Well, depending on which route we take, it takes (alternatively) 4 or 5 1/2 hours to get to my gran's (reduce estimate by 1 hour if my dad is driving and we don't make any stops). So it does take time, and sadly we usually only go if we have a few days off, otherwise it is a killer to make the return trip a day after getting there.

Re: coming to Europe - come visit me sometime! I'll take you to all the really old places so you can marvel at how the buildings are only barely falling apart.