Depressed

I understand, it is very hard not to have a trip in the "works." Plus planning is almost as fun as going. I'm sure the desire to travel, even if you don't have a trip going, is the reason this board is so successful.

A prescription of Cymbalta is cheaper than a ticket into CDG, but not as healthy and nowhere as much fun. Start planning that next adventure right now. "Someday, your prince (or princess) will come..."

Whatwas the best memory you carry from you trip last year? Where would you spend more time/less time? What was your favourtie souvenir?

I leave for a 7 week excursion (on my own) in 14 days.

That's why I read this board when I can. I last went to Europe (France) in October 09 and don't have any future trips planned (yet) but I can enjoy traveling vicariously by reading about the plans and experiences of everyone else!

Thanks for the reply's. The best memory's; Rothenburg ob der tauber is where we started. The night watchman tour was great, walking the wall puts the town in perspective, a lot of fun. The food in the Tyrolean region of Austria is so good words can't do it justice. Hallstatt Austria has a timeless peace about it, the salt mine tour great time. we were the first Americans to stay on a farm B&B in southern Austria. It was built in 1520AD. We have stayed in contact and have traided recipe's and Christmas cards, very fun and great friends from a far. Southern Austria was the best area and very hard to leave. The food, the castles but most of all the people. everyone was so friendly and wanted to try there english out on us. we went there on a whim, there is not much in the travel book about it. it's a must see. Hiking in the Swiss Alps; Gimmelwald Switzerland. A small mountain village, take a day pack full of bread, meat and cheese and be prepaired to be amazed. Try the snails in France (yum) Ship home a case of wine, it fun to open later. if you go to the Rhine valley, find a castle to stay the night. take the river cruise from Bacharach. The best souvenir is the memory's, I bought a Mac computer and made a slide show with music. I hope to go back as soon as possible it really gets under your skin. Try new foods that you wouldn't think of over here. Have Fun!

I haven't even gone on my trip yet, but I'm already upset because my boyfriend said that he is "done with Europe" after this trip and wants to go somewhere else next time. I know I'm very Eurocentric, but how can you be done with Europe???

just over two years since my last trip. I've been twice and i'm going back for 10 days in a couple months!!! I'm going to Paris, Amsterdam, Bruges, and London. Europe is by far on of the most exciting places to go on vacation to. It's a great change of pace from normal life. I can't wait to go back!!!

I know what you mean, I would have a real hard time if we could not go every year to eighteen months. The secret is to always be planning the next one, even if you do not know when it will be. We returned from France about three weeks ago, and within 48 hours I had already gone to the library and checked out a stack of travel books. Personally I like the early phases of planning, before any doors close.

I agree with those of you who are always planning your next trip. Europe definitely gets under your skin and into your heart. My first trip was in 1985. My ex-husband won that trip and I never dreamed I would go back. However, I just completed my 12th trip, this one to Ireland, in March. Southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland are my all time favorite places and that is where I hope to take my new husband very soon. Rothenburg, Murren, Hallstatt Salzburg, Oberammergau....they are all places that I can close my eyes and summon the very feeling of being there. So Lannie, do start planning and make memories live again.

Anna, I had no desire to go to Europe until some friends moved there. They convinced us to come over and do some touring with them, and once that I had done that I was hooked.

When you plan your trip with your boyfriend make sure that part of your plans includes things that he might be interested in. I am a gearhead and love good beer, wine, and great food. On one of our trips I got to go to Monaco and watch them bring out the cars just before the Grand Prix races. On our trip to Italy a couple of weeks ago, I got to go to some antique car shows. My buddy in Germany aways has a new beer to introduce to me each time we see him.

My wife has thigs that she likes to do, and I happily go along because I know that both of us will get to see and do things that appeal to us.

A trip for two can be fun if you do joint planning and look for things that will keep both of you happy.
If it does not work out......dump him and find someone that you can SHARE life with!

Anne wrote, "I haven't even gone on my trip yet, but I'm already upset because my boyfriend said that he is 'done with Europe' after this trip and wants to go somewhere else next time."

Drop him like a hot potato;)

Okay, I got a little carried away there.

When I first met my wife, what might have helped our relationship along was her 6 years in Germany and my 3 years there. We both knew that we wanted to get back and we did for a three year tour. After twenty-six years of marriage and 2 kids, we are busy planning another in a string of trips, primarily to Germany. It is helpful to have similar tastes for travel.

