Shannon: should we get started on today's topic...
Shannon: Is anyone in the room planning a trip to an "alternative" destination?
MarciaB: No
jgk: none here
Shannon: here either
Marian: Not as of now
chiaro di luna: no
Kim: does Vermont count?
Marian: But I have no trips planned yet at all
Kim: lol
jgk: Well, for us--we are starting out in Abruzzo
Kim: abruzzo is beautiful
MarciaB: I think my 2008 is pretty much booked already, that said, I would go if I could
Marian: I am thinking about Calabria, maybe
Shannon: Have you made reservations yet Jan?
Pokey: no alternartve destinations here
MarciaB: And Cabo is not an alternative destination either, but it is a family reunion trip
Kim: i just read kevin widrow's trip report for India which sounds amazing
Kim: airfare is probably a killer though
Shannon: Wow I need to read that one
Marian: Are Cabo's hotel prices cheaper than Italy?
MarciaB: Mindy, hope to catch you out here in CA
jgk: Yes--all reserved and it's not so cheap hotel wise. I'm really hoping to conserve on eating out and probably drinking house wine sometimes
chiaro di luna: we have booked cruise out of LA-Mex. in a week and half now. savannah for 5 days. and italy for 19 days
MarciaB: We are staying at an all-inclusive Marian, for the total vacation part, but we did get a good deal since it's a newly opened hotel.
Pokey: 19 days, ahhhh, a dream!
Shannon: how much is all inclusive? Does that include wine and margeritas?
suncoast: Craig's in charge this year so I have no idea where or if were going anywhere.
chiaro di luna: 2 of the days in Italy includes traveling
MarciaB: Yep, all the booze, including room service, restaurants on the grounds and swim up bars - my children are in heaven since this is a gift.
suncoast: Asia is supposed to be a bargain, but damn if I could sit on a plane for 36 hours.
Pokey: 17 days, ahhhh, a dream!
chiaro di luna: our dollar is at par but it still cost me 4.00 to buy 200 US
chiaro di luna: when? are you going to Cabo, Marcia
MarciaB: We're going in August, in the heat, best time for all the teachers/students in this group.
suncoast: Um is Cabo in Mexico?
Shannon: good thing you'll be near the water.
MarciaB: Total vacation - no meal planning, etc, for a week.
chiaro di luna: cabo is a stop on our cruise but I understand it will not be warm enough to swim when i go
jgk: I went to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico a couple of summers ago. It was a great summer place. Gorgeous, cool weather and Mexico cheap
MarciaB: Cabo is at the tip of Baja California, Ginger.
suncoast: Got it
Shannon: Has anyone been to Mexico City?
chiaro di luna: no
MarciaB: But you will see whales, June.
jgk: no
jgk: We flew into Leon
chiaro di luna: yes, i am going on that excusion by boat to see seals etc by rocks
MarciaB: Sorry you don'thave more time in LA.
suncoast: No, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Cozumel
chiaro di luna: yes, since we are going to savannah in tax season we couldn't take anymore time in LA
Shannon: Well, it is Spain for me in 2009 - I think it is still very reasonable there!
MarciaB: Impressed that you can get to Savannah in tax season.
Marian: Where in Spain are you going, Shannon
Shannon: Esp. if you eat tapas.
Shannon: Madrid, then east to Valencia and up the coast
MarciaB: More paradors?
MarciaB: paradores
suncoast: How much is airfare to Spain and where do you fly into?
Shannon: I think so! Except the cities.
chiaro di luna: have you been to spanish islands shannon? they are nice too
Marian: I stayed at a resort on the Costa Brava a few summers ago, or maybe as far back as 2000.
chiaro di luna: menorca is one of my fav.
MarciaB: Alternative for us might be one of teachick's Guatemala adventures, if she really gets that going
Shannon: I would like to check out Mallorca
Marian: It was pretty, but the friend I was travelling with hated it.
chiaro di luna: I stayed on Mallorca for a week and it was really cheap to eat etc.
suncoast: Why?
Palma: Just popped in to say Hi and lurk for a few minutes
Marian: Which kind of spoiled it
Shannon: Why?
Marian: Why did she hate it? She's a bad sport when it comes to places she doesn't like.
MarciaB: I understand that the Costa Brava is a long string of resorts, is that true?
