Feeling Guilty!

[parisfan2 (was 'paris-fantic')]

Not seriously, but a little bit. I gather from another thread that some of you have only been to Paris two or three times (geography I guess being the biggest problem – that and money of course!), well after a bit of thought I realised we must have been there between 12 and 15 times in the last 10 years - see, I'm not even sure how many without going and checking through various folders and piles of paper!
Of course we do have the advantage of living in England (one of the few!) so a quick trip on Eurostar is not only possible but you can more easily pick up cheap deals.
Part of our enthusiasm is not just the obvious attractions of Paris but the fact we know it quite well (can anyone really know it well?) Little things like being welcomed in our favourite restaurant like regular customers (even though when we went there back in February it was the first time for almost a year!) make all the difference.
So now I realise that for some of you it is sometimes ' the trip of a lifetime' I'll try not be so blasé about it all!

[Shoesy]

Lucky you!!!!!!!

[phread]

Its ok parisfan, think of me... I get to live here!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

It's not appropriate for you to feel guilty , but it is appropropriate for us to feel envious ;D! The issue with frequent travel from where I am -- California -- is not only money, etc., but just plain old time, since it's a very long trip (so, of course, to make it "worth it" one should spend at least two or three weeks, and that's hard to do very often!). But, it's nice to think of someone who can go without months and months of planning the logistics (and nice to know you actually take advantage of that opportunity).

[aude]

Hi Parisfan -- I can identify completely with what you're saying. Through a combination of business and personal circumstances, much to my surprise and delight, I've become a frequent Paris visitor, too. I've been to Paris on average every six months for the past eight years. Although that first trip is amazing, one of the great pleasures of being a more frequent visitor is the freedom to wander about with no "must-do" list. It's also great fun knowing my way around so that I don't have to keep looking at maps. And no matter how many times I go, I feel certain that I'll always be thrilled to be going back.

[Happygoin]

Oh to be in Paris often enough to get blase about it... HEY! That'll be my new life goal! That and to get a job that REQUIRES me to go to Paris...you lucky, lucky people.

[joan1]

OK,, now I shall throw up,, I am so jealous,, the green is just rising!! LOL
I have only been 6 times,, but two of those times were longer visits( 2- 3 months each time) ,, but those times I was alot younger ,, and it was not right in Paris, but outside in a village called Andresy,, we did visit Paris about once a week though,, so I guess I could add those up>>>>>>!! LOL

Anyways,, yes geography is the main factor holding back more visits,, since it is so far,, it takes so long to get there,, therefore ,, it is hardly worth going for less then 2 weeks( although I have broken down for the first time, and am finally going for only 8 days this summer) .

I do envy those who can jump over for the weekend,, what a treat! Lucky you !!

[sistereurope]

Well Parisfan2, I have a friend who lives in Paris who's jealous because I get to go to New York for a quick weekend whenever I want (which I'm actually doing this weekend and have done quite regularly for many years). So it's ALL relative!
But yes, it is hard to be so far away from my FAVORITE city on the planet. So do be just a bit humble for our sake

[aude]

Joan -- I've never stayed for anything close to 2-3 months! That would be a real luxury. I'm sure all your days in Paris would add up to many more than mine. Although I've been lots of times, sometimes it's only for a few days. A couple of times I've flown over on a Thursday night and come back the following Tuedsay -- basically there for a weekend! But I'll take what I can get. And I long for the days of cheap cheap airfares and a good exchange rate, although those days were only five or six years ago.

[Happygoin]

So true, Aude. I remember only 5 years ago, a girlfriend and I spent 5 days in London at a perfectly nice hotel. Hotel and airfare together: $557 Can you stand it?

