Got back last night from a month in Europe <BR>- two weeks in a miniscule village in a cave <BR>in the most rural part of Tuscany imaginable <BR>followed by two weeks wandering up into the <BR>Pfalz-Palatinate area of Germany. We had a <BR>rented car and an open mind (just one - we <BR>shared it) and we had no trouble finding ** <BR>and *** accommodation in Switzerland, France <BR>and Germany - even the Alsace. At no time <BR>were we accosted by gypsies, ATM machines, <BR>errant shortwearers or rowdies wearing Maple <BR>Leaf pins; however, we did run into one literal Hell of a Heatweave in Italy and a <BR>monster rainstorm in Switzerland. <BR>Thanks to all of you who answered my panic <BR>questions over the last few months - travelling Europe really is a piece of gateau - so do it!

Halleleujah! Another convert!

Ok give it up, girl - CAVE?? Do tell more... <BR> <BR>Who got custody of the open mind when you got back? <BR> <BR>And welcome to Travelers Anonymous - heroin addiction is cheaper.

Heroin addiction is cheaper? <BR> <BR>Elvira, you are one of my favorite people on this forum, but let's stay away from those kind of references, ok? <BR> <BR>Maybe "car boot addiction is cheaper" or "chocolate addiction is cheaper"... <BR> <BR>Anything but heroin!!

Perhaps Elvira forgot the "e" and in <BR>fact meant someone who spends an inordinate amount of time watching <BR>old Hepburn movies. <BR> <BR>The 'cave' was the bottom of a farmhouse <BR>where the cattle once lived; when we got <BR>out of our car in the yard we were attacked by sundry chickens & geese;not <BR>exactly the Ritz, but very authentic!