I have been using this forum for the last few weeks to plan my trip to USA in April. I have find most responses really helpful and must say that I am really looking forward to my trip?Do you have the same response?i.e. planning is half the fun.Also,why is it that everybody seems to be local with the except of Brits and The odd Aussie on this forum?

Hell yeah! I'm planning a massive trip all around the country that will take about four months and I'm having a blast doing the research, adjusting dates, cutting costs, etc. Leafing through suggestions on questions that others post, I've learned alot already.

As a fellow Brit planning my trip to Arizona and Utah in May. I would say it is great fun planning your own trip, until you find its a scramble to find rooms in the places you want - ie Grand Canyon...
Happy planning, where you headed?

Planning is half the fun. Armchair travel.

It is an English language page. Most travellers in any country are the locals. There are about 20 million Aussies, 60 million Brits, 31 million Canadians, add in some kiwis and others. There are 260 million or so Americans (about 230 million are speak English as a first language). Chances are that your random English speaker in the world is from the U.S.

Does fodors publish a USA guide in French, or German, or Japanese?

You once made the observation that many of the posts here concern food and lodging. That's true, to some extent. But most people have a good idea of what they are going to do on their trip to Vegas or Orlando or Washington D.C. They've done that research, or seen it on TV.

Definitely!

I love the anticipation of a trip and doing the research. Sometimes I extensively research a location and feel like i've been there. Seriously, I sometimes decide to go somewhere else instead. ha ha

That can save you some money.

But seriously, it is alot of funny planning, talking about your upcoming trip and anticipating it.

Happy trails.

Definitely!

I love the anticipation of a trip and doing the research. Sometimes I extensively research a location and feel like i've been there. Seriously, I sometimes decide to go somewhere else instead. ha ha

That can save you some money.

But seriously, it is alot of funny planning, talking about your upcoming trip and anticipating it.

Happy travels!!

I am planning a repeat visit to London in August and I'm finding myself in the same situation as most people: which hotel? what to do? day trips? There's just so much info out there.

I also like the preparation part, which I tend to do thouroughly. the drawback is that I tend not to accept any diversion while doing the trip! But anyway.

I also usually feel like I've been to the place before, and I think that this can endanger your trip. Indeed, You are focused on some things you've read about and therefore might miss some others. You also might not understand that those with you do not know all of this stuff like you.
By the way, I'm not a brit, nor an Aussie, nor an American. In fact, I'm not an Englisch native speaker, I'm Belgian ;-))

I love the planning, but can often overdo it. For instance, I learned so much about Paris for a trip in 2001 that I think I lost a lot of the wonder when I got there. I want to go back again with a little less preparation.

I'm in the minority here. Though I love to travel, I don't like to plan the trip. It's mainly because I'm very busy and just don't have enough time. When I travel somewhere, I DO research hotels ahead of time to make sure the one I book is in a good location, and then I'll buy a travel book which I don't have a chance too look at until I'm at the airport! Actually when I go to Europe sometimes I don't even book hotels ahead of time...just the general route I want to take, then "wing it" once I get there. I enjoy spontaneity!

The planning, the trip itself, the memories. Each is equally enjoyable for me. I love doing the research, and once I'm back home from a trip, I'm ready to start researching the next one.

So far this month I have planned a trip to Alaska, Glacier, Williamsburg and Washington DC. Unfortunately I don't get to do them - yet! We just recently decided to combine a gift trip to Palm Springs with a few days in San Diego so I have been reading and researching like mad.

Planning is soooo much fun!

I love planning the trip! Where to go, where to stay, what to see, what to do, how to pack - I think I was a travel agent in a past life. I just returned from London and have upcoming trips this year for: New York, Charleston, Destin, Asheville, and my 25th anniversary somewhere... Paris April 2004. Planning is definetly half the fun! And getting info from this forum is essential.

I love to plan for travel, but I also love traveling. Many's the cabin attendent who has wanted to give me the Thorazine Marguerita after I've pulled on her jacket and asked "Are we there yet?" one time too many.

I thoroughly enjoy holiday planning. Always looking for new sources, adventures/trips and themes to link my travel. I have even worked in the airline and hotel industry just to gain the perks for my travel

I also enjoy not just the nuts and bolts of holiday planning such as hotels, sightseeing, meals, transportation, best time to travel, etc.. but refining the purpose of the trip; what type of vacation is best. Even how a vacation should begin and end.

A “family reunion” vacation is not really a vacation to me at all. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to a place halfway around the world is much different than another three- weeks-at-the-shore summer stay. And the vacation with an aged parent or ailing family member is yet another category of ‘investment’ or memory vacations. Or the last vacation you have with your ‘kid’ before they start their own vacations.

YES YES YES ! I love to plan for vacation!

I have to say, I do buy the Fodors books too. Even though the content is duped on the web site, it's nice to have them while you sit on the ol' thrown.

I also agree that planning is half the fun. I start months ahead of time for a big trip, and it sometimes seems as if I'm already there when doing preparations.

Yes planning IS half the fun!

Unfortunately this time, I planned everything down to the "T" so early, that now I am twiddling my thumbs counting the days till we leave on June 28th.

Driving to/through CO/WY/SD.

p.s. - re: is everyone local on this fodors board --- I am from Ontario Canada.

Sometimes too much planning becomes WORK!
We now book the air and the room and then wing it.
That's why we really didn't like cruising. Too much regimentation. Sometimes "seat of the pants" travel planning is goooood.
I do enjoy the "back and forth" on travel suggestions on all the travel forums. I like to compare my poor tastes to other's reviews of hotels, restaurants etc.
Kal