We leave tomorrow for our three month trip. Much of the intinerary is based on Fodorite suggestions and information. The basic goal (other than the first two weeks and the last week in Paris) is to hit places we haven't been. I'm not sure how often I might be posting --depending upon the rural internet cafes and how rainy it might be, but thought I'd start this thread that hopefully I can access and make comments along the way. Here's the itinerary. If anyone has anything specific they'd like me to check out, email me and let me know -- I'll do my best to search out answers for you along the way.<BR>Amsterdam-5 nights<BR>Brugge - 4 <BR>London - 7<BR>fly Easy Jet to Nice - 3 nights<BR>rent car from Auto France for two months. <BR>Fast ferry to Corsica - 8 nights<BR>Sardinia - 8 nights<BR>Ferry to Palermo, then to Lipari - 4 nights<BR>Taormina - 2<BR>Altomonte - 1<BR>Matera - 2<BR>Lecce - 3<BR>Polignano di Mare - 3<BR>Ferry Bari to Dubrovnik -- 3 nights in Dubrovnik<BR>Zadar, Croatia - 1<BR>Trieste - 2<BR>Ljubljana, Slovenia - 2<BR>Lake Bled - 3<BR>Cortina - 2<BR>Castelrotto - 2<BR>Torri on Lake Garda - 3<BR>Bellagio- 3<BR>Stresa - 2<BR>Chamonix - 5<BR>Paris -7

Make sure you tip the Bellmen!

Wow Patrick--I am green with envy. That is a fabulous itinerary including several of the venues I have planned for the future. Be sure to report back after you return--we plan to do a week in Venice and then drive to Slovenia in Oct. Do not miss Alberobello and Martina Franca when in Puglia. Have fun!

Me too, like Bob, envy for what sounds like a fabulous trip. Curious about Corsica.

I'm interested in Slovenia and Croatia. And I wish I could take such an adventure. HAve a great trip.

HAVE FUN

Bon Voyage,Patrick,Have fun,Be safe~Kate

Sounds like a dream trip to me, too, Patrick. Have a great time.

Hi Patrick!<BR><BR>First, best wishes on your adventure!<BR><BR>Second, when you get back, could you post or email me about the ferry trip to Dubrovnik (i.e. cabin quality) as well as the hotels you stay at in Dubrovnik & Ljubljana? And your impressions of Zadar vs Hvar (if you get a decent look at Hvar). And lastly, a day trip to Lake Bled vs staying there - I wish I had the time you have, but will only have 3 days in Slovenia and am thinking of just basing in Ljubljana.<BR><BR>Thanks for taking the time to let us know about your trip, and the offer to check things out. <BR><BR>Bon Voyage

Oooooooooh that sounds great! Have a great time and perhaps make a few notes to report back to us here if you feel like it!<BR>(Also envious)<BR>Kavey

Patrick, that's fabulous--three months. I'd be thrilled if we had three weeks!<BR><BR>Have a wonderful time. Can't imagine that you won't.<BR><BR>Will enjoy hearing about Sardinia and Corsica.<BR><BR>j

Can I go? It's not too late to pack! Try to get some rest along the way too. A week in Paris at the end of a three-month trip could kill some people.

Hi Patrick, I've gotten so many great tips from reading your posts. Can't wait for these to start rolling in. I want to be you when I grow up, or atleast have more vacation time available! As my eastern european mother used to say, be becareful and remember to make out the lights. Mary

Last Sunday's NYT Travel Section did a series on eastern Europe including Ljubljana (I think), and a separate piece on Brugge. I espcially remember some interesting restaurants (although the Brugge piece ignored the museum with the Van Eycks [Groeningen?],which is one of the highpoints.<BR><BR>Have a good trip,<BR>Joe

Oh Patrick have a great time, I know you will. Just curious, are you already booked into this itinerary? What if you want to change along the way? I hope it is a little flexible.<BR>Anyway, post when you can, and keep all your fans updated. Buon Voyage!

To Nancy, flexibility is OK to a point. I suppose if we are somewhere and really want to stay an extra day, then we can cancel a night at the next place. But, of course, that means the next place would have to be cut short. My itinerary is based on a whole lot of planning. I don't really want to give up any of these destinations, and believe I have left enough time to do the things I really want to do in each of them. Other than the two drives in Croatia, none of our days require too much driving, so a little more time is available either in the first afternoon or last morning at most destinations. <BR><BR>Last trip to Europe in 2000 was for five months -- so this is a little shorter. On that trip, we only changed the itinerary once, when we got bored and too hot in Toulouse so left a day early and went off into the mountains instead. <BR><BR>To Bob the Navigator: I have tucked into the accordian file I take with me, your article on Puglia, etc. We tried to book your little "lo Scoglia", but it was booked fully months ahead. We hope to at least stop there for lunch. We added the extra day to Lecce and hope to travel out from there for a couple of those days. <BR><BR>To everyone else: thank you for the support (yes, even you Bellman, but I doubt that many of our hotels will have either bellmen or valet parking). I will try to post as I go along.<BR>

Patrick, truly...bon voyage. I recall your last trip in 2000 and enjoyed all your postings. Have fun, be safe. Sign me...also green with envy...kk

What a terrific trip you have planned and how lucky we shall all be to be able to learn what you learn from it. You're going to so many places I have plans for like Sardinia, Corsica, Dubrovnik and environs that I can't wait to hear what all you gather. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Have a great time, Patrick, we will miss you. I can't understand how you can plan each night for three months ahead without getting yourselves stressed, but to each his own. Maybe you do it to cut down on stress in your case. Anyway, have a fun time!

Patrick, I don't know which emotion is stronger--envy or admiration! Either way, have a great time. (It sure makes our recent 2-week trip to Paris sound shabby!)