PalenQ

I think that this very thread answers the question raised in the title - in the 'good' (or 'bad')_ ole days this type of thread would have have at least twice as much posts!

5alive

I drop into Europe occasionally to read. I do miss some of the veteran posters such as Rex, Robespierre and LoveItaly from years past, but that is not something a newcomer would notice. As a casual reader I don't notice anything more chaotic on the Europe Board. In fact, I think the most hilarious but also brutal TR occurred years ago, Barb's trip to Italy. Many of the posts were highly critical. Some accused her of making it up.

I am a perfect example of someone who isn't traveling overseas because the cost just went up too much. We had planned to do one more big overseas trip with the family last year and scaled it back to an East Coast trip. When you have 5 people in your family, an extra $500 per person just in plane fare over what we paid previously was just too much.

lifetrip

I LOVE this forum and hope it continues to thrive. My thanks to all the experienced travellers who give of themselves to be helpful. I must say however that I was slightly scared of posting my UK trip report as it was criticised as too rushed. We used google maps with great success to estimate travel times by car. Sure, it was a rushed trip, but we saw so much and loved every minute. Remember people that some of us come from the other side of the world to Europe and can get there so rarely that we have to make the most of opportunities.
Cheers.

Livinright

I too have read this board for many years. I miss LoveItaly, Robespierre, Rex, as well as Elvira (Oh, SO much!!!), Patrick, and the two Jodys. however, I think the liveliness of the Europe, and probably other boards, was greatly diminished by the Lounge. Of course, some threads were really out in left field, but the mix of "pure" travel info mixed with personal interactions connected to travel were what made the forum such a draw. I stopped looking in the Europe forum, unless I had a trip to plan. I do not look in the Lounge because, for me, it feels too much like a general chat room when not tossed up with the specific travel threads.

I do, however, applaud Fodors for trying to stop some of the threads from getting mean or landing somewhere on Mars. I know it is a fine line, but

Livinright

Sorry! Hit the button in error.

I know it is a fine line. I have no problem with a barbed comment. Sometimes the caustic tone is uninended, but I have a real issue with the barbed comment that spirals into competative topping of the sarcasm. The thread then becomes about the posters rather than what is posted.

sdtravels

Lifetrip: Couldn't have said it better. I still haven't' posted by Africa itinerary. For the same reason. I hope to post a successful trip report.

TDudette

julies, I think more people are traveling to destinations other than the usual ones in Europe. Could be wrong. Do agree that costs have gone up terribly and the post-9/11 changes can make air travel a real PITA.

Also, as I've aged, I'm considering concentrating a little more on the U.S. cities not seen over the years as we traveled to Italy and France.