Denise........IT'S ALIVE!!!!!! Great thread, NOT A Monster at all. <BR> <BR>To: Dayle--Thank you for the kind thoughts and encouragement! My wife gets "SO STRESSED" about finances. We have 'camped it' over the years to: The Grand Canyon; Mesa Verda (WAY COOL); Yellowstone (twice); The Little BigHorn (Custer--Montana); Devils Tower (Wyoming); The Badlands (South Dakota); Wounded Knee (WAY SAD); and EVERY Cave in the Western United States (well practically). We love Spurlunking(?) and would like to go through the caves in France, but they seem to be mostly in the Southwest (we do not have that kind of time nor money). There are too many 'major sites' that will be more valuable to my kids educationally. [When we first got married, my wife and I went through Mammoth Cave (Kentucky)]. <BR> <BR> The point is, we may look a little like gypsys at times, but we do know how to travel cheaply (if any motorhome can be cheap, even an older/smaller one). My kids, any kids, deserve that kind of an education. I spent my childhood looking through books and dreaming...my kids are seeing, even if it is financially draining. My wife would rather stay home and save for a rainy day. There is constant friction over money problems. You people make me feel better about my ideals. Can I live with you posters if we loose our home someday? Ha! Ha!

There are lots of people in this world who sit home and use all their energy worrying about what could or might happen -- usually things that are beyond their control anyway. What kind of life is that? There's a country song out now that has a line something like, "How many times do you see a headstone that reads, If only I had spent more time at work..." So, if you worry that the worst will happen, and it does, then what? The worst has happened and you never saw Rome, or Paris, or sunrise on the Tetons....

Right on! About the sunrise on the tetons, Dayle. I did not want to brag about Utah, but we've done lots of places here, too. My Great Grandparents came to Utah with the Mormons. Issac Behunin and family were originally from Ireland, then New York (where they met Joseph Smith/Mormonism). Once in Utah, Brigham Young sent them south to "explore and make peace with the Indians" since they spoke the language and 'embraced' the Native Americans. I think they may have been being punished (also) because they refused to practice polygamy. They were the first white settlers in many parts of Southern and Central Utah. And there are monuments to him/them in: Zions Canyon National Park; Capital Reef National Park; Ephraim and Mount Carmel, Utah. Issac 'named' Zions National Park. We have pictures/documentation of my grandfather (and Issac's family) with/knowing Butch Cassidy and his gang. Butch often bought food and supplys from them, paid them handsomely, and was "...very kind and curteous". That part of Utah is our second (camping) home. The desert has a beauty all its own! It is so easily damaged by human encroachment(?). <BR> <BR>If you ever get the chance....Dead Horse Point (Canyonlands/Moab) and Arches (Delicate Arch) National Park MUST rival whatever else the world has to offer!!! Zions, Capital Reef, and Bryce Canyon National Parks are pretty awesome, too.

Hi Denise, <BR>My name is Emily and I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Cincinnati is well-represented here!) I'm 23 years old and I've been to Europe only once so far. Graduation is a few months away--I'll be a physical therapist (physiotherapist)and I NEED A JOB!! If you know of anyone who's hiring... <BR>Anyway, I've been reading this site for quite a while, but I don't contribute much, as my experience is limited. This site is great entertainment for someone who should be studying!!

I can't believe I'm actually answering this post, I'm not a "web" person at all, except for this site. I check it several times a day, although I don't answer too often. I am 33 and live in Boston. I have a master's degree in music, and freelance as a singer. I have a contract with the opera company here in the city. (Being an opera singer is great for travel, I've studied 3 languages) My "dayjob" is managing trials for kids with cancer. My husband is an historian finishing up his Ph.D., and patching together an academic career at several colleges. As you can probably imagine, with lives like that, our travel time (and money, but especially time) is quite limited. Our first European trip was for our 5th anniversary, and the plan was to take another for our 10th. We are now planning our third European trip, and it's only our 9th anniversary. I guess you can say we're pretty well hooked. Our particular interests are art, music, history, and food, and I'm glad to try and answer any questions about those topics, although I certainly can't claim the travel experience that many others at this site have. We are also, by necessity, pretty good on budget tips, since without them we couldn't afford to travel at all. I try to answer the Boston questions on the U.S. site. I can't get over how different the two sites are. Maybe I'm a travel snob, but I find the Europe site by far the more interesting! This was a great question, it's not only interesting to know something about the people answering, it's also helpful to know whose advice to take. For example, I can't afford to follow the advice of people who say the "only" place to stay in Venice is the Danieli or Cipriani! It's wonderful to know that there are others who travel the way we do.

