I have been to wonderful "weekend" Slow Travel GTGs the last two weekends, but no more scheduled for a while... I can't stop thinking about all the great ST people and the fun of the last two weeks.
A couple of people have posted about the possibility of some sort of "really big" GTG that we would schedule a year or more in advance-- definitely a "destination GTG" that might draw people from all over.
I thought I would start a thread where we could explore ideas and thoughts about this.
My gosh...I can't get any work done.....I'm always dreamin' on this website....I'd love to attend a GTG...how about Europe? Just let me know the time and place!!!
I was thinking of using my airmiles for Florida this winter, but maybe I'll save them for this. Sounds like a lot of fun! Where in the world should we meet?
Thanks for putting this in its own "home" so to speak. I think that this is really an idea worth exploring, and since we are now in November 2006, the idea of 2008 is just not that far ahead. As I said on another thread, I would be more than happy to be part of a steering committee; my organizational skills are decent, my desire to be in charge of anything beyond Thanksgiving dinner does not exist I'm curious to see where people think this should/could be. As intriguing as Europe is, I sense that somewhere in the USA would allow more people to attend. Let the ideas flow . . .
Unluckily I agree with Marcia... a US location would be more reasonable... but my real problem (apart from finding the money for the flight ) is the time of the year... no way that I can travel during summer and part of autumn... how about a winter warm location in the US?
How about Las Vegas? It's a fun place for 2 or 3 days and there are endless possiblities for a hotel reception, many restaurant choices and entertainment venues. Best of all rooms at many hotels are reasonable. Also, there are a lot of great deals on packages to Vegas.
A good time of year for Las Vegas would be in the spring before it really heats up or toward the end of September into October. Also, if anyone wants to extend their stay and go on to another destination they would be close to California, Arizona, New Mexico, etc.
Posts: 1107 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
I'm game! And want to throw Louisville in the ring. We're a day's drive from much of the East, South and MidWest and a 2-3 hour flight from much of the country, and a hub for Southwest (cheap flights!).
Kentucky is so full of beauty and history when you get off the interstates and Louisville has a great restaurant scene and some fun, funky neighborhoods.
It's definitely not too early to start planning for 08. Thanks for getting this started Kathy.
Well, we'll be there WHEREVER it is! Palm Springs is warm year round, as is Florida, and I've never been to Louisville! I love Scottsdale, and Vegas is just a drive away! Maybe after hearing what time of year more people could/would travel, we should narrow down a month first, like April '08 (or whatever), and continue to hear people's ideas on locations.
How cool will that be! I better start writing some songs for the Slowchicks!
This would also be a great topic for one of our CHATS!
Places I'd like to go: Boston, San Francisco, Florida, Washington, NYC, South West - Vegas, Arizona, Palm Springs- any time of year. Fall of 2008 anywhere in Italy. J.
I second the doing the big GTG in Europe and precisely France (already the worlds top tourist destination for many years) i will be traveling late 2007 to NY but in 2008 i wont go back again to US.
What about Charley's idea to rent a castle somewhere in Europe for a GTG!! I liked that thought!
Winter locations that would be great and warm are Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC.. Beautiful small cities that have a great deal to offer. Ofcourse any place in Europe would be great as well!
Originally posted by LoveItaly: How about Las Vegas? It's a fun place for 2 or 3 days and there are endless possiblities for a hotel reception, many restaurant choices and entertainment venues. Best of all rooms at many hotels are reasonable. Also, there are a lot of great deals on packages to Vegas.
A good time of year for Las Vegas would be in the spring before it really heats up or toward the end of September into October. Also, if anyone wants to extend their stay and go on to another destination they would be close to California, Arizona, New Mexico, etc.
I liked Carole's idea of Las Vegas. There is something there for everyone. Because of conventions, September and October might be expensive hotel-wise. I think the least expensive times for Vegas hotels (excluding the actual holidays) are November, December and the first part of January.
Another idea might be Napa/Sonoma Valleys. Lots of wineries to visit, wonderful restaurants, lots of hotels, and really beautiful countryside. September or October there for the wine harvest would be fun.
Nancy
Posts: 1367 | Location: SoCal - Cherry Valley CA | Registered: 15 February 2004
What about Charley's idea to rent a castle somewhere in Europe for a GTG!! I liked that thought!
