What choices drive you crazy when planning a trip?
Apr 29th, 2009, 07:23 AM
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What choices drive you crazy when planning a trip?
On another thread something the poster said struck a chord with me--about being torn in deciding upon a restaurant between "inventive/creative" and "local specialties" I realized that for me at least there are lots of such generalized "pulls" in planning a trip, i.e. in deciding where to go, how to get there, where to lodge, where to dine, even which entertainment to book.
Because I have somewhat eclectic tastes, I experience these "pulls" within myself, but they seem to multiply when I ask my husband's opinion, or when I consider the interests of others who sometimes travel with us.
Here are some of the pulls and trade offs that came to my mind. Please add those that bedevil you as you struggle to develop plans for the perfect trip.
Large cities with lots of options vs. small villages with lots of charm vs. countryside with charm, peace and quiet
Hotels with lots of services vs. B&B's with lots of personality and opportunity to really get to know the owners
Apartments with space and a feeling of home vs. hotels with conveniences and concierges to make reservations, etc.
Short stays to diminish daily driving distances and provide more opportunity to see more places vs. long stays to minimize packing and unpacking and provide an opportunity to soak up and get the feel for a place
In restaurants and hotels--modern, trendy and design intensive vs. traditional, cushy with a feeling of hominess vs. even antique (which is not my favorite so I can't say what its benefits are)
And the ever popular Cheap to permit expenditure on other things of value vs. reasonable which is that ill-defined but you-know-it-when-you-see-it quality in the middle vs. luxe or even the-sky's-the-limit-over-the-top-because-you-only-live-once
Am I the only one who struggles (and struggles and struggles) or are there others out there, and what are your toughest decision points?
Because I have somewhat eclectic tastes, I experience these "pulls" within myself, but they seem to multiply when I ask my husband's opinion, or when I consider the interests of others who sometimes travel with us.
Here are some of the pulls and trade offs that came to my mind. Please add those that bedevil you as you struggle to develop plans for the perfect trip.
Large cities with lots of options vs. small villages with lots of charm vs. countryside with charm, peace and quiet
Hotels with lots of services vs. B&B's with lots of personality and opportunity to really get to know the owners
Apartments with space and a feeling of home vs. hotels with conveniences and concierges to make reservations, etc.
Short stays to diminish daily driving distances and provide more opportunity to see more places vs. long stays to minimize packing and unpacking and provide an opportunity to soak up and get the feel for a place
In restaurants and hotels--modern, trendy and design intensive vs. traditional, cushy with a feeling of hominess vs. even antique (which is not my favorite so I can't say what its benefits are)
And the ever popular Cheap to permit expenditure on other things of value vs. reasonable which is that ill-defined but you-know-it-when-you-see-it quality in the middle vs. luxe or even the-sky's-the-limit-over-the-top-because-you-only-live-once
Am I the only one who struggles (and struggles and struggles) or are there others out there, and what are your toughest decision points?
Apr 29th, 2009, 07:55 AM
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Your second to last paragraph hit on the biggest struggle for me. Not only in terms of certain aspects of a trip, but at this particular time, not only in our personal financial lives (kids in/just out of college, etc.) but in this economy, deciding to travel at all is a huge struggle.
As I think you know, Julie, because of my posts about Barcelona, we're going to be in Ireland in June for our daughter's wedding. We've decided that, as long as we're already in Europe, we're going to extend our trip. But, from the time we made that decision, I've wavered constantly between thinking, "We're absolutely nuts to be doing this right now!" and "We have to take this opportunity that's been presented to us. You don't know what's around the next corner and we may never get this chance again!"
I have to think that I'm not the only one who's had that particular struggle in the past few months!
As I think you know, Julie, because of my posts about Barcelona, we're going to be in Ireland in June for our daughter's wedding. We've decided that, as long as we're already in Europe, we're going to extend our trip. But, from the time we made that decision, I've wavered constantly between thinking, "We're absolutely nuts to be doing this right now!" and "We have to take this opportunity that's been presented to us. You don't know what's around the next corner and we may never get this chance again!"
