I really appreciate the feedback from all who are writing.

As a general comment to those questioning the budget situation, I have family in the airline industry and can fly extremely cheap, but it must happen by the end of this summer. So I either go, and pinch pennies, or don't go at all. I would much rather go. We also have family in London, so because of the close proximity of Paris to London, it makes sense for us to do it again.

And I didn't say we couldn't afford it, I just said we will have to watch our cashflow. Also, the cost of the Louvre is more like $18 as far as I know, which is a total of $36 dollars (if I am wrong please let me know). So things like that do add up. I would hate to spend $36 dollars just to say I walked into the Louvre, looked at Mona Lisa, was unimpressed, and left.

So these are the reasons for us doing the trip how we need to. I hope this second explanation explains enough to those who tend to question others needlessly (please forgive my frustration).

***As far as everyone else and all of your help, thanks so much.

Margie - thanks for understanding our budget situation, I will definitely check into the museum pass!

We will be going to Rome in May, so I am not sure how hot it will be, and if the issues of crowding will be there. When does "tourist" season really start?

SusanP: Thanks for clearing up the post issue for me. That will save me a lot of trouble.

Thanks again for your feedback. I know that people are different and travel differently, and that is hard for some to handle. But for those who just plain offered advice, I truly appreciate it.

Keep it coming!

Take care all,

Eric

Huh? Eric, you need to attach this info to your other thread. As it stands this doesn't make any sense.

"Thanks all who are writing" doesn't tell anyone what you are talking about and doesn't connect to the folks who did post to your other threads.

Eric, Don't let anyone here tell you what you should and shouldn't do. This is about travel, not about how to manage your money.

I don't really know what you are referring to or what post -- but the cost of the Louvre is not $18 per person, if that's what you mean. It's 8.50 euro normally which is more like $12. Sometimes there are special exhibits that might cost more, and you can pay 5 euro for the audioguide and then you'd get up there, but the basic admission is not. You'll have to pay for the audioguide if you have a museum card, anyway, though, and those museum cards aren't cheap. They could be a good idea if you plan to go to three museums a day or a lot of museums over three days, but otherwise I don't think they'll save you money.

There are ways to reduce the cost if you want -- there is reduced admission after 6 pm on Wednesdays when it is open late (only 6 euro); that is a good time to go as there are less crowds, also. The Louvre and Orsay are the two most expensive museums in Paris, I think. It sounds like the Louvre isn't even a must-see for you or something you really want to do, you just think you should. I would think the Orsay might be more enjoyable for you, in that case. The Louvre has a lot of art from periods I am not that attracted to myself.

eric has now decided, per his other threads, that he is going to Rome and not Paris. The watching the cashflow concern is confusing me because in his other thread he is considering Scala Reale tours which are expensive.