I'm new to traveling and the fodors forum. I'm 20 years old and attending college in Bismarck, North Dakota. I'm traveling to Paris for the first time in May. I was born in Australia and moved to North Dakota in 1984. All the help and information from you all is very helpful. Thanks!

Denise, <BR> <BR>Great thread!!!! I am 29 years old and live in Louisville, Kentucky. I love to travel every chance I get. My first trip to Europe was 2 years ago, and I am leaving tomorrow for London with my Mom. I worked in Brazil for a year and was able to do some traveling around South America. My friends always joke with me because I always have trip planned without an exact date. I am always reading travel guides about the places that I want (will) to visit. <BR> <BR>Tammy <BR> <BR>

It's been great to match the "faces" with the posts and , Denise, I also had been wondering about who and where everone on the forum is. I live in Long Island, a suburb of New York City. I am borne of filipino parents, have Spanish ties somewhere along the line as I have a Spanish last name, was born in Paris when my father, in the U.S. Navy at the time, was stationed there, and grew up in New York. I work in New York City which has such a diverse population of people from all over the world and I love to learn about different cultures and try many kinds of food. My daughter, soon going away to college, had attended the United Nations International School in New York and loved the international influences. After traveling all over North America, we finally travelled overseas a few years ago to visit Spain and Morocco and, of course, now I'm hooked! I have planned a trip to Spain, Portugal, and the Basque country for the Dec/Jan. holiday season and I absolutely can't wait even though I've been told to expect rain. The french I learned in school and the spanish I learned speaking with friends helped me on my last trip although sometimes it comes out more like frenish. Locals, especially in the restaurants I found, really appreciated my trying to speak their language. It makes it easy for them, too, trying to figure out what all my gesticulations are about. Since my plans were confirmed, its been hard to concentrate on my job as a manager in financial services. Until yearend, Fodors Forum will have to feed my imagination - it's very addicting. My daughter and my two dogs have been very patient with me as I read though all the new postings every chance I get. Thanks to Fodors, I am finally becoming somewhat computer literate!

Hi Denise, <BR>Dennis and I have only been reading Fodor’s for the past few months when we started planning a trip to Scandinavia for 1999. It does become addictive, hours seems to go by when reading all the helpful information. Keep the information coming, thanks everyone <BR> <BR>We are middle aged, and originally from the Northeast, New Jersey (NJ), 30 miles outside New York City. However, we had enough cold weather and just moved to sunny Arizona in November 1997. <BR> <BR>We love to travel, and try to do atleast one great trip a year. We belong to travel club in NJ, and they usually offer 5/6-day getaways (weekend). We usually book a short trip, just to see what the place is like. If we like the place, then we will go back some other time for a longer stay. <BR> <BR>We have traveled to England, Scotland, Holland, Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, Bavarian Alps, Germany, and Italian Alps near Austria. Closer to home, Canada, Bermuda, Aruba, Barbados, Caribbean Cruise, and soon Jamaica (our daughter is getting married on the island). My favorite place is England & Scotland. As my heritage is Scottish, my grandfather was born in Scotland, and move to the US via Ellis Island. . Plane fares have always been good for travel (off-peak) from the New York Metropolitan area. Cost less to fly to Europe from New York/Newark, NJ area than it does to fly to some place in the US. <BR> <BR>In the US, we traveled to a number of States. I love Williamsburg, Virginia in late spring, fall (leaves changing) and around Christmas time, the history is wonderful. In addition, we like to walk around New York City during the holidays, the smell of hot pretzel and roasted chestnuts on the corners. I enjoy watching the skaters at Rockefeller Center, the store windows decorated for the holidays, and of course a Broadway shows (things I will miss). Now that we live on the West Coast, we plan on visiting California and Las Vegas, again. Moreover, we hope to visit a few more other West Coast & Central states. Our how backyard (US) is just a wonderful to visit. <BR> <BR>We were just talking about planning a trip to Australia for sometime next year. Any info would be appreciated. <BR>