I have to think that I'm not the only one who's had that particular struggle in the past few months!
Apr 29th, 2009, 08:35 AM
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A big one for me is what to do on the day of arrival. It's not a big deal if you have a week in the city, but if you only have a short time, you want to try to see things, only not anything really important, lest you are too tired to enjoy them...
Apr 29th, 2009, 08:44 AM
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A choice for me is deciding to visit the places that I love and have visited dozens of times or to go some place new. I now make a point of adding one new place each time I go to Europe. But then it's just another to add to the places I love.
Apr 29th, 2009, 08:48 AM
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Right now my struggle is economic; out of work, bad economy, not saving enough for retirement, bleak prospects of employment. I have decided that I will take a trip to Europe next spring; it's been too long since my last trip.
Other than the economic struggle there is the indecision between going back to places I love vs trying new places. I could go to Italy every year but also want to experience countries I've not yet been to.
The other decisions (hotels, restaurants) are dependent upon my budget which is never large. I'd rather take a trip and stay in a 1 or 2 star hotel/pensione rather than saving for a more elaborate hotel and traveling less.
Same with restaurants. An inexpensive place with good food is fine by me. I don't need the fancy places. Sometimes I choose a place that is pricey but gives great ambiance, i.e., a cafe near the Pantheon or in Piazza Navona - very expensive but the view and people watching is wonderful.
I've never thought of the above decisions as "struggles" except the decision to be practical and not travel now; wait for a better time. That is a daily struggle.
Other than the economic struggle there is the indecision between going back to places I love vs trying new places. I could go to Italy every year but also want to experience countries I've not yet been to.
The other decisions (hotels, restaurants) are dependent upon my budget which is never large. I'd rather take a trip and stay in a 1 or 2 star hotel/pensione rather than saving for a more elaborate hotel and traveling less.
Same with restaurants. An inexpensive place with good food is fine by me. I don't need the fancy places. Sometimes I choose a place that is pricey but gives great ambiance, i.e., a cafe near the Pantheon or in Piazza Navona - very expensive but the view and people watching is wonderful.
I've never thought of the above decisions as "struggles" except the decision to be practical and not travel now; wait for a better time. That is a daily struggle.
Apr 29th, 2009, 08:54 AM
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Hi Julie,
I know just where you're coming from and as our departure date draws near I get to bed (and sleep) going over and over our intended itinerary!
eg: Now let's see......first day we will first go here, then after that I think we should do this....No, that won't fit in, we had better head for that and then this, ending with lunch at.....or maybe......Oh, they both look good........sigh....I can't think anymore..................!
Please tell me I'm not alone in this travel wilderness!
I know just where you're coming from and as our departure date draws near I get to bed (and sleep) going over and over our intended itinerary!
eg: Now let's see......first day we will first go here, then after that I think we should do this....No, that won't fit in, we had better head for that and then this, ending with lunch at.....or maybe......Oh, they both look good........sigh....I can't think anymore..................!
Please tell me I'm not alone in this travel wilderness!
Apr 29th, 2009, 09:18 AM
#9
My biggest pull is the "where". I always have the "have to go somewhere" urge, but fulfilling it is the tough part. I have an extensive list of want-to-go-but-haven't-yet places and an even longer list of need-to-go-back-to-see-more places. Usually once I get over that hurdle, however that happens, whether it's a good fare or a hunch or an itch that needs to be scratched, I'm good and the pulls are far less in the planning and actual going stages of the trip.
Apr 29th, 2009, 10:03 AM
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It never takes us too long to know where we want to go.
I love finding lodging. Looking at apartments is fun. Although this time we are still looking for 2 Paris studios.
I struggle with itinerary and restaurant choices.
Once I am confident with where to stay and when to go,
I do stress out on where to eat. I worry that others wont like one of my choices. I am pretty adventurous, but others I travel with, not so much.
I love finding lodging. Looking at apartments is fun. Although this time we are still looking for 2 Paris studios.
I struggle with itinerary and restaurant choices.