Shannon: ah - not my idea of a traveling companion
suncoast: What didn't she like? Everything? The weather? The food? What?
Marian: Nor mine.
chiaro di luna: driving around Mallorca was beautiful and same with Menorca and nice beaches
Shannon: Another area I found very reasonable was the Loire Valley
Marian: She's really not a seacoast person. I thought the beach was pretty.
Kim: I think DavidX just did a trip report for Mallorca recently
Pokey: I would definitely consider a teachick/Guatemala yoga retreat
chiaro di luna: Mallorca has caves, Br. pubs, big catherdral in old town of Palma
suncoast: The only reason the Loire is reasonable is because there is next to no shopping. It's the exact opposite of Venice.
Shannon: Palma has a town named after her?
Marian: I would be surprised if the Loire Valley is inexpensive. It's such a popular area, and has been for so long.
suncoast: I loved it though
jgk: Isn't Guatemala really hot?
MarciaB: Funny thing, David has said he would go to Guatemala, but I suspect there would be more cerveza sipping than yoga for him.
Shannon: no, we lived very cheaply there.
chiaro di luna: how does it work...when you offer a business in another country? do you need a permit /
Marian: So the Loire Valley is cheap because you don't buy things there?
Shannon: But we ate dinner at home.
Palma: I would love to go there for obvious reasons (a coffee mug with my name on it...)
MarciaB: Kathy said it was just warm in January.
suncoast: Nothing but food. of regional food.
Pokey: Jan, probably, but as long as there is AC and plenty of iced drinks, I'm happy.
MarciaB: 70's, I think she said.
chiaro di luna: I've been to costa rica - pacific beach and inland and it was hot in March...80+
suncoast: I came home from the Loire with a tablecloth and 2 pillows.
suncoast: I came home from Venice with a ring, murano glasses, purses, jewelry, blah blah blah
Marian: I've been there a few times (Loire Valley) and don't recall buying anything. But lots of great wine and cheeses.
suncoast: Costa Rica would be affordable for us.
Marian: To eat and drink there.
Shannon: I bought a squishy knight outfit for my nephew
MarciaB: Palma, cover your ears, but I think one of the ways to save money, really, is not shopping a lot, and after several trips, I do shop less (ok, a set of dishes was outside that box).
Pokey: ahh, you're a good auntie!!
Palma: I agree, Marcia
Shannon: speaking of buying things, it is always fun to shop at flea markets
jgk: I really don't shop much
Shannon: hi Amy!
Amy: Happy Thursday, all
jgk: Our biggest expense is usually restaurants
bugalu: You can spend a fortune just buying little trinkets to bring home to people
Marian: Nor do I shop much. I have all the "stuff" a person could need.
suncoast: The expensive part of the Loire was the chateau entry fees, they don't offer any kind of pass.
Shannon: I've got some really cool stuff at the flea markets in Venice
Amy: I bought *nothing* in London
Palma: I didn't even shop in Paso! (except the "Group Therapy" t-shirt
bugalu: flea market are a good idea - and fun
suncoast: Marian, you can't, you got rid of lot's of stuff when you moved.
Palma: Nor did we buy cases of wine
Palma: Saving, saving saving...
bugalu: smartm... London is outrageous right now
Shannon: it is really not worth it to buy much wine now
Kim: we bought a lot of wine in paso
Shannon: Every time I buy wine I get home and find out I could get the same thing here
Palma: right
Marian: Yes, Ginger, and so I get a feeling of, well, revulsion, when I look in store windows and see "stuff", no matter how pretty.:">
MarciaB: And we don't buy wine in Italy, just the thought of shipping or shlepping that makes David crazy. We drink it there and drink whatever we can get here, but then we live in California.
KHB: or how about the prices of wine at the Albertson's in Paso!
Shannon: was it expensive?
Shannon: the wine at albertsons?
KHB: no, it was cheap!
Palma: They were cheaper than the winery
Palma: It was GREAT
Shannon: yes, it is usually that way
chiaro di luna: okay, where is albertsons by san pedro pier in la
MarciaB: I remember thinking that about wine at the Long's drugstore in Santa Cruz.
suncoast: I think that once you have travelled the excitement of buying things wears off, except, of course for Palma.
KHB: great selection too
Palma: You guys...I get my Xmas shopping done
MarciaB: June, do you fly home straight from the ship?
