Who are you?
 

I'm genuinely interested in many of the posters here who share my passion for travel. Since fodors doesn't have a "profile" providing information about posters, I thought we can share a little info here, maybe even a photo if possible since it's fun to put pictures to names.

What brought you to fodors? Where was your first overseas trip? What's your "travel style"? What are your hobbies aside from travel? Where are you from? And any other info you'd want to throw in..

I am "sweet 16" :"> living in the People's Republic of San Francisco, originally from USSR, can't get rid of the russian accent :(

The next travel is to the enchanting (I hope) Copper Canyons of Mexico! Mostly travel alone, being married to a couch potato :)) but my kids got the travel bug.

Have you checked out the Fodorite Lounge? It's a good place to get to know your fellow travel enthusiasts!:)

Ziggy:

Who are you?

And PalenQ---who are you?

I'll answer the original Q's--I am an American woman living on the West coast. First trip to Europe was to go live in Germany for 6 months as a university student. I won't tell you how long ago that was. :">

Since 1994, I've been to Europe every year but one. Travel style is to go for 2 weeks, plan every stop and reserve every hotel before the trip. I love the planning part, and fortunately my family is happy to have me do it. We are outdoorsy (other hobbies are hiking, cycling, and skiing), so we usually include some hiking in the Alps or Dolomites. We also enjoy gardens, art, architecture, history, and great food and wine. Some of our favorite places, besides Switzerland and the Alps, are Venice, London, and Copenhagen.

British by passport, born in Luxembourg, grew up in Nigeria, studied French and Russian in England, currently in the French West Indies.

Confused? I am.

I guess I'll start with ASL,I'm 35,female in I live in Maryland just outside of Washington,D.C. ;;)
My first trip abroad was to London,stayed with family friends..Just my luck Lady Di had her fatal accident and I saw the city in a very different way.
My next journey was alone. I took a road trip up north all the way to Canada staying in hostels along the way. The hostel in Toronto was booked so I scored a bed & breakfast. Since then I've been on many more trips,alone. Ireland,Germany,Italy,Florida,Georgia,NYC and so on.
None of my friends or family either don't share my passion,can't get it togheter to make a trip. So I go alone. ((y))

Wow..this is fun..I am an American woman living in the US and Italy. Bought a house there 5 years ago with my husband. We travel back and forth which sounds very romantic and adventurous but to tell you the truth it is alot of work..Now..don't get me wrong but when you have 2 homes so FAR apart it requires a bit of logistical work..In sum..we have sold our house in the States and now rent an apt. I will NEVER sell my home in Italy..But..I am still a born American and my heart is torn..I am fortunate to be able to enjoy both countries WITH my 2 dogs, who travel with me everywhere)..husband too, of course..Would love to keep in touch with you all

I'm a 44 year old woman living in MN who got a taste of European travel during a month long trip in college. I have returned many times with family, friends, foreign exchange student and even for work.... I love it! I've done major cities using public transportation and also have thoroughly enjoyed driving through French countryside and staying in small villages/country B&B's. I have used frequent flier miles to introduce family members and friends to the wonder taste of European travel.... As a matter of fact I'm currently planning a trip for May/June - I always promised my 2 nieces I'd take them anywhere in the world they want to go in between high school and college and my oldest niece graduates this year - I told her she can take along one other person (just no boyfriend!) and she chose her mom so I'll be traveling to Italy and France with my niece and sister..... can't wait!! I love reading Fodors!! You all are great!

I'm a grandmother of three little girls, who just started traveling to Paris a few years ago, having wanted to travel there since I was teen. When my husband and I were dating some 40 years ago, we talked about going to Paris. We were busy raising kids, though, and it wasn't until I got online that I realized we could actually travel to Paris on our budget.

Sandy

yes - the joys of traveling to Europe is that it IS affordable. I see so many familes traveling to places like Disney (which is great, don't get me wrong), but then make comments about how "it must be nice" to travel to Europe..... Since I use frequent flier miles, it takes the airfare expense out so European travel is really affordable! ENJOY your travels!! Oh ya - forgot to say -- when I say I travel with "family", I have traveled with my mother-in-law MANY times -- we get along wonderfully and she loves traveling.... she has even done Friendship Force trips to Egypt, India, etc......

I am, as my nephew would say, a woman of a certain age, living in a city in the inland Northwest which has been described as "fairly isolated," one of the reasons traveling to Europe is no small undertaking.

