Hello - I've been on Fodor's before but I have just registered because I needed to ask questions about Europe. Everyone has been very helpful so far!

And I've been answering any NYC questions.

Oldster(anyway you slice it) checking in! We just got back from Montreal and Quebec City. WONDERFUL!!

Other trips in the hopper:
Late October 3 days in the Point Reyes area

Mid-November Seattle for 5 days but this is for my sister's surgery. There are really no worries about it other than she'll be out of commission for some time. This oldster gets even older when my baby(10 years younger) sister has a hysterectomy.

Later in Winter or early Spring I am hoping to head down to Paso Robles for some wine tasting and/or to Santa Barbara for a trip to LotusLand (gardens).

September 07: NYC(2 day stopover) Paris(2 days) then onto Switzerland to see our beloved former neighbors We train then to Provence than back to Paris. The stopovers stagger flying time and allow me another way to deal with really bad jet lag.

jetset1-you should be an ambassador-really! I have been on the boards for a few months-Europe, cruises and US once in awhile. It is very disheartening to see so much nastiness pop up in a place that is meant to celebrate one of the joys of life-traveling to a new place and sharing what you learned with others. It is just depressing when otherwise benign comments get blown out of proportion.

You are a breath of fresh air and I will be back to this board more often!

Thanks so much.

Italybound07 ((F)
what a kind thing to say.. I wish I had time to travel more, but have always been very interested in meeting people who have that opportunity.
It sounds like you have an exciting trip you are planning for. Have you been to Italy before?
My mother covered many places in her life, including Morocco for the Peace Corps, and she spoke several languages, so it's sort of in my blood.
I enjoy anyone, old or new, contributing. The thread title isn't meant to be exclusionary to "regular" posters, but rather, a way to invite new members to participate and feel welcome.
I've tried to keep this one somewhat regular, and hope it is a friendly place for all. peace, J.

Hello all!

I just started posting for the first time this weekend - great information and helpful people.

I am planning a trip to Africa - Tanzania - in 2008, and had questions (and more to come between now and then.)

I ended up answering a couple quesions on the US forum, which is fun, and hopefully helpful.

Thank you fun folks - I can help with Arkansas questions (no comments, please : )....

Hi,

I'm an Arkansas addict. I need help on planting my chickens.

http://www.shareyourstate.com/arkansas/humer.htm

:)

bear900~ humor is a plus, and you are always comical:)

anyway, why plant chickens? are you cheep? maybe the birds would prefer a scheduled fight with Tyson;)..J..

jetset1-we are going to Italy in June for the first time. I didn't know what I didn't know until I started reading about all the maniac planning everyone does!! What do you mean think about what you want to do BEFORE you get there?! I'll still be my "fly by the seats of my pants self" but at least I can have an idea of what I am missing!

Italybound07~ where are you leaving from and which areas in Italy will you visit?
A trip report, replete with food and wine selections, is required for the drooling among us!
Also, hotel and lodging choices.. flight experiences, and anything else PG13/R.. J.

bill...i hobble into the room..late and leaning on a cane.
eh, sonny?
4 days.

Jetters ~ didn't Tyson call Lenox Lewis a chicken...then proceed to take a bite out of his leg?

That's what I ear anyway...

We are flying from Atlanta to Zurich. One night in Zurich then fly/drive/train? to Rome-start where it is busiest and work our way back through Florence, Venice, Lake Como to Zurich. And those are the extent of the plans we have made! Not one hotel chosen, not one restaurant picked, not one tour booked-and I have the nerve to post on Fodors!!! LOL

bear900~ you make my life too easy..

no no, he didn't take a bite out of the leg, he was an ear man!

**and the crowd ate Tyson chicken on Lenox china, silly bear, no wonder you are in the woods.

:)Italybound07~ your plans are exciting. I hope it all works out for you.. more people should be spontaneous. Take care and check back in soon, J.

My fine feathery friend, (that kinda sounds like Don King) anyway….

Tyson may have a leg up on you. Actually, there have been unverified reports from both sides that he bit Lennox on the leg, but you didn’t ear it from me!

http://espn.go.com/boxing/news/2002/0503/1377497.html

Now Evander’s ears…well Tyson got an ear full!

Wouldn't know how to plant a chicken woods ya? ~:>

Italybound07---sounds like a great trip! Since you're not going until June, there's still plenty of time to plan if you change your mind. . . .

enzian-lol! Will it keep you up nights knowing I have no plan?! Kidding of course.

I am going to have a planning meeting with our travel companions. If it goes as it has before it will involve wine drinking and no planning. We may be sleeping in our very small rental car!

Been there, done that (in a Morris Oxford, of all things)! But it was 35 years ago---now I like to be certain of a hotel room.

Actually, I admire someone who can just go, and figure things out on the trip. But you might like to at least reserve for your first night, in Zürich? Especially if you have a group and need several rooms. Zürich is expensive, and the moderate rooms get booked up. (And yes, I've already booked ours in Zürich for next June---I'm a planning addict!)

enzian-that is actually a great idea! The thought of getting offf the plane with nowhere to go the first night is not a good way to start the trip. I'm going to look into that today!
Thanks for the inspiration...and where will you be staying?!!

We'll be staying the Seehof, near the lake, because it is one of the few places that offers triple rooms. Last time we stayed at the Bristol, which is nearer the train station and more moderately priced. If that is a consideration, I would recommend that hotel---they are very nice there. Another hotel that gets good reviews here is the Adler, in the charming Altstadt area, but people say it can be noisy.

Good luck with your planning meeting---how many are going on the trip?

My husband and I and another couple. We really are very excited!

I'm going to look at all the hotels you mentioned and, as much as it pains me to PLAN,actually book a room in advance!

thanks!