Marian: Well, I only drink one bottle at a time so I think I now have a year's supply of wine. Wine store down the block, maybe not the very best wine in the world but good enough.
Shannon: PALMA! :O
suncoast: I hate you.
chiaro di luna: No, but I want to buy some wine before I cruise and drop the car off by the pier
MarciaB: Palma, I have given up that kind of shopping too.
Palma: No...not for next year, but when on a trip to Italy
Shannon: I misread that - I thought you were Xmas shopping NOW!
suncoast: Every year it gets harder and harder to buy presents.
Vico Girl: I too like Palma like Xmas shopping in Italy
Marian: I'm retired and Jewish, so no workplace gifts and no family gifts so POOOF, no Xmas shopping at all.
chiaro di luna: gift cert;
bugalu: I have never been good about storing stuff till christmas
Palma: Since we have no kids and no family, we are very good to our close friends.
suncoast: Oh okay, I really do love ya.
KHB: I subscribe to the belief that if you start too early, you spend too much
jgk: Xmas shopping in Albertsons???
Palma: and they appreciate it
MarciaB: You'll be in LA, you should go to a BevMo and buy some wine there.
Vico Girl: yeahhh she is
Shannon: too early and too late both
Amy: You can always convert...*grin*
Palma: Then I don't get all jammed up in Nov and Dec
MarciaB:
chiaro di luna: where is bevmo? staying in bel air before cruise
KHB: yes, you don't want to be shopping the weekend before xmas
Palma: more time to bake cookies
Vico Girl: I xmas shop in June
jgk: Krista, I really agree about starting too early
Marian: Yep, Amy, but then who would you eat Chinese food with on Xmas?
MarciaB: I would have to Google it for you, but I'm sure there is one between LAX and your hotel
Shannon: how did we get on this topic? Alternative destination - Albertson's?
Vico Girl: I'm confused
suncoast: I shop all year round if I see something I think is for a specific person.
chiaro di luna: need to buy wine in 1 and half weeks
MarciaB: It's always about wine Shannon.
KHB: it's only the Albertsons in Paso that has a great selection of local wines
Amy: OK. Where can I go for a cheap week the last week of July?????
bugalu: i have bought wine at the grocery store in Italy
Shannon: This year I'm going to Albertson's for my vacation
suncoast: Naples, Florida
Amy: Heh
Shannon: how far do you want to go, Amy?
Marian: Florida
Kim: Amy in this country or out?
Pokey: exactly Shannon, go to albertsons
Vico Girl: Florida is cheap then
jgk: Maine?
Amy: Anywhere. I may just see where we can get ff tickets
Kim: Vermont
Vico Girl: hurricane season brings the $$ down
Shannon: I did rent a cottage in Maine in the summer once and it was pretty cheap
KHB: shouldn't Kathy be here to tell us about Guatemala - or did I miss that?
Amy: Going to Sanibel next week
bugalu: that is true Ida
Marian: Nice, Amy
Pokey: Amy, did you and Larry go to Paris for his big BDay yet?
Amy: Maine is a weekend destination for us--not too exotic
Vico Girl: sanibel is nice
Amy: Mindy, we went to London
suncoast: Thanks for letting me know I will start driving in the morning and maybe I'll make it by Friday.
Marian: I realized when I was heading for Paso Robles that I hadn't been on a plane in a year!
Palma: This is interesting to me, because I can’t wrap my mind around going somewhere JUST because it is cheap. I would rather WAIT, and SAVE, and go where I want, or go less often...or just travel domestically (the GTG circuit)!
Pokey: oh, oops.
Amy: LOL Ginger
Vico Girl: ugh oh GTG
Amy: It's the timing, Mindy. I'll probably only have 1 kid-free week this year
bugalu: GTG=got to go
Shannon: It's not a question of cheap - just more reasonable
suncoast: Last time Amy was here it took me almost FOUR FRIGGEN HOURS to go about 40 miles, because of traffic.
bugalu: not get to gether!
MarciaB: Do you want to fly or drive Amy?
Pokey: I kind of feel the same way Palma. Even if it's every other year I go to Italy.
jgk: Amy--just don't take the shells
Palma: Sure if it is still on your top 5 list (or three or whatever)
KHB: I only go to Europe every other year
suncoast: Well with Trinket we need to stay in the States.
Pokey: Ginger, you and Craig need to come back up to Boston and spend more time.
