Then I hope you speak out at the time on the posts where you see the misinformation. Isn't that the point of a forum? Your advice would be invaluable.

Yes carrybean, I have already done that a number of times. Because it really does bother me.

But I get the strong impression from reading some of the responses here that I would be better off just allowing those posts to go completely unchallenged, since everyone likes the poster.

With the result that a person who visited an area one time, for a few days to a week some years ago, is considered the "expert" on it. I know several others, myself included, with far more extensive experience and information on specific subjects and it just is so frustrating to see.

Plus, even within an area I know very well, I would take care to give information based on my own knowledge, and not pose as someone who knew more than I do. If I was just guessing, I would certainl say so. If I was making recommendations based on solely on hearsay or other posts I had read, I would say so. And I also have made mistakes in talking about my travel, which have thankfully been corrected by those with more experience than I. But when I do, they are based on my own memory of personal experience

There are some places I have been once years ago, and I would give what information I know about, but I would feel wrong about jumping in with too many "facts and figures" if my information was that limited.

I will be going to Italy for an extended stay soon, and if I do find time to post on the Europe forum, which I hope to do occasionally, I hope I can offer more useful tips of my own! But challenge the poster I mentioned before? I would think twice!

DEGAS, YOU'RE BACK!!!

Good to hear from you.

Sorry about the lousy restaurant recommendations. I know you usually have 14 servings of pasta before the secondo.

Hi bella,

>But I get the strong impression from reading some of the responses here that I would be better off just allowing those posts to go completely unchallenged, since everyone likes the poster. <

I expect to be corrected whenever I misstate something, and I correct those errors that I find on other people's posts.

I hope that you feel the same way.

One of the major advantages of a forum like this is that misinformation can be quickly corrected.

Nope, ira, sorry...not going to take the bait.

So many tips, it would be hard to pick the best. The first thing that came to mind is the world weather site, but then there's VRBO, not being afraid to use Priceline...it just goes on and on.

Hi B,

>Nope, ira, sorry...not going to take the bait.<

I'm sorry that you seem to believe that I was trying to bait you.

" Honi soit qui mal y pense. "

<After 5 years on Fodors, I have learned so many valuable and heloful things.>

BS,
I'm sure that's absolutely the case. And yet out of all those things, what you chose to respond to the OP's question was to contradict my post and challenge ira's information. That seems like such a negative contribution when there are a million positive things you could have contributed.

I don't think anyone would think ira infallible based on my little response (sorry, ira -- but you know I do, right?). I really think any savvy traveler using this forum knows that a) they should still check things like museum times because they can change, and b) no matter how much a Fodorite likes a restaurant, that doesn't mean that you'll like it.

These things go without saying.

Yes, Degas, welcome back. You must be very happy that your deployment to Iraq was so brief...we keep hearing in the news about troop deployments being extended to 15 months or so. Congrats on being so lucky!

BTike, yes, I was lucky in one way but not so much in another.

Half the vacation destinations I've chosen were based on recommendations from fodorites, and for that I'm eternally grateful. My favorite recommendations were:

Croatia - It never even occurred to me to visit there until I found this board and started reading trip reports. Croatia is my favorite European country and I am so thankful I read about it on here!

Berchtesgaden - Truly a lovely area of Germany. Again, never even heard about it until I found this sight.

Also learned about Kayak, information on the various rail systems, how to best get from CDG to Paris, the list goes on and on!

Tracy

For me, some of the best information, in addition to what I wrote above, is about the food of Italy in the long threads in which Franco shares his wealth of information on this subject...

And how could I forget the incomparable Maribel who was so instrumental in helping me plan a few of my eating forays to Spain. She is a wonder!

Perhaps the editors should allocate a separate board to Ira!

Have been around too long to filter out any one particular thing I've learned. Lots of good advice, suggestions and questions answered. I did learn today, however, in no uncertain terms not to criticize or question Ira!

Degas: Welcome home. Your sense of humor is much appreciated, particularly since so many with similar ability no longer post! It's a joy to have you back!

Giovanna, you are too trusting. Neither ira nor anyone else is the ultimate authority on anything. (I suppose that very remark identifies me as one of those.) The best thing I ever learned is not to believe everything I read on this forum, and to research all the comments myself.

It is really impossible to single out any one tip or piece of advice from the vast amounts of helpful information that I've received from this board. The knowledge base here is the most valuable and comprehensive travel-planning resource anyone could ever hope for.

That said, I do feel compelled to mention the richly informative documents sent to us by Maribel (on visiting Madrid) and Stu Dudley (on visitng the Dordogne and Languedoc). These were so specific and so useful, it is hard to imagine planning our trips to these locales without them. They added to our experiences immeasureably.

Hi folks,

There have been 73 responses to Basch's question.

Mine name appears over 30 times.

I have not been offended by anyone who thinks I have made mistakes, and I am grateful to those who have had nice things to say about me.

I do think, however, that the discussion about me has been pretty much beaten insensible, if not to death.

How about if we go back to the original topic?

ira taught me how to take daytrips from Florence. 31.

There are so many informative posters to thank who have helped us. Every bit of info we gain is important.
The only posters who offend me are those who put down someones tasté in restaurants and think only their selections are the best.

Someone on this site recommended iJourneys.com iPod Walking Tours last year and since then we've used nearly every single one. They are fun, cheap, easy and really, really interesting. My husband is an even better traveler than I and even he found new places, etc from the tours.

You get to walk around on your own, exploring places and not looking like a geek with a guidebook. we just walk around with our headsets on and learn about history, ice cream, the guillotine, etc.

They also give travel tips, cafe and resto recommendations.

They have lots of walks in lots of cities.

It has really changed the way we travel.

Speaking of new iPod uses, the famous Fat Duck restaurant in Bray (about two miles from us) now has instituted iPod "accompaniments" to each course. Certain sounds that are intended to enhance the flavors of each dish. Hmmm....
(The Fat Duck was voted best restaurant in the world, in 2006 as I recall. But like most everyone we know who lives near the Fat Duck, it's a restaurant you go to once just to say you've been. After that, you go back to the place where you can enjoy the food without having to write a scientific essay on the combination of ingredients.)