I have been traveling all over the world since 1963, when I went to work for the U. S. Dep't of Defence in Hokkaido, Japan. After that, I worked near Tokyo and also in Heidelberg, Germany. During those years I traveled in the Far East, Middle East and Europe. Since I returned in 1970, I've lost track of how many times I've been to Europe, but the trips I've enjoyed most began in 2000, when I began traveling with my sister, Maryfran, whose trip reports are almost as much fun as is traveling with her.

When Mary plans the trip, she does a whiz-bang job, with all hotel, transportation, and dining info spelled out in detail. When I plan...if you'd call it planning... I book flights and a hotel for the first night, then wing it, equipped with a Rick Steves and a Frommers or Fodors, having read from other guide books beforehand to get a feel for where I want to go and what I want to see.

We usually try for rooms in the neighborhood of $100-$150 and meals that aren't outrageously expensive. Driven to desperation at times, we're not above hitting the Golden Arches--not something we'd ever do at home.

We are very relaxed travelers, not the type to start early and end late. We do a lot of sitting around sidewalk cafes with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, watching the world go by.

My most obsessive hobby is counted cross stitch. I reproduce paintings--Van Goghs, Monets, Vermeers. At present Í'm doing a Renoir of a girl playing the piano. I also study languages, with my German being good and my Spanish very much a work in progress.

I took my first trip to Europe when I was six, and still have the BOAC pin stashed away in a drawer.

My father used to tell the guys at his office that my idea of a unique honeymoon would "probably be a trip to New Hampshire."

Luckily, my husband enjoys traveling as much as I do, so we have no furniture in the house, but together we've been all over Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and Australia.

I dislike tours and schedules on vacation, and hate pretentious food. That's probably why I'm such a big fan of southern Italian and Greek cooking.

Both of our kids have the travel bug, and they blame me!

I am 30 currently, my first trip to europe was 6 years ago, a two month trip of france, spain, and port. I have since been back to italy for 3 weeks. My travel style is to get away from the us and its culture. My wife and I sleep in hostels, carry our clothes in a backpack, walk insane miles, eat cheaply at times, eat swanky at times, meet people, get lost, and enjoy every minute.

Fodors is a great site with a lot of useful info but it is very high end in my opinion, if you don't stay in expensive hotels you may need to look elsewhere.

Hobbies aside from travel, i'm a big fan of art, anatomy, and the opposite sex.

Im from north dakota.

I am a 58 yr-old Brazilian woman who just became a grandmother - my grandson is 3 weeks today! I now live and teach in a University in the Brazilian Northeast, but I lived in the US for close to 14 years before moving back home to Brasil.

I hit Fodors by chance, and became hooked ever since. I love the discussions here, though like Brando, I cannot afford most of the places cited by fodorites. I usually stay at 2 stars hotels or in rented apartments, don't go to fancy restaurants, do a lot of walking and look for bargains.

My first trip overseas was back in 1965 when I went to the US as an AFS exchange student. Since the year 2000, though, I have travelled mostly to Europe, taking advantage of the free flights I get to attend meetings, conferences, etc.. as part of an international research project in which I participate. This means that I end up travelling mostly solo, something I really learned to enjoy.

I'm Peruvian married to a Polish wife. First trip to Europe was 7 years ago to Germany. Since then, I've been to England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Mexico, Dominican Republic....and many more to come.

Guess I should jump in, since I started it!

Born and raised in NYC (grew up here in Staten Island). I'm 22 years old and italian, and loved growing up in a large italian community. I started working professionally in theatre when I was 15 (graduated high school early), and when I was 19 became a flight attendant (based in Boston). Did that for a little over a year, then started temping (more money!). It gives me the flexibility to travel, though I do miss the airline industry and am planning a return!

I always had an interest in the world around me, but growing up had only visited Disney world and NJ, PA (Philly and Lancaster) and CT. When I was 17 I visited Chicago..visited Boston a few months later..than at 19 took my first trip to Europe (London, Paris and Amsterdam). Always have been independant, and I took the trip alone. That was just three years ago, and next month I will leave for my 8th trip to Europe! It's my priority and I do work hard for it.

Other hobbies include concert going (Petula Clark and Connie Francis are my two favorites, and I travel a lot to see them in concert. I've been lucky to get to know them both.), theatre, and classic movies. I was born in the wrong era!

