Do less V. Tour
Jun 14th, 2014, 08:31 PM
#1
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Do less V. Tour
We have been traveling independently for over 40 years. The basic premise of our trips is that we would rather know a few places well, than many poorly. Occasionally, we will go on a tour lasting no more than a day.
Our last two trips, we violated our own rules even though each was almost three weeks in duration, one to Turkey and the another which was a combination of Belgium of The Netherlands. Now that we are older, what was once an engaging has become tiring. Schelepping bags, changing trains, and driving in towns we do not know, has lost some of its charm.
My wife likes to take time for drawing and painting, while I like to take photos and try to appreciate where we are. We love museums, art, architecture, observing life as others live it, walking cities and the country, and eating. Especially good meals at inexpensive prices. We could care less about shopping, the standard tourists spots unless they are exceptional, and a clean, well-maintained hotel, and safe hotel is enough. Usually on a trip we will splurge for a grander hotel for a short stay and dine at a well-regarded restaurant.
Here is the question. Do you just change the way we think of traveling and stay longer at even fewer places or do the drastic and take a tour be thrown in the back of bus and told when to eat and jump?
Our last two trips, we violated our own rules even though each was almost three weeks in duration, one to Turkey and the another which was a combination of Belgium of The Netherlands. Now that we are older, what was once an engaging has become tiring. Schelepping bags, changing trains, and driving in towns we do not know, has lost some of its charm.
My wife likes to take time for drawing and painting, while I like to take photos and try to appreciate where we are. We love museums, art, architecture, observing life as others live it, walking cities and the country, and eating. Especially good meals at inexpensive prices. We could care less about shopping, the standard tourists spots unless they are exceptional, and a clean, well-maintained hotel, and safe hotel is enough. Usually on a trip we will splurge for a grander hotel for a short stay and dine at a well-regarded restaurant.
Here is the question. Do you just change the way we think of traveling and stay longer at even fewer places or do the drastic and take a tour be thrown in the back of bus and told when to eat and jump?
Jun 14th, 2014, 08:56 PM
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I've never taken a tour other than a day trip here or there. It may well be that there will come a time in my life when the best way for me to travel will be to do so. For me, as a solo traveler, joining a tour would mark a major change in my approach to traveling. I do know that at some point, I will need to modify my traveling style, and for some years, have been choosing my destinations, in part, to defer what I think (perhaps mistakenly) will be "easier" ones for my golden years.
FWIW, I have an aunt who is in her mid-90s and who decided, when in her late 80s, to keep traveling independently, but to spend more time staying put. So 2 weeks in London, or 2 weeks in Paris.... She no longer travels every year, but she never stops weighing her options! She also considered (and for all I know, is still considering!) taking a semester-at-sea cruise, at least in part because some of those programs offer several days at each port-of-call, giving her a chance to stay in one room for her entire trip, while also seeing things on her own or with a small group tour. You can be sure I put that on my list of options for my later years!
If anyone can find a way to make traveling suit your changing preferences, I'm sure that you can!
FWIW, I have an aunt who is in her mid-90s and who decided, when in her late 80s, to keep traveling independently, but to spend more time staying put. So 2 weeks in London, or 2 weeks in Paris.... She no longer travels every year, but she never stops weighing her options! She also considered (and for all I know, is still considering!) taking a semester-at-sea cruise, at least in part because some of those programs offer several days at each port-of-call, giving her a chance to stay in one room for her entire trip, while also seeing things on her own or with a small group tour. You can be sure I put that on my list of options for my later years!
If anyone can find a way to make traveling suit your changing preferences, I'm sure that you can!
Jun 14th, 2014, 09:50 PM
#5
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We did a few bus tours with students years ago. I can't image doing one now. I refuse to go on vacation and get up earlier than I do at home. I want to linger over breakfast and have dinner whenever and wherever I choose. I want to decide which museums to visit and how long to stay and then take a nap if I choose. I want to travel, eat and sight see only with people I choose.
In Europe, we now tend to stay in one place longer, doing day trips. We pick only a few places to see in which we have a major interest then add more if we feel up to it.
Since we have not been anywhere in Asia or Africa, I would consider a tour, but select very carefully.
We do enjoy cruises, but not to Spain, France or Italy where we enjoy evenings and many places we like are not easily accessed from a ship.
In Europe, we now tend to stay in one place longer, doing day trips. We pick only a few places to see in which we have a major interest then add more if we feel up to it.
