itspat

I know this topic elicits a lot of comments on these boards, but I just wanted to get a general sense of how different people do things.

Who out there has taken a trip where you literally just hop around from one place to the next? Buy a train pass and have an open itinerary.

We've considered this type of trip many times but always end up not doing it because of the (no pun intended) baggage associated with it - dragging luggage from one place to the next, inconsistent sleeping schedules, multiple currency and weather considerations, etc.

We have an open week with no plans coming up in 2 months (we considered a week in SE Asia, Morocco, Athens, Italy, Jordan... to name a few). We feel a bit aimless yet still have wanderlust. We'd like to do SOMETHING and see a part of the world where we haven't been before.

I'd like to hear from those who have done it and recommend/loved it, those who have done it and would never do it again, and those who'd never consider this type of thing.

Thanks in advance.

thursdaysd

You are confusing two issues. I travel from place to place by train or bus, even occasionally plane, coping with luggage (these days one small rolling case and a day pack) and multiple currencies. My most recent trip was two and a half months and eight countries (four currencies) in Europe. However, I had a plan, complete with hotel reservations. I did change it slightly on the road, but I am sure SJ will show up to say I was touring, not traveling.

Are you asking about a multi-destination trip, or about traveling without any plan?

You are not going far if you only have a week.

janisj

Thursdaysd: no worries re sj . . . He has been vaporized

thursdaysd

janisj - thanks for the info! That will be an improvement.

suze

I personally don't like to hop around, I prefer to stay each place for about 5-7 days.

But it has nothing to do with luggage, because IF I were doing that kind of a trip, I'd just pack really light in one small roller suitcase. Weather and currency also don't concern me. Those are easy enough to deal with. -suze

In your shoes, I would simply price airfare to each of the places on your wish list and see what makes the most sense for your next trip.

itspat

Thanks everyone. I think the crux of my question is to engage more of that constant debate between those who want to see/do as much as possible and those who like to plant their roots and take it all in. I don't think either is "wrong", and I hope locals/Fodorites don't find it disrespectful. It's just a style/personality thing. There are lots of people who stop by my town for just a night/weekend on their way to somewhere else, and I'm personally glad they just stopped by and wanted to see a few things. And there are those who spend a whole summer here, or decide to move here, etc., and that is fine, too. I have done both styles, and I've loved and disliked aspects of both.

So to answer your question, thursdaysd, I think my question is a little bit of both. I'd like to hear from those who like to cram in as much as possible into their short time and whether they'd do it again or hated it.

The "traveling without a plan" thing is just more my current angst (I know, first world problem, right?) We have time off and would love to use it to our advantage to experience something new and memorable, but alas, so many places and so little time... and this is more just to get an idea of who does what with a free week.

HappyTrvlr

With one week, we choose one place, rent an apartment or cottage and enjoy one specific area. For example, we have done this in Nice, Amsterdam and Stockholm as well as the Berner Oberland in Switzerland.We find our memories of those stays are among our fondest. If we have more time, we move to a second location and so on. Being retired gives us much more freedom for longer trips.

thursdaysd

I'm not the best person to reply then, as I'm retired. Plus, I find flying such a pain these days that I like to take long trips just to amortize the flight over more time, lol. I have been trying to slow my trips down some, and on a long trip you certainly want to mix it up, but some places only have a few interesting sights.

I was fortunate in that I got a reasonable amount of vacation even when I was working. I'm sure that if I only had a week I'd be in the "see as much as possible" camp, and figure on recovering when I got home,