Thanks, "topper" whoever you are! <BR> <BR>I'm clearly new to the board, with respect to a lot of other very talented and friendly "regulars" here. I started coming here in early November, thanks to Ben Haines who let me know about this from the Thorn Tree (www.lonelyplanet.com) - - so I have a one-month "anniversary" of sorts coming up soon. I will hit 100 posts soon. <BR> <BR>I am from Westerville, Ohio (NE corner of Columbus), and I have roots in "Kentuckiana" - - all those from Louisville and southern Indiana will know that term. <BR> <BR>I am a semi-retired physician (not so much rich as prefer traveling over working!), gradually trying to migrate into a new part-time career as a small groups tour operator (Europe only). I won't plug myself anymore than that. <BR> <BR>I have been traveling to Europe since I was 15 (1969); I love languages, kids and all things gastronomic. I collect travel articles (mostly from newspapers on the web), so feel free to ask me if you want to locate something you think you've seen, but can no longer find. Stuff on newspaper sites is impossible to find on conventional search engines, and a lot of it scrolls off into cyber-limbo or into a pay-archive. I'm thinking about starting a bibliographic database (like a "Medline" for travel articles, if you know this model in the medical world), but I have a lot of "annotations" to write. <BR> <BR>I hope it's okay to put in a plug for www.allexperts.com - - I'm telling everyone who writes to me there that they should come here as well. <BR> <BR>Best wishes to all, <BR> <BR>Rex

To the top gain--this one is a classic!

Here's another European! <BR> <BR>I live near Chester in the NW of England and work at an Oceanographic Laboratory (www.pol.ac.uk. <BR>Travel is my hobby and during 1999 I have managed 3 weeks in South Africa/Swaziland, plus trips to Iceland, Barcelona and Geneva. My favourite place (so far!) is India plus a memorable trip driving down the US West Coast from Seattle to Los Angeles a couple of years ago. <BR> <BR>My fellow travellers - I salute you! <BR> <BR>John

Hi Folks. I've been away off this site for a few more months. I just couldn't believe this thread is still going. Hi everyone new. As I am now starting to plan next year's trip to Europe, I am back with questions. . I intend to travel to France and ??? next August-November. Keep this up, nice to see more Aussies too. Denise <BR>

Hi Everyone, <BR>I am new to this forum, but have quickly become an avid reader. I am a 41 year old lawyer living in Northwest Florida. I enjoy traveling alone and with my 70something parents. I would travel more if I didn't have to work! I look forward to retirement, I think.

We are retired, live in Seattle, and have travelled all over the known world with the exception of alaska, S. America and austrailia. It's a bug that bites..every time I get home from an ardous trip, I swear NO MORE, then am ready to go in a few months. Have enjoyed Spain a great deal, Great Britian, Louisanna, aresome of my favorites. Tired of the Med, but spending time in Portugal this winter. We should start a "chat room" I am surprised at the response. Stay in touch.

It was a great idea Denise ! <BR>I´m from BRASIL - Rio de Janeiro and <BR>love to travel. <BR>I´have been to Europe twice and I used <BR>this site a lot <BR>

Hi Denise, <BR> <BR>I cannot resist adding to this thread... <BR> <BR>I'm from Ireland and adore travelling. I've had an incredibly lucky life so far in that I had the opportunity to live in the US for 4 years (Santa Clara, CA and Austin, TX respectively. Don't ask me which I preferred - I loved both and sometimes would go back tomorrow.) With my job, I visited most of the West Coast of the US and the Far East as well. But now, as many can probably understand, the desire to live in Ireland again proved too strong so now I'm working for yet another major US company but unfortunately no travel. <BR> <BR>I visit this site as often as I can - merely to browse but sometimes to give advice on places I've been to ( I've travelled a bit in Europe and Oz as well) <BR> <BR>I haven't travelled in 18 months now and the wanderlust is hitting me bigtime. Unfortunately, my friends have neither the cash or time to travel, and since I do not relish the thought of travelling by myself, I've consigned myself to reading this site and accomanying you all on your various trips. <BR> <BR>Nevertheless, I will travel again and without a doubt I'll be looking for advice so be warned. <BR> <BR>Slan, <BR> <BR>Fiona.

