Nikki - I must say that this thought had crossed my mind, but as you'll see from my earlier post, I don't really see them as business trips, but as free holidays that I have to work during.

I'm lucky enough to work in the 'creative industries' and as such have a boss who (and concept of work which) probably doesn't fit the standard mould. For this last trip to Paris, we left the UK on Wednesday morning, had completed our 'business' by 2pm and from then on out went to lunch, went drinking, had dinner, drank some more, drank some more and then some more, before he flaked out.

The next I heard from him was the following morning, when he sent me a text saying he'd woken up with his hotel room door wide open, fully clothed and a half finished drink on the bedside table.

We then reconvened, had lunch, then meandered back to the Eurotunnel (getting a speeding ticket en route) and back home to bed.

Again, a great couple of days but nothing that changed my feelings for Paris...

I love Paris and LOndon but Rome and Brussels left me cold! I think we just like what we like. I'm not sure why I love London so much - maybe all the Agatha Christie books I read, maybe because I love the theatre there and the shopping and tea; Paris I find beautiful and romantic.

Why does one fall in love with one person and not another? I first visited Paris when I was 20 years old - I did not fall in love then, I was in love with Montpellier at the time as I was studying there. But when I returned almost 30 years later I definitely fell in love, and continue to visit every chance I get. I think being able to speak French there is part of it. I fell in love with the French language and literature before I ever went to France. But really, there's just no accounting for tastes, as they say. (Not in love with London, New York or Madrid, but I love Barcelona too)

<i>a great couple of days but nothing that changed my feelings for Paris</i>

The activities described had little to do with Paris as such. Lunch and drinking could have taken place in London, Brussels, or any other major city (just for the presumably decent restaurant) in Europe.

As someone here said, you need to know the language, literature, and culture, plus perhaps you have never been in love or fallen in love in Paris !

Knowing the language or the literature of the country that you are visiting has nothing to do with likes or dislike of a city.
Both my son and DH always said that they found Paris a beautiful place but that the city left them cold.

Some people likes Paris but not Rome or viceversa..

We are all different..

Hi Bedar - I have a degree in French (language and literature) am married to Frenchwoman, am fluent in the language and travel to France a minimum of twice a year (and have been pretty much since the age of 8) so I know that's not the issue either.

As for falling in love in Paris, I've been in love many times in Paris (even if on some occasions it was only for one night) and am now happily in love every time I go there, so that's not it either.

Michael - I understand your point, but the difference between lunch on a terrace in Paris (which I, and I know many others, adore) certainly beats eating my usual lunch at a cafe 'round the corner from my office in London. Some people travel to Paris expressly to eat out and see the nightlife. I'm lucky enough to have someone pay me to do that (on expenses) yet I don't get that tingle down my spine about the city I'm in. The food yes, the people yes, but Paris? Not so much.

Don't worry about it. I asked the same about Ireland some time back - don't even like it, decided I never will. Feel the same about Barcelona and NYC. Hated NYC first couple of visits, then grew to love it, but after more travel, really can't stand it except in Spring. Some places hit you hard and stick - others not. Everything/place can't be special to everybody.

Why are you fighting this? We all have our likes and dislikes and just because most do love Paris doesn't mean you have to. I'm not crazy about San Francisco or Barcelona. Many absolutely love them.

I would go to Paris for every trip except I know I would miss Italy terribly. But I have no desire to return to Belgium or most of Germany. Scandinavia doesn't entice me.

I think cities are like everything else. Everyone doesn't love the same foods, etc. Stop worrying and start visiting the places you love or think you might enjoy.

Frankly, I think it is great not to love Paris or, like hetismij2, never wanting to set foot there. Paris has become overloaded with visitors in the last 20 years. Most people still find it totally appealing, but they have no idea how nice it was 20 or 30 years ago when you never had to stand in line at the Louvre or Notre Dame, when you could have the Luxembourg gardens to yourself on a rainy day and when any hotel you selected still had rooms available.

I do not want to drive anybody away from my city, but if the stampede would just slow down, everybody would be happier.

Too many visits, perhaps? Just another city, just another bar, just another dinner? I remember the first time I went to Europe, I was soooo excited about every little thing. Now, less.