Dear Denise: <BR>Here is yet another posting to your question. I am a very recent participant in the forum. My husband and I are on our way to Europe in a few weeks. After a whirlwind few days in Paris and Munich, we are headed to Tuscany for r&r, then on to Greece. The Fodor site has been invaluable thus far. You will probably all see many questions on this forum in the next few weeks. <BR> <BR>In the meantime, I have been traveling in Europe on and off for the last 20+ years. I am a Graphic Designer in Los Angeles. Traveling is my avocation (and I'd love it to be my vocation). My most recent trip to Europe was three years ago in Spain and Portugal (also Morocco). I will be happy to post info upon our return in June. <BR>

Kentucky here....Tuscany in May. Any restaurants not to miss in Florence (particularly). Let's keep this going! <BR>

Denise-What a hoot its been going through all of the responses to your question. I am an Innkeeper in coastal Maine working at a small B&B. It has been very interesting doing research for my upcoming trip to Paris using all sorts of tips from this forum and the great people who respond on it.I absolutely love Paris-plan on living there at some point in life..I just have to negotiate with my husband who is more interested in moving into a log cabin in the maine northwoods!!!Thanks for putting this out there.

Hey Denise! <BR> I hope someone gets to this after 131 postings. WOW!! What a fabulous idea! Obviously, my name is Sharlande Smith. An unusual Old English family name- the "e" is silent if anyone is wondering how to pronounce (been though this many a time). I'm originally from Holly Springs, Miss., a small town about 45 miles southeast of Memphis, Tn. where I'm now living. When I finally graduated college in '97, I decided to take some time off before grad school and travel Great Britain. So far, I travel around England for long periods, come back home make $ and go back. I've only now started grad school for my Master's in Teaching this semester (a year late because of travel addiction)! This summer I'm starting on Europe begining with Paris, Normandy and Brittany. I have really enjoyed reading everyone's responses. <BR>

Hi - I'm Elizabeth, from Toronto Canada. I first discovered the Fodors site in January of 98 when we (my husband Richard and I) were going to San Francisco. I was looking for interesting Bed and Breakfast accommodation but the site drove me nuts - I knew there was a wealth of information but the server was too slow. I tried again this past January when we were going to the Amalfi coast and was delighted to find they had upgraded the server and the archives were finally accessible. <BR> <BR>Most of our travel is to Europe - we love to eat and for us France and Italy are meccas for food. In the past year we have visited Italy twice (those airline points were adding up) and for the first time rented villas. For us it has been a wonderful experience. We've made friends with the owners/rental agents and have had experiences that can only come from staying in small towns for a week or more - we've gotten to know grocery store owners who came to our villa with fresh produce because they knew we were looking for it; been invited to restauranteurs' homes for 'home cooked' meals and been taken for hair rising rides on the Amalfi coast by locals. <BR> <BR>Our next trip will likely be the Galapagos - it's time to go somewhere new and we're fascinated with the wild life of that area. Would appreciate any comments/suggestions re cruise lines/tour operators - both good and bad . E-Mail me directly if you have suggestions. Thanks! <BR> <BR>

Hi Denise; This is still going strong. My husband and I are 52 and are in Farmington Hills, Michigan. I first found this forum in February or March but did not get hooked until April. I am a self-employed health care consultant and my husband is in construction. We have made two trips to Europe and are planning the 3rd for this fall. It started out in 1984 when we visited cousins stationed in Naples and wanted to go to the Ocktoberfest. Then in 1997 my husband fulfilled a dream by doing a European delivery purchase of a car. Our daughter was doing a semester in Augsburg outside of Munich (where you had to pick up the car). We put 2800 miles on it and had a fantastic trip. Now we are going back with his brother and wife to visit 6 countries and another 2200 miles. We're renting this time since we want to visit eastern europe (praha and budapest) which we could not do last time. Thank goodness for frequent flyer miles (charging tuition adds up). I really love traveling and truly enjoy this forum and the people who contribute. It is great to see the diversity of people (ages, places, interests, careers, etc). Happy Travels everyone.