I am an American woman living in Switzerland who never traveled to Europe before 1997 when I was 42. Then I became hooked and planned trips the day I got back from the last one. I was living on Nantucket, had bought a teeny tiny cottage (598 sq ft) so never really could afford to travel but managed to scrimp and save and go. Then the brother of a Nantucket friend came to visit from his home in Switzerland, I was invited to dinner and voila! Love at first sight and now I live here with him. We were married in 2000.

And I still can't get over the fact that Paris is a 3.5 hour train ride away. Nice, Rome, Marseille, Milan, etc., a hop, skip and a jump with easyJet or trains. Not to mention that Switzerland itself is gorgeous and I love living here! Just miss my family a lot.

Ok try to be brief: live in Minnesota, backpacked 3 months Europe 1973, same southern Mexico 1976, confirmed travel addict so became travel agent 1984, trip director for incentive travel company for 15 years, so I got to scratch my itch, get paid, and host groups around the world. Leaving Saturday for AMS & Paris, for my sons 21st B-Day..life is good, so share yourself!

Congratulations ! a really great question.

Here goes...
Born in NYC, I've lived in Brasil, Switzerland, Belgium, France and briefly in the USA during my lifetime. Presently live in Provence and spend part of the year in Brussels.

My father (Sicilian) taught me to spend whatever money I could on good food and travel... which I've made every effort to do. Luckily for me, I married someone who enjoys the same things.
I've been to Asia and North Africa for vacations, but have no desire to go to either Pole ! too cold for me.

We've just finished up plans for ten days in Israel in May, traveling with friends and visiting friends there. Last stop on the trip will be Petra...which I've always wanted to see.

Originally came to Fodors when a friend asked me to reply to a question that was posted here. I hang around occassionally.

Patricia

I'm 38. Born in NYC to French mother and Irish father - so have been travelling to/through Europe since birth. I am bi-lingual so I went to university in France - after that I lived/studied in Ireland and the UK and Belgium and Germany for a while. I now live and work in Paris - where I met my husband. He is Austrian. We spend our time between Austria, Ireland and the US when we are not working. We travel about a lot in Europe for fun and we also both travel quite a bit for work.

I'm learning German - albeit slowly.

For travel style - my husband calls me "Strictly 5 star" - though really I'm just 4.5.

My hobbies are writing, reading and doggies.

I am a 44 yr old American born woman, born and raised in Dallas. I am married and have an almost 19yr old son who is in his freshman year at Indiana Univ. My husband is a musician and managed bands so he traveled abroad before I did. My first trip was in 1999 to Italy and Prague. Since then we have tried to go about every year and a half or when we can afford it. I am so thankful that I was able to take my son, starting at 12 yrs of age to Paris, Switzerland and Italy twice before he left for school.

56 year old woman. Born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. Passed a class in High School and took my first trip to Europe in the summer of 1966.
Ahem, got married shortly (no children!) thereafter and couldn't afford to travel but dreampt, read, researched, yearned for it.
No college degree but worked very hard and learned and now am a Paralegal with a major law firm.
Got divorced after 26 years ... paid off divorce debt, saved up and joined 13 of my nearest and dearest to fly to Paris (1 day) and then we self-barged for 1 week in Burgundy. I was back to Paris solo the following year.
Saved more, bought myself a condo, on the day I moved in met the man of my dreams and married him last October.
We bought an old Victorian house we are rehabilitating (or the money pit.) While we dated we traveled to meet his family spread out in Germany. We honeymooned in St. Tropez and Paris.
Life is sweet. I'm longwinded. And before yesterday I was SuzieC, but Fodor's wouldn't let me logon or respond often.

Hi,
I'm English but live in Ohio. I travel to UK and Greece several times a year, plus short trips to other places - often Italy or Spain.

Carolena

I'm 33 and live in Northern Virginia with my husband and two cats. :)

I visited Europe for the 1st time when I was 3 and then again when I was 5 with my parents and grandparents. I really don't remember anything, but I do have the pictures to prove it and to cherish.

In 1996 my roomie and I did the backpacking trip to Europe for 25 days and visited Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

Recently in the summer of 2006 my husband and I took our honeymoon over to Germany and Switzerland. The 2nd leg of the trip was to be spent with my sister in Provence and Paris but on the day she was to fly out, she wasn't able to come. So I flew home early. I was crushed .. I'd been looking forward to a sister bonding trip! :)

We attempted to schedule another France trip (my sister and I) for this summer '07 but I found out 3 months ago I'm pregnant and am due at the end of September so I am now, again, in the process of planning a trip to Paris, Provence and Burgundy for June '08 ... and again with my sister!!! The 3rd time is a charm, right??