Hi Denise! <BR> I am originally from Erie, PA., but now I live in Cincinnati. I do forensic research for the University of Cincinnati. Traveling is my favorite thing to do and I try to see two new countries every year. <BR>

I just saw that this great old thread has reappeared so I'd like to say hello from the bottom of the thread pile in message 169. <BR> <BR>My husband, Scott, and I live in beautiful (yes, it's raining) Portland, Oregon and have grown children in LA, Berkeley and Chicago/England. Last year we left our "straight" jobs and started a travel-related business. We work to travel, as many of you do, and we've been lucky enough to find a way to combine the two. We go to Europe twice a year for six weeks each time, once a year to the UK and Ireland and then, a few months later, to France and Italy. We work hard while we're there, but we're there. <BR> <BR>We don't consider ourselves experts, but we are energetic enthusiasts. I have been reading this forum for a few months and am often awestruck by the knowledge of specifics that many of you have--I learn much from you and I hope that, occasionally, Scott or I can contribute something that might help. <BR> <BR>Happy New Year to you all--and happy travels. <BR> <BR>Jeanne <BR>

Hello! I am a stay at home mother that just went back to school and my husband is in the Military. We love to travel and have had the wonderful fortune of living in England for 3 1/2 years. We traveld all over England and loved every part we saw. We have also lived in Hawaii and were able to travel to the other islands. Travelling is a wonderful way to see the world and meet new people!

Hello fellow Fodorites! I'm 34 and live in Atlanta, GA although I'm originally from Fair Lawn, NJ. After graduating from the U of Michigan in 1987, my parents rewarded my 4 years of hard work and cheering for the Wolverines with a trip to Europe. I always enjoyed travelling but as a History major I was especially excited. Needless to say, 5 weeks with nothing but a backpack, Eurail pass and a couple of close friends changed my life. I've been back many times since and have been to: England (all over), Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Holland, Belgium, France (mainly Paris and Riviera), Italy (mostly the big 3 and the ski resorts), Austria, Germany and Switzerland. When I moved to Atlanta in 1992, I had the opportunity to ski a small resort (Hopfgarten) in Austria since a friend of mine was managing some chalets for Contiki. Since then, I've organized a Europe ski trip every year with groups as large as 28 last year. I married a nice Jewish girl from Montreal in 1997 and we spent our first New Year's Eve together on the Champs d'Elyse (as part of our honeymoon) before a couple of days in London and meeting 18 close friends in the Dolomites for a week of extraordinary skiing. This was my wife's first trip to Europe and she's hooked. I work as a healthcare marketing executive and, while I mostly enjoy my work, my true passion would be similar to Bob the Navigator, and start a tour operator company that specializes in Europe skiing and specialty trips to Europe (e.g. educational travel for HS and college, religious tours, etc.). I hope to bring my wife to Paris, Florence and the other cities I love when the weather is a bit nicer than during ski season, but skiing is one of the top 3 things in my life. We now have an 8-week old daughter and plan to bring her next year when "SkiIzzy" returns with a Waltz Ball in Vienna, and training it to Zell am See for a week of the white powdery stuff. Hope to hear from you in the future, even thought I'm probably not quite as seasoned as most.

This one will not die !

Hello Denise, <BR> <BR>I agree I don't think this thread will die. <BR> <BR>My first (and not last) trip to Paris was last month and discovered this forum a little before that. I am very gratefully for all the advice I received from the "experts" from Chocolates to places to buy CDS. I was the last member of my family to visit Paris - Glad I made it before the unofficial millennium (really millennium starts on 2001). My family are heavy-duty world travellers. I travelled Asia rather extensively mostly to compete during my Junior Tennis Years. I competed in Hongkong, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Singapore. Recently I've been to Japan with my husband. I am originally from Manila, Philippines but have now lived most of my life in Orange County, California. My husband prefers to see the United States. We've visited quite a few states, national parks, backroads, cities etc. I have been to a total of 24 states having started traveling the continent prior to meeting my husband. <BR>I am a Software Test Engineer, my hubby is a Computer Systems Administrator. <BR> <BR>I plan on taking my husband to Paris as a present this coming Spring. <BR> <BR>Louisa Lara (pen name)

