I won a trip through work to Switzerland (which is where my company headquarters is) and Lake Como. Although it isn't purely fun that week, conferences and strategy meetings, they know how to entertain in off hours. We are taking some customers from the states so will have some fun packed in there.

Then I will spend another week - heck, why not since they paid for my flight- in Venice, Modena and then back to Milan.

Can't wait. Except, I am traveling for work everyday next week. I get home at 5pm on Friday and then back to DFW at 6 am on Saturday for the trip. So lots of packing and last minute things this weekend.

You will SO love Venice. You will not want to come home! :) (Though I would venture to say it is going to be warmer and more crowded than when I was there last October.)

Buon viaggio!

Well, I just got my work schedule for this day and I will be working from 11a-3p....You all have a great time!!

Is there or is there not a GTG???

I'm still in.

The last time we had one in Dallas, other than my 2 friends that I dragged along, only one other person showed up. She was delightful and we had fun visiting but it was disappointing that many said they would attend and didn't.

With the price of gas, I don't want to make the trip and have no one show.

So how about it . . . who will come besides me?

I hope lots!

Sandy (in Denton)

DFW Folks -- what's the headcount?
Hi Sandy_B I'm the 'one' and will show if it looks like several folks are coming.

Here is what I've got on headcount:

1) sarge56
2) TxTravelPro
3) sandy_b
4) ChicagoDallasGirl
5) jd_dallas???
6) tennispro???
7) Tess_Durberville???

Saturday, June 21st. Lunch at Grand Lux Cafe, Galleria, Dallas. Actual address is 13420 N. Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75240. Phone is (972) 385-3114.

Here is their website: http://www.grandluxcafe.com/index.htm

And here is "map" of Galleria showing where Grand Lux is:

http://www.galleriadallas.com/index.php#cnt_directory

CAN THOSE OF YOU COMING RSVP FOR SURE TO MY EMAIL PLEASE? paulam910 at hotmail.

I will be there! Hope you all will be, too! :)

Topping. Please RSVP to me ASAP! :)

Paula

How will we know each other ??

TxTravelPro, I saw your email. I will send you a picture of me and you can find me at the entrance to the restaurant. Plus, I sent you my cell number. :)

Paula

ChicagoDallasgirl, are you coming? :)

Shall we all carry an umbrella, ala travel guides, or bring along a copy of a Fodor's guide to recognize each other?

I'm going to see if I can find my Fodor's pin!

I'm short, slender, red-blonde hair, old . . . you can't miss me!

Sandy (in Denton)

I'd be happy to bring one of my many DK Eyewitness travel guides. Perhaps Rome... :)

I'm bringing one of my travel friends (Beri) so add another to the list.

See you Sat!
Sandy (in Denton)

Guys, if you don't know each other, maybe print large word "Fodor's" and paste it to the back of the chair facing the entrance door, or put a Fodor's guidebook (front page if you don't want to carry the whole book) on the edge of the table - whoever comes in first.

It's been my experience, you can't always recognize people from the photos of prior GTGs.

Author: Tess_Durberville
Date: 06/17/2008, 02:48 pm
Shall we all carry an umbrella

No, Baileys works much better in this case :))

I am a feisty, round lady with a little dutch boy haircut (don't ask).
I'll be in beige Cargo pants, a green Life is Good Tee and Keen sandals.
They will not seat us until everyone is there... they may if most of us are there...
The restaurant is HUGE.
For stragglers, just go to the hostess and ask where we are, they will know.

Just as an FYI, Bath and Body works is having their big sale, Victorias Secret, Papyrus, William Sonoma, Pottery Barn, too!
Big sales, up to 75% off!

I'll be the one wearing a bermuda shorts, black socks, white tennis shoes and a camera around my neck (LOL!)

Too bad we can't find a pink jogging suit . . . except they probably would not let us in.

Sandy (in Denton)

Paula, do you have a total count?
I will be there at (or before) 11:30.
If you (or anyone) arrives before 11:30 be sure to get our name on the list. Not only will we be on the list, the hostess table where be able to tell others where we are seated.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Galleria...
The very best parking is a lot underneath Macy's, with the entrance on Noel.
If you are coming from Alpha, drive down, pass the valet (driveway) in front of Macy's and turn right into the hidden entrance directly after.
For those of you coming in on 635 FROM THE EAST, take the Dallas Parkway exit and turn right on Noel. Go to just before the valet and turn left into the entrance. There is no left turn lane and it is not marked so that you see it before you get to it.
This is why it is such a good lot!

So what's the final count???

Fun was had by all!
We missed all the rest of you Dallas area folks!
I have never met a nicer group of ladies...
Thanks Paula for taking the lead in organizing!
I hope we can do it again!

PS... I will probably never be as adventurous as these ladies. They are fabulously FIERCE!!!!

It was GREAT fun and you other Dallas-area Fodorites just don't know what you missed! TxTravelPro brought a bagfull of goodies for us . . . the biggest hit was the mints dispenser . . . coolest thing you've ever seen.

The food was good, the company was great, it was so much fun talking travel and putting names w/faces.

Thanks Sarge56 (Paula) for putting this together.

Let's do it again!

Sandy (in Denton)

Well darn, just now found this thread, about seven hours too late:(

We've been posting about it for over a month!

Hi all. Sorry this is so late. But my internet just got fixed tonight! (I've spent the last two days working out of Starbucks!) :(

Had a wonderful time. Enjoyed seeing Robin's pics from Peru and thx TxTravPro for the goodies!

It was certainly enjoyable and I'm now getting even more excited about meeting up with the San Antonio/Austin area Fodorites this Sunday! (Ok, not to mention the time I'll get to spend by the pool in my lovely hotel.) :)

Sandy_b, have a wonderful time in Israel. Looking forward to your trip report!

Paula

I wish I could have been there! But my horse show was a lot of fun, too.