Hi Denise <BR>I must have missed this post fiirst time around but what fun! I'm one of the few non-American respondents so I've got novelty value if nothing else. <BR>I am English and live in Shrewsbury in Shropshire. I am a travel insurance broker who also loves travel. I first found this site late last year when I was planning my first trip to the States (shame on me)! and it proved invaluable. Our trip involved flying into San Francisco and then after a few days there, hiring a Sebring convertible and driving down PCH1 to San Diego - a wonderful trip but a bit cold in March! My wife Mary and I both love travel and the best time for us to get away is our winter so we just have to go long haul to find the sun, usually the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean. In fact we got married just over 3 years ago in Mauritius at a fabulous hotel called Le Touessrok - very romantic. As my job indicates I work in the travel industry and I'm taking this opportunity to plug my own travel forum. Its allied to a commercial site but as the commercial aspect is for UK residents only I don't think this contravenes forum rules in any major way. My forum is at www.rescuefrance.co.uk and is for France only so anyone with an interest in France please help the forum to grow as it is very new. Great idea this post so well done <BR>Andy <BR>

Denise - great idea! I've often wondered about some of the repeat posters. I'm glad this was brought back up to the top. I'm a 30-something female living in Vail, Colorado. I used to work for the ski co. arranging group travel into the area and had the opportunity to travel to ski shows throughout the US. I also worked in NSW for a tour op to bring Australians to the US to ski. So yes, a few of us Americans do make it into your part of the world. Many of the ski instructors here work our winters (Nov - Apr) take a couple months and travel to Hawaii, Bali, Fiji, etc then go and work in Australia/New Zealand or Chile. As a matter of fact, for our little area, I never met more well traveled individuals in one locale. At any rate, if anyone needs any info on Colorado or the Southwest US or skiing, let me know. b <BR>

<BR>Hi, I am 48 years old and live in Cape Town, South Africa. I have been following this forum for the past year and it is my favourite. My husband and I have travelled to Europe and the U.S.A a few times, but there is still so much to see. Xmas and New Year we were skiing in Wengen, Switzerland and Tignes, France. It was a first for us, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Wengen was breathtaking. We are going to London in July to live for a year and during that time have plans to go to Portofino, Italy for the end of August. Should anyone wish to have any information on South Africa for their holiday, I would glady help. Am I the only South African on this forum? <BR>Would like to thank Richard Vicek for informing me on our Hotel in Portofino. Keep up this wonderful forum. <BR>Rose

Hello All <BR> <BR>Just read the ENTIRE thread to date! <BR> <BR>I am 28, live in North London with my hubby, Pete. I was born here but my parents are from India. <BR> <BR>They are resposible for my travel bug, since before I can remember I have been on fab holidays all over... the travel addiction must be hereditary! <BR> <BR>They are a great inspiration, they were on the first tourist trip to the North Pole and wonder all over the globe... as for I am only 28 so I am saving many parts of the world ... still haven't been to the Far East or Australia way. <BR> <BR>I work as an IT Trainer for Thomson HOlidays which is a very large tour operator in UK, mostly package beachholidays but I still manage to take advantage of any concessions I can get! <BR> <BR>Nice to "meet" you all... <BR> <BR>Happy Travelling <BR>

Hello All <BR> <BR>Just read the ENTIRE thread to date! <BR> <BR>I am 28, live in North London with my hubby, Pete. I was born here but my parents are from India. <BR> <BR>They are resposible for my travel bug, since before I can remember I have been on fab holidays all over... the travel addiction must be hereditary! <BR> <BR>They are a great inspiration, they were on the first tourist trip to the North Pole and wonder all over the globe... as for I am only 28 so I am saving many parts of the world ... still haven't been to the Far East or Australia way. <BR> <BR>I work as an IT Trainer for Thomson HOlidays which is a very large tour operator in UK, mostly package beachholidays but I still manage to take advantage of any concessions I can get! <BR> <BR>Nice to "meet" you all... <BR> <BR>Happy Travelling <BR>

Hello everyone, my name is Anne and I,m from Scotland, The Western Isles (Outer Hebrides)to be more specific. I'm 34 years old and am interested in genealogy. I have traced my family back to the 1700's still living in the same part of these islands. If anyone is planning a trip to this part of Scotland or shares my interest in their hebridean roots then please e-mail me directly <BR>Happy travelling!

Kavey .... you dont happen to know my sister , do you? She also works for Thomson, has done since 1994, and was on an IT course in London a few months back. <BR> <BR>Goes by the name of Carol-Anne Hughes. <BR> <BR>Please give her a promotion, she is good. <BR> <BR>regards

Denise, <BR>Another Australian for the numbers. We now live in Brisbane after previous stints in NSW (Newcastle, Taree, Bathurst) and Melbourne. I missed your post around the new year as we were in the process of moving from Melbourne to Brisbane. <BR>We love this forum (we being me, Vanessa and 5 week old Thomas). I am 32 and in the finance industry. That industry has shown us the country, so as unstabe as it is we have been happy. We did travel around Australia in 1989 in a combie (you known what that is) van and had a great time. <BR>Why do we read this forum once a week or so?...I first went to europe as a 12 year old in 1978. Went to school in Reading for 15 months. dad was working there. We did 2 trips...one to Poland where we stayed for six weeks. To go behind the iron curtain in those days is something I will never forget. The second trip was to Finland which opened my eyes to Scandanavia...since then I've been back three times, 1987, 1994 &1996...we love it and plan many more trips...its along way as you know but well worth it!!

