Book first, ask later?
 

In the last few weeks I've seen quite a few posts here and elsewhere that say something like "We're going to XXX and staying at the YYY hotel. Is that a good one?"

Does anyone else find that this approach puts the cart before the horse?

Hi Underhill, I assume that people book a hotel room that they can cancel without a paying a cancellation fee just to make sure they do have a hotel room and than consequently ask about the hotel here just to verify the hotel is suitable.

Actually I get more confused by people that actually buy their airline tickets to say Rome and than post and ask what they should do, what they should see etc. I would think that most everyone would have a reason to buy airline tickets to a location, especially since it appears most travellers buy nonrefundable tickets.
I have never been financially in the position to buy tickets to "somewhere" without knowing why I was going to visit that "somewhere".

I'm with you all the way around on this one, LoveItaly!

Me too, except for the time I booked airfare to all the islands of Tahiti when all I knew was I liked the name and that it had pretty beaches.

LOL SeaUrchin, a pretty name and beaches, what more could you ask for!!
Well some cute beach guys maybe? ;;)

Yes! and there were some cute ones on that day on the catamaran....

Some trips really work dear SeaUrchin ;;)

Ditto to the all of the above.

I'm guilty too. We were going to Tanzania and the company offered an add on to Zanzibar. Up until then I had no idea where or if Zanzibar was, but it sounded exotic and I just had to go! Besides I thought that the stamp would look good on my passport.

The only thing that I knew about Zanzibar was that the late Freddie Mercury of the music group Queen was from there. Don't ask how I knew that, I know absolutely nothing about their music.

Now - I know that Zanzibar is hot, has lots of mosquitos, some coffee plantations, nutmeg grows on trees, and that it can be seen in a three days, and there was no need to spend one loooong week at a boring Italian resort.

We did enjoy our three days in Stonetown, stayed at a very nice hotel, had one memorable dinner, made friends with a tortoise, and I waded in the Indian Ocean.

Did I learn a lesson - well next month I'm going to XX and I've booked a room at the Hotel XXX, will I enjoy it? :-))

Nina

>Actually I get more confused by people that actually buy their airline tickets to say Rome and than post and ask what they should do, what they should see etc. <

Amen.

((I))

See http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34849436

Yes.

Let's not forget:

<i>I've booked a non-changable ticket that has me changing airports in London and only 1 hour to do it. Will I make it?</i> or <i> I have a 35 connection at CDG and I'm wondering if I have enouigh time? </i>

Is it at all possible that some people might actually mean they are <b>thinking of or intending to stay</b> in a particular establishment <b>rather than</b>meaning they have absolutely booked and are only now asking about it?

My personal favorite is -

'Leaving for Italy and France in two and a half weeks.
We are so excited. where should we stay and what are the best cities to stay in? We have 11 days and want to see Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, and Paris, returning home from Rome. Any more city suggestions, hotels, best way to travel between destinations, train schedules, and what to pack??
Also my mother collects thimbles - which city will have the best thimble shops?.

I love this Board and know that you Fodorites will come through so that the five of us will have a wondeful vacation,'

I always wonder, if they if their trips will be a success. Perhaps there is someone up there, who also protects unprepared travelers. Think of all the time they have on their hands - no hours/months of research and preparation, just a few quick posts and out the door they go.

As LoveItaly said, with email an cheap phone rates, they can cancel their hotel reservations in a flash if they are given a better suggestion here.

Different strokes for different folks.

Nina

hmmmm...the whole plane ticket thing doesn't make much since to me, either, but I think most times they just don't express it well or are being lazy and REALLY mean- which of the popular sights are worth the time or where/what have you enjoyed?

I could write a whole dang essay on what I want to see at my destination but sometimes it's easier just to ask &quot;what do others recommend&quot;....at least for a place I've never been.

I also don't understand basic questions posted you can just google the answers for...

And the &quot;I want a nice place under $(a ridiculously low amount during high season at a ridiculously popular location) mentality drives me nuts...

Just my two cents....:) Goooood Morning (or whatever time it is where you happen to be) everybody!

I still don't understand the &quot;is it worth it to visit such and such?&quot; I thought the Vasa Museum in Stockholm was just fabulous but there was a poster who said that it wasn't worth the time. So, if I had read that post before I went, maybe I wouldn't have gone. Well, not true actually. I visit a place to please myself. I knew a bit about the Vasa (the ship) and wanted to see it. I'm really going to go see what I want to see. If it turns out to be a dud? Well, then I just have been there, done that, no need to repeat it. I just can't figure out when some one is going to a place they have never been that they would want to tailor their site seeing to someone elses itinerary, and as mentioned before, ask what there is to see. I too am hoping, or thinking, that they just aren't wording the question correctly.

After asking one of those, &quot;is it worth it to visit such and such?&quot;, questions the other day. I thought about it and answered it myself. Of course it will be worth it. I've read about this place an artist that I admire has two pieces there and most important it will satisfy my curiosity.
The last time we were in Germany we went to the Franz Marc museum. In a place that was a dot on the map for a painter not many are familiar with. It was not for everyone but since he is a favorite of ours, it was worth it.

right, right, but those scenarios are different. I see what I really want to see (artists) first, despite what anyone else says and then since I always run out of time on vacation....I ask others opinions on popular places that I can fit in around my &quot;must sees&quot;....esp. if the &quot;maybe&quot; site is a bit out of the way:)