Of course, I'm older now. Having traveled a bit, and experienced much over the ensuing years, I still have "WOW!" moments, but fewer. Takes more to impress me.

Just spent one day in Paris (last Tuesday) and loved nearly every moment of it, although it was just for a one-day layover before an early morning flight. Had a WOW moment in one room at the Marmottan, in a room full of Monet paintings. Stunning moment, just taking in all the colors and images for a moment, all the "Monet-ness" of it. The rest of the day was OK, lovely, lots of walking and bridges, and a nice dinner. But certainly not as thrilling as my very first visit.

I still try to find those WOW moments everywhere I go, even back in the States. It's important. Maybe I appreciate them more now, as they are fewer and farther between.

My home and birthplace is in Sonoma County, California, about one hour north of San Francisco. I vowed to myself when I was about 12 years old, that every single time I drive into SF from the north, I would take in the beautiful view of the GG Bridge and the skyline, and appreciate it. And I still do, and will, for as long as I can.

There's a city for everyone. Or not.

I love Paris, not as much as I love the whole of Germany.

Since you've been brave to mention Paris, I will say that one of the happiest moments of my trip to Italy was in the morning we left Rome.

It was just unappealing to me in almost every way, except for the sites. They were interesting but I've never felt more like saying, "thank God, that's off my travel list."

<<For this last trip to Paris, we left the UK on Wednesday morning, had completed our 'business' by 2pm and from then on out went to lunch, went drinking, had dinner, drank some more, drank some more and then some more, before he flaked out.>>

Maybe you need to change the way you approach and spend your time in the city.

You are who you are. Accept it.

I REALLY don't like Madrid. The first time I was there we tried to leave early we were so bored = and hot (98 in early May). Have been a couple of times since on business - and perfectly happy never to go again.

Why not just go places you enjoy more?

I do love Paris, but I get awfully tired of the white stucco which seems to be universal away from the facades of the building.

Jay_G, when I expressed a similar opinion to yours on San Francisco (also lots of stucco) I was savaged.

I don't particularly love Chianti but love the Val d'Orcia.

I like Sonoma m-u-c-h better than Napa. So it goes.

Thank god we don't all want to be in the same place at the same time or the whole world would be like Venice or Oxford Street.

Why do you want to love it? If it's not happening, it's not happening.

I went to Rome three times before I had even a glimmer of liking for it (love it now).

I drove from France down into Spain probably a half-dozen times and turned right back around after a couple of days because I just didn't "get it" on any level. I loathe, but can appreciate the offerings of, Madrid. I just can't connect with that city on any level.

I adore Morocco, can't stand Tunisia.

There are so many factors that influence our impressions, including totally fleeting ones related to what happens to us on any particular day in a place: the weather, how our plans worked out, the food we ate, the people we encountered...but for someone who speaks the language and has been there many, many times, and still isn't in love with the place, just consider it a platonic friend and move on. Surely, there IS some place you love.

Well Jay, sorry to say but it's over between us. I adore both Paris AND San Francisco. should I return the ring?

Kerouac, I have a picture of me at Versailles in 1975 or 76, in the Hall of Mirrors, and there is like maybe 6 or 7 other people in whole room... I look at those photos now and am amazed, ( I have a photo of my dad on the roof of Notre Dame in 1961,, years before they ever thought of safety netting, or fencing to keep morons off the roof line)..

Maybe you don't love it because you think you are supposed to. Like when every person tells you such-and-such is the BEST movie ever and you like it but it's just not all that.

I don't see why you feel like you have to love Paris, just because lots of other people do? Why does it matter?

When we visited, I found it nice and interesting and I was glad to have seen it, but I certainly didn't get this rush of "omg, I love and adore Paris cause its' the best and most fabulous city in Europe!" feeling that one often hears on travel forums. It just doesn't do it for me. Wouldn't mind going back, but I also don't care if we don't. It isn't high up on my places to visit again. Perfectly lovely city, but it doesn't hold a special place in my heart, and I don't care that it doesn't.

Would much rather go back to Rome, Edinburgh or Berlin. I do like and enjoy big cities, with Frankfurt being my favorite, though lots of people dislike it here. There is no rhyme or reason why a city worms its' way into your heart, but you don't have to apologize for it or "try" to love it.