I want to be one of Gails friends! Considering Paris and Provence in June-hopefully on bike if I can find biking partners. Also seriously thinking about a 6 month sabbatical for travel and general well being.

February 2002: long weekend in Jasper National Park (winter hiking and cosy evenings by the fire)<BR>June 2002: probably back to Jasper or maybe a drive across B.C. to Vancouver Island<BR>October 2002: DREAMING of Belize or maybe Oaxaca, Mexico; PROBABILITY (if my bf gets his way = Maui or Lanai, maybe Kuaui(?sp)<BR>If I win the lottery: a different destination every month until I've seen enough (and that won't happen for a long time, as I love new places and experiences!)<BR>ja

Gail, what a slumber party that will be! I hope your centuries-old-villa is way out in the country; I have spent weekends in the mountains with ten friends and we were not quiet! Perhaps artists are a little more sedate. :-)<BR>Gina, what a life! I am so envious but I would have to stay home for a month once in awhile to spend time with my grandbabies. Happy travels to all.

Bob, you will love SW Colo., I used to live in a log cabin about 1/2 between Durango and Silverton (after college). If u see any old timers around Purgatory mention Wis. or Luther Col. and u make get a free drink.<BR>Im off to London in Jan., Seoul in Feb. and maybe Paris in March or April (if I can talk my lovely young bride into it for our 20th).<BR>Happy travels to all, M.

OK-now I am dreaming of being one of Gails girlfriends...c

Okay, okay, you're all invited! But ladies only, and no whiners....<BR><BR>Gina - congratulations on your graduation from grad school, and on your decision to take off for a year! We're sort of at the "other end" - my husband and I have been traveling together for 34 years, and now that we're retired can go when we want, though budget still dictates how often! You are so smart to go now before Life ties you down - though travelers always find a way to satisfy that ol' wanderlust! <BR><BR>Anyway, I've always wanted to show my "girlfriends" the Italy I love, so I've planned the trip (they're paying their share), and my fingers are crossed that our adventure is a buon viaggio.<BR><BR>We'll be staying in the village of Montisi, north of Montepulciano, and a little southwest of Sinalunga. It's not on most maps. The villa is rented word-of-mouth and I was fortunate to take a tour in October, so I know exactly what to expect. It's been owned by a family from England for 30 years. My dream come true - an Italian villa with an English garden!<BR><BR>Judi - there'll be no peace in the valley for that week....I hear the excellent local wine is $1 per liter! Heaven help us....

February: two weeks in England (second week my 16 yr old son joins me) with a three day jaunt to Paris the second week. Yes, I know some here would think this schedule should be reversed, but my lodging is covered for free in England with timeshares and I love it there at any rate.<BR><BR>April: Week long Bike/barge tour of Zuid Holland (postponed when I couldn't make it over last September and now I'll get the tulips) One jet lag & one full day in Amsterdam before where I'll get to see the Van Gough & Gauguin Together Exhibit, then overnight & a day in Bruges after the bike tour.<BR><BR>Next fall: still dreaming about where to go and nowhere near pinning it down...I think I have narrowed it down to Europe :)

I have a buddy pass I have to use before the end of May. I have 5 days in Paris (hotel reserved) in April and can't decide the rest. I have done London/paris many times and love it, have been to several other regions in France, would like to go to Prague and Budapest. I am open for suggestions.

Going to Santa Fe for New Year's (never been, can't wait), <BR><BR>AND<BR><BR>Just booked Thailand for mid-January -- WOO HOO -- got an incredible deal!

I AM a friend of Gail's and I have been invited to join her and her friends in Tuscany! It sounds like so much fun!! One of us will for sure post a trip report on our return. (That is, IF we return.) :-)

Karen, what a fun thread! Peru?! Wow. Peru always makes me think of Paddington Bear from my childhood.<BR><BR>Anway ... Bob [the Navigator], I just went to Durango for the first time last December and loved the area. Make sure to take the railway trip to Silverton during the day. It's a beautiful trip. They offer a wine tasting stop on some of the rides. And, I made my first trip to Slovenia this year and posted some notes here. I would love to read about your trips if they pan out (my fingers are crossed for you).<BR><BR>Hopefully, reality is southern Germany, Salzburg, Venice, and Florence/Tuscany next May/June, but my budget may not stretch that far. Daydreaming about everywhere all of you are going.<BR><BR>Happy holidays & travels!

Not Europe but a life-long dream nonetheless-we leave in Feb. for The Olympics!! I am finally getting excited a bit. Thought I'd be more so-its been the weirdest thing-I still miss planning our trip to Ireland, London and Paris this time last year for this past summer. Thinking of maybe going to Ireland this summer too-just my husband and myself this time. <BR><BR>Thyra:you have worked in Kenya and Amsterdam-good going!!! I will want to hear all about it. I hope to get to LA after the first of the year!<BR><BR>Shadow<BR><BR>Shadow <BR>Shadow<BR>Shadow

Jan - a week in Miami (work) at the Eden Roc (tough)<BR>April (early) - weekend in NYC<BR>April (mid-end)- week in London, week in Paris<BR><BR>Dreaming - China <BR>

Gail: I am SO envious. I am an artist too, so I know you guys will have such fun. I was in Tuscany this fall for a week to do all the "must sees" and I would love to go back for longer and just relax and paint. Have you ever taken any painting workshops in Italy?

My next trip is Croatia. I was told it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and cheap right now. Plus my Grandfather was born and raised there. So it is pleasure trip and I get to see my heritage. Also Greece and Italy are my dream and hopefully can make it reality.

Hi xxxx - I haven't taken a painting workshop before. The artist I met at her exhibit in Cortona in May, and again in October, will be teaching our group in a very informal way. She's so talented and so much fun! Check her website: www.elizabethcochrane.com.<BR><BR>I did talk to some people in Sorrento at the harbor who were taking a watercolor workshop with Charles Reid - looked like fun, and they had interesting comments and insight.<BR><BR>Not everyone in our group wants to paint, but Tuscany is an inspiration for creativity!

Planning for Quebec and Nova Scotia in the summer. Dreaming about Greece.

Gail - could you give more info about the villa and maybe some contact info? I'm assuming it's at least 4 or 5 BR and that's what i'll be needing soon. Love that area and Montisi is on my Michelin map<BR><BR>Thanks

Well, my plans may not compare to most here, but they are enriching in their own ways. I don't expect to get out of the country until maybe 1 1/2 - 2 years from now. I really want to take the little one along. I am considering Tuscany, Venice, Switzerland (which my wife loves a lot), Paris, Provence, and the UK (never been there). I am dreaming of going to West or East Africa, Australia (maybe an anniversary present in a few years), and back to Asia. Until then, I am getting software to improve my Web site - working with the travelogues and photos is a good way to travel without traveling. I am also planning to make more time for photography in the next few months to improve my skills. In the spring we will take our daughter to either the NC Outer Banks for a week or to Charleston and Savannah for a week. I plan to spend a day this spring driving the routes of Robert E. Lee's retreat from Petersburg to Appomattox and put it on the Web. I may go to Antietam for the 140th anniversary of the battle in the fall for more photography. Most importantly, I am likely going to be looking for another job over the next year - with more vacation time, closer to home, and with more pay.