Dottie

Blessings to you both! As a child, I remember sitting in Geography class and looking at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. I wanted to go there ever since. We traveled to all three of your choices and loved every one, but I still wanted to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and finally got to last year! It was a thrill! Is there a place like this that your wife has wanted to see? That's where you should take her. Have fun! Post where you decide to go!

Kay

<BR>Liam, I would recommend that you give your wife a trip to plan a trip. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands is a fabulous place to relax and plan your European trip together. Caneel Bay in St. John and Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda are two very beautiful places and wonderful places to relax (Little Dix Bay is very peaceful.) Look them up under rosewoodhotels.com. Another alternative is a Spa. My friend went to Lake Austin Spa Resorts several times during her treatment. I found Canyon Ranch in Tucson wonderful and I believe they have a Canyon Ranch fairly close to you. You wouldn't have to spend to much time traveling and could plan your European trip there. <BR><BR>Best wishes to you both. I am cancer free since 1992!

JB

Liam,<BR><BR>How about a tour? Then your journey can be planned by someone else and they can give you insite into what are the best things for someone with limited strength can do. There are a variety of price ranges out there and you can see lots of different things. I love France and Italy but think there is so much to see it might be overwhelming. What about Ireland, there are cities but also lots of natural countryside that can be seen from a bus. I have not been there, so this is just an idea. I would definitely contact a travel agent who can help you more.<BR><BR>Good luck to you and your wife!

Howard

Anyone who thinks this forum isn't a vital resource with contributions provided by some fine, fine individuals should be required to read this thread!<BR>Liam, you can't lose no matter which one you choose!

topping

Topping for Liam and his wife~

gary

A 3-5 day trip to Europe is a tall order for healthy people, let alone someone who has been extremely ill. The time change alone is fairly disruptive to the human body, not to mention the other stresses of travel. May I respectfully suggest something a little closer to home with a European feel, such as Montreal or Quebec City, Prince Edward Island, Bermuda, or the French or Dutch islands of the Caribbean. Best Wishes to you and your wife.

Dallas, Texas

I think I would have to agree with gary. A 3-5 day trip couldn't help but be stressful for someone trying to regain her health. My suggestion would be a romantic cruise to some of the beautiful islands we have fairly close to home.<BR><BR>Whatever you decide, I hope both of you have a wonderful time!

Karen

Liam,<BR><BR>My best thoughts are with your wife and you. She's lucky to have such a thoughtful guy!<BR><BR>Paris would be my choice, even though Venice is my favorite city. Venice, while gandolas and ferries are plenty, does have many steps. Paris would be closer if you have limited time. You could just stay in one section and not try to see "all there is" in one trip.<BR><BR>Wherever will be great since it will be a treat at such a devastating time. We're all thinking of you both and your children....<BR><BR>

Karen

Liam,<BR><BR>Another thought...<BR><BR>Gotoday.com has come great prices for short trips to the cities you are thinking about. You would have to be concerned about the details. This is not intended as an advertisement, just to help out.<BR><BR>Karen

Karen

Liam,<BR><BR>I meant...<BR><BR>You would NOT have to be concerned with the details...my error...

c

As suggested by Gary, Quebec City might be a good alternative to consider which would be a little closer to home. Making roundtrip flights in less than a week back and forth from Europe can be tiring on their own. If you've never visited Quebec, you'd be surprised at what an enchanting city it is for tourists to explore. And with the current exchange rate in Canada, you could afford to splurge on lodging, as well as surprising your wife with a well deserved massage at the hotel spa.<BR><BR>Best wishes to you and your family.

Liam

Thanks again for the continued input (and kind words).<BR><BR>Thanks also for the island/cruise suggestions, but we've already "done" the beach thing (we are fortunate enough to have a family "retreat" in the USVI and we've used it 4 times over the past few years). My wife and I were really set on Europe until 9/11.<BR><BR>My plan is to have a stress-free vacation. Sleep in, sit in cafes, people watch, soak up the local atmosphere, take a lazy stroll, generally not do anything that will overwhelm us. I want to avoid the main tourist season. To help my wife recoup a bit more, I would consider delaying our trip until Sept/Oct 2002.<BR><BR>London and Paris are still front runners in my mind; Florence is new to my list and is tied with Venice for third. Given that, which do you prefer for late Sept/early Oct?

BTilke

I would vote Paris first because of the city's beauty and charm at any time of year. FYI, although fingers crossed that everything goes well, remember there is an American Hospital in Paris and it accepts Blue Cross, just in case your wife needs medical attention for any reason. <BR>My second choice would be Vienna. It's a lovely city and there's a tram route that circles the city, meaning it's very easy to get on and off to see sites without a lot of walking. Also carriage tours for sightseeing in the main area. And it's very easy to have the kind of relaxing trip you have in mind.

Janice

Dear Liam,<BR>Much as I love Venice (and I DO!) I think Paris is great for your circumstance. You can fly straight from Boston, concentrate on a small, central section of the city (I'd stay in the 6th Arr. if I were making your plans) and spend a lot of time sitting along Blvd. St. Germaine drinking coffee and watching people walk by, and just soaking it in. Under any circumstances, you'll have a great time, and there's no way she won't feel better just benfiting from your thoughtfulness. I'm sending you prayers and happy thoughts!

Kay

I loved Paris, but I would choose Florence because it better meets your requirements. It is so compact that you can see art and history with very little effort and people watch from cafes all around! If you choose Paris, I believe you will find the left bank fits in best with your plans. I look forward to hearing about your trip on your return.

mimi taylor

first my prayers are with her for a speedy recovery. I think most women dream of seeing Paris, and no need to see it all. Few people do. Paris is for lovers, and that's not an exageration.

julie

Again, best wishes for the future. Here's my take on a good choice. We went to the Algarve last March for the entire month, rented a little apartment (very reasonable) and rented a little car. When we wanted quiet we stayed on the beach and strolled or shopped or sunned ourselves, when we wanted a taste of the 'old world' we drove our little car into the 'hinterland' and it was quaint and wonderful. Why not try that?

Alice

I already made my vote for Paris, and just a word if you now are looking at Sept/Oct - be sure to choose and book a hotel well in advance (should we say by May/June?) because that is 'trade' season as well as windup of tourist season, and hotels book quickly. You will have a lot of recommendations on this forum for lovely hotels in the 6th arrondisement - just do a search for "Paris hotel" and read, read, read!

Mary

Hi Liam, First of all, my best wishes to your wife for a speedy recovery. I've been to Paris, Venice and Florence and use a cane because of a rotten knee. All 3 are breathtakingly beautiful, but you've got to walk around alot more in Venice and Florence just because theres no other way. Its hard to find cabs in Florence I think. Go with Paris. I agree with everyone whos mentioned how romantic it is. Cabs are plentiful and even though you can't see everything, just strolling through the Marais and the Left bank (sidewalk cafes everywhere) Sacre couer and Notre Dame and St. Chappelle, my favorite. No body has the time to do all of the Louvre, but you can stroll thru some of it and go through all of the Orsay. And how about Cruising the Seine. Even if you pick somewhere else I think I just talked myself into going back!

Barb

Best wishes to you, your wife and family. Don't put off this trip. The memories you will create will be priceless. I'd recommend either Venice or Florence. Both are easy to get around and if she does become tired you can always find a quiet cafe to rest and re-energize. I think Florence is so beautiful in the Spring.