MarciaB: We are going to go as often as we can until the FF miles run out, then we're in trouble.
suncoast: ILOVEDBOSTON!!!!!
Amy: We've got that first college bill Aug 09
MarciaB: FF miles are my way of saving $$ for now.
Marian: Boston is good
bugalu: I love boston too!
Palma: I work an extra day a week at a side job, to go to Italy..
jgk: California is great in the summer, Amy
KHB: there's also the time factor, if you only have a week, it's not worth it to go somewhere far
Shannon: me too Marcia - part of it at least!
suncoast: I especially like the deals you can get on banannas.
Luisa: Macia, how did you rack up all those ff miles
MarciaB: Yes, you would have a great time in CA, sans kids, for a week.
Marian: bananas?
Amy: Hee. He'll never live that down
Pokey: LOL ginger
chiaro di luna: I use my cc to buy everything an see those ff miles add up fairly quickly
Amy: We have a ton of ff miles, due to L's trips this year
MarciaB: We have miles, mostly because we charge everything we can to an AA card,
jgk: Same with us--everything on AmEX
Luisa: I do that too, but am only at 154K which don't even get you bus class to Italy
bugalu: me to Jan!
suncoast: We used our miles for the car in the Loire, hey that rhymes.
MarciaB: David doesn't travel much, but this year we will also have miles from trips to Savannah, Toronto and Cabo.
Marian: I use my Amex as much as possible. Also I have lots of Marriott points. But I don't want to go anywhere and stay in a Marriott.
Pokey: Jeesh, airfare to Calif. is almost as expensive to Europe! I have to fly into Orange county and that is more expensive than flying into San diego or LA
Amy: I put my tuition on the card for ff miles
Marian: Unless I take my granddaughter to a Disney place.
Shannon: Marriott points come in handy that last night near the airport
Shannon: ooo Marian, coming to Anaheim anytime soon?
MarciaB: If we could have only put tuition for 3 kids at the UC on our card, we would have miles until forever, or so it seems.
Marian: But airport Marriotts use up SO Many points
chiaro di luna: some hotel cards let you transfer points to ff miles
Palma: never enough time, $, or miles!
Luisa: did palma tell you have beautiful it is in the desert today
Shannon: Amy, if you come to San Diego there are some nice places here at the beach to stay and I will cook for you and make you mojitos.
MarciaB: and we only fly American, pretty much, so there are miles in loyalty
Palma: no, Lou
Amy: That's just mean, Shannon
Palma: high 70s next week
Marian: It's nice in NJ today too.
Shannon: OK Pina Coladas then.
Kim: i was cold
Luisa: it is supposed to hit high 70s by weekend, yeaaaa
Amy: I put 17 kids into snowpants
MarciaB: Amy, I can offer you any of 3 bedrooms at Casa B - Huntington Library, downtown LA, and margaritas.
KHB: the weekend is supposed to be nice here
Marian: Really? It was 50 something and sunny here.
Palma: good 'cause Saturday's dinner res. is outside on the terrace
jgk: We don't take our kids out when it's under 40, Amy
Pokey: we had light snow here today too Amy
Palma: I don't go out under 40, Jan
KHB: Amy, if you come to Santa Barbara, we'll have wine and cheese
MarciaB: Palma, it's still cold at night, isn't it?
Palma: yes
Pokey: i remember when I was under 40
Palma: lol, Mindy
Marian: Krista, do they have cheese in California?
Luisa: we had company last week from oregon and weren't too happy with our cold weather
MarciaB: Look, we just planned a week of GTG's for Amy on her vacation.
jgk: I don't remember
MarciaB: Oh no, not cheese.
Amy: Yah! And guestrooms, too! We'll be right over
Palma: great Marriotts in the desert
Pokey: Amy, if you come to Quincy, I'll.....ummmmm.......pour you a glass of Quincy water.
Kim: it was overcast and cooler here
bugalu: Mindy!! LOL
Amy: LO, Mindy. Quincy water is Da Bomb
MarciaB: Oh, and summer, there are Dodger games and the Hollywood Bowl
Marian: I'm not a resort person...so would not have much fun in the California desert.
Palma: Kim should get some perfect desert weather in March
MarciaB: I agree, March is really nice in the desert
Luisa: we have lots of houseguests march and april
KHB: March can still be a bit chilly on the coast
MarciaB: I don't know, Marian, there are some lovely places to walk in the desert, good food, too
Marian: Thinking about alternative places...and deserts....I see a trip to Israel in the relatively near future for me.
