Christie

Last October, my husband got his trip-of-a-lifetime wish: to go to Ireland and watch the Rugby World Cup with his rugby teammates. (We live in Dallas, Texas). He politely invited me along, but I politely declined. The idea of seeing every bar in Dublin and Limerick, and traveling around on a bus with a bunch of stinky rugby players didn't really appeal to me. (A few girlfriends went on the trip, and they ended up not having a really good time because they didn't get to shop and sightsee as much as they would have liked since they had to stay with the group.) My husband indeed had the trip of his lifetime, and he really enjoyed it. <BR> <BR>Next year, it's my turn to go to Ireland, and I'm doing it MY way: a week-long horseback riding tour of Counties Clare and Galway. Of course, hubby is not going with me since he is not much of a rider. I've got a couple of horsey friends who are thinking about making the trip with me, but even if I go alone, I know I'll have my trip of a lifetime! <BR> <BR>The moral of my story: it's perfectly OK to go on trips without your spouse! <BR> I will add that our dream trip TOGETHER is to take a two week jaunt to England and spend time exploring!

julia

Snoopy: <BR>Thanks, but I think you've got it backwards! It's my husband who ought to keep a closer eye on things, what with Bob's tempting offer on the table (I've always wanted to BE a sugar momma!)

Snoopy

Where there you go Julia. Something is usually up. I would not be surprised though. Hey, I can go with you Julia. I am adventurous!

Beth

Julia - <BR>Great thread! <BR> <BR>People constantly look at me as if I've grown a second head when I say "Nope, the hubby hates to travel, so I'm going without him". I felt somewhat guilty the first time, since I was gone over four weeks. The guilt didn't last long! Here is my theory - Marriage (or significant other-hood) is all about compromise. My hubby is ADDICTED to fishing, especially ice fishing. He's gone almost every weekend and I'm quite understanding about it and even encourage it. In turn, he is getting better at understanding my love for travel. Since traveling costs more than fishing, I'm gone much less than he is. My kids are even getting used to it. I think the trip to Paris we gave them a couple of years ago helped. <BR>Now they beg to go with! <BR> <BR>I usually travel with my sister, who is just as addicted. Although, I think I now would be comfortable traveling alone if it happened that no one could join me. Not much will stop me from seeing Europe whenever the opportunity arises! <BR> <BR>I hope you can work something out. <BR> <BR>

Lisa

I often travel without my husband because he has less time off than I do, not because he doesn't want to. Since I prefer not to travel by myself, I get friends and family to travel with me. In May I went on a Mediterranean cruise with my best friend (for 80% off by the way - too good of a deal to pass up). Next week I leave for a two week trip to Paris, Belgium and Holland with my brother. If your husband can't or won't travel with you, it's never too hard to find other traveling companions - especially when you find a really good deal.

Bill I

I have had the Europe bug since my first trip in 1980. When I got married in 85, I was in the process of planning another trip to Europe, but that went by the wayside. My wife had no desire to go to Europe. Then after about 5 years, she had the chance to change jobs & work for an airline, & I told her to go for it. So then I got her to go to Europe the next spring, & now she wants to go atleast every other year, if not every year. We now take the kids & they both also got the Europe bug. So now all it takes is for 1 of us to say lets go, & we try to aleast fit in a 4 day minimum trip to somewhere in Europe.