Adventurer vs Planner: newlywed's first trip to europe
Nov 5th, 2005, 01:01 AM
#22
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I am a planner and hubby is more of the adventurer type. We used to do the trips his way. Now we have discovered it's more fun to do them like this: We decide together on some fascinating places to go. Then we stay there for several nights. We don't plan all of our time. We only plan some of it. This way there are some well-planned activities, but there is lots of free time to be spontaneous.
We both enjoy our trips more this way. I am still working on our Ireland 2006 family summer trip, but hubby (who used to be the spontaneous adventureer type) is complaining, why haven't I started planning our January anniversary get-away to the Caribbean yet?!
Planning doesn't have to mean over-planning. Let's call it under-planning. For example if you're going to spend 4 nights in Rome that gives you 3 full days. Plan 1 1/2 of those days and leave the other 1 1/2 spontaneous...But even when you are going to be spontaneous, it only helps to read up on things and be well-informed.
I'll give you another example of how planning can be great. In Rome, believe it or not, we found that the GOOD food was actually cheaper than the BAD food! When we tried being spontaneous and just heading for a restaurant that looked cool, we ended up with bad, expensive food (some lasagna that tasted like they just heated up frozen Costco lasagna, I swwear.) But when we took out our Rick Steves Rome guidebook and picked out a fun sounding restaurant and hunted it down, we had GREAT FOOD and a fun authentic atmosphere, eating with italian-speaking locals, for CHEAPER prices!!!
Hope this helps you both. Have fun!
We both enjoy our trips more this way. I am still working on our Ireland 2006 family summer trip, but hubby (who used to be the spontaneous adventureer type) is complaining, why haven't I started planning our January anniversary get-away to the Caribbean yet?!
Planning doesn't have to mean over-planning. Let's call it under-planning. For example if you're going to spend 4 nights in Rome that gives you 3 full days. Plan 1 1/2 of those days and leave the other 1 1/2 spontaneous...But even when you are going to be spontaneous, it only helps to read up on things and be well-informed.
I'll give you another example of how planning can be great. In Rome, believe it or not, we found that the GOOD food was actually cheaper than the BAD food! When we tried being spontaneous and just heading for a restaurant that looked cool, we ended up with bad, expensive food (some lasagna that tasted like they just heated up frozen Costco lasagna, I swwear.) But when we took out our Rick Steves Rome guidebook and picked out a fun sounding restaurant and hunted it down, we had GREAT FOOD and a fun authentic atmosphere, eating with italian-speaking locals, for CHEAPER prices!!!
Hope this helps you both. Have fun!
Nov 5th, 2005, 05:38 AM
#23
Lots of good advice above. Just a few random thoughts:
1) In Feb the weather can be really, REALLY bad (or not so much) so you might not enjoy wandering around looking for rooms.
2) Feb is the off season so more rooms will be avaliable most places - BUT in rural areas many of the B&Bs will be closed for the season so a lot less to choose from.
3) Many places have good Tourist information centers that can find you rooms w/o having to wander around the city.
4) At least in the UK - maybe in the other places too - the tourist offices will "book a bed ahead" - for instance when you are in York the TIC will be able to book you a room in Edinburgh, and so forth. That saves a lot of hassle.
5) Hamilton? - Just curious.
6) For Mull you definitely should book ahead. The transport around the island is slow-ish and you don't want to have to spend a whole day just finding an open B&B
7) Traveling on the fly is easier when you have a bit more budget to play with. For instance if you are working w/ £40 a night for London - finding a decent place when you arrive will be nearly impossible. By using Priceline you could get a great place for less than £35. Now, using PL does lock you in - but all it means is that you need to be in London on a specific date. But if you are taking the Eurostar or flying to London you can only get cheap fares by booking ahead anyway.
