Should I go to France

[bugslsu9]

OK, here's the situation, my brother in law is French, and he and his wife (my wife's sister) have invited us to go with them to the south of France on holiday. I am very torn. I want to go, I think we can afford it, but I am a bit nervous about it. We would be cutting it pretty close and would have virtually no life for the next 5 months. What would you do if you were in my situation?

edit for spelling

[sugarmags]

1. Go!

This is a once in a lifetime offer! I would live like a pauper and save, save, save so I could go.

Do it! You won't regret it!

[Huckebein the Raven]

2. *wishes he were you*

Definately go

:thumbsup:

[BurtWorm]

3. If you can afford it and want to go, the sooner you do, the better.

The dollar is only going to keep shrinking, making it more and more difficult for Americans to afford Europe. Sick that the only ones who will be able to afford going to France are the ones who like to claim it's America's "oldest enemy." Bastids!

[bugslsu9]

5. That is what scares me the most

I calculated based on $1.50 per Euro. I honestly do not know if that is even close to accurate, as I do not follow the currency market, so I may be way off on my calculations. Any help any of you god DU'ers can provide in this area would be very helpful.

[BurtWorm]

10. Have you been before?

If not, I would lean toward going. But then, I'd lean toward going anyweay, if I could afford it. I've never been to the southern France (below the Dordogne region), but I have been to Mediterranean Spain and it was exquisite, the best vacation I've ever had. They live life better over there.

[On the Road]

4. I Hate to Live That Close to the Bone

and Europe is very expensive this year. But...this is the best way to go. With family or friends. Preferably a native. Sharing expenses. That makes it worthwhile.

To save on airfare, try calling these guys to see if they can get you a deal on tickets.

http://wholesale-fares.com/

If there's any flexibility, earlier in the summer is cheaper. August is much more crowded than June.

[neweurope]

9. In August ALL OF FRANCE is on vacation. Literally. NEVER go

in August if you can avoid it.

---------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[bugslsu9]

13. WE Would go a bit earlier than that

I believe the second to last week in July

[Spider Jerusalem]

15. That website seems to be broken, by the way.

I'm going to be travelling later this year, myself, so I took a look at it, and no matter what destination you enter or whether you select round-trip or one-way, the price is $575.

[On the Road]

17. The Site Works for Me

Is Java disabled on your browser?

Actually, I did some comparisons and surprisingly, air fares in August were the same as June. Flying from Washington to Nice, leaving on June 15 (Wed), prices range from $375 to $515. A search in mid-August turned up similar prices.

The catch is these flights are sometimes not available. And you have to make to sure to include all taxes and surcharges. But European travel sites are often

[cyclezealot]

6. Go by all means..

we have sold our home..Living in an apartment..Cashed in our equity and plan to retire to the south of France...(Roussillon) be there next September,free to come look us up...Certainly far cheaper than southern california...Southern France..The rest of the world need be envious in that so many can live so well and enjoy what life is meant to be about.

[rogerashton]

7. Go, and check out

le Baux de Provence
Aix-en-Provence
Stes Marie de la Mer
Nice
Avignon
Wonderful place for a trip!

[neweurope]

Go! Don't worry about having "no life" for months afterwards.

You'll HAVE a life! You'll have memories to last a lifetime, lots of things to talk about, to read up on... It is SO VERY beautiful.

Go!

------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[ffm172]

8. go

France is a beautiful country and there is a lot to see. And what can be better to be touring France with a Native speaker. Makes it a hell more easier and he knows where there are places that tourists normally don't see.
Where do you wanna go by the way?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

11. Go!

Especially if you have never been overseas before.

Look, you will have an insider's view of the country, and you will see things that tourists don't usually see. You will come back with a new view of your own nation.

Plus, everything I've heard about the south of France tells me that it's one of the most civilized and pleasant places on earth, with great food and wine.

What's not to like?

[Ishoutandscream]

12. Why do you hate freedom?

nt

[DrDan]

14. GO!

A trip to Paris is a trip in itself - the museums, the history, the food - all wonderful

A trip to the South of France is a trip in itself. The casual lifestyle, the scenery, the food.

Wine country is again a trip in itself - it you are a lover of wine, you need to do this one.

All in all - France is a wonderful place to visit many times.

To make the trip a bit more enjoyable, learn a bit of the language and use it. It will be appreciated.

[GumboYaYa]

16. No question about it, GO TO FRANCE!!!!

I'm stilling paying off credit cards from the summer my wife and I spent in Aix en Provence. It was worth every penny.

[liberalhistorian]

18. I see London, I see France,

I see bugslsu9 without his underpants in France! :evilgrin:

[stopbush]

19. You need to ask? Can I go in your place? eom

[bugslsu9]

20. I'm Still doing the math

If it were totally up to me, I would go in a heartbeat, but I still need to finish the math to find out if we can afford it. I know if we can, we are going. If it'sclose, I'm not so sure. Unlike most Americans, I don't look at credit card debt as a badge of honor. I don't like it, and will not go into debt to go. But, if I can come out even, Viva le France!!!!!

By the way, can anyone help n the exchange rate between the Euro and the dollar? I do not know anything about currency, so any info from DU can help

[Logansquare]

21. Here's an online currency calculator

http://www.xe.com/ucc/

[bugslsu9]

22. Thank you!!!

I know I could count on DU

[RedCloud]

23. Don't order any freedom fries...

They are cooked with Iraqi oil!

[Donkeyboy75]

24. Use the next five months,

and learn a bit of the language. You may never have the chance to go again. Go go go go go go go go go!

[no_hypocrisy]

25. Dupe.

[no_hypocrisy]

26. Mais oui! Departez vous toute suite!

Mais, vous n'etes pas americain(e). Vous etes canadien(ne). Vous detestez Georges W. Bush. Il est un imbecil. Il est un bete noir. Now you'll have lots of new friends in France.

[uppityperson]

27. GO and check out yahoo travel for cheap tickets

They were the cheapest I found through any of the websites, worth checking on. And definetly go to France. France is cool. So what if you have to lay low at home for a while, somethings are worth it. I'm off to NW France next month for a couple wks too.

[sleipnir]

28. If you like to see women's underpants.

Rhyme time!

[Patiod]

29. Go.

I was lucky enough to get sent to Venice last year for work. Most amazing week of my life. People do live better over there. You're going to have your nose to the grindstone whether you go or not.

As people said, the dollar is only going to get weaker and weaker the longer you wait (if you're thinking "maybe we could better afford it next year")