Once I am confident with where to stay and when to go,
I do stress out on where to eat. I worry that others wont like one of my choices. I am pretty adventurous, but others I travel with, not so much.
Apr 29th, 2009, 10:44 AM
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Hey, glad this is working for you. I sure get the return to old favorites vs. explore new places pull. That's a big one for me and a big tug on the relationship between DH and me. He's very much into return. I'm more into new. We try for a balance. Was it ever so!!!
jetsetj, I love finding lodging too, but right now I'm devoting far more time than is rationale to my selection of a single hotel in Piemonte. It will be for 5 days, so the stakes are higher than if it were for 2. The options seem endless. I'm trying to balance style, location, cost, reviews, in town, close to town, out of town, modern/traditional, B&B/full service, etc. etc. etc. I've been obsessing and surfing for 3 days. I just found 2 more that I have to check out. This is nuts. AT least we've decided to return to two old favorites and add one new destination, so the big decisions are made.
jetsetj, I love finding lodging too, but right now I'm devoting far more time than is rationale to my selection of a single hotel in Piemonte. It will be for 5 days, so the stakes are higher than if it were for 2. The options seem endless. I'm trying to balance style, location, cost, reviews, in town, close to town, out of town, modern/traditional, B&B/full service, etc. etc. etc. I've been obsessing and surfing for 3 days. I just found 2 more that I have to check out. This is nuts. AT least we've decided to return to two old favorites and add one new destination, so the big decisions are made.
Apr 29th, 2009, 10:44 AM
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Right now, I'm still wrestling with my Dordogne itinerary for August. I just can't figure out where I should place us for 5 nights. I really don't want to move during that stay, but I really don't want to spend a lot of time each day on traffic clogged roads. I am totally at a loss. It is frustrating the heck out of me.
I usually don't have a struggle over what to do each day. We pick a lot of trips based around art, churches, museums, architecture, famous sights. So once the destination is chosen, I can pretty much rank what I want to see.
Restaurants: I make huge lists then try to narrow them down. Often spend hours and hours at this.
Accommodations: If our destination is already determined, then I find choosing accommodations fun. If it isn't chosen, then I go nuts trying to pick towns and look at rooms at the same time. I drive myself buggy.
I understand why many people take a resort type trip. They really don't have anything to think about: drinks at 7 or 7:30?
I have decided that we are going on a Caribbean trip in 2010, if we are still employed. Since I'm so stymied by this France trip, I think I'm tempted to go plop myself down on an island and stay there.
I usually don't have a struggle over what to do each day. We pick a lot of trips based around art, churches, museums, architecture, famous sights. So once the destination is chosen, I can pretty much rank what I want to see.
Restaurants: I make huge lists then try to narrow them down. Often spend hours and hours at this.
Accommodations: If our destination is already determined, then I find choosing accommodations fun. If it isn't chosen, then I go nuts trying to pick towns and look at rooms at the same time. I drive myself buggy.
I understand why many people take a resort type trip. They really don't have anything to think about: drinks at 7 or 7:30?
I have decided that we are going on a Caribbean trip in 2010, if we are still employed. Since I'm so stymied by this France trip, I think I'm tempted to go plop myself down on an island and stay there.
Apr 29th, 2009, 10:45 AM
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Oh yes, I analyze (overanalyze) all these factors way too much.
Some I have figured out - Pretty much every trip, we spend some time in big cities, and some time in the countryside. But it needs to be a big enough town that there is a selection of restaurants.
Hotels are SOMEWHAT easy, too, except for deciding on exactly which place. We don't need a lot of services, don't eat big breakfasts, so I'm always looking for individuality and charm (what constitutes charm may vary by location), convenient location, not too expensive. DH's latest bugaboo is a place that has someone on staff 24 hours (which rules out some, but not all, B&Bs) - our son got sick on our last trip in the middle of the night, and while we didn't need to call anyone, DH is not concerned about, what if we need to. But deciding which charming place is the "just right" one becomes rather silly. And DH and any other travelers say they don't care, until they look at website pictures, and decide they don't like this or that for various reasons.
