Well, I?m leaving in 2-1/2 weeks (Sept 6.) for 4-1/2 weeks in France and getting more excited every day. I?m going to spend the first three weeks at Ecole des Trois Ponts, outside Roanne and not too far from Lyon, improving my French, and then the last 10 days in Paris! My first visit ever to France.

Since I live in California, these dates do make it difficult not only to vote in our upcoming governor?s recall election, but even to get an absentee ballot; however I?m in the process of having one sent to the school.

dln:

Wow, 2 weeks. I have told my friends to disregard anything I say once the two week countdown starts for my trip. I can only imagine I will be a TOTAL lunatic by that point. When you get to Rome and settle in, have a glass of wine for those of us who are right behind you! :)

Here's an example of how unwell I am: I actually sat and watched, in its entirety, a HORRIBLE movie called "French Postcards" on HBO or Showtime or something the other night at, like, 2:00am just because it was set in Paris (a stop on my itinerary). It was about these kids who go to Paris for a year abroad to study French and all the crazy stuff that happens to them. Think Porky's or Meatballs with a French twist. (There was quite a bit of gratuitous female nudity.) The movie was made circa 1983 and included, among its cast members, a very young Debra Winger. It was truly awful, but I was completely sucked in by the shots of Paris.

See . . . I told you I'm not well!

NO NO NO Jennie! I can top you! My husband and I actually sat down and watched that teeny bopper fluff movie Lizzie McGuire! Even our 14 year old daughter wouldn't watch it! But it did have EXCELLENT shots of Rome, so it was worth it. Ah, what we do for research.

Jennie/JandaO t al:

28 days for me, also. Well, I went to San Diego State so my math might be off a bit. We leave Sept. 17 for Mosel, Alsace, Switzerland, a taste of Tuscany, Cinque Terre and leave out of Milan (where we will have our last supper, both figuratively and literally).

If I didn't have so much damn work, I'd be thinking about it more. I am an obsessive planner, so most things are worked out perfectly.

However, I do have to go back to all the Switzerland posts and figure out how to get to the best hikes in the Grindelwald area.

So, just in case any of you see a car careening around a turn much too fast in any of the above areas during the 18th of Sept. and Oct. 4, it will probably be me.
((H))

I have 12 days left!!! Yippeee!!! I don't even want to think about all I have to do between now and then... ugh.

I know it was considered a good movie by many but my husband and I suffered through the near-inexplicable and very lengthy (to us!) "Unbearable Lightness of Being" just because it was set in Czechoslovakia (1968).

We also re-viewed "Amadeus" and of course, "The Sound of Music," in anticipation of the upcoming trip.

Any other suggestions for movies about the Czech Republic and Austria would be appreciated!

We leave Sept 9, a little less than 3 weeks for 24 days in Germany, France, Italy and Switz. After planning for so long I now get a little anxiety wanting everything to go well. (I do almost all the planning for the 4 of us). Hopefully the weather will be nice!!!! You never know.

MGB, I broke down and bought those zip off pants that turn into shorts, just in case. Even though they look a little bit goofy. Just in case it's still sweltering over there.

We leave in 31 days for 3 weeks in France. I am right there with you all! We still have a few details to firm up and some clothes shopping to do...I still haven't decided how many/which shoes to take... LOL

I haven't forgotten about the possible get-together Jennie...will email you after we meet with our traveling companions this weekend.

Wishing you all smooth flights, great weather, delicious food and lots of fun!

I leave October 3rd for a two week trip to Barcelona, southern France, and Paris! Even after many European vacations (or perhaps because of them), I still get a thrill from the planning and anticipation as the time draws near.

Reserved TGV seats online last week (Avignon to Paris -- which by the way was very easy to do), and I just ordered a few hundred euros from my bank (I'm one of those travelers who likes to arrive at my destination with some local money in hand despite the fact that I could probably count on getting money at the airport ATM).

Just those two small tasks got my excitement level way up and I don't expect it to calm down any before the trip. My husband, on the other hand, always stays cool and calm right up until we board the plane. I guess he feels my anticipation and anxiety are enough for two people!

Diane

We leave September 7th for Italy. Our first trip to Italy was two years ago - we landed at Malpensa on 9/11. Quite an unsettling start to our trip to turn on CNN upon arrival in our Rome hotel and see the news (the attacks happened while we were on the train from Milan to Rome). We are praying that this trip is less eventful.

Hi, I leave in 12 days too. I am excited and nervous and I just can't wait to get over the pond to England. 16 wonderful days to see bits of the south of England. Did I mention I can't wait. lololol

Janda, I've seen a guy sitting on the sidewalk in front of the Broadway Market holding a sign saying: "Will sit on overly-excited people for food." You might want to check him out. :)

I have a strong hate for all of you who are getting ready to leave on your trips. I spent several weeks there during April and may, and haven't gotten over my withdrawal yet.
Boun viaggio e bouna fortuna to all.
look forward to your reports.

mmr-I know the feeling, my husband and I went with 8 friends in June 2001 (my reports were under "Ten of us..." I was soooo depressed upon coming home and it lasted about 6 weeks-longer if you count "gee, this time last year I was planning the trip..." I bought a new car as soon as possible-that helped.
(I'm "sick" too)

But, yippee I am planning a trip again-love it, love it. I swear the planning is 80% of the fun-everything is perfect in the planning!!

Leaving for Ireland (again) on Sept. 10 and returning on Sept. 21-this time going with 2 girlfriends.

OReilly-where in Ireland are you going and when?

I just wish I didn't have to go so far-I'm in California.
Shadow

Wow, there's lots of us that are leaving soon!

My husband and I will be in Paris from Sept 20-27 then Loire Valley for 27-30 and Champagne for Oct 1-4.

My hubby just shakes his head at all the planning (obsessing) that I'm doing, but I know it will pay off in the end!

Karen

I want to join the party! We leave in 1 month and 4 days.

Sept 24 - flight from Houston to Rome
Sept 25-28 - Rome
Sept 28 - drive through Tuscany to Chianti
Sept 29 - visit wineries in Chianti
Sept 30 - day trip into Florence (I know - not enough time, but we're
already planning our return trip to Italy)
Oct 1 - Visit Monticello. Stay overnight in Orvieto.
Oct 2 - Depart from Rome.

I can't wait! It's a good thing this is a slow time at work, b/c my
productivity is way down! Happy traveling everyone.

Leaving in 8 days for France with a 3 night/day stop in Iceland going over. Visiting Brittany/Normandy/Loire Valley.
Hope to have all the loose ends tied up at home and in the office before I leave. Not enough time but I work well under pressure!

49 more days for Spain and Portugal, but whose counting.... :-) I haven't been in Europe since 9/99 so I'm really looking forward to going back. I started my Spanish class tonight at my local community college so that will keep me occupied.

To all the Lucky ones that are leaving for my beautiful Europe...Buon Viaggio, Bon Voyage, Ciao, Arrivederci, Aurevoir, a bientot etc..,Have a safe wonderful trip...I came back almost a month ago ,after spending 5 glorious weeks in Italy and France, and want to go back right now...
Oh well, C'Est la Vie...Dont forget dln to trow a coin in Trevi Fountain for me...
Ciao,
Kismet