I should preface the last sentence above by saying that we recently attempted a quick trip to Miami, but due to the snow and freezing rain, I couldn't get out of Dulles .. so I stayed home. That was our second attempt at sister bonding. :)

Forgot to add I'm Serbian, Croation and Italian.

I live in the north of England and spent my 50th birthday last October in New Zealand - far enough away from home to avoid any surprise parties. I have 2 grown up children and an 18 month old grandson.

When my children were small, we spent many years exploring the UK on holidays, my husbands job on the railways giving us cheap travel before we could afford a car. Our first trip abroad was to visit my father's family in Czechoslovakia (as it was then)in '89, before the fall of communism there. It was quite an adventure, as we travelled by rail and spoke no Czech.

We have since got the travel bug and have had many holidays abroad. Often we go on cheap packages, which we use to get inexpensive flight+accommodation, then hire a car and tour the area. We have also done a few independant fly/drives. With a combination of airmiles and budget airlines we have had quite a few long weekend city breaks to Prague, Krakow, Budpapest and others. Though we've been to quite a few countries now, including Czech Republic, Italy, Croatia, Turkey, Canada and New Zealand, our most visited destination is Greece. We've been to the Greek mainland and islands for around 15 holidays now (I'm starting to lose count), usually choosing new locations to explore for a week or two. I just love the relaxed, laid back feel of Greece and the friensliness of the people. To me going to, exploring and and experiencing a place is more important than staying in expensive hotels or eating in top restaurants, though in recent years the budget has not been quite so tight and we can go a little more upmarket.

Apart from planning holidays, we enjoy hiking (not too strenuous), visiting gardens (and gardening) and photography. The last 18 months I have surprised myself by becoming a doting grandmother, which takes up a lot of my spare time.

I'm a Canadian, born in Montreal, but raised in Vancouver, BC.

I have 2 kids (7 and 3 1/2 year olds) and a wonderful husband who is catching my travel bug.

I have travelled to Hawaii, Arizona (x5), Mexico (x2), Montreal (x2), and Italy (x2).

First trip to Europe was in 2005 to visit my BFF in Florence. Two glorious weeks wandering through Tuscany sans children and husband.

By the time I was getting off the plane I was planning the next trip, which took place last September. Another 2 weeks showing my hubby La Dolce Vita of Florence, Siena and Rome. He fell in love with Italy...we want to get back there in the springtime (maybe 2009?)

We are planning a trip to Arizona for this fall, and a trip to Paris next Spring (both without the kids). ;)

I stumbled on Fodors when planning my first trip to Europe, and have become completed addicted!! I did spend some time on "other" travel boards - but this one is by far the most invaluable and knowledgeable about anything and everything to do with Europe. I can't keep away!

It helps keep me focussed on my goal to get back to Europe as soon as possible. It is a great community and the tips and reports are invaluable.

Travel style? I like simple but comfortable - enjoy the idea of slow travel - sticking to one or two cities instead of hopping from place to place. Love the idea of renting an apartment and staying "close to home" for a period of time and really getting a feel for the place I am visiting. I have a budget - try to stick with it, but won't pass up an opportunity to have a marvelous bottle of wine, or that extra gelato, or that incredible pair of shoes..... :)

I am an international man of mystery, devastatingly handsome, a cordon bleu chef, connoisseur of all the fine arts, champion at the most gentlemanly sports and able to perform absolute miracles with any money you care to entrust to me. Oh, and charmingly modest with it.

MissZiegfeld, I live in South Africa with my husband and my soon to be married son lives a short distance away. We run a family business in textiles, haberdashery, and crafts.
We are in our early 60's and I am the one that has the travelbug.
Mention one word about Paris and I'm packed!

I started travelling late in life when my son was 2 years old and hit Europe and Israel for 6 weeks.
Since then we have travelled extensively to the Americas, Asia and Europe.
My Favourite city is Paris, followed by London and would ya believe Singapore!

I cannot remember how I got onto the Fodors board some three years ago but the folks here are great and I've met several in person.
Fodors is a great place to visit either on a daily basis or just now and then.

Patrick London,

Are you also a good lover????