8) I would <b>definitely</b> pre-book in London, Paris, anywhere in the Alps, Mull, and your first two nights and last night. For the rest You don't have to lock yourselves into anything - but I would let your DP (dear planner) put together a list of B&Bs/hostels/pensions in the places you plan on visiting so at least you have some contact info to work w/. Then you can call from one stop on to your next and have a place waiting for you.
1) In Feb the weather can be really, REALLY bad (or not so much) so you might not enjoy wandering around looking for rooms.
2) Feb is the off season so more rooms will be avaliable most places - BUT in rural areas many of the B&Bs will be closed for the season so a lot less to choose from.
3) Many places have good Tourist information centers that can find you rooms w/o having to wander around the city.
4) At least in the UK - maybe in the other places too - the tourist offices will "book a bed ahead" - for instance when you are in York the TIC will be able to book you a room in Edinburgh, and so forth. That saves a lot of hassle.
5) Hamilton? - Just curious.
6) For Mull you definitely should book ahead. The transport around the island is slow-ish and you don't want to have to spend a whole day just finding an open B&B
7) Traveling on the fly is easier when you have a bit more budget to play with. For instance if you are working w/ £40 a night for London - finding a decent place when you arrive will be nearly impossible. By using Priceline you could get a great place for less than £35. Now, using PL does lock you in - but all it means is that you need to be in London on a specific date. But if you are taking the Eurostar or flying to London you can only get cheap fares by booking ahead anyway.
8) I would <b>definitely</b> pre-book in London, Paris, anywhere in the Alps, Mull, and your first two nights and last night. For the rest You don't have to lock yourselves into anything - but I would let your DP (dear planner) put together a list of B&Bs/hostels/pensions in the places you plan on visiting so at least you have some contact info to work w/. Then you can call from one stop on to your next and have a place waiting for you.
Nov 5th, 2005, 05:48 AM
#24
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You need to sort out therelationship aspects of this, yourself, but on the logistics (and speaking only for the Scottish bit)I disagree with janis to some considerable extent on this one.
You will have no problem finding accommodation in Edinburgh- make sure Scotland is not playing rugby at home that weekend- it will be cold and MIGHT be wet. Dress appropriately-You will have no trouble finding accommodation on Mull. If you're using public transport or your thumb, stay in Tobermory because that's where everything leaves from (pretty much).
Book something in Hamilton (ARE there hotels in Hamilton?)
Have a great trip.
You will have no problem finding accommodation in Edinburgh- make sure Scotland is not playing rugby at home that weekend- it will be cold and MIGHT be wet. Dress appropriately-You will have no trouble finding accommodation on Mull. If you're using public transport or your thumb, stay in Tobermory because that's where everything leaves from (pretty much).
Book something in Hamilton (ARE there hotels in Hamilton?)
Have a great trip.
Nov 5th, 2005, 06:03 AM
#25
Sheila is right about Edinburgh. That's why I didn't list it as a "must" book ahead place. I just used York > Edinburgh for TIC booking as an example of what you could do.
As for Mull - yes, if you stay in Tobermory you can find a place. But for anywhere else on the island I'd for sure book ahead.
Oh - one other thought - be SURE to have DP check for any festivals or conventions during your visits. For instance a book sellers convention in York, or a snow festival somewhere in Switzerland, might easily fill every room in the place.
As for Mull - yes, if you stay in Tobermory you can find a place. But for anywhere else on the island I'd for sure book ahead.
Oh - one other thought - be SURE to have DP check for any festivals or conventions during your visits. For instance a book sellers convention in York, or a snow festival somewhere in Switzerland, might easily fill every room in the place.
Nov 5th, 2005, 10:35 AM
#26
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What is an example of the kind of advantage one might gain by NOT booking ahead for Edinburgh? Is there so little to do there that using time to choose a hotel on your feet part of the entertainment highlights of the city? Are random choices picked by the Tourist Information center... typically a better bargain than one can obtain by reading ahead, sending an e-mail inquiry or two and selecting the one that suits your personality best?
