Spontaneity

I subscribe to over a dozen bargain travel e-letters including one for every airline, Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz, and site59 among others.

This little deal arrived in my inbox today via USAirways:


ROUNDTRIP
FROM: TO: FARE*:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Boston, MA Paris, France $209
Charlotte, NC Paris, France $269
Columbus, OH Paris, France $269
Hartford, CT Paris, France $249
Los Angeles, CA Paris, France $309
Philadelphia, PA Paris, France $209
Pittsburgh, PA Paris, France $209
Richmond, VA Paris, France $249
Rochester, NY Paris, France $249
San Francisco, CA Paris, France $309
Washington National, DC Paris, France $209

I just paid almost $300 to fly roundtrip for the Christmas holidays from National to Providence Greene airport. For a little over $200 I could be in PARIS! Of course, there ARE restrictions ..... I must depart Fridays through Wednesdays, between October 27 and November 16, 2003. Return travel is Mondays through Saturdays, between November 3 and November 22, 2003. Departing travel is not permitted to Paris October 31 through November 2, 2003 and tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, October 29, 2003.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.... tempting. I could always leave on a Friday night - say November 7th - arrive on Saturday morning and stay through... how many days can I afford to take off (?)... Wednesday the 12th.... Four full days in Paris. And I know of this cute little hotel right by the Eiffel Tower - one night is the equivalent of US$60. Definitely doable.

How many of you travel on the spur of the moment? Or do you prefer to make detailed plans?