Kim: Palma, I can't wait
KHB: Is Israel expensive?
Amy: I'd love to go back to the Southwest, but July would be horrible. But no snowpants!
Palma:
Kim: Marian - March 09
Shannon: Santa Fe is great in July.
Kim: Actually early april
Shannon: love the thunderstorms.
Marian: That's a good time, Kim. Not too hot, early spring.
Amy: Israel isn't really expensive, but prices have risen over the past 2 years as tourists have come back
MarciaB: And I would love to go back to Israel, but I think it's out of my budget at the moment.
Kim: krista - expensive to get there, not so bad on the ground
KHB: I would love to go there
Marian: The hotels are not too expensive, and I would probably toy with the idea of renting an apartment.
MarciaB: What time of year would you go?
Kim: i would love to rent an apartment but i don't think chris will go for it
Amy: Gorgeous in the Fall
Marian: Haven't been since summer 2000. I was at Megiddo in THE desert. Talk about hot!
MarciaB: I like the apartment idea for there, feeling like you live there.
Kim: yeah - i'd want one near that big market in jerusalem
Amy: When I've gone is February, it was in the upper 60's both years
Amy: Went to the Beach in Haifa last Feb
Marian: I would love to see the flowers in the early spring.
Palma: Shannon, what is your favorite month in Venice? (If it were free) Just curious.
KHB: and how's the food in Israel?
Amy: Fantastic, usually
Marian: Good fresh veggie stuff. Lots of good fish.
Shannon: May!
KHB: I think May is favorite month anywhere
Palma: yes, me too. Love those birthday trips
Marian: We have a "May in Montclair" celebration that draws people from all over......Essex County, NJ.
KHB: my anniversary is in May, that should be a good excuse for a trip then
MarciaB: So some year, when I don't have a school calendar vacation schedule, so going to travel in May.
bugalu: May will be my favorite month this year
Amy: Marcia, you and me both
Palma: I was on the teacher schedule SO long, I am really liking travel in May and Sept
Pokey: wow, I have to get going too. Survivor starts tonight. SlowTrav Survivor.....not being able to buy anything while in Italy. who would survive? LOL
MarciaB: I have offered to retire . . .
Shannon: bye Mindy...
Amy: ST Survivor-Oh, we could have a good time with that...
KHB: SlowTrav Survivor - now that's one I'd watch!
Marian: Luisa, what is your next trip?
Luisa: I am going to Lake Tahoe end of march and mex riviera cruise in april that is about it
Barb (and Art): couldn't sleep and remembered the chat! Hi!
KHB: Wow, hi Barb!
MarciaB: How's winter in Umbria?
Barb (and Art): so where's everyone going this year?
Barb (and Art): winter in umbria is pretty mild this year...so far!
Amy: I think my bathtub, given the exchange rate
Luisa: i would love to go back to italy, but the euro is sooo bad
Marian: Anyone here ever been to Calabria?
Luisa: no, but i'm willing to try it
KHB: I'm going to be staying pretty close to home this year, LA, San Diego, etc.
Barb (and Art): as you all know, the main reason we're moving back to the states from Italy is so that we can travel more...even if that means just travelling in the states
MarciaB: We are going to Italy in June, Barb, but fighting the $$ with FF miles, a shorter trip and a promise of no shopping.
Amy: Vancouver in late August, then Alaska
Barb (and Art): where will you go marcia?
Marian: I really will probably be staying close to home, too. I am still in a "nesting" mode and need to get it out of my system.
bugalu: Savannah!
Luisa: you can put in a lot of miles in the states attending GTGs
Barb (and Art): we won't be able to make it to Savannah!
KHB: Oh, I wish I could make it to Savannah, is everyone here going?
Shannon: I'm going to Savannah ON miles
Amy: I can't either--sadly, it's a terrible weekend for me
MarciaB: This is our southern trip; David has Pompeii on his bucket list, so we will spend a few days in Rome, then down the Amalfi Coast and finish with 4 days near Orvieto.
bugalu: We'll be there!
Luisa: me, either, have houseguests at that time
Marian: Marcia, when are you going?
