Is the anticipation sometimes too much to bear?
 

Since I decided to go the the UK in May, I get absolutely giddy everytime I see the word London or a reference to the UK. Anyone else know what I mean? How do you cope?

Not exactly too much to bear, Vita, but I understand what you mean. I enjoy the anticipation of a trip to Europe almost as much as the trip itself. I'm a map nut, so, if I'm going someplace new, one of the things I do is pore over maps and imagine what it will be like being in certain areas.

<BR>Take a pill, dear. You'll need save all that energy for your trip!

I know exactly what you mean and how you feel and I think that it is normal and wonderful..you are not jaded or blase about something so special..I still get giddy when we are preparing for our trips,even when they are to places I have been to already! You just enjoy the giddiness-I cope by reading every guide book,making millions of lists ,and watch every movie there is with whatever city you visit featured..just enjoy the feeling.c

I must pack and repack a dozen times I get so excited and drive my family crazy.

From the time I get back from one trip, the anticipation for my next trip already starts. I love the planning, mostly reading what others have to say about the area I'm planning on visiting. On my first trip to europe, the two months prior to leaving,I almost felt like I was having an anxiety attack,thinking that it wouldn't happen, once I was on the plane it all disappeared. I love Italy, could go back there every year!!

Vita,<BR>You are coming to London?<BR>Would it be very presumptious to ask if you'd like to meet up for coffee or lunch or something?<BR>Feel free to say no, it's YOUR holiday!<BR>Kavey<BR><BR>PS YES I do get excited. By the time there was only a week or so to go before Botswana and Africa last summer I was quite literally jumping up and down in my office shouting Woo Hoo at odd moments of the day (ask my colleagues - I am not kidding!)<BR><BR>I truly feel the anticipation is an integral part of my holiday which is as much the reason I book in advance as iving myself time to research and get good deals and geat locations.<BR><BR>I seldom book last minute for that very reason!

I know what you mean. After several trips to Europe, I even lived there for a while, I get a little edgy when trip time approaches. So if I as a veteran traveler can get excited over a trip to Europe, you can too. I think that is great because it shows enthusiasm.<BR>And I am all for that!!<BR><BR>Feed on the energy and when you get there, hit the ground running<BR>! I always have precise plans for the first day. After that, I let the weather and how I feel guide me. But I always have energy that first day, mostly from adrenalin.<BR>

Thanks, Kavey. Can we talk in a few weeks after I've nailed done my itinerary?<BR><BR>I think I pretty much do the same thing as everyone else. I pour over maps as I try to decide where to stay. I think about what I want to do and image myself there. It's great because the process is so much fun prior to the trip and not something I want to have to deal with during my trip.

Vita: You are not alone, I am all about calendars... I have exactly how many: days: working days: weekend days: hours at work: hours spent not at work: and weeks until my trip. One of the highlights of my day is getting to cross another day off my calendar..<BR>Right now, I am in glorious hell... waiting for April 6th....(Kenya by way of Amsterdam and Brugge)<BR>FYI Thats 59 Work days, 11 weeks...OHHHH why can't it be now..lol

Exicted, giddy, it's all I can think about!!! I'm going to Canterbury, Dover, London and Paris in May with my mom and both of us are so excited about this trip. We we went London together in 1999 and we decided then that we would take a mother-daughter trip every 3 years. I've been reading, and rereading guide books, searching the web for information, booking rental cars, making hotel reservations and taking notes on everything I come upon. The more I plan the more excited I become! Even though I try to go to Europe once a year, these trips with my mom are even more special. Did I mention, we have 106 days before we leave!!!!

Tammy, you are so sweet. Your mother must not be very old if she can travel around like that. You two are very lucky to be so close!

I can totally relate. Having planned a summer trip to Paris for the last 4 years, I get goosebumps in January. Not only is it the anticipation of a vacation, knowing that I will be in my favorite city makes me crazy. My only 'advice' is stay calm if possible, travelling can be a bit of work, but always rewarding and memorable for whatever reasons. I think it's a great sign that you have such tremendous anticipation; you will make the most of a memorable experience. ENJOY!

We are already planning our October trip - I've been doing a LOT of on-line researching. I make packing lists - I start about 3 months or more before we leave, refine and re-refine the lists, recopying them endlessly and getting more and more excited as I go. When I actually start piling the stuff I'm taking in one spot prior to that actual packing takes place, I'm almost giddy with anticipation. By the time I open the suitcase, I'm fit to be tied!!!<BR>ja

Vita<BR>Just drop me an email if you would like to meet. Look forward to hearing from you.<BR><BR>PS 24 days to Paiis including today and departure day!!!!

Vita: I know just how you feel. I get that way before every trip. I scour the internet/library and read all I can about the destination. I got this from my Grandfather, he was the same way. I can honestly say that planning the trip is half the fun! I hope you have a great time in the UK - May is a wonderful time to go. If you will be in London try to catch a show at the Globe - you'll love it. If your interested I have my UK travelogues posted online at www.appleberryroad.com.<BR><BR>jpm

Vita: So glad you decided on London and environs. I know you loved Italy and I'm certain you will feel the same about the UK when you return.<BR><BR>Our next trip (in May to Italy again) was planned further in advance than most we have taken and it seemed incredibly far away, but now that we're getting closer I'm starting to get the "tingles of anticipation." In fact, since I had so much time, I have printed reams of info from this forum and other sources. Started with one folder and now have five--one for each city we're visiting and a miscellaneous file. I have some fine tuning to do in sorting out what I want to take with us, as obviously we would have to pay excess baggage fees to take what I have so far accumulated!<BR><BR>j

I am exactly the same way. Sometimes when I'm out on my daily walk I have to do a little skip because I'm so excited! <BR><BR>I started planning this trip to England in December, and every day I surf the Net and thumb through my guidebooks going over all the possible scenarios of where we could go. We leave in March. Of course my husband is cool as a cucumber, which makes me feel even more neurotic!

I know exactly what everybody means ... I'm a "travel nut"! We want to go almost everywhere so we are easy to please. We travel based strictly on the "deal"! If there is a good deal somewhere ... that's our next trip! Our friends and family get tickled at us... I get nervous if I don't have a trip booked out in front. Generally the week we get back I start looking for the next "deal". We work for ourselves so last minute is not a problem.<BR><BR>I do have to "ease my wife into" some of the trips though... she's not quite as travel crazy as I am, a 3 week is about her maximum... I'd stay gone ;&gt;)<BR> I booked our upcoming March trip to Austria - Hungary - Czech Republic in October but didn't tell her till Christas eve! That was our combined Christmas present!!!<BR><BR>So far we have visited 51 countries and always on the lookout for the opportunity to make it more!!!<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Barry

So excited! Woohoo! Only another 2.5 months to go!