Patrick

Amy, I was so upset about it at the time in Belgium I couldn't wait to get home and convert my card back. But with all the countries we visited and had no problems with, I really believe this is a problem in Belgium and Belgium alone. In fact that's what the clerk at that Belgium bank told us. So, no, I haven't made any plans to convert back for the trip next year.

selena

Hi Patrick,<BR> Glad to hear that you had a safe and fun trip regardless of the ATM mishaps.<BR>Have you traveled in Italy much? When you said you havent found many places where you would want to stay over 1 week, I was wondering if this includes Italy.

Patrick

Yes, we've traveled in Italy quite a bit, nearly 6 weeks worth this summer.<BR>I guess I get itchy to go. There are a number of places I could stay a week, but more than that, and I'd probably we raring to move on. And I'm one of those people who would go stark raving mad in some villa or locanda out in the middle of nowhere after just a day or two. As lovely as they seem at first glance, I just need more "city" around me. Perhaps I could do Rome or Venice for more than a week, but I'd just as soon be moving on to another location. <BR>Oddly enough, by the way, we've finally found two places in the US where we both love staying for more than a week -- LA and New York. In fact we're already planning a month in each next summer (May in New York, September in LA) with Europe between. That's sort of a repeat of what we did last summer with Alaska in the middle.

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topping<BR>

KC

Hi Patrick - thanks for the comments! I'd be interested in your visit to Croatia if you get the chance (where you went, what you saw, etc) as I was recently informed that my stereotype of it as a war-ravaged country isn't completely accurate.

Susan

Woww..first time I read about someone going for 90 days on a trip, my husband and I are also retired and he also would like to do something like that but I don't know if you book your hotel in U.S.A., or you arrange it once you arrive to your destination, wich will be the most inexpensive way of traveling?, we do not like to much B&B, but we will stay in one a day or two, do you rent a apartment for a week is there a web page that maybe I can look into and it will give me more information about it??I will greatly appreciate any information you can give me ..Thanks so much!

Patrick

Susan, actually we've gone to Europe for as long as 5 months at a time. The planning is no different than if you were going for two weeks, just more planning. We normally prebook all hotels. Other than renting a flat in London (15 days next year, normally just a week), we use hotels that I generally book direct on internet. <BR>We found that the car for two months this time was a lot less expensive than the train passes we've done in the past, or even a lot of point to point train fares. Sometimes we do a combination of the two -- just depends on where you're going and what you're doing on a any given trip.

kk

Patrick, if I promise to do all the legal work and supply the papers ready for your signature...will you PLEASE ADOPT ME?!? Don't you and Lee want a middle-aged "child" to take along on your fabulous travels? Please? Please?<BR><BR>Seriously, I've been enjoying your trip reports since your five-month long one. And I thank others for topping this thread and someone else for giving the links to the other trip reports by Patrick, from his most recent trip. All just fabulous. Thanks so much.

ga

Patrick,<BR>would you mind sharing which apartment company you book through and which apartment is your favaorite in both London and Paris?<BR><BR>Thanks<BR>

Patrick

I book my flat in London through Farnum and Christ 1-800-366-2048 (in the US). They have a minimal website at www.farnum-christ.com, but you won't find much on it. They discuss with you your needs, budget, etc. and make recommendations. They don't have low budget rentals; all are privately owned well decorated and maintained individual flats. The one we always rent is in Covent Garden, a very large sort of "loft" apartment with one bedroom and two baths. Costs about 200 US per night on a week basis. <BR>I have never rented an apartment in Paris. I have looked at hundreds of them, and frankly am happier in a really nice three star hotel for less than $200 a night, than anything I've seen for that price in an apartment, but I'm pretty picky.