Would some kind Fodorite who understands OCD travel-junkies congratulate me and share my joy? I just purchased a round-trip to Paris for a 6 week stay in May/June for what I think to be a super price. I am home alone today, so no one to share my news. Can I get a pat on the back? Since none of my family is getting to go with me on this trip, they probably won't care even when I tell them upon their arrival later tonight! LOL

I share your joy! What is the price? I felt pretty good last month when I got tickets for June 16 for $560.

Excellent crepes. I hope you got the great price through Delta. And that you make your connection.

By the way Prozac is approved for the treatment of OCD.

You have to share the price first...

Tres, tres excellent.

Six weeks! Wow!

Best wishes,

Rex

oh geez, the three of us posted at the same time..

congratulations! but what kind of a deal did you get, and how? we are considering a trip to Paris in May and would appreciate any airfare bargain hunting tips you may acre to share. Thanks.

And did you decide where you're going for the 6 weeks? Not that I'm being selfish, but I hope it's someplace I haven't been so I can read a wondrous trip report.

Not to mention having you posting occasionally from France. Surely with 6 weeks you can make a little Fodor's time.

Check the Air France website.

Ok, here's the lowdown. I am flying Delta from New Orleans to ATL, then AirFrance on to Paris, CDG. I priced it throught AF with a price quote of $1207. Remember, when you get above 30 days return, the price goes up a good bit. Checked out one of these multiple search jobs, QIXO, got the same flight for $640. That's all taxes and charges included. My feet have not touched the ground since.

Congratulations! I love Air France. I think they perfume the air.

Indy, I am going to do my study abroad program in Tours at Centre Linguistique pour Etrangers. Even though at my age, I don't relish staying with strangers, I have opted to do a homestay with a family so that I will be forced to speak French 24/7. Leaving at the end of April cuts my 15 year old son out of going with me, and he is none too happy about it. But for the first time since I've had kids, I am doing something totally for me. I told him there would be a next time. If I can arrange it, maybe he can join me for a week at the end of my stay.

porcupine, the first time I went to Paris (in 2000), totally green, my return flight ended up being on AF, partnered thru Delta. I was addicted! I read all the complaints on here about AF, but I love them! On my last AF flight, a gentleman was seated next to us who absolutely REEKED. My stomach was turning in about 2 minutes of him sitting down. I got up, went to a flight attendant, told her there was absolutely no way that my son and I could endure the funk for 10 hours. She said, "Madame, I understand completely. Geeve me one moment." After a couple of minutes, she came over to us and said, "I am terribly sorry Madame, but I am going to have to ask you and your companion to change seats." She lead us to the other side of the plane, second row, and seated us with an empty seat between us! Best damn flight I've ever had - LOL! I will never forget her; I can see her face right now. Beautiful - typical French beauty, full of grace.

Congratulations on both the price and going somewhere on a project like that on your own...it seems in some ways we get less adventurous as we get older, so well done for pursuing something...I'm sure it will be wonderful.

As someone who doesn't have children I admire parents who do still try to proiritize things for themselves and I'm sure it's very difficult. Congratualtions again!

Thats great crepes....
Go ahead girl, must be interesting tobe by yourself for 6 weks...Just think,the only person you have to worry is just YOU...Enjoy ....

Have a wonderful time..Are you planning to be a teacher?
Ciao, salut and a bientot...
kismet

I've been teaching French to elementary age children at a Catholic elementary school for 5 years. I am not certified so it was very unofficial - "enrichment" it was called so that I could get around the certification. That was my first time to use my French in 20 years. It was a catalyst. I fell back in love with the language, and after 25 years, have gone back to school to finish my degree so that I can teach high school French. I taught high school English last semester for a teacher on a leave of absence, and that sealed it for me. I was in heaven. Decided that the very thing I said I'd never do was actually my true calling after all - teaching.

But I'll be honest with you. I am more in love with the culture and the life of France than I will ever be with the language itself. It is just a means to an end. So I am going to do this study abroad, as a friend so aptly put it, because I am searching for an old flame! How romantic!

crepes, I'm thrilled you got the airfare! You were waffling a bit and I'll admit I was afraid the airfare would come and go.

I think you've made a great choice in lodging and city. As you know Tours is supposed to have the purest French accent. By living with a family you'll be able to practice much more. I rarely get to use my French in Paris and it's the last place I'd want to take an intensive French course.

Make time for the gemmail museum in Tours. Pictures just do not do it justice. They have to be seen in person.

Indy, with five weeks, I should have time to do plenty in and around Tours, I'm sure. If the money is there, I hope to do some weekend trips to other places as well.

And yes, you are right about the airfare. I almost fooled around and lost the crop! I found some fares around the $550 range but I just did not want to take a domestic airline if I could get AF for not much more. I must be living right to get that flight. When I checked it about an hour after I booked, it didn't show up on the bargain sites, just on AirFrance's site. Whew!

BTW, I did Dresden this weekend.

Crepes-how wonderful. Good for you! Enjoy every minute of your stay. We expect to visit Tours the end of May-perhaps we can meet for a cafe or vin.

auntie - in other words, one day soon we will have to post with the subject line "Fodors GTG in Tours"? LOL I'd love it! Wait until I have a couple of weeks under my belt so I'll know the lay of the land!