Shannon: I would really love to go to Pompeii - I bet Naples is a great alternative destination
MarciaB: We're going to Savannah, and also to Toronto for a May weekend - David has a med school reunion.
Marian: Some people like Naples, but I hear others don't.
MarciaB: Marian, going the last two weeks of June.
KHB: I loved Pompeii, but we stayed in Sorrento, so I never really saw Naples
Shannon: I think I would like it if I were with someone.
Barb (and Art): we've been so lucky to have a friend who's a flight attendant and she lets us use buddy passes....$100 per person per way, so $400 RT +taxes for a trip to the states. If it wasn't for that, we couldn't afford to go back to visit.
Luisa: my father in law was born there
MarciaB: Not going to Naples, doing Pompeii from Sorrento and then on to Positano.
Marian: (That was an attempt at a little joke.....)
KHB: Oh, I used to use those passes before my brother in law retired... those were the days
Amy: We know, dear. *grin*
Barb (and Art): sounds great Marcia....but maybe hot! Altho you all had plenty hot here in Umbria last summer!
Shannon: Marian.
KHB: Marcia, you'll LOVE Positano, though the no shopping rule will be a challenge
MarciaB: We have always had hot, except for the April trip in '05 to visit our daughter. It's what I know.
MarciaB: Krista, we are staying where you and Steve stayed in Positano.
Shannon: The Amalfi coast - eating and rooms - is it possible to live reasonably?
Barb (and Art): once we're back in the states I'd love to come to Italy in Oct/Nov...and leave with some new oil!
KHB: oh, right, the Hotel California - love that place!
MarciaB: Maybe the no shopping rule will have to change to less shopping, I have considered that option.
Marian: Go to the Cilento instead of the AMalfi coast, unless you want to shop. Same gorgeous beaches and much much cheaper. And less crowded.
KHB: maybe just a couple little pieces of pottery
Amy: Call it Christmas shopping!
MarciaB: Maybe just a couple , a Hanukah present for me.
Marian: Now there's an alternative destination ----- maybe I'll go myself!
Shannon: Where is Cilento? Sorry for not knowing this.
MarciaB: We like pizza and vino di casa.
Marian: South of Salerno.
MarciaB: This is not going to be a "foody" vacation either.
Barb (and Art): what about Spain for a cheaper vacation??? Shannon, didn't you go last year?
Marian: Where the Villa Trotta is, but I would not again go to such an isolated spot.
KHB: I don't think Spain is cheap anymore
Luisa: is portugal cheap?
MarciaB: The new issue of Budget Traveler had a feature article on Portugal, at least a part of it.
Shannon: It's cheaper than Italy, IMO - not Barcelona though.
Marian: Deborah says I have to go to Lisbon
Shannon: me too, let's go together
Barb (and Art): I'd still like to go back to Turkey!
Marian: I loved Barcelona when I was there, but it is not cheap.
Amy: Lisbon is a fantastic city
Shannon: GTG in Lisbon
KHB: yes, I'd love to do a Portugal and Spain vacation
Shannon: Madrid is cheap.
MarciaB: I say let's have Deborah plan this trip and I would be packed! in a flash.
Luisa: cheaper than barcelona
KHB: I LOVE Madrid!
Amy: Barb, I'd love to get back to Turkey
Marian: There's a big Portuguese population near here. And many, many of them have second homes on the beach near Lisbon.
Barb (and Art): I think it's still cheap
Shannon: I'd love to check out Turkey. Dang, there just isn't enough time.
KHB: I know, you guys are killing me, I want to go to all these places
Amy: I'll bet its not as cheap as it was 20 years ago. Hotels were $20
Luisa: as you get older, time races even faster, shannon
MarciaB: So here's the thing. I keep thinking we need to explore someplace new and we're those people who have no Italian relatives, but every time I start actually thinking about another country, I think, wait, there's a lot of Italy we still haven't seen. So what to do?
Marian: I['m with you, Marcia.
KHB: Marcia I feel the same way
Luisa: me, too
Marian: Every part of Italy is like a different country.
Barb (and Art): that's the way we've been since 2000...italy, italy, italy! even before we moved here
Amy: Yeah. When I go to Europe, I like to spend a bit of time in a familiar area, and more in a new place
Marian: And i've only visited a very few.
Shannon: do you still feel the same, Barb?