Distances and number of nights is a toughy, too. One-night stays get tiring real fast, but on the other hand, staying put in one place may mean more travel time spent on day-trips. I'm currently stuck in not being able to make this kind of decision for our trip to Italy in September.
Restaurants - as I mentioned, yes, I spend far too much time in coming up with restaurant possibilities. Again, we're increasingly drawn to mid-priced, more local places. But deciding which one, oh, that's difficult. And when I come home, I think about all the local dishes and foods that I didn't have a chance to try...
Some I have figured out - Pretty much every trip, we spend some time in big cities, and some time in the countryside. But it needs to be a big enough town that there is a selection of restaurants.
Hotels are SOMEWHAT easy, too, except for deciding on exactly which place. We don't need a lot of services, don't eat big breakfasts, so I'm always looking for individuality and charm (what constitutes charm may vary by location), convenient location, not too expensive. DH's latest bugaboo is a place that has someone on staff 24 hours (which rules out some, but not all, B&Bs) - our son got sick on our last trip in the middle of the night, and while we didn't need to call anyone, DH is not concerned about, what if we need to. But deciding which charming place is the "just right" one becomes rather silly. And DH and any other travelers say they don't care, until they look at website pictures, and decide they don't like this or that for various reasons.
Distances and number of nights is a toughy, too. One-night stays get tiring real fast, but on the other hand, staying put in one place may mean more travel time spent on day-trips. I'm currently stuck in not being able to make this kind of decision for our trip to Italy in September.
Restaurants - as I mentioned, yes, I spend far too much time in coming up with restaurant possibilities. Again, we're increasingly drawn to mid-priced, more local places. But deciding which one, oh, that's difficult. And when I come home, I think about all the local dishes and foods that I didn't have a chance to try...
Apr 29th, 2009, 11:32 AM
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tuscanlifeedit, I love "drinks at 7 or 7:30" I think I just wouldn't find that challenging enough.
Lexma90, we too find ourselves increasingly into moderate, local places. I used to drive myself nuts trying to find all the Michelin stars in an area and then deciding which 3 or 2 star place to try, until we had a couple of really "too, too" experiences that caused me to recognize we were more "one star and local bistro" people, so I've settled down on that score a bit. In Piemonte, however, almost every little town of 300 people or more has its own one star, so I'm really in a tizzy trying to decide--dishes vs. ambiance vs. distance is starting to become an obsession. Good thing I've got 5 months to work on the problem.
Lexma90, we too find ourselves increasingly into moderate, local places. I used to drive myself nuts trying to find all the Michelin stars in an area and then deciding which 3 or 2 star place to try, until we had a couple of really "too, too" experiences that caused me to recognize we were more "one star and local bistro" people, so I've settled down on that score a bit. In Piemonte, however, almost every little town of 300 people or more has its own one star, so I'm really in a tizzy trying to decide--dishes vs. ambiance vs. distance is starting to become an obsession. Good thing I've got 5 months to work on the problem.
Apr 29th, 2009, 11:58 AM
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I also agonize over restaurants. My husband and I are foodie nuts and we really look forward to trying new things. It's one of the main reasons we travel. I've found Michelin is very good in many cases (especially in France) for identifying those moderate, local places. I look for 2 or 3 forks and the Bib Gourmand symbols. Also Slow Foods in Italy. But then I spend too much time on the Internet, looking at forums, restaurant web sites, etc. Too many restaurants and never enough time!
Apr 29th, 2009, 12:04 PM
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Since my budget tends to be limited I don't worry too much(actually not at all!) about luxury hotels or high end restaurants. And the lodging options for my next trip (to Germany) seem endless. I'm so overwhelmed! As for food, I just tend to eat in small local restaurants, cafes, and the like.
My issues are where to go...there are so many places. I could go back to previously visited places; there is a certain comfort in having seen the must sees and can now enjoy other things, but then there is that total excitement about seeing a new country or city.
