During this whole experience, I will write entries for every part of the process – planning, going and returning. It will be an example so that someone interested in doing the same thing can kind of see how one traveler (Scott, in particular) does it.
How the Process Begins
First, I talk with John A. and he agrees it is time to go again. We talk in general about a time of year to go. It is the height of summer right now and we are not going in the next month. So what about sometime in October or November? Cooler weather – a big bonus!
The fall is perfect because it is cooler. Any heat at all, and even in the cold, I sweat. It is not a problem at home because I can just keep showering, changing clothes and do all the laundry I need. But, out of the country, not so much. (These are important things to consider when planning a trip! Seriously, check out the Self-Assessment in So You Want to Go to Paris.) As a result, the fall is a great time to go again and the cooler the better for me.
How Long?
Second, I want to include a weekend since I have a full-time j-o-b and I will have to take off work for some days. But, this will not be a two weekend and week in the middle trip. Only long enough to recharge on Paris, escape to the most beautiful city on the earth for a few days, and get some work done for this site! Five nights will be long enough to go again. Of course, I want to go for much longer. But, five nights will do.
Is the Calendar Open?
Now, I start looking at the calendar and marking out dates. I have to take into account the LSU football schedule. I would rather not miss the home games, so I have them all on the calendar already and it is easy to see what dates are not that great.
Then, there is Thanksgiving which kind of takes out the two weekends on either side. And, the trip should not be too close to Thanksgiving, because there is a lot going on then. But, I need a little time to make plans, so maybe middle to late October would be good.
Seems perfect for me, but then asked a few friends about going as well, and middle to late October didn’t really work for them. Then, I forgot a niece is coming in town then, and… there are too many obstacles. November is out for the friends as well. So, I skip December because that is already busy for me and move along to 2019!!!!! January could be the time.
To Go Again in Winter
January may not seem like a great time to go. But the cold and the potential rain and the limited daylight is fine with me. It is when I began six months of school there, so I think it is a great time. Honestly, any time of the year in Paris is perfect for me. A couple of friends say okay to January. And, unless your team is in the playoffs for the Super Bowl, and who knows about that, it seems like the month is wide open on the calendar.
Great, January it is! And, since the entire month is free, I start looking at airlines and hotels to see if I can find any differences in price. In other words, maybe a discounted rate on one weekend versus another. Also, I check some of the museums for any shows that may really entice me. And, I check the opera schedule to see if a performance is a must see for me.
