Married 22 years.

First trip to Paris at 23 when still single - solo - had a ball.

Second trip to Paris at 47 - with my 17 year old daughter - had a ball.

Third trip to Paris at 48 - with my 15 year old daughter - had a ball.

Fourth trip to Paris at 48 - with the 17 year old again...oh we do love Paris and France. Best people watching of our lives at Costes. Plus I got her drunk which was very funny.

Fifth trip - will be 50 like the OP, hmmmmmm, really wanting to go solo again but may bring my husband to be nice - if so, we'll eat well, lodge well, probably get a great Hermes scarf (the sweetie understands this is an essential part of the trip) but skip the museums. There is still a lot of art I haven't seen yet and a lot I've seen but need to see again - maybe I need to plan 2 more trips to Paris to properly celebrate my 50th???

Still so much to see and do in Paris and I really think you see and do the most when solo...

Eliza - have a great time whether solo or not! and Happy, Happy 50th. Start living your dreams!!

gruezi

Poor Malelion.

When he couldn't convince us that he was right he went storming off!

LOL!

<<Does anyone else think that poor malelion's partner probably wishes he/she could travel alone.>>

"Poor malelion" is right. I doubt that he has a partner but if he does traveling with him would be torture -- he'd be clinging, watching, judging.

Sounds more like a dodo bird (extinct) than a lion.

"we are not lonely....,YES YOU ARE !!!!!!!!"

LOL. In all my days I've never been accused of being the lonely type. I'm thinking this guy can only picture "alone" as "lonely" so I'm just shaking my head and laughing.

After this exchange I just gotta say I really really love my husband. I'm off on a cruise with a dozen college friends this month, skiing with the fam in March then to Vegas with my "boys" to see Cher in April. Lonely, lonely me.
Ann Marie

I don't know.... if you look at the Lion species, the female does all the work of gathering food. Malelion is probably just like that... Depending on someone else to take care of him which would explain his fear of solo travel. Who would feed him?

Lonely....I think NOT!

I am fortunate enough to have both sides of the coin. My husband likes Paris, I love it. We often go together, he stays for a week and returns home and I stay on for another week, solo.

I love both weeks, and they are enormously different! The week by myself is so much FUN. I can walk and window shop for 12 hours, I never tire of it, this is one of DH's least favorite things to do. I walk, eat, walk, drink, walk, shop, walk, do a little unknown museum I might pass, chat with people at the cafes, go to the theater, the circus, the movies...I've never been bored or lonely durning that week.

"the female does all the work of gathering food. Malelion is probably just like that... Depending on someone else to take care of him which would explain his fear of solo travel. Who would feed him?"

Exactly. And this "male lion" has no roar, just a pathetic squeak.

Eliza here,

Thank you every one for your support. I've decided to go ahead with my trip (yeah!!)and definitely loved the positive replies.

The "old guy" better known as my husband thinks it's great that I'm still going. I think he's secretly planning a fishing trip with our sons (I hate, loathe and despise fishing). LOL

So, plans so far are: Leaving Monday 5/24 from Philly international, arrive in Paris Tuesday 5/25. Booked at the Hotel Regina in the 1st Addroisament (spelling sorry) near the Louvre and from what I've read an easy walk to many spots.

I hope you guys don't mind if I start picking your brains with questions.

Thanks every one for the links to videos and blogs.

Eliza

Eliza,

We will gladly help you plan your trip!!!

So glad you are going.

gruezi

We are at your side (sadly, only for planning)

FANTATIC! Anywhere in the 1st should be a good location for getting out & about on foot.

it's arrondissement ;-)

Eliza,

That sounds like me and my partner. He wants to go "fly fishing" Hmm.. stand in a creek and try to catch my dinner which I then have to clean before I can eat. Not really my thing! The camping and the outdoor part I am good with, it's the fishing and dealing with the dead fish!

Eliza,
DH & I will be in Paris from May 26 thru June 1, staying in the 7th. Maybe we can GTG?
I may precede DH by a week (SOLO!), if I can snag a good airfare, which is proving very hard to do thus far since prices are very high this year, and so far not a sale in sight!

Susanna, I prefer your scenario: arrive with DH and then spend a second week alone. Will see what I'm able to arrange... EJ

Eliza,

I'm so glad you have decided to go!! Here is another trip report that might further encourage you.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-to-france.cfm

Elsiejune: I actually prefer your way. I like to get there first, and wander around and shop and see everything, then I look forward to his coming...my way I have to wait until he leaves to do my cc damage!

Really, either way is great!

Barb's report was indeed memorable and worth reading by anyone thinking of arranging a trip for others. I think there's a trip report on England by Janisj that is also a must read by those who think solo trips are to be avoided at all costs. Truly entertaining but proof of the adage "no good deed goes unpunished".

I am planning my first solo trip to London/Paris in May 2010. I've seen both cities with others and am looking forward to not having to compromise. I love my friends but this trip is all about my preferences.

Would do it in a minute! Having a friend along is nice to share the experience and the cost. Doing it on your own will teach you an awful lot about yourself and that can be fun stuff to learn.

"Doing it on your own will teach you an awful lot about yourself and that can be fun stuff to learn."

Good point and often overlooked.

Barb..it may be 7 years old, but your trip report is still a good read. Thanks.

Go for it! Check out the Paris Walks tours also. They are inexpensive way to have a nice walking tour and meet other travelers. They last for a couple hours and usually have several each day. I also find eating in cafes alone less intimadating than bistros/restaurants. Try Brasserie St Louis in the 4th!