[emersonbiggins]

I'm planning on taking what could be my final trip to Europe in late May, considering what fuel prices are going to do to commercial aviation for the middle class. I would like to visit Paris and Provence once again, perhaps stay near Avignon or Vaison-la-Romaine, and then hop down to the Cinque Terre region of NW Italy. I really don't know why I'm posting this, other than to lament about the eventual demise of affordable international travel.

Please feel free to suggest places along that general route to visit with good transit links. Thanks.

[PenultimateManStanding]

If I was to pick a spot, it would be Assam, India. That's up in the northeast. The Brahmaputra river flows down in a sharp turn from the Himalayas to nearly sea level and flows through forested terrain beneath what may be the most spectacular mountain escarpment in the world.

[frankthetank]

I leave for Cancun soon and am looking forward to seeing warm temps and green vegetation. Anyone else here travel lately? I've noticed prices seem to be cheap. I know so many people who have gone on trips this year, its insane!

[pedalling_faster]

Vacation Guidelines ~

* 4 weeks & 2 days with the wife & kids. some people will be SO GLAD to get back to work.
* Vacation Locally. if you're in san diego, perhaps check out the Zoo. if you're in Arizona, maybe have a second look at the Grand Canyon or Biosphere 2, if it still exists. if you're in SF, take the wife & kids to the Folsom Street Leather Fair.
* Take baby to park & walk around. Mom & Dad take turns pushing the baby-stroller. Meet the neighbors.
* No Air Conditioning, if possible. Use the shade. Save electricity so somebody on the other side of the world can power their water pump.
* Don't make any EXTRA babies. just proceed with the baby-making activity at the "normal rate".
* it would help if the Vatican would issue a "2 child maximum" policy, in recognition of the fact that the World does, indeed, change over time.
* do major house-cleaning. clear out the unnecessary stuff & give it to the Salvation Army. take the tax deduction ~ while you still have a job. give extra computer stuff to http://www.accrc.org/. they send you back a very detailed list which comes in very handy at tax time.
* doing the house-cleaning will make it easier if you end up having to move to get a new job.
* the goal of the vacation is to minimize energy usage, and to spend time with your family. a "No Television" rule will last 3 seconds in most households. an LCD television uses up a lot less energy, buying one of those before the vacation starts might be a good idea.
* break out the chess set. play games. have a Monopoly marathon (not by yourself, with other people.)
* sweat the Sh*t out. put on a ski parka and EXERCISE. listen to your body. if you feel your epinephrine / adrenaline precursor levels rising, it's time to rest. not so much exercise that you get a heart attack.
* left hand, right hand, Daniel-san.

in a cooperative society, i think a one month vacation would be a very good idea. it is a common-sense alternative to "swing production" - "swing energy saving".

maybe Europe's 6-week vacation/ August shutdown is one of the reasons they can live with $7 a gallon gas.

[markam]

couple of major problems with that. First, people drive more, not less when they are off work. Second, who is going to pay for that?

[Schweinshaxe]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('markam', 'S')econd, who is going to pay for that?

[Schweinshaxe]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('clover', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Schweinshaxe', 'T')ake a 10% income cut and you'll have 6 weeks vacation too.

That's how it's financed in Europe. Not exactly rocket science...

[pedalling_faster]

if the US can afford to spend hundreds of $billions to attack Iraq to seize/steal the oil, the US can afford to spend a few $billion to subsidize worker stay-at-home vacations.

[clover]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Schweinshaxe', 'T')ake a 10% income cut and you'll have 6 weeks vacation too.

That's how it's financed in Europe. Not exactly rocket science...

[Schweinshaxe]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('0mar', 'Y')our proposal would likely make consumerism shoot out the window. People like to spend money when they aren't making it. Simple as that.

[Schweinshaxe]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('markam', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P')eople like to spend money when they aren't making it

[0mar]

This is the only true solution. Your proposal would likely make consumerism shoot out the window. People like to spend money when they aren't making it. Simple as that.

[markam]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P')eople like to spend money when they aren't making it

[0mar]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('markam', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P')eople like to spend money when they aren't making it

[stu]

Thinking of giving Disneyland a miss this year?

Tired of Caribbean hurricanes ruining your vacation?

Lonely Planet have got an article on tourism in the Green Zone.

Article

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'O')nce inside the Green Zone you're relatively safe. There are few kidnappings, car bombs or murders here. The biggest worry is the mortars and RPGs (rocket propelled grenades) that are continually hurled over the Green Zone's high cement walls. Sirens wail and loudspeakers shriek 'Incoming!' and 'Duck and cover!' at all hours of the day and night.

[Plantagenet]

There is a group of intrepid travellers who like to visit war zones.

They are one iota stupider then folks who vacation in Tornado Alley or fly to Hurricane areas in storm season just hoping to see a category five.

[frankthetank]

I believe there is a book titled "Emerald City" that goes into detail about what is/goes on in the green zone.

[DesertBear2]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '"')The Green Zone is a serious place, frought with dangers more serious than you would find behind the Walmart store where all the oogie stuff and bad people are."

[Newsseeker]

McCain had a pretty sweet time there. I wonder if I showed up and asked for the armed escort if I'd get it? Any takers?