I've been a regular on the topic of Prague for a while now, a self-appointed goodwill ambassador. I was born here in Prague, left after the Prague Spring when I was just a kid, and have now been back for over 6 years. I just love this city. When I'm not reading Fodors, I'm one of those high-tech marketing types. I co-founded a little sofware company here just over two years ago, and we recently sold it to a US-based firm. After the holidays and some sad goodbyes with family and friends, I'm headed back to the States. A great career opportunity in the US is calling. I doubt I'll be away from Europe for long though; it's in my blood (as it seems to be in all of yours, too). I hope to always find a way to have the flexibility to live abroad. It might be tougher the next time -- by then I'm likely to have a husband and kids in tow -- but living oversesas is an amazing experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Coming up on the one year anniversary of this thread, thought I'd chip in my two cents. I am 37, and a cardiologist in Toledo, Ohio, soon to be in Ann Arbor, MI. I have been to Italy 3 times in the past 18 months, and have been taking tutoring in Italian. I have found the Italians (if I may generalize) very warm and encouraging as I practice my Italian with them. <BR>I tend to look for places that are out-of-the-way, or go in the off-season to avoid the crush of peak tourist season. I visited Bellagio, Rapallo, and Siena/Florence in early October. I am planning a trip to Lake Orta in May, and will probably head for Italy frequently over the next several years. Just a current passion- so many great areas, islands, lakes to see. <BR>Denise, thanks for prompting this thread. It's a great way to inject a bit of community into the anonymity of the web. I have found the people on the forum to be a remarkably knowledgeable group, and a great way to get past the highlights-only approach that guidebooks must limit themselves to. I contribute when I can, but I'm usually poorly motivated when I finish at 8 or 9 pm. <BR>Ciao.

Hello. I'm from the Seattle area, am in my mid-fifties and work as a reference librarian - and you know what my favorite questions are about! I've traveled in Europe a lot since my family moved to Rome in 1961. They lived there for many years although I returned to college after a year or so. I've made many long and short visits since then, sometimes visiting family (my sister married first an Italian and then a German, children with both) and sometimes traveling. In the last 10 years my companion Peter and I have made 9 trips in Europe and one to India. Our favorite country by far is Italy for a variety of reasons but we have also enjoyed traveling in Spain and southern Germany. This year we went to Taormina, Siracuse and Lipari in the Aeolian Islands (all in Sicily) and then to the Dolomites in the far North. We pride ourselves on traveling on a budget and have roughly been able to average about $100-$110 a day for room and meals for the 2 of us. We have a great time and stay in wonderful, well located atmostpheric places and there are only a few we wouldn't return to. I do a lot of research ahead of time - guidebooks, internet, tourist offices. Sometimes the beds sag and the towels are thin, but when we go out the door, we are just where we want to be! I've gotten some really good tips in this forum that I am filing away - I always have at least a couple of trips in the planning. Thanks to everyone.

what about you?

I'm in my late 20's and originated in the "thumb area" of Michigan. I moved to Ketchikan, Alaska when I was 21, where I adored every moment of my 4 years there. I then moved to Seattle, where I finished my degree at the Univ. of Washington and met my English husband in Pioneer Square. Last year for my husband's job we moved to Dordrecht, Netherlands (near Rotterdam) and in January of this year we moved to Stans, Switzerland (near Luzern). <BR> <BR>The past 2 years have seen us travel all over the U.S., Australia, and Europe. I feel very fortunate to be able to live here and experience the European lifestyle. (It's quite a bonus to be able to go to Bellagio for the day like we did last weekend!). <BR> <BR>My husband and I are outdoor fanatics. We enjoy snowboarding, hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, surfing, climbing, and mountain biking. Of course we're in heaven here:) <BR> <BR>If you're interested in some travelogues and pictures of where we've been - http://www.geocities.com/mathews_dalton/ <BR> <BR>Happy travels

<BR>

Hello everyone, <BR>I live in Kapuskasing in northern Ontario - I was born here and still enjoy living here, it is a small town that is about 75% francophone. My husband is a lawyer but spends most of his time coaching our daughters(almost 13 and 15!) hockey teams or baseball teams. I am the director of a campus of Collège Boréal, where our specialty is mechanical harvesting training and other forestry related programs(our economy here is based on forestry) <BR> <BR>We are avid travellers, we simply love it so of course I am addicted to this forum. Just discovered it last year at this time as we were planning a family 6 week European tour...all the information we gathered was just great. So happy travelling...maybe one day you will have the opportunity to discover Northern Ontario. Louise

Hi, all, <BR> <BR>I'm 38 and living in Bethesda, Maryland. I am a commercial litigator, but I am basically a stay at home Mom these days who does a little law on the side now (from home, of course). I've lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, but I'm from Mesa, Arizona. I've vacationed to Amsterdam, Brussels, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, and Mexico. <BR> <BR>Then I had kids. Since then, it has been local beaches, and most recently, the Disney Cruise. Ahem. I'm going to Europe this fall with my extended family, and I'm really looking forward to it since my most recent Europe trip was way back in 1988. Traveling with my kids (8, 5, and 2) would just be way too frustrating, so I'm leaving them at home. <BR> <BR>See you across the pond.

