Thanks everyone for your wonderful warm wishes. I'm definitely not over jet lag yet (I've already attmepted this sentence three times!) but will at least start sharing with you. Planning a trip is always so exciting for me, and sharing afterwords is also such fun!

We flew Air France first class using ff miles(with the wonderful help of Awardplanner!). It was perfect. Flight to Paris was on one of the new 777's. Absolutely gorgeous first class cabin that only seats/sleeps 8. Knew it would be a great flight when beautiful pajamas were presented along with champagne on a silver tray before take off! Have flown first class before but never with turn down service!! It was definitely the way to fly.

We were in Paris for just one night, Christmas Eve. Weather was sunny and cold and the lights on the Champs were magical! We stayed at the George V Four Seasons and it was worth every extravagent euro! The flower arrangements are incredible as is the service and of course the accommodations!

We didn't want to have a huge dinner that night...so ate at a nearby bistro called Chez Andre. It was fantastic! Small, charming, and the best steak tartare I've ever had! Would definitely return next trip!

I'm starting to fall asleep at the computer so will continue later! Bye for now!

Sounds like you were off to a great start on your Air France first class tixs!!!! More More

Bonnie

What a great start. The Georges V is supposed to be an incredible hotel. The flight sounded wonderful too.

Yes, we were off to an incredible start...and Kathy, the George V was everything I had anticipated...and I definitely had high expectations!!

Funny aside.... I travel with all carry on (more details about that later),and I had a very large 'purse' that was a cheap thing I had hoped to replace in Shanghai...anyway, just before departure in Paris, the thing ripped :eek: . There I was in the lobby of the George V asking the concierge for duck tape. (OK, now I know why everyone sings the praises of duck tape!)Anyway, the conceirge didn't have a clue about duck tape (probably the only blip :rolleyes: in the service at that incredible hotel!) but stood there in the lobby trying desperately to reconstruct this stupid purse with scotch tape!! The only comment I could make to him as he tried so hard to accommodate me was that regrettably it was Christmas day and LV was closed! ;) Really wanted a picture of that scene!!

That is too funny Bonnie..
I would have loved to see the concierges face when you asked him for "duck" tape..
I am sure he had visions of you wanting:

Bonnie,

Really looking forward to the rest of your trip!


Re:"duck" tape; The Container Store sells Flat Packs of Duct Tape, easy to pack and available for these emergencies! I bought it last year and haven't had to use.

In 2001, We arrived in Dublin at the beginning of a month-long trip/cruise and DH's suitcase was partially ripped at the zipper. We did find "crazy glue" at the hardware store, but I would never have had the patience to do it as he did!

It has held well, as I have used this case on 2 subsequent cruises, so maybe "crazy glue" and flat pack duct tape should be in everyone's emergency stash!

Hey gf, I think you're right! And I just realized ...it's DUCT tape... not ducK tape....duhhhhh :rolleyes: Maybe that's why the concierge didn't have a clue (GLUE???)

We call it duck tape around here too - would I have known it if I typed it??? not sure thanks Kathy -

Maybe it's a Southern thang " - T vs. K?? (And I don't think I have a Southern accent!! - reared in Miami)

We both say duck - from Ct and WI - BUT I say roof and he says ruff...couch or sofa? Joanna

Love the duct tape story! We'll be in Paris end of May through June 10. I think we ought to consider taking along a roll!

I actually think there is a brand of it called "Duck tape"! Bonnie, did I read this right, you traveled to China with just a carry on??

I think that is what Bonnie said (carry ons) - More ifo please???

Yup...CARRY ON ONLY!! Read my "throw as you go" post...........really it makes total sense to me. And please understand, I live in Boca Raton...the 'dress to kill' capital of the world..BUT, and it is a big 'but'...when I travel, simplicity is a major priority for me. Most of my friends do think I'm nuts, but I hate to get bogged down and as I said on the other post, we barely made it thru the last leg of our China trip.and doing carry on saved us tons of time....plus, when we're going thru three or four cities...packing, unpacking, finding and checking your luggage at the airports, etc, etc, becomes a royal pain for me...sooooo....woolite and donations to local charities are so much more logical for me! And as Denise said on another post,,,it does make sense if you get in the right head. But my friends also think I'm a bit crazy :rolleyes:

I am still not getting this. Let's say you are gone for a week. How do you get a weeks worth of tossable clothes in a carry on? Not to mention your toiletries??

One of my cruise friends does it too. She takes two pair of pants, tank top/camisoles, two jackets/cardigans - all mix and match - and a bunch of scarves and costume jewelery. She uses hotel toiletries and a very minimum of makeup.

One man (single) wore the same pair of cargo pants for our entire Italy trip (yuck)without washing them. They were so filthy by the end of the tour. He had one duffle bag with him and he had maybe two shirts. He did not go to dinner with us when a coat was required.

Bonnie, I also agree with the carry on logic....unless we are on a long cruise or ski trip. The comfort level of knowing your stuff will be there is a huge psychological thing for this worrier! I am cruising with my daughter in March and will be doing the carry on then. I have not considered the "throw as you go" notion except underwear, socks and sneakers. Will reconsider things going to Salvation Army and try your system. It sounds great!
Cheers, Pam
PS How do you do this on a cruise?

Kathy, That man wearing just one pair of unwashed cargo pants and two shirts for the entire tour is flat out disgusting. I would imagine he was very "ripe" by the time your tour concluded. Probably the reason he toured as a single!

Bonnie, I'm so impressed with taking just a carry-on on your trips. We haven't reached that point yet, but have really downsized for our last two trips. I just got tired of taking loads of things I invariably never wore. Hopefully, we get to the carry-on point soon. I hate schlepping loads of luggage.