2017 Travel Plans

Hi everyone,

This post is a heads up on our travels this year.

Yes, we're heading back to Montana in mid June, spending the 4th of July weekend there...we just LOVE that state.  This year we're doing a week in Missoula (a larger city with a more active tango community and a couple of really great restaurants) then two weeks in Bozeman, still our favorite town.

In Missoula we'll be staying in a condo in one of the classic buildings downtown.  And in Bozeman, we returning to where we stayed last year.

One major change, thanks to Delta Airlines who decided raise fares by a multiple of 2½ times this year.  We're driving to Montana.

Normally we fly, then rent a car for our stay, renting in town to avoid high airport rental costs.  Because it's high season in Montana but low season here, we can rent  in Scottsdale for four weeks for just $75 more than three weeks up north and we drive a Nissan Maxima instead of an Altima.

Figuring in taxi fares at both ends and the airline upgrades and baggage fees in addition to the base fares last year, it'll still be cheaper to add that week even including hotels & meals.  We may never fly there again.

BTW, a travel tip.  Renting a car through Costco Travel costs less than renting it directly from the rental company, in this case Enterprise.

============

But the bigger trip is our return to Paris the end of August; haven't been there since 2014.

We're doing something different this time.  We're traveling with another couple we've known for years in tango and renting a two bedroom/two bath apartment together.

As mentioned on the last Paris trip, our landlord for the Bastille apartment sold it so we have to look elsewhere.  We've been eyeing staying in the Place de la Republique area and found an apartment there for four that fits our needs beautifully.

So for about 2½ weeks, we'll be living as locals.  The nearest Monoprix is almost around the corner.

Also we discovered that airfares out of Phoenix over the pond are much, much higher than out of LAX even figuring in the shuttle to get there.  So we're flying Premium Economy on Air France nonstop LAX/CDG for the same cost as basic economy from Phoenix.  Our usual United upgrade to more legroom pays for the PHX/LAX leg.

Some Paris travel info.  RATP, the company that runs the Paris Metro now has an English language, fully interactive Metro map that does everything.  You can find it by clicking HERE.

===========

Lastly, do you remember that post last 4th of July on the homegrown fireworks in Kansas?  And the fireworks display marriage proposal to step grandaughter Ashton?  Well, moving right along, they're getting married in October & we'll be there!  Not sure if I'll have the time to blog that trip.

That's it for now!