I'm still up for that one too - who says we can't do a weekend GTG on this side of the pond that lots of us could come to - and a blow out castle rental too! We (like lots of others) have our 2007 travel booked so now's the time to get 08 on the radar.
The idea of a warm(ish) location in the winter has its appeal - a GTG to plan for, look forward to, and then enjoy during those dreary winter months (hmm, can you tell which is not my favorite season?)
Why do I have the feeling that this topic has the makings of the longest thread ever?
Thanks for getting the ball rolling, Kathy!
Sharon
Posts: 205 | Location: Silicon Valley, California | Registered: 08 November 2003
Originally posted by MarciaB: As intriguing as Europe is, I sense that somewhere in the USA would allow more people to attend. Let the ideas flow . . .
Marcia I think you may be right about this.
I like the idea of Napa/Sonoma, or Vegas, or Palm Springs, or Boston, or New York, or Savannah, or Charleston or.......
Fall or Spring might allow some of the European members to attend.
Who is taking this on?? It would be a huge undertaking.
I would certainly be happy to contribute in some way - so long as it did not involve writing songs or (horrors) singing!
Sheena
Posts: 2263 | Location: West Vancouver, B.C. Canada | Registered: 28 February 2004
Thanks for starting this thread, Kathy. It's NEVER too early to start the planning (which we know we all love), and already the response speaks volumes!!!
You really bit me with the castle idea - that would be amazing!
Another idea to just float out there is to center the GTG somewhere on the East Coast of the US (and not just because it's near to me). What I'm thinking is that a GTG in this area would really be a mid-way point (in terms of travelling time and possibly costs) between all of those travelling from the West Coast, and all of those coming across from Europe. Maybe a major hub, like Washington DC, NYC, Boston, Miami, or Philadelphia , that would be serviced by most major carriers.
One of the main reasons I suggested Las Vegas is because of the cost. We need to be mindful that a lot ST's will be on a tight budget and we want as many of you to be able to attend as possible. Washington DC, Boston, New York City and Napa Valley are pricey places to stay. Las Vegas offers great deals on just about everything because they want you there to gamble but, of course, you don't have to gamble but can take advantage of all the incentives they offer to get you into the casinos. Also, you don't need a car and can pretty much walk the entire strip where all the action is.
Posts: 1107 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
Wow, what fun! We'd be up for something in the U.S. the first half of '08 but we'll be in England (yeah!!) starting that fall and wouldn't be able to travel back here.
A warm place in the winter months would be great, or maybe Montreal or Quebec City where the dollar, euro and pound love to visit.
Brenda
Posts: 466 | Location: suburb west of Boston | Registered: 27 May 2005
I, personally, would rather stick needles in my eyes than go to Las Vegas! It's so anti-slow travel in my book. I kinda get the willies just thinking about it! (Yes, I've been. I think I have PTSD from it. )
Yes, I'm a snob. Sue me.
I liked Pauline's orginal idea of a big GTG in Europe. It seems in keeping with what Slow Travel is all about. I'd find a way to be part of it for sure. It gives us all something to work towards...
I'd also be game for a big blow out NYC one as I think that could be utterly fabulous.
Since so many of our European ST members are in the travel and tourism business, we should consider choosing an off-season month so that they have at least a chance of joining us (no matter what side of the pond).
I'd vote for a warm weather destination in January.
It would be a great way to get over the post-holiday blues.
I'd also suggest that we pick a destination with an international airport that hosts many different airlines.
Perhaps Atlanta?
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5000 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
Regarding Vegas... I used to have to speak at a convention in Vegas every year on the 1st weekend of December. It was also my birthday weekend, so we always made it a special trip.
We stayed in an extended stay hotel off the strip and we sought out great restaurants. (My favorite Thai restaurant ever is in Vegas.
Vegas is a wonderful place to visit without ever stepping foot in a casino or attending a show.
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 5000 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
Early March. Warmer than January, still slow season, but a while after the hubbub of the holidays.
Also - get a place to "take over." A place where there are a few condos, all with kitchens - something of that sort. A slowtrav "compound."
I think Terry is right in that the east coast is a good place to do this, as people can come from all over (except Australia) in the same sort of amount of time.
Of course, if Pauline and Steve are living in the UK at that point, we could always do it there. I will help plan and cook as needed.
Slow Travel Talk 
) is the time of the year... no way that I can travel during summer and part of autumn... how about a winter warm location in the US?
, that would be serviced by most major carriers.
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