>I must admit, though, ira does this forum good.<

No my friend, he does more than that. Above all, Ira keeps us honest, and faithful to what this forum is all about. He prods us to do our own reseach and then, and only then, informs us. If every poster had the credo exhibited by Ira, this forum would be an exaltation for the serious traveller to Europe. Gradyghost.

I'm always amazed that some of you check on how many times someone has posted, who cares. Some of us are retired and have more time or must be home for various reasons other than where we'd rather be. There's also too much guessing troll or stalker accusations. If you don't like a poster or the subject igmore it. This is a wonderful travel forum, not a personality contest, not a school, but a group of travelers who love their destinations and love sharing and receiving ideas and advice on other places.
Happy posting :)

I told you all in Oct. 2003 that Ira was THE MAN!!!!!

Ira's posts are helpful, written clearly and without rancor. I always look forward to reading them.

Sandy

Well said, Mimi. :)

Ira is great--very helpful, although I think I read somewhere he is both a Communist and a Nazi. (smile)

I for one appreciate the retirees and others who find the time to post often. I figure you all have much more travel experience than I do, and I want to read what you have to say. Thanks.

Hello Ira, I just saw your post that you are going to the south of France in September. How wonderful.

As I posted on another thread I am in the middle of reading a book written by a woman from London who purchased a very old monastary in the south of France.

I am mentioning it (although I do not know if you enjoy reading books)in case you might be interested.

The title is "Life in a Postcard". The author is Rosemary Bailey.

Bailey and her husband visited Corbiac, and the story is quite interesing with a lot of historical referrences. It tells a lot about the French Catalan's.

Ira, this is not a "chickbook". If you do enjoy reading I think you might truly enjoy this book.

Best regards

I thought you lived in Florida?

BRAVO< MIMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I saw that ezlivin says he "constantly disagrees" with Ira, I decided to look up some of his posts. I stopped after finding this one.
The 17 mile drive is in NORTHERN California? And it is steeper than the road to Montserrat?
Glad he tends to disagree since the main difference is that Ira tends to know what he's talking about.

"Author: ezlivin
Date: 03/10/2005, 02:20 pm
Message: How about driving up?
We drove up to Montserrat and the roads are not as steep as, say, Scenic 17-mile Hwy. 1 along the Northern California Coast." Is that different than the 17 mile highway I know of in Pebble Beach?

Patrick:

I won't take sides <i>against</i> you - - and if ezlivin is set on taking positions against ira, then I know whose side I would favor in that one (but again I don;t seek to take sides).

But...

...saying that 17 Mile Drive is in &quot;Northern California&quot; would not be flat out wrong in a lot of people's books. Like, for example... &quot;Fodor's Northern California&quot;. You'll find it in there.

Big Sur? No.
Carmel? Yes.

Oh Patrick, we in Northern California will have to be advised that the 17 mile drive is in N.CA. I don't think so! Take care, and hope all is going alright for you.

I always read Ira's input to this board. His comments are informative, concise and precise.

He, along with others such as Patrick, Bookchick, StCirq and cigalechanta, provides valuable travel-related information.

Ira's wit and comments are a plus on this board.

Ginny (long-time fan of Ira)

Give it a rest rex. You're jealous you were't called out as the most prodigious poster.

Yes, travginny, StCirq is also one of my favorite contributors!

Rex, I could overlook the &quot;Northern California&quot; thing as sometimes California IS divided only into North and South, and they omit the idea of Central, but have you driven the 17 mile drive? Steeper than the road to Montserrat? I think not!

I am only 2 days old as a Fodorite,
and have seen so many incredibly interesting Ira-isms, I am impressed.
I have also gained so much info.

Keep on truckin' Ira. Thanks for all
of the great tips!

Who is Ira?

Ira is the guy you can depend on for reliable and knowledgable answers to your queries communicated in a generous and kindly manner, often punctuated with a welcome touch of wit.

Sun, I second that!! I love his humor too.

Last year, I booked a last minute trip to Paris and chose to stay at the Hotel Ira...I mean Bonaparte, sight unseen, simply because Ira recommended it. It didn't disappoint. You can get a sense of the type of person Ira is from the tenor of his posts. Thanks, Ira!

I, too, always read Ira's advice. And I have found that, particularly where Paris is the subject, we have much in common. So, thanks, Ira, and keep shedding light!