread, but we enjoyed L'Isle sur la Sorgue, St. Saturnin les Avignon, Bonnieux, Menerbes, Maubec (dinner only), Lumieres, Coustellet (dinner only), Roussillon, Gordes, up the very beautiful "wine route" to Vaison la Romaine and stopped in le Crestet, Seguret, and Gigondas on the way back down (we stayed in Pernes les Fontaines), St. Remy, and Cassis. Driving through Joucas, Venasque, and St. Didier after leaving Abbaye de Senanque peaked my interest in those villages also.
Provence is #2 on my favorite places to visit with Paris being, of course, #1!
We Paris addicts certainly are in good company!!!!
Provence is #2 on my favorite places to visit with Paris being, of course, #1!
We Paris addicts certainly are in good company!!!!
Feb 3rd, 2009, 10:20 AM
#53
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hello fodorites (and fellow paris-addicts),
DH and i have decided to go back to paris!
we've booked the apartment and now we're just trying to figure out our flights.
it also looks like we'll be going to barcelona for a few days beforehand.
thanks to all for your help!
DH and i have decided to go back to paris!
we've booked the apartment and now we're just trying to figure out our flights.
it also looks like we'll be going to barcelona for a few days beforehand.
thanks to all for your help!
Feb 3rd, 2009, 12:17 PM
#55
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lilaki, I too am obsessed with getting back to Paris. I want to go alone for 7-10 days. Eat my way from one district to another. Spend 2 days at the Louvre, walk the neighborhoods and check out the stores, people watch, eat whatever I want when I want, sleep in and have a very french breakfast every morning. I'd like to do a side trip back to Bayeaux to stay at the Churchill hotel and visit the beaches again.
My DH knows I've been researching Paris 24/7. I am saving all my change, doing a few catering jobs for extra money, I cashed in some savings bonds and put some of that money to the side. And wait till my DD asks me what I want for my birthday.
So I will be watching this post to see I'm not alone with my obsession. BTW, my Friend the French Teacher who I traveled with to France 3 times is leaving in a few weeks for a 5 day trip. I am so jealous. But I'm saving up for "my trip"
My DH knows I've been researching Paris 24/7. I am saving all my change, doing a few catering jobs for extra money, I cashed in some savings bonds and put some of that money to the side. And wait till my DD asks me what I want for my birthday.
So I will be watching this post to see I'm not alone with my obsession. BTW, my Friend the French Teacher who I traveled with to France 3 times is leaving in a few weeks for a 5 day trip. I am so jealous. But I'm saving up for "my trip"
Feb 3rd, 2009, 12:34 PM
#56
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hi momddtravel ... we have rented the studio saint germain from parisbestlodge.com: http://www.parisbestlodge.com/studiocallot.html
we rented from thierry last fall and it was a no-brainer to go back to him!
mamaw: good luck with your saving/planning. it will TOTALLY pay off!!!
we rented from thierry last fall and it was a no-brainer to go back to him!
mamaw: good luck with your saving/planning. it will TOTALLY pay off!!!
Feb 3rd, 2009, 12:50 PM
#57
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This is great -- I am so happy to see that others are afflicted with the same Paris addiction I have!
I too have traveled all over the world, but no place has a hold on me like Paris has. If I am unable to visit for a year or more, I actually feel as if I am going into withdrawal.
I have been to Paris many times and have sometimes wondered if I will be disappointed the next time around. But that has never happened! There are always new things to see and do, and the best part of all is just being there. Whenever I return, it takes all my willpower not to jump up and down as I walk that first Parisian street.
I too have traveled all over the world, but no place has a hold on me like Paris has. If I am unable to visit for a year or more, I actually feel as if I am going into withdrawal.
I have been to Paris many times and have sometimes wondered if I will be disappointed the next time around. But that has never happened! There are always new things to see and do, and the best part of all is just being there. Whenever I return, it takes all my willpower not to jump up and down as I walk that first Parisian street.
Feb 3rd, 2009, 12:55 PM
#58
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Even with Italy planned for this September, I am dreaming about our next trip to Paris!!! I will be retired & look forward to staying in Paris outside the summer months! I find myself checking out threads on Fodor's like this one! I am an official member of Paris Anonymous as well!
2010
2010