My issues are do I go now and alone, or should I wait until my friend makes up her mind whether she can afford to travel? I have enough airmiles that I have a free economy class ticket to Europe. I want to use it as soon as possible, which means I need to start looking now in order to book the flight. I don't mind traveling alone, but I also find it enjoyable to have someone to share the experience with, and she turned out to be a good travel companion when we went to London and Paris in November 2006. I sort of feel guilty about planning a solo trip.
Right now I've been reading up on Germany and the Christmas markets. The more I research the more I want to go, but it is increasingly difficult to choose which cities. Stay in one city and vist the market and the sites? Base in a large city and daytrip by train? Start out in a large city and overnight in smaller towns? I'm looking at about 8-10 days(including travel from California) and flying out of SFO on Thanksgiving night or the next morning.
I think those of us who are "planners" encounter things that drive us crazy when planning a trip. I envy those who just "wing it." I tried winging it once and was a nervous wreck the whole time. I have to face it, I'm just a planner!. My ex complained I wasn't spontaneous enough and I told him I didn't mind spontaneity as long as I could plan ahead for it.
My issues are where to go...there are so many places. I could go back to previously visited places; there is a certain comfort in having seen the must sees and can now enjoy other things, but then there is that total excitement about seeing a new country or city.
My issues are do I go now and alone, or should I wait until my friend makes up her mind whether she can afford to travel? I have enough airmiles that I have a free economy class ticket to Europe. I want to use it as soon as possible, which means I need to start looking now in order to book the flight. I don't mind traveling alone, but I also find it enjoyable to have someone to share the experience with, and she turned out to be a good travel companion when we went to London and Paris in November 2006. I sort of feel guilty about planning a solo trip.
Right now I've been reading up on Germany and the Christmas markets. The more I research the more I want to go, but it is increasingly difficult to choose which cities. Stay in one city and vist the market and the sites? Base in a large city and daytrip by train? Start out in a large city and overnight in smaller towns? I'm looking at about 8-10 days(including travel from California) and flying out of SFO on Thanksgiving night or the next morning.
I think those of us who are "planners" encounter things that drive us crazy when planning a trip. I envy those who just "wing it." I tried winging it once and was a nervous wreck the whole time. I have to face it, I'm just a planner!. My ex complained I wasn't spontaneous enough and I told him I didn't mind spontaneity as long as I could plan ahead for it.
Apr 29th, 2009, 01:28 PM
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There are many on here looking for low priced restaurant choices in Paris. I have checked out books from the library, read forums,surfed the web and now I have so many choices that I am more confused than ever.
Maybe too much research and planning can be bad. Hum....
Maybe too much research and planning can be bad. Hum....
Apr 29th, 2009, 01:32 PM
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Similar to Jetsetj: the inertia that results from over-analyzing anything; accommodations, restaurants, activities. You do all the research, reading, check all the web sites, Tripadvisor, etc. and still don't make a decision because you want the BEST and the BEST PRICE.
Eventually, you just have to commit.
Eventually, you just have to commit.
Apr 29th, 2009, 01:42 PM
#20
IMHO we are all suffering from severe doses of "fodoritis", me included.
my particular fault [as pointed out by DH, quite often, LOL] are that I become obsessed with finding the perfect destination, followed closely by the perfect hotel/apartment. this often descends into "packitallinitis" aka the inability to realise that you can't get a quart into a pint pot, despite the fact that I often advise others that they are trying to do just this.
our punishment? - to be forever booking our accommodation on a non-cancellation basis because it's such a "bargain", only to find that there's somewhere better jsut round the corner.
the cure - a totally non-planned holiday. go on, dare you!
regards, ann
my particular fault [as pointed out by DH, quite often, LOL] are that I become obsessed with finding the perfect destination, followed closely by the perfect hotel/apartment. this often descends into "packitallinitis" aka the inability to realise that you can't get a quart into a pint pot, despite the fact that I often advise others that they are trying to do just this.
our punishment? - to be forever booking our accommodation on a non-cancellation basis because it's such a "bargain", only to find that there's somewhere better jsut round the corner.
the cure - a totally non-planned holiday. go on, dare you!
regards, ann