I am a relative newcomer to this Forum -who did not take long to become addicted. I think some of the threads such as this are wonderful and have enjoyed reading all about you other Fodorites. <BR>I am a farmers wife and live in rural Australia - despite the huge distances involved we have been very lucky to travel overseas several times in the past few years, to both Europe, UK and America. The latest trip was to the UK last year for the Rugby World Cup. <BR>I always have a future trip in the melting pot and find that access to the Internet is making a huge difference to that - as we do not have easy access to a large local town or the travel facilties found there. This Forum alone has provided a fund of information and I particularly enjoy and value the reports and guidance from people who have experienced the various places and venues first hand. <BR>It saddens me that the tyranny of distance stops many people from visiting our country - particularly the rural areas and hope one day that it will become easirer, and we will have the chance of welcoming many more of you to our country.

Responding to Steve Dalton's post. Thanks for the url -- let me know if you want it linked to the unofficial fodor-ite page I maintain at: http://it.uwp.edu/fowler/fodor.htm

My bad.. I was answering CHRISTINE. And me a feminist:(

Denise: <BR>Thanks for asking where we are. We are all right here. Me, I'm in Colorado and look at snow covered mounains every day, ride horses and feel like I'm in England sometimes when I ride of the Highline Canal. I do get this corny image, like the UNICEF poster of everyone holding hands 'round the globe, but that's just because I grew up in the 60's. I feel like this forum has allowed me to come out as a person and that distances and differences are nothing. I love to travel and am taking my children and husband to Europe this summer. I went as a child and still have vivid memories. What a wonderful thing that we can do this every day. <BR>Teleporting back home now- Anne

Hi Everyone... I love reading about everyone, their interests in travel and where they live. As for me, I am in my late 50's, a retired former airline management type that has lived in a number of different places throughout the U.S. I now live in Las Vegas. I lost my wife, also an airline employee, about 6 years ago and began raising my then 6 year old daughter by myself. I remarried and this June will celebrate my first anniversary with my new wife, who also was widowed. My former wife and I loved to travel and since we both worked for airlines we were able to do so frequently and very economically. We often went to Europe a couple of times a year. Since my daughter was born 12 years ago our travels overseas stopped completely. Now that my daughter is 12 I have wanted to take her and my wife to Europe. Our first of hopefully many future trips will be in August when we visit London for 10 days. While I have been there several times in the past, it was over 12 years ago and I have forgotten most of it. The folks at this forum have been so helpful in steering us in the right direction with advice from hotels to tourist attractions. I have also become addicted to this forum and have offered advice to various members of my family who are taking trips themselves. I have become the unofficial travel resource for our family. Little do they know that all of you are the real experts. However, I haven't kept it all to myself. Those in our family that have computers have been directed to check "us" out. Thanks everyone, you are all incredibly knowledgeable, open and so very willing to share your experiences. <BR>Joe

Hello, <BR>I haven't responded to this last year, but since it 'resurfaced', I will do it now. My name is Melinda, and I live in Windsor Junction (greater Halifax) in Nova Scotia, Canada. I was born in 1981 in Hungary, and my family emigrated to Canada 3 and a half years ago. I visited quite a few countries in Europe, and the countries of North America, but not enough! I'm a first year university student, without part-time job, living on scholarships and student loans, so not many travel opportunities. :( I'm studying economics and languages and I want to do an exchange in my 3rd year (to Germany maybe) My dream is to be a foreign service officer in trade and economic development. I will actually have my Canadian citizenship exam on the 26th of April/00, so wish me luck! <BR> <BR>p.s. great site with lots of great people! <BR>p.s.2. I would be glad to get to know people who worked in the foreign service, who could give me some advice and information!

Where are you lives...

encore une fois...

Hello from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Am I the first from the Middle East? - and yes, I do work for an oil company. Found this forum last week upon being given extra vacation (does my boss know me or not?) I'm 47, still have the travel bug and left the green and misty shores of my native England 22 years ago to go and see the world. I must be a bit slow as there's still lots of the world to see - and some people say it's getting smaller - gee! Have travelled extensively and enjoyed it all. Next trip is home (UK) to brush up my accent and then 3 glorious weeks in Italy. Mr. Bob the Nav where's my detailed itinerary (just kidding!) Great forum, wish I'd found it ages ago. And when's the get together someone mentioned? Happy travelling.

Hello All. My husband was in the Army for a while, so in that capacity, we lived in England, Belgium and the US. Now that he's out of the Army and in civil service, we're back in England again. Not only have we traveled throughout the UK and Belgium, but we have also visited France, Holland and Germany on occasion. <BR> <BR>That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. <BR> <BR>Cheers!