[aude]

I have several girlfriends who've never been to Paris and have expressed great envy at my trips. They think I just hop over there anytime I want, which is quite an exaggeration. (I'd be there every weekend!) I've tried to pitch the idea to them of a group weekend in Paris. Dependant upon catching a decent airfare in the off-season, I think it could easily be done for under $1000 each. That's nothing to sneeze at, but if it's a matter of possibly never getting to see Paris, a long weekend is far better than nothing! Long trips to Europe are great, but if it's hard to find the time and the considerable money needed for a long trip, then short trips can be exciting and fabulous! Some people keep putting off that once-in-a-lifetime trip and it never happens. I love my quick little jaunts.

[parisfan2 (was 'paris-fantic')]

Of course I would love to live there, well, with provisos, say have a flat (apartment) there so you could go more often and cut down on hotel costs (its one of the reasons I keep doing the lottery!)
Some places clearly make one feel that way, Venice does it for me to. Whereas London, which is only a 90min train ride away from us, I have only been to three times in the last 10 years!
I know the obvious comment is that whenever you go there you are on holiday, but it is more than that. There is just something... As for countries, Denmark does it for me too.

[GitteK]

parisfan2 - on behalf of the Danish people, I thank you.
Does this mean that you have finally forgiven us Vikings for marauding your country in the old days ? Or are you planning some sort of subtle revenge ?

[joan1]

You know, I think I could keep costs down when it is hotel and food, but airfare,, from western Canada, well forget it,, it is never cheap.
I saw these cheapo airlines in Europe, they are schockingly cheap,, 1 1/2 hrs on the plane ( Paris to Hanover Germany) for less then 100 euros,, here, it costs us about 250 canadain for a 15-20 minute flight to get off this island I live on..
Would be nice to just jump on the Eurostar for under 100 pounds ( which I know you can do ) ..

[GitteK]

joan1 - last October when I was in Paris with my mum and 2 other elderly ladies, I paid only 530 dkk for a roundtrip for each of us = 100,78 canadian dollars !!
(per ticket, that is - NOT for 4 persons totally.... that would have been REALLY cheap !)

[parisfan2 (was 'paris-fantic')]

GitteK - Oh no, the opposite really. Firstly my ex-brother-in-law lives there and when he was still my brother-in-law I spent a lot of time there, though on holiday staying with a family means you get to meet Danes (these trips also included three or four visits to the Skanderborg Festival - he and his family live in town).
I loved the country from my first ever visit, I felt at home there at once and even had the pleasure of spending Christmas there once (one of the best I had in that period of my life).
I felt an affinity with the country and the people, and as you mention the Vikings I always felt they had a bad press in the UK. Their influence on England and English was important and widespread (just look at the number of place names in England that end in ‘by’ and what would we call eggs without you?!), and it is a fair chance that if you come from East Anglia (as I do) you are more likely to descend from Viking stock than any other of the races that have invaded England. My surname (which I'm afraid I'm not giving away) has indications that I may descend from Danish origins.
In addition to all that I admire the way Denmark operates, and the actions they have taken on world events (the Second World War in particular).
So when it comes to travel favourites: Denmark for country, Paris for city closely followed by Venice (but as Venice is unique I give it a category of its own!) and mode of transport the Simplon Orient Express.

[joan1]

Gitte, that is so cheap,, I am just on the wrong continent,, no doubt about it!

[mez]

**sigh**
I am extremely envious, but there is no reason to feel guilty. In fact, you should give yourself a pat on the back for going so often. I would think most people would not bother because they think it's relatively close and they can do it another time (although that time never comes).

One of the reasons I love Europe and the UK is the everything is just so close once you are there. You really need to be a determined traveller to travel regularly from Australia. Taking cost out of the equation, it's the time it takes to get there!! Even after 24-odd hours of travel, I still step off the plane with the biggest grin on my face.

Mez (78 days until I reach London, 106 until I reach Paris)

[geordy]

"sigh..sigh.."

Checked airfares today and they have gone up(!) for the time period I was looking at!!!

I must be vigilant..or vigilent!! Whatever.

Maybe I'll wind up going through Iceland afteralll!

[Happygoin]

geordy, I saw in the Boston Globe yesterday, that Icelandair is having a summer sale. One way to Paris $368 !! That's up there...