Try flying VFR from Paris to Berlin -- without talking to *anyone*,
either on the phone or in the air -- and see how far you get. You
will quickly find out that America really is still the "Land of the
Free" when compared to your European Union, or anywhere else in the
world, for that matter.

The European Union are still seperate countries with their own rules.
I doubt it that you can fly to Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas or Cuba
without 'talking to anyone'.

And you are right that we have a smaller playground, that means we do
not have to fly for ages just to end up in places like
Dribbleville(IL) or Urinal(TX) but real places like Cannes, Barcelona,
Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam. :-)

Does it really matter.
No, we all can afford to fly and are still healty enough to do so.
Enjoy it, I do.

-Kees