Regards, Gary

I just returned from 3 weeks in Turkey and already am planning for next years trip. So I watch RS PBS show whenever it is on here. And, last night, it was on Istanbul!! Anna complains about here boyfriend being "Europed Out" but does not say how many times he has been there. I imagine that I might see enough of Europe to start going elsewhere so time in the future, but after my last 8 trips there it will be no time soon. Anne, if he is being really unreasonable and will not compromise/negotiate, remember: life is too short to be stuck with a "dud".
Good luck and happy travels.

I wanted to put my 2 cents worth in too. My first trip was to Ireland with a friend from Germany 8 years ago. After that trip my love for Europe blossomed. I went the following year to Italy twice.
Once in May and again for New Years to visit a friend in Italy. The following year was to Holland and Belgium. Year after that was back to Italy and down to Sicily. Then off to Denmark.

Oh....one year to see Austria with my friend from Italy. Took the boat from Italy over to Croatia and did some touring.
Last fall I went to Spain and back to Italy to the Amalfi Coast. This year I just got back from my first trip to Southern France, on to my first trip to Germany and back to Holland. Other then the trip to Ireland I have traveled alone each trip. I would love to meet someone who loves to travel and is a photographer too. I am 66 years old and people can't believe I travel by myself. I have been home two weeks and back to work. I am already thinking of where to go next May.

Okay, Lannie -- I think I can top you for depressed. We had mileage tickets, some hotels on points, and a perfect itinerary from Frankfurt, through Burgundy, a week in Provence, ending up in Paris for several days...until that wonderful volcano ended our trip. My coworker went on maternity leave, so there was no way to reschedule it. Fortunately, we only lost about 20 euros in booking fees, but....

I know we'll get to go again, and are wistfully looking at October, but I have to tell you it was one of the bigger disappointments I've had lately.

Other than that, I empathize with your "anniversary" feelings about your trip.

Lauren takes the prize! when I heard about the volcano I was so glad I went last year. Virginia you should ask Rick Steves for a job, it sounds like you go more then he does, I am envious!! this blog is great, it's so good to hear that others feel the same as I do. Thanks all for the pick me up.

I know how you feel. I am in Europe now and am always jotting down ideas for my next trip!

I perfectly agree with you Lannie.
I make and save money in the US and spend it in Europe.:)

Lannie, I was going through the same thing a few weeks ago. "One year ago today we were leaving for airport", "One year ago we were in Paris"...I was really down in the dumps for two weeks. I ended up booking my next trip during Christmas vacation. Thank goodness for BA miles. Keeping my fingers crossed they don't strike!

Hi Lannie,

Yes, Europe is addictive. We have a very hard time looking forward or talking about any trip that's not in Europe. Since you have a Mac, how about "re-living" your trip by making a book on iPhoto? We recently finished our Sept. '09 book and are now working on our Oct. 2007 book. They come out just like a book you'd buy at Barnes and Noble. Hard cover and the quality is excellent.

Paul

I just returned from bringing my adult children on their first trip to Germany/Salzburg and Paris...I do love the planning, but hope I opened doors, and widened their view of what their horizons can hold for them (so many of their friends have absolutely no interest in Europe!!). Ane their view of the world. They loved it, even tho they were uptight about language barriers. I showed them that there are always good people that will help you...especially in cities like these where English is a common second language in the schools....Like I told them...if we miss a train, we will get the next one, hopefully they learned to push themselves....We met such wonderful local people that were so helpful to us and gave us some of our best memories....I even got them to overcome some fears (like going up the Zugspitz on a cable car showed them to confront reservations of heights and small tight spaces..(never mind the TIGHT elevators in Paris hotels)
But I doubt if I will ever have the $$ in a long time for a trip like this (I used part of my deceased husbands life insur policy...which may not have been smart according to most people. But the memories and experience with and for my kids WAS worth it! I will keep visitng this site and Trip advisor and be available for info on the places I stayed and went to....this is my lifeline to the experiences I had...and my pics. I get bummed out now just thinking of all the things I meant to do, and did not get the time for....but maybe I will hit the lottery ....ya never know what life will bring you! :^)

