Haha, morrisken, I like your post.

I've always felt a bit odd amongst all these planners as I normally take off for my European City of choice armed with an eye witness guide some enthusiasm, but very little else in terms of preparation. I like to 'discover'. Spose its easier for me to go back for the stuff I miss.

>I've done the standard dialogue already......<

Very good, Peter
................................................
Hi MP,

>How does one distinguish between a "hign energy" trip and a "deluded" trip?<

If I could have done it when I was 35, it's "high energy".

If it would have wiped me out when I was 20, it's "deluded".
.................................................. ...
Hey tds,

>I am a little offended by this. .....<

You oughtn't be. There's nothing personal here. It's just some of the older crowd having fun.

Hey D,

If nominated, I shall not run. If elected, I shall not serve.

Yes folks, this is all meant as a joke. I just wanted to see what the responses were. Many are really funny.

dave

daveesl wrote: "Many are really funny."

Sadly, some are not.

I think we should just limit our replies to the itinerary questions to one sentence.

What a fun thread, daveesl, to read with my breakfast coffee. Thanks.

I just made my husband leave his Financial Times to read Aduchamps1 comments:

<<Maybe we can get special dispensation for Fodor's for which we can use the following:

"What are you effing nuts?"

If that fails, we can always say, "Sounds like a great trip, but you should add Johnannesburg.">>

Ira, You started me thinking about the age range, grouping of posters here. Scary to think that if they are 50 or under, they'd probably have no idea of the historical reference in "If nominated..." Yikes.

Will there be a senate hearing on this nomination? I'm a bit concerned about answering the 'did you wear white running shoes?' question.

<<Will there be a senate hearing >>

Well be clear everyone on our side of the Atlantic will refuse to attend. It was a Scottish decision and a totally separate matter from anything I/ we have ever ever said, done or thought. Ever.

I'm woried if news leaks out that Adidas has given me some money...harmless..really.

Coincidence too that my fanny pack has three white stripes.

The standard reply to "Can I do this in X number of days"? is
"how the hell should we know? We cannot even agree among ourselves"

tds0212: Please don't be offended. You actually listened to the advice you were given and are also adjusting your itinerary and continuing your research - with plenty of time to spare as you started early. The frustration lies with some posters who ask for advice on something totally insane they plan to do next month and then refuse to take it. They don't really seem to want advice, but a stamp of approval. They then become upset when someone won't tell them how to continue with their madness.

I think daveesi started this thread for the regulars to vent with humor. You'll notice that he was simultaneously poking fun at the regulars, too. Good show.

<<How does one distinguish between a "hign energy" trip and a "deluded" trip?

Dunno, b/c it's personal preference. Sometimes I can't distinguish "helpful advice" from "obnoxious cranky replies".

I've been traveling in a manner that many of you think is too fast-paced, but it definitely works for me and my family. We like to see and do a lot, and I understand that's not everyone's preference. But that doesn't mean I don't have a great time on my travels, or that I'm doing it "wrong".

I'm confused by the assertion that every time you check in and out of a hotel, you waste 1/2 day. It takes us about an hr. to pack up, check out and get on our way. At our next place, it takes about another hour to locate our hotel, check in and bring our things up to the room.

If we made several day trips instead, we would easily be spending that much time driving to the destination and back.

<<They don't really seem to want advice, but a stamp of approval.

Sometimes, I do want advice on what I have planned, but instead I've been told not to drive, but to rent a car; or to skip a site that I wanted to see; etc.

If I have budgeted 2 hrs. for a drive that takes 4 hrs, telling me that is most appreciated. But, if I have planned on driving, and you tell me that I should take the train (which takes 2x as long) and means I have to skip a site that I wanted to see - I would actually appreciate advice on driving to the destination that I would like to visit.

That said, I know the OP is referring to proposed trips that really are not reasonable geographically. For that, I have to agree with tds - if it is so exasperating to respond, just save yourself the aggravation and skip it. tds, I'm sorry you felt uncomfortable with posting.

I love this thread!

By the way, when I posted "going to Scandinavia, what is there to see" questions that were clearly asking for silly answers, the very first answer was serious!

Maybe we need more of this type of threads?

Karen,

The 1/2 day check-in/check-out is an interesting point.

Last time I went to Paris I landed at 10:05, with only carry-on luggage. Had a little dejeuner at CDG. I was at my hotel room in the 16th by 12:15. I had been before so getting to RER, into city, switching to Metro was not a big deal.

Leaving I took Metro to Montparnasse at 7:30 AM, Air France bus to CDG. I was in line at US Air by 10:30.

So using a rough estimate, it took me a morning each time. If I did not know the city, would have been more.

If I had kids or checked luggage...

Without knowing details, a worst case of 3-4hrs is not unreasonable.

Last time I went to Lyon, I got off the train, crossed parking lot and entered my hotel.

I'm confused by the assertion that every time you check in and out of a hotel, you waste 1/2 day. It takes us about an hr. to pack up, check out and get on our way. At our next place, it takes about another hour to locate our hotel, check in and bring our things up to the room.>>

it's not so much wasting, as taking at least 1/2 day to change locations. if you are only on holiday for, say, 14 days, and you move on every other day, that's at last 1/4 of your trip just spent on travelling from place to place. add in the 1/3 that you're asleep, and it doesn't leave much time for actually doing, seeing, eating, watching..

this is particularly acute when the mode of travel is plane - obviously you can see things as you go along if you're driving or on the train.

of course you can spend the same amount of time on a day trip, but then if you're in a place for 3 days, you wouldn't normally spend all of them doing day trips, would you?

Sorry if I sounded a bit cranky in my above post...I understand that ppl need to vent, but for some reason I took this a little personal. I guess bc I am a first time European traveler, probably asked some "ignorant" questions, and felt lost by the thought of going to such a large place. Anyhoo...continue on w your jokes--i'm over being offended **Not that I was stopping you in the first place! haha!**

I will be fully involved w my guidebook for awhile...and instead of posting "ignorant" questions, maybe I can just find other ppl who have already posted the same question I may have and read what you say to them!! I'll figure my way around all you guys one way or another

And sap...you are right, I have recieved some excellent and fabulous advice thus far. Some I may not have recieved otherwise. So there! I'm done.

Oh...just one more thing. Can anyone tell me the "best, must see" places for all of London, Paris, and Amsterdam?? Oh yeah, and how do you all REALLY feel about me adding in just ONE more place? I mean after all, I have two weeks. Nevermind getting there, getting home, and getting from here to there. I think I have PLENTY of time to see it ALL!!! Don't you?

Sorry I had to throw it in there. I DO have a sense of humor, most of the time. My only excuse is it was late, I was tired, and still overwhelmed by the decisions I have to make. Hope everyone has a lovely day! (I hope I'm using enough smiley faces for everyone to enjoy)

tds,
we were all in your shoes at one time. Of course, back then the internet was shiny new

Think of it as a buffet...you have all this input, choose what satisfies your needs (but don't forget your greens and fruits!)

Once you've been here long enough you appreciate that there are varying opinions, but all (usually) is offered in otder to help. Travel an be passionate!

"You are all pompous b@stards!" he screamed at the mirror

Sometimes when I read a "lame" question posted I try to guess who the first person to post will be and what "advice" the OP will get. And I've read many posts from certain folks that never contain any real travel advice, just put downs and no help answers. I've give a few bits of helpful info at times. But not much compared to so many here.