Thanks, hightide... no clear consensus from these two responses - - and two others have e-mailed me but not answered the quesrtions yet.

Having something like this come together takes some time, typically...

E-mail me?

1. maybe Greece, but equally interested in other destination combos as well or instead

2. both

3. more interested in "normal moving around" to "survey" various destinations

4. flexible - but 2 weeks is max for me.

Okay, so the nucleus is forming. Five "parties" (ranging from 1 to 4 persons in each "party") have responded, either here, or by e-mail to me (or both) - - you know who you are - - so with my wife and myself making six, I think it is time to start sharing some info about each of you with each of the others. From two of you, I have not heard yet by e-mail, so for you - - and anyone else - - who wants to be part of a group e-mail communiquê where we can share of some of our expectations/aspirations for this trip, then please let me know in the next few days.

In my experience from the prior Fodorites 2001 Italy trip, there was a sizable number of people who followed with interest the early planning stage - - much larger than the eventual smaller number who actually stepped forward and said "count me in".

So, if you want to be part of any such e-mails, please let me know soon.

Hi Dianamc

I was wondering if you were taking a ferry or flying to Santorini and Crete? I am doing the same in May but going with apollo tours...and was debating b/w flying or the ferry...

I am tenatively planning a trip to Greece leaving around Mem. Day Weekend 2005 from the Eastern US. I should be traveling solo. Most of the thread comments make the Greek islands sound like HONEYMOON destination of the world or something, no offense. I would be up for meeting some people on my travels; is there an itinerary in place?

I have been draggig my feet on this. Factors in my life make it difficult to commit until mid January. I should have e-mailed the half dozen people who have communicated with me - - but with nothing new to say, I have held off.

For the handful of people following this thread, see http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34544794 - - any chance that a late February trip to France (say Dordogne/aouthwest) is an ineresting alternative (or in addition to a May trip)?

And can anyone comment on the appeal (mostly weather) of southwest/Dordogne in late February and early March - - compared to May?

topping... chiefly for my Feb/Mar versus May question...

Rex, Don't feel bad about not getting back with everyone, life has been crazier than usual here too and no end in sight... Had a great little get-away to Vegas in Oct. but has been family-holidays-family-holidays-MORE family since then *aaaaarrrggggg*. No real desire to go to France but even if I did couldn't squeeze it in (Belize in Jan., Vegas again in Feb., KC in March, surgery in April, HOPEFULLY Italy with my mom in May then Greece in June and that's going to take some juggling!) Should prolly have sent this in an email but so far behind on email I don't even know where to start... Truth be told this is the first time I've been able to check the Fodor's forum in months. I feel like such a BAAAAAD fodorite.... *sniff*

Topping this occasionally for the next few days - - I'm sure it will be topic of conversation over family get-togethers in the coming days. The Feb/March scenario is dead for me, for now - - all the more reason to get some creative juices going on something for May.

I remain divided as to my own itrest in Greece for 2005 - - versus my longstanding (but still unfulfilled) itch to go to Southwest France and Northwest Spain.

Anyone else have an interest in such a Fodorites' trip in the upcoming (late) spring?

Top away!

We're pretty set on Greece in June 2005 but if you have an 'itch' for France, SCRATCH IT!!! Life is too short to NOT follow your heart and instincts.

We'll keep you posted on plans / details and if it works out to do a group trip, great, if not...well, we'll post a detailed trip report so you'll know all the great things you missed!!! hehe

I used Gate 1 last year to go to Prague, Budapest, Vienna. We took a independent tour and the experience was great. The transfers were good the hotels were good and the price was right.

Rex,
Keep at it, I might be in Paris over wash b-day weekend and plans in early June (probably Europe) to who knows where yet...I'm the same probably mid-january or so will make that decision. Would be cool to meet up with Fodorites. Let me know.

The advice is sound, hightide - - but it might be a medley of "itches" to scratch now - - and Greece could still be among them. Just might not match well with your plans. Have to think about a side ("scouting") trip to Israel, for example - - and still not sure about free time to travel - - to be able to commit anytime before the end of January.

Rex,
Yes, read about your trip to Israel - that's sounds wonderful too! Don't feel bad, if the Greece trip works for you, it works, if it doesn't then wasn't meant to be. I'll keep you posted on plans... Have a great new year!!!

re: 'itches': scratch what you can, benadryl for the others... teehee

I'd skip the Dordogne in late February. The weather might cooperate, but it might be ghastly, too. And lots and lots of things will be closed until Easter weekend.

Thanks, SC - - easy to overlook the post of mine above where I said that the Feb/Mar scenario is dead for me now.

And the "Holy Land" trip (or scouting trip) might not materialize, so all my spring (May) options are still very much on the table.

Well, now, Rex, May would be an excellent time to go to the Dordogne if it turns out you can take off then. It's before the masses arrive, everything's open, and the weather should be beautiful, with all the orchards in bloom and the first bounty of early produce in the markets.

Thanks, Mme C...

And to hightide (or others interested in further thoughts in my investigating "holy Lands" options for 2006, the discussion is alive and kicking on the Africa/ME forum at http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34547914 (since Fodors closed the one here).

I updated and assimilated, on <i>that</i>thread what I have read so far - - and shared some thoughts why it might not be the right match (the nature of the trip, the reasons, the pros and cons of doing it one way or another) for me...

Which opens up a blank canvas for THIS May, for my &lt;preferred continent!