Dear Anne is there a reason the BF is done with Europe? Has he already been 100 times? There is just so much to see and do, I can not image being "done." What dose he like to do at home? If he likes to ride bikes, horses or motorcycles, ski, hike, then to that in Europe. BUT if he wants to go someplace like Oahu rather that Europe, then yes the hot rock example is correct. Either way, you do not need to stay home!! go by yourself or with your mom or girl friends. Good luck, Joanne

You know Lannie, they say, "distance makes the heart grow fonder". I say give that theory a try! Just kidding

All the best, Monte

LOL at myself and Lannie, together. After 8 years in the SF Bay Area, I am back in Israel and much better situated for trips to Europe. So in-between Italy, France, Prague, etc. I yearn for the 3-day trips to Ashland for great theatre, trips through the Columbia Gorge, Crater Lake, Rainier & Hood, the Pacific coastline, wine-tasting in the Willamette Valley .... and so much more. Oregon is amazing too!

(just trying to give you a little perspective)

I wanted to go to Europe all my life, and had plans to study there, but marriage and children changed my plans. Hubby never really wanted to go, but finally agreed for our 25th wedding anniversary and now he's totally on board. I keep talking about going to Ireland with our daughter (who spent a year there) and he wouldn't miss it for the world. Now, we're in Italy celebrating our 35th and making plans for coming back with our son and his family. He's a wine maker and really must do Tuscany! I would come every year if I could afford it.

Thanks, Chani, for your perspective. My takeaway is that travel in general is wonderful! And healthy for all of us.

Oh, I never realized that others would feel 'down' when not planning/taking another trip!
Hubs and I were lucky enough to be able to go to Europe in April 2006, our first trip over.
It wasn't enough.
When we got home, we started saving up, and returned in 2008 for 10 days in Amsterdam.
It wasn't enough.
I want more time in Bruges (we only had 1 day).
We were hoping to get to Ireland/Scotland/England this summer but it's not going to happen.
I come to these boards when I get jittery about wanting another trip, and I just read and read.
It helps. :)
I'm starting to save up again.....

I am in a perpetual state of planning a trip. I go on-line and look at tourist info websites, order brochures by the kilo, which pile up around my bed so I can look at them at my leisure and day-dream, I make lists of what I'll take and then revise it every week....meanwhile I save as much as I can whenever I can so that when the perfectly priced air-fare pops up on cheapskate tickets.com or whatever I'm totally ready. Plan, plan, plan...travel as often as you can. It's something you will never regret doing.

over used quote but so true....,
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the places and moments that take our breath away. Anonymous.

Europe takes my breath away.

Terry...after 2 glasses of wine while I read the board and think about my most wonderful trip I returned from....I am kind of teary eyed after reading that quote.

I just don't see how anyone could be "done with Europe". There are SO MANY undiscovered places - little towns and cities, lakes, montains, great food, great beer,etc, not to mention all the wonderful people I've met on my many trips there. It's so easy to get around on the great public transportation, so lacking in the U.S., and surprisingly affordable if you know how to plan. You could take a trip to Europe every year and not experience it all. No offense, Rick S., but your books are just the tip of the iceberg. Any guidebook, with their stock photos and over-rated advice, can't begin to decribe the reality of travel in Europe. I'd dump the boyfriend just for being a dork.

The last time I was there was September 2008. I have a surprise trip planned as a birthday gift for my boyfriend. 3 days in Munich for Oktoberfest (as is the tradition) and then off to Paris for 5.

I have had the trip planned since the beginning of the year. FINALLY, I get to give it to him on Saturday. I can't wait to let the cat out of the bag and go buy the latest RS book and start planning!!! I have read the 2006 book a handful of times (our 06 Paris trip was never to be as a tropical trip that was more in line with our budget surfaced).

Yay, Europe, generally and yay, Paris, specifically!

Here's a sad story- my boss planned a 2 week Xmas trip to Spain last December to coincide with her son's college internship in Madrid. She had everything booked, plane tickets, hotels, side trips to other cities...a month before the trip, she got sick and her doctor adviced her not to travel..she had to cancel everything. The good news is...she's recovered fully and is planning a 2 week 4 country European trip next summer!

As for me, I went for the first time in Sept 07 (Paris, London , Amsterdam) and going back this October to Italy and London to celebrate my best friend's 50th. And for my 50th in 3 years...planning a trip back to Paris! Will get started planning that when I get back from Italy!