To the top for Pam.

Well worth a read, long as it is.

Hello, Denise and Hello World!! <BR> <BR>I just love this Forum idea. My sister discovered it a few weeks back as we are planning a trip to New York and have had lots of help from people with many different questions. Today I thought I should have a look on the European section to see if I might be able to help anyone in a similar way and I was so pleased to click on your mammoth posting. This is what is making the internet worthwhile!! So often it wastes my time and odd people might pop up with junk mail - but now I've found where the real on-line fraternity live - and long may we!! <BR> <BR>I'm in West Sussex, England. Married with two children (10 and 13 years) a dog (light of my life) two cats, a gerbil (sons) and a pony(daughters) so life tends to be quite busy. I work part time in a local school as a classroom assistant with 4 - 5 year olds, most of the time this is great fun and very rewarding. <BR> <BR>I loved your original message, Denise. Are you a writer? You should be with that lovely imagination! I've read through a lot of the replies but I feel I may have to return several times to check a few more! <BR> <BR>Have fun people - I will visit again so keep the replies coming in!! <BR> <BR>Esme

Great post. I just found this forum a few months ago, so didn't see this post when it first came around. <BR>Hello Melinda from Nova Scota, I visited your area a few years ago and it is beautiful. <BR>I was born in Main but have lived in California for almost 30 years. I'm in my 50's and lived in Germany for 7 years a long time ago. During the time while my son was growing up we traveled in the US (hit 47 states), visited Mexico a few times and a few areas of Canada(far west and far east). I'm in the computer industry (design systems and also am a part time instructor). My son is now in Grad School at UCLA on a full fellowship(am I proud) and I'm divorced so back on the travel circuit. Visited Greece 2 years ago, Hungary and Czech Republic last year. Goint to Portugal and Spain in Sept. Probable far east next year and to the British Iles in 2 years. You people on this forum are so graat and helpful, I hope the eastern forum is as good. <BR>GREAT TRAVELS TO YOU ALL <BR>

Well why not back to the top again Denise from another Aussie! I started following this forum 6 months ago and love reading this thread everytime it resurfaces. The only problem with it now is that it's starting to take sometime to download because of it's length! My husband and I returned from our first trip to Europe in April having visited England, Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Germany. So many of our plans were with the help of this great Forum. My previous travels have consisted of Japan 7 times, Bali 3 times, Singapore, and Vanuata. Our big dilema now as with many on this site is where to next??? But hey, planning is 3/4 of the fun isn't it. Thanks again for the help - Gayle

Denise, <BR>I guess you'll beat the record in replies... <BR>this one from another European; I live in Helsinki, Finland at the moment, and before that spent one or more years in Germany, England, Argentina, France, Spain, the US (in descending order). Most of my travels were connected with getting to know my actual country of residence. I'm originally from Germany but hope to eventually settle in either France, Finland or Argentina. If ever I manage to settle...I used to work in the Air Transport industry and am now in Academics, both aren't fields where you're supposed to stay in one place for too long. <BR>I really enjoyed reading about some of the interesting characters that answered your post...have fun with putting faces to maps! <BR>

This is just for KK and because I love reading about everyone else so much. I live about 20 minutes north of Los Angeles, and work in the Entertainment Industry in Hollywood (what there is left of it, anyway). Now, that might sound very exciting but sadly, even the movie business needs number crunchers. I went to Europe at 14 to work on a film and spent over a month in the South of France and Paris. Then when my best girl-buddy and myself turned 21 we took off for a couple of seasons doing the backpacking/beer drinking/guy dating thing, (sights? What sights?).Somehow or another I ended up dating a bunch of European guys over the next few years and got to go back and forth to meet parents etc. Then I went to Australia to work as a Production Assistant on a truly horrible film... that shall remain unnamed here, for the greater good. I returned, got married, to a man 12 years younger then myself who had never been past Fresno.... (swear to God)and so I made it my mission instill in him all my love of wandering, and I believe I have succeeded admirably. We work our you-know-what's off to take a long trip once a year....(only 80 more working days 'til Greece...and counting). I adore this Forum and all the positive posters!!!! Alas, so much for my mystique. Happy, safe, magic travels to everyone!

Thyra, thank you for posting. You have an exotic background, or at least it is for someone like me who loves films! Eighty days to Greece, lucky you, and I know you will send us all a wonderful trip report on your return. Thanks again, kk in Houston TX