Another envious person here...but still want to wish you a safe and happy journey...I really would like to hear of sardinia , Corsica and Matera when you return or are able to post.

Have a great trip Patric. Enjoyed meeting you at our So Cal GTG. Am very interested in your report when you return. You are hitting several areas that I am interested in for future trips.<BR>

I don't know how you plan a trip for 3 mos. (not to mention one for 5 mos.) - it must take forever (almost) to get hotels, transportation, etc. in order. I remember you told us (Fodorites) how you get the most bang for your "buck" using FF miles. Where, if you are using FF miles, are you able to fly to this time? It seems to me that once you got to Europe you stayed a few days in London (?), and then took a flt. someplace (on the same FF tkt). I might be remembering incorrectly, though. Have a GREAT trip!!!

Regarding the FF miles. Two of us cashed in 90,000 American miles for free business class. We fly from Miami to London, switch to British Airways, still business class to Amsterdam. In September we fly from Paris to Miami. <BR><BR>I have already started booking next years flights also a 90,000 cash in. We will be flying May 1 to New York for a month "stopover" (we get first class on that automatically with our business international), then on June 1 will fly from New York to London for two weeks as a second "stopover" and then on to Berlin (via British Airways) as our actual destination. Again we plan to return from Paris at the end. I reserve each leg with American exactly 330 days ahead. I keep my marked calendar to call from Europe on those days so I can be sure to get the flights I want.<BR><BR>Please reserve the "jealousy". I worked a long time and very hard and always had to content myself with those two week trips also. A few years ago I was able to retire "early" and now unlike a lot of Floridian who head "north" in the summer to their second home -- my second home is travel in Europe during the summer (or in the case of last summer, Alaska and much of the rest of the US for 5 months). My winter retirement is spent doing all this planning -- half the fun. And yes, Rita, I do it to reduce the stress on the actual trip.

ohh, sigh.........<BR><BR>Have a great time, Patrick!<BR>

Gawd, sounds great!<BR><BR>Not like it's the last minute or anything, but I'm assuming you've checked with Auto France that they'll let their cars into Slovenia, Croatia et al? I know Renault does but some others don't.<BR><BR>BV!

Bon voyage, Patrick! What a wonderful trip you have planned. I'm so happy you were able to take early retirement and do this type of thing, so many people can't. Post when (and where) you can, I'm sure it will be fantastic.

Patrick, I'd like to add my wishes for a safe and happy journey. One question - is there a particular reason you book your flights "exactly 330 days ahead"?

Sure. Because 330 days is what American allows -- the maximum they can bring up on the computer. Wait a few weeks beyond that and the few FF seats they allot per flight may be gone. Once I forgot the date and called about 320 days ahead -- yes, my flights were already filled (not filled, but the two or four seats they allow for free FF tickets were gone). I had to take a third choice of return date -- not a major problem, but one I'd just as soon avoid if I can.

This is good info to know. One other question - since you're booking that far in advance, what type penalty is incurred if you have to make any changes?

Patrick,<BR>I'm curious about something you mentioned. It seems American lets you book your outward segment without a return segment until that 330 limit comes up. Is this correct? I tried it with British Airways and they told me no way - I had to book the round trip (LA-London) at one time, not in segments, it was simply not allowed. So far we have never had a problem getting the FF seats, but still it's a worry because if you are leaving on June 10 (for example) and returning on June 30 you have to wait till the correct number of days after the 30th to book.<BR><BR>Second question -- and I know it is none of my business but please indulge me here -- how do you get so many miles in one year?? I use my BA Visa card for just about everything but don't come any where close to that much.