Nov 5th, 2005, 11:20 AM
#27
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Well Rex from everything I've read (sheila and Janis can help me out here) It seems there's plenty to do and see in Edinburgh.
The point of not booking is not because I enjoy the prospect of spending most of the day searching for the perfect place to stay. I just would like the freedom to leave a place after one night if I'm not crazy about it, or decide to spend a week in... cinque terre if I meet some people I like that are doing it. We've never been to Europe, how do we know what we'll like?
That's the point of not booking all of our lodging in advance. We can't afford to pay for place that we're not staying.
Maybe that's silly, but that's the way I feel about it. I'm sure my second trip to Europe will be much different
Sheile, Janis- Is Mull worth going to in March? I know the weather could be awful, but I'm from Seattle so it takes a lot to phase me when it comes to weather. It's just supposed to be really beautiful, but I doubt we'll get much out of it if being outside is miserable. What do you think?
and Hamilton..yeah... I know, but that's our family name. I thought it might be cool to just spend a little while there. Hub's a Hamilton, and I'm a McKay/Stuart. Just thought it'd be fun to get back in touch with our roots. Is there nothing there to see? If not our time might be better spent chasing down the duke...
The point of not booking is not because I enjoy the prospect of spending most of the day searching for the perfect place to stay. I just would like the freedom to leave a place after one night if I'm not crazy about it, or decide to spend a week in... cinque terre if I meet some people I like that are doing it. We've never been to Europe, how do we know what we'll like?
That's the point of not booking all of our lodging in advance. We can't afford to pay for place that we're not staying.
Maybe that's silly, but that's the way I feel about it. I'm sure my second trip to Europe will be much different
Sheile, Janis- Is Mull worth going to in March? I know the weather could be awful, but I'm from Seattle so it takes a lot to phase me when it comes to weather. It's just supposed to be really beautiful, but I doubt we'll get much out of it if being outside is miserable. What do you think?
and Hamilton..yeah... I know, but that's our family name. I thought it might be cool to just spend a little while there. Hub's a Hamilton, and I'm a McKay/Stuart. Just thought it'd be fun to get back in touch with our roots. Is there nothing there to see? If not our time might be better spent chasing down the duke...
Nov 5th, 2005, 12:52 PM
#28
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<<That's the point of not booking all of our lodging in advance. We can't afford to pay for place that we're not staying.>>
You need not pay in advance - - certainly not in advance of your departure for Europe - - to book a reservation.
To me, planning means that you have researched various places and know what you can expect (in features, in a rate)to get from the place you most prefer, and whether they have it to offer to you. A reservation handles that best. You might choose to make that reservation three days before you get there or three weeks before you leave for Europe - - either way, it's a function of planning.
Hotels WILL cancel reservations, you know, or re-schedule them, or shorten your stay for practically any reason. Planning includes knowing what are their policies on that.
Planning can also mean not choosing ANY hotel that locks you into the purchase of a room (you shouldn't have to pay anything in advance for 90% of the places in Europe) without providing you a cancellation policy that suits your needs.
You need not pay in advance - - certainly not in advance of your departure for Europe - - to book a reservation.
To me, planning means that you have researched various places and know what you can expect (in features, in a rate)to get from the place you most prefer, and whether they have it to offer to you. A reservation handles that best. You might choose to make that reservation three days before you get there or three weeks before you leave for Europe - - either way, it's a function of planning.
Hotels WILL cancel reservations, you know, or re-schedule them, or shorten your stay for practically any reason. Planning includes knowing what are their policies on that.
Planning can also mean not choosing ANY hotel that locks you into the purchase of a room (you shouldn't have to pay anything in advance for 90% of the places in Europe) without providing you a cancellation policy that suits your needs.
Nov 6th, 2005, 09:10 AM
#29
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Mull IS worth visiting in March. It may be glorious. If it were me I'd go to Islay, but then, it ain't me). It will be worth seeing even if it's NOT glorious.