Hi, <BR>I´m Miriam from Germany. I love this Forum since I´m tired of reading the same stuff all the time in the guidebooks you can buy, I prefer first-hand information from people who´ve actually visited places I´d like to go or live there. I´m 30 and I´m working with one of the biggest consultancy companies in the executive search, which means I´m a "headhunter", especially for Telecommunications. I live in Frankfurt which, with it´s big airport, is a pretty good place to get around all over Europe. But my favourite country to travel is the U.S. and there I love the East Coast and the South. I always try to help people on the German Forum although I´m not an expert when it comes to Bavarian castles.. <BR>So go on with your questions I look forward to search my travelguides and call our company travel agent for you.. <BR> <BR>Miriam

What a sight! This is a great idea Denise. Unlike most of you, I've just discovered this forum yesterday and am already hooked! I love to travel, especially Europe. I live in suburban Chicago, Illinois with my husband and two teenage daughters, but work in the "loop". I am a senior team manager for a company that publishes data on mutual funds. My company gives us a six week sabbatical every four years (with full pay too). I took this opportunity in October of 1997 to experience Europe for a month. It left me speechless. I now spend much of my time planning my next trips. This is a great site that I plan to visit regularly. <BR>

Hi, everyone! I am originally from Baltimore, MD. My family moved to Jacksonville, FL, about 7 years ago. I recently graduated from Penn State University and will soon turn 22 (in four days!) My degree is in Public Relations, but unfortunately I am still unemployed. (This really puts a damper in all my travel plans. No job means no money!) So I am looking for a job that will hopefully allow me to travel. <BR> <BR>So far, my travels have taken me to Italy, France, Scotland and Egypt, as well as around these fine United States. Travelling is my passion, and I am constantly cooking up ideas for vacations. I, too, am hooked on this forum and enjoy reading advice about world travel. Hopefully, my next trip will be back to Italy. But my dream vacation is a trip to New Zealand. For some reason, I am just fascinated by this country and have made it a life goal to visit it! <BR> <BR>I always say that my favorite thing about travelling is the people I meet along the way. Thank you, Denise and all other posters, for giving me a chance to "meet" you!!

I've just been reading this site since February, preparing for a trip to the UK and France. Although it'll take a while to get enough frequent flier miles to take our family to Europe again, we can't wait to go back. Until then, I'll keep browsing this site. I love all the generosity in sharing info and especially the humor. <BR>I am a travel junkie. Did the whole Europe on $5.00 a day, backtrip thing in the late 60s. Trips to Greece as a couple. Corporate trips to Japan and around the States. <BR>I'm a lifelong S.F. Bay Area resident, and gave up the corporate world for life as a domestic goddess. I also have the distinction of being "the only mother in the world" who who doesn't let her teenagers do what "everyone else" is doing. This, and Fodor's Forum are the main reason I get up each day. <BR>My interests are painting, reading, fiber arts, American folk art and embarrassing my kids in front of their friends. <BR>Although my kids would describe me as a nerd, I consider myself hipper than Elvis and cuter than the Queen Mother.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only travel addict. My husband and I are fortunate to be able to take a least a dozen trips a year, both for business and pleasure. My full time job is planning for our trips. We have been to Europe 17 times, and have traveled by car, train, taken a Rhone river cruise, a Mediterranean cruise, rented a villa in the south of France with five other couples, and are currently planning a self-drive barge cruise in the south of France (still waiting to hear from others who have done this). Each trip has distinct memories, and I wish I had kept a journal of our early trips, as I now do. <BR> <BR>When we travel by ourselves, we do two carryons each and go off season, and usually stay in little out of the way places. <BR> <BR>We live in Clearwater, Florida. When we are not traveling Europe, we do long weekends in the US. I cannot wait for my husband to retire. Then we will really have time to travel.

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Up.