I am a 38-year old single female living Maryland, right outside of DC. I moved here in May ’01 from Pennsylvania where I had lived since the early 90s. I grew up in New Jersey. My first overseas trip was a college-trip to Spain when I was 20. I went to Italy when was 23 and fell madly in love with the country. I have been there 4 times, the last in January ’05. I hope to get back next year. I have also been to Arizona, California, Nantucket, MA, Florida, and some other places along the east coast. I am going to Puerto Vallarta next month for the first time. I would also like to go to Macchu Picchu and Ireland within the next few years.

I sometimes travel alone but sometimes with a friend. I like to trip plan a little because it is fun to do so but I am not rigid, planning every moment. I came to Fodor’s basically out of boredom at work and find the heated discussions on the lounge amusing.

Whooooo are you..

Who---who..

Who-who..

I am a 40 year old Canadian with English parents who completely took for granted the fact that we travelled to Europe most years, and somewhere else if not Europe, every year growing up. My (not at the time) husband and I backpacked around Europe in 89 - me because the only thing I enjoy more then travelling is planning travelling, and him because although he came from a non-travelling family and is definitely a homebody rather then a rambler, he thought I was hot ;-) Since marriage, mortgage and kids, travel has taken a back seat (though my husband and I honeymooned in Wales, and drove around the Scottish Highlands a couple of years after that pre-kids) I still keep up my hobby of travel planning!) I came to this board as part of planning for what has now been rescheduled as a 3 week trip to France in June 2008, when the boys will be 7 and 10. My travel style has been, and will be for this trip, research, research, put together several different itinerary options, planned out to the most minute detail, and then discard them on minute 1 of the trip, knowing that the process of planning and researching has equipped me to be spontaneous!

Hi

I'm Gard...I live in Stavanger on the south west coast of Norway. You can read a bit about me and my wife on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/about_us.htm . We like to travel and I enjoy making trip reports and posting pictures from my trip on the homepage. When I'm not working I like to go to the movies, play squash, drive my Harley, cook etc :d

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Note that the majority who answered this thread are women. Perhaps men do not like the question?

I am male, 61, and of lately from Salt Lake City.

I traveled to Germany first on the taxpayer's dollar in the US Army. I fell in love with the country. Unknown to me at the time my wife was then attending the Univ of Maryland extension in Munich. We met later, sharing this love of traveling, especially in Germany.

I have lived in Germany for 6 years, she for 9 years. We both have traveled in other European Countries. I had a tour in Vietnam. As our youngest is about to go off to college, we have time and opportunity to get back to traveling. Wonder where the money will be found?

Regards, Gary

I subscribe to Budget Travel Magazine, and also have Fodor's website right on my google homepage - that's how I started with the message board here at Fodors. I am 52 years old, but my hubby is not interested in traveling anywhere in Europe. He and I took our first Cruise to the Western Caribbean - we really enjoyed it. I am originally from South Africa, now live in Sitka, Alaska USA. It's a little expensive traveling from an island in Alaska (Sitka is on Baranof Island), so I use my "free" miles (I rack them up pretty quickly using a credit card) to fly to the East Coast, and shop around to get a really good deal to London. I have been to London & Ireland twice, 2002 & 2004. Once with my mom, and once on my own. I have friends in London, but I don't know anyone in Ireland, but I truly love Ireland. It's so easy traveling solo in Ireland, very safe so I don't really mind solo, although it would be more fun with someone to talk to. I would like to go back sometime this year - probably around Oct, November. I go back to South Africa every two years to visit family. I would also like to go to Paris or the South of France. I love to travel, but I don't make too many travel arrangements in advance, like B&Bs etc. Because I go out of season (cheaper that way), there is always plenty of accommodation.I like B&Bs, but don't mind small hotels either. Next trip, I want to rent a car, although I have heard it's quite risky driving in Ireland - I would definitely need a navigator....no way will I do that by myself! I am looking forward to my next trip.

Duff Man says: Duff Man! but doesn't know who he is.

Hi. I am a 32yo female. Born in Greece, raised in Chicago. Took trips back to Greece growing up and of course never appreciated it until I had to pay for it. My husband hadn't traveled outside of the state until we were engaged. Now he enjoys "tagging along". I love the planning process and as soon as I have come back from a trip, I begin planning my next. Right now I am planning a trip to France for sometime in the near futer.

Ira - Who is Ira - Who is Ira - Who is Ira?

and who is intrepid Dukey? (Go V.C.U.)