MarciaB: At first, I thought I was not like that, especially with no nanas, but here we are. My heart just wants to go back. But I think if someone else planned a trip, I would be happy to go to any other country. I just only seem to plan Italy.
bugalu: I have really enjoyed having my sister in London- that would be too expensive otherwise
Barb (and Art): hard to say...we planned to see all of Italy once we moved here, and since the $$$ went to hell, we haven't seen much at all
MarciaB: Plus, David really likes pasta with his wine
KHB: Our trip last fall to Switzerland and Amsterdam, we ended up eating at a number of Italian restaurants
Barb (and Art): now I just want to live somewhere where my $$$ mean something, and to travel anyplace where I can get a decent value for my money
Shannon: Italian food is definitely the best
Marian: Yes, well, I know what you mean about "Dutch" food....
Barb (and Art): and usually cheap!
KHB: ah, but the indonesian food in Amsterdam was amazing!
MarciaB: So, maybe in 2009 I can get to the South of France, if I can also get back to oh, maybe Piemonte, too.
Shannon: Pizza, pizza, pizza... that's all I ate for a year and I loved it
KHB: Yes, Marcia, that's a great idea
Marian: Yes, that is amazing food.
Shannon: so was the Mexican food after that coffee shop (ahem)
Marian: hmm
Barb (and Art): and then there's that "other" stuff in Amsterdam that makes you WANT to eat!!!
Shannon: I would really love to go to Piedmont!
KHB: oh, is that why the indonesian food was so good??
Shannon: LOL
Barb (and Art): Piemonte is at the top of my list too, esp after reading so much about Diana's place
Marian: Me too. So many places in Italy that I want to go too. Is Valerie still doing that thing in Ascoli?
MarciaB: Amy, didn't you spend a week in Piemonte last summer?
bugalu: I would love to go there (to Diana's)
Barb (and Art): altho I don't think I can afford to stay at diana's place....maybe I can visit with her for the day!
Amy: Two weeks, Marcia. Loved it!
KHB: oh, I have to leave, but Piedmont sounds wonderful, ciao
Barb (and Art): yes, Valeris is still is Ascoli
Marian: She was starting to run little groups. Is that still on?
Amy: I think so
Barb (and Art): I think they did a few, and I think they're planning to do more...and whatever lese it takes to keep them here in Italy!
Marian: I would love to go to the Piedmont. But I have a feeling that Diana's is not a good place to be on one's own.
MarciaB: I will have to think of a more affordable Piemonte; we really enjoyed our long weekend at the Baur B&B, but I'll bet you have all heard David on the $$ concept
Shannon: Really?
Barb (and Art): you're probably right...unless you just want to stay there and be pampered!
Marian: I don't mind staying and being pampered.
Amy: There are agriturismi and rental places--not as many as in Tuscany, but thery're there
Marian: What about the $$$? Didn't hear David.
MarciaB: If you drive, being on one's own would be ok, and Aqui Terme is a decent sized town, but I think a lot of Piemonte is like that, driving to small towns, drinking wine. Amy: Marian, you would enjoy Torino
MarciaB: David enjoyed himself, thought it was expensive. He and I have a different scale.
Shannon: I think I have David's scale
Marian: Yes, sounds good to me.
MarciaB: Torino is on my list for the next trip.
Marian: You mean David, your husband that you travel with?
Marian: That didn't come out right.
Marian: Did you stay at Diana's?
MarciaB: Yes, that David. Shannon is probably closer to David's scale, so I guess I get indulged sometimes but not much.
Amy: I have David's scale, too. And my husband is known as "Cheap Larry"
MarciaB: Love it, Cheap Larry.
Marian: BTW: The hotel that Deborah and I stayed in in SF turned out to be a good deal. I will write a review.
Shannon: Hey, if you like luxury, how often do you get it, so go for it!
MarciaB: yes, Marian, we spent a lovely long weekend at Diana's last summer, but we had a car and were out much of the day. David is not a pool person, so we didn't laze around.
MarciaB: Oh, I forgot, I get a weekend in SF this July - David has a business meeting.
Marian: I like a place that I don't mind coming back to to hang out, so it needs to be pleasant.
Shannon: maybe it will be the same weekend as the Bay Area GTG
MarciaB: I asked Judy about that, and that is when she is taking her grandson on a cruise.
Shannon: I AM going to go unpack so that I can catch up on PR at 6.
MarciaB: This was good , thanks again for a great weekend.