Are you ready for this one? No penalty at all. You can change in advance or even a day or two before a flight segment with no penalty or charge at all. On the other hand, I've never done that, and I'm not sure how the availability would be. Since the usual FF alloted seat would be long gone on short notice, I'm not sure if they would find one they will let you have.<BR>The closest I've come was changing one of my flight segments about three months before we went. Actually they did it without a problem. I'm not sure if I was just lucky, or if that is usual.<BR>Please note that all these comments have only been about American Airlines -- I'm not sure what any of the others do. By the way, American also allows upgrades with miles on any price seat. So if you get a really low price coach fare, you can still upgrade to business. I like doing it that way, but usually on these long stays, it is impossible to get a good round trip coach fare.

Looks like a wonderful trip you have planned, Patrick; hope you have a great time. I look forward to hearing any of your reports from the road, and am especially interested in your impressions of Corsica, which we had considered visiting on our trip this spring. Bon voyage!

Sorry, Lori, your message appeared while I was doing my last response.<BR><BR>Yes, American lets you do one segment at a time and will hold that reservation for one month. If I need it held longer than that, at the end of the month I call and they will extend the hold another month, and so on. When we went for 5 months, I just had to keep calling every 30 days to extend the hold until I could book the return.<BR><BR>As to the number of miles -- well it isn't from flying, because I've done very little of that in the last couple of years. Actually I've been accumulating them a little more than spending them. Last year I didn't cash in any since we stayed in the States. In addition to putting everything I spend over about $15 on my Citibank card to get mileage, I switch to MCI and get 1000 miles per month for 5 months, then I switch back to Sprint and after a couple of months, I switch back to MCI and work on the next 5000 miles. I joined Aadvantage dining which is free and gives you 10 miles for every dollar you spend in hundreds of restaurants -- you don't even have to show a card or even be aware that they are giving you points. Last year in New York for a month I racked up something like 10,000 miles quite by accident as so many of the restaurants were on the plan -- and yes over that month I easily spent $1000 in those restaurants and earned those miles.<BR><BR>When I send flowers I use the American designated service -- often extra 500 miles. When I bought a new car, they let me put $5000 of it on a credit card. Although I "finance" my car with my Equity Credit Line, I waited the month to pay off that part of the purchase price to the credit card so I got those extra miles. Lots of other things. Yes, I guess I'm addicted, but I reap the benefits of all those ways to get miles.

Man, why did you book so minutely? It leaves no room for spontaneity. You seem like a fun loving chap that would like spur of the moment side trips. Anyway have a great trip and let us know what comes about.

Thanks for the answer, Patrick. You've got the FF miles down to a science. I just wish BA was a little more flexible on their rules. Oh well .. can't win them all. We also have that dining option whereby at certain restaurants we get 10 miles for each dollar. It's a great deal, we just don't eat out enough My husband absolutely hates MCI so even if it means more miles he becomes unglued at their name -- they were not so nice to us once and he has not forgotten. I get miles for just about everything else tho, groceries, cosmetics, clothes, new carpeting for the house, heck, I even got miles for my dental work .. you name it! It is really an obsession after awhile. I look for hotels (except in London where we rent an apt) that I can get 500 extra miles for staying, rental cars, likewise when the occasion occurs. Anything that offers "extra" miles gets my attention (except the dreaded MCI).<BR><BR>I know I said this earlier on in the thread but I hope it's a marvelous trip and that we get to read all about it!

Patrick, have a wonderful time--it sounds like a fascinating trip (wish I were a little bird). How great that we will be able to travel with you vicariously! I'll be especially interested to hear about your St. Severin stay.

How did I miss this yesterday? Patrick, add me to the list of those green with envy. Have a great trip and thank you for all your helpful tips in the past --especially those for our stay in Naples, Florida.

Patrick, All I can say is WOW!!! Be sure to post on croatia and Corsica, as they are both in my future! I`m like you, like to plan way in advance and learn all I can. That way, not so much goes wrong and fewer surprises. Pat

Whose going to cut the grass & water the hydrangias while you're gone?<BR><BR>Thanks for the advice over the years. Please post hotel & restaurant info on Rants & Raves upon return.<BR><BR>Have a great trip,<BR>j.