Hi Denise! <BR> <BR>im from Dublin, Ireland and i mostly like to travel too Europe and sometimes to North Africa. I was last in Tunisia which I did not like. I hope to Travel to Singapore, Japan and Australia early next year. Ive always wanted to go to Japan for some reason. I really like Europe but it can get very boaring, I like to go countries that are totally diferent to the western world

Greetings from New Orleans! My husband and I were both born and raised in Mississippi. After we got married, we realized that in order to be content living in Mississippi, we would have to travel often, which we do - to Europe, Asia, the Caribbean - anywhere that interests us. Last year, his job brought us to New Orleans. We live in the heart of the French Quarter and just love it. We haven't travelled much this year but are enjoying exploring our new city. Our next trip is in just a few weeks when we will be going to the Netherlands and Belgium. Next spring, we will be in Thailand and Nepal. Some of our friends ask "Why do you want to go to Nepal?" Our response is always, "Why not?" I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts. It's nice to know that such a broad spectrum of travel advice is only a mouse click away!

Hi Folks, I've been away from this forum for a few months now, and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this one still going. Thank you all, I will keep an eye on it, and be back full time soon, planning the next European trip. Lovely to see people, newcomers and older posters, still introducing themselves. Thank you Denise <BR>

Hi- I'm new to the forum. I've managed to combine my love of travel with writing--as a freelance travel writer. I've written many guidebooks, for several major publishers, and you just may have read my work if you travel alot, and I just may have helped (Lola is a pseudonym). I've been fortunate to have traveled to over 100 countries--and hope to keep it up. You guys are great, and most knowledgeable. Both books and sites like this one are the way to go!

Dear Denise, Yet another Aussie for your collection. My husband Mac and I live in Blaxland in the beautiful Blue Mountains west of Sydney NSW. I have become totally addicted to this forum since my recent conversion from Luddite to Technophile. Also addicted to travel, preferably Britain and Europe, tho I LOVED Alaska and the Canadian Rockies. Heading back to the UK to escape the Olympics next year (yes I know - heresy!) I haven't had to ask any questions here yet because I find lots of people do it for me.Keep up the good info, I see I am not the only one who checks in here every day!

I just started to contribute to this forum. My first trip to Europe was 20 years ago. Mylast trip was this past June/July. Before that 2 years before. <BR>Favorite forms of travel are by train. Have slept on trains (sleepers) and don't get the best night's sleep. We'll reduce that type of night travel to max. 1 per trip. <BR>Next trip hopefully next spring to Spain. Never been there. Trying to decide if I should try to fit in Barcelona. All the way over there. Also, can't decide about train, car, etc. <BR>Oh, yes. Originally from Montreal, Canada now live in Ft Lauderdale, Florida.

Hi Denise, <BR> <BR>I don't know how I missed this post over the months. I love the thread on this topic! <BR> <BR>For myself, I am a 35yo. now single female with no kids- 6 cats. I am a dental hygientist living in the Tampa, Fl area. I am originally from the Detroit area.I moved to Tampa in 1985. To picture me, I am 5'4, 120lbs. and have long brown hair. <BR>The trips I refer to before 1996 also include my ex-hubby who tolerated travelling. My trips in 1998 forward include my boyfriend who also loves travelling. <BR>I live for travelling. I save up all year to afford my trips. That is why I log onto this base many times a month/week. <BR> <BR>Kittie <BR> <BR> <BR>

Another Australian, though I live in the UK with my English husband. Henley-on-Thames to be precise, a genteel, historic English town, well worth a visit! <BR>We've been here for 8 months, which is the longest time we've stayed in one place for the past 5 years, we take lots of short trips to Europe and I love reading about all your thoughts on the places we've visited. We will finally make our way 'over the pond' to Canada for New Years, then back again to check out USA and South America on our way back to Australia some time next year.

Hi, I'm Bob K., middle 60's, live and still work in N Y City. Got to cruise a lot annually, with my wife Anna, to the Caribbean, Mexico from San Juan or Miami. Before marriage, lived and worked on South Miami Beach, hotel managing, having a degree in food and hotel mgt. Then it was South Fla. & Bahamas travels. Found myself back in <BR>N Y working for investment firms and when that came to an end, employment as a computer instructor (adjunct) at a college here. Only been contributing since '97, when we returned from Europe for the first time. Been lone wolves before that! <BR>Bob K.

For those new contributors back from Rome, Italy or London!