Now, Hamilton. It's possible that "is there anything worth seeing in Hamilton?" is the hardest question I've ever been asked on here.
Well, there's Chatelherault and Strathclyde Park and the Racecourse (but there won't be any racing; it's too early in the season)
So, in a nutsehll, not unless you're going there anyway. Go and find the dashing Duke.
Now, Hamilton. It's possible that "is there anything worth seeing in Hamilton?" is the hardest question I've ever been asked on here.
Well, there's Chatelherault and Strathclyde Park and the Racecourse (but there won't be any racing; it's too early in the season)
So, in a nutsehll, not unless you're going there anyway. Go and find the dashing Duke.
Nov 6th, 2005, 11:57 AM
#30
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Rick Steves says "Make a plan for each day of your itinerary, that way, when you make a change while on your trip at least you'll know what you are giving up".
I believe the thought is that if you don't have a plan, you will miss some things that are well worth seeing.
I believe the thought is that if you don't have a plan, you will miss some things that are well worth seeing.
Nov 6th, 2005, 02:24 PM
#31
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One of my favorite travel stories: Some friends of ours drove across country (from Texas to Calif) staying here and there as they traveled. They got in "the LA" area and stopped at a Motel 6 for the night. Got up and left early the next morning only to find out that they had missed a huge celebration and concert almost next door-at Disneyland.
Nov 6th, 2005, 03:15 PM
#32
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Sheila, why islay? What's your favorite place?
hmmm maybe I'm a complete child of information age, but I dont think any of the major sites (expedia, travelocity, etc..) will let you just make a "reservation." So, can you just call a hostel/hotel, reserve a room, and possibly cancel without paying anything?
hmmm maybe I'm a complete child of information age, but I dont think any of the major sites (expedia, travelocity, etc..) will let you just make a "reservation." So, can you just call a hostel/hotel, reserve a room, and possibly cancel without paying anything?
Nov 6th, 2005, 04:56 PM
#33
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Many hostels and hotels have 48 or 72 hour cancellation policies, with no payment required.
If you want private rooms at hostels, my experience is that many of these must be booked many months in advance. I tried six months in advance for Amsterdam, and still failed. That's not the only city where this has happened to me. If you only want dorm beds, that's a lot easier of course.
If you want private rooms at hostels, my experience is that many of these must be booked many months in advance. I tried six months in advance for Amsterdam, and still failed. That's not the only city where this has happened to me. If you only want dorm beds, that's a lot easier of course.
Nov 6th, 2005, 06:04 PM
#34
Colleen: "<i>I dont think any of the major sites (expedia, travelocity, etc..) will let you just make a "reservation." So, can you just call a hostel/hotel, reserve a room, and possibly cancel without paying anything?</i>
Expedia, travelocity, etc. are not necessary - at all. Especially for your type of budget trip. I have never booked a hotel/B&B/flat/hostel through one of those sites. the VAST majority of B&Bs have their own websites, or at least e-mail. And those that don't have that old fashioned thing called a telephone.
Except for apartments/villas you hardly ever should have to pay in advance. Or possibly one night's deposit - which is normally refundable if you cancel before the day of arrival.
And if you book - say 3 nights - at a B&B in Scotland and decide to leave after 2 nights you won't have any problems. You won't owe for the 3rd night.
Expedia, travelocity, etc. are not necessary - at all. Especially for your type of budget trip. I have never booked a hotel/B&B/flat/hostel through one of those sites. the VAST majority of B&Bs have their own websites, or at least e-mail. And those that don't have that old fashioned thing called a telephone.
Except for apartments/villas you hardly ever should have to pay in advance. Or possibly one night's deposit - which is normally refundable if you cancel before the day of arrival.
And if you book - say 3 nights - at a B&B in Scotland and decide to leave after 2 nights you won't have any problems. You won't owe for the 3rd night.