Since we have not been anywhere in Asia or Africa, I would consider a tour, but select very carefully.
We do enjoy cruises, but not to Spain, France or Italy where we enjoy evenings and many places we like are not easily accessed from a ship.
Jun 14th, 2014, 10:41 PM
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@ Sassafrass -- "I refuse to go on vacation and get up earlier than I do at home." -- LOL, I already get up earlier when traveling than I otherwise would, just so I can see things while I still have my knees!
BTW, there are lots of places you can visit in Asia without a tour. (I haven't visited Africa yet.)
BTW, there are lots of places you can visit in Asia without a tour. (I haven't visited Africa yet.)
Jun 14th, 2014, 10:53 PM
#8
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Due to personal and business circumstances we have only been on three vacations dedication to relaxation as opposed to touring, so sleeping late is not a consideration.
Our most memorable trips have been extremely varied from scaling the Mayan temples in Tikal to visiting the family farm in Spain to walking and revisiting Paris and Barcelona to the seeing the extraordinary sights in Turkey, so we are open to all sorts of places.
Our most memorable trips have been extremely varied from scaling the Mayan temples in Tikal to visiting the family farm in Spain to walking and revisiting Paris and Barcelona to the seeing the extraordinary sights in Turkey, so we are open to all sorts of places.
Jun 14th, 2014, 11:00 PM
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Not all tours are the same. Some tours run at a more relaxed pace with multiple days in each place, lots of free time and planning things according to common consent. They may not be as common as the ones where you're 'thrown in the back of bus and told when to eat and jump'. I think that just as important as 'tour or not tour' is 'what kind of tour'.
My parents (mid-late 70's) have taken several river cruises which they have found more relaxing than travelling independently. But they are very expensive. They don't appeal to me but perhaps one day they will. Taking a boat independently on Europe's canals might be another alternative.
However, from what you describe as important, I think the idea of just staying longer at fewer places, travelling with minimal luggage (so you don't have to schlep heavy bags) and visiting a single region or country at a time might suit you best for a while yet.
My parents (mid-late 70's) have taken several river cruises which they have found more relaxing than travelling independently. But they are very expensive. They don't appeal to me but perhaps one day they will. Taking a boat independently on Europe's canals might be another alternative.
However, from what you describe as important, I think the idea of just staying longer at fewer places, travelling with minimal luggage (so you don't have to schlep heavy bags) and visiting a single region or country at a time might suit you best for a while yet.
Jun 14th, 2014, 11:59 PM
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Hi IMDonehere,
I think something like Untours would be a good idea. You rent an apartment from them for 2 weeks -- they pick you up at the airport and help you get to the apartment, and they leave you with a thick binder of information for excusions and directions how to get there. I've never done this, but I've heard from people who have, and they've enjoyed it.
Another idea would be the kind of "city break" tour, where they escort you to a hotel in a city, give you passes for museums and transportation, and leave you alone.
Like seeing these ideas!
s
I think something like Untours would be a good idea. You rent an apartment from them for 2 weeks -- they pick you up at the airport and help you get to the apartment, and they leave you with a thick binder of information for excusions and directions how to get there. I've never done this, but I've heard from people who have, and they've enjoyed it.
Another idea would be the kind of "city break" tour, where they escort you to a hotel in a city, give you passes for museums and transportation, and leave you alone.
Like seeing these ideas!
s
Jun 15th, 2014, 12:06 AM
#12
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Jun 15th, 2014, 12:43 AM
#13
It depends. If one has never travelled much, it's quite normal to want to see as much as possible. As one gets older and the desire to "see it all" wanes, it can indeed be more pleasurable to travel in a more relaxed way.
Jun 15th, 2014, 01:03 AM
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Untours is an option about which I'd like to know more. The one friend I know who has tried it so far -- someone who actually PREFERS to join groups -- said it was a good experience, but was ambivalent about the its worth. Per that very experienced traveler: Given how easy it was to get around, why the need to pay extra for the "untour" experience?
For now, it's on my radar; I hope to learn more.
For now, it's on my radar; I hope to learn more.
Jun 15th, 2014, 01:11 AM
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If you start exploring you'll find there are all sorts of tours. Road Scholar offers tours where you don't move around a lot but their hotels seem to be away from main sights or city centers and of the less expensive variety.
I've taken several GCT tours (never had problems like a recent poster) and found that they move at a leisurely rate and almost never have early morning starts and stay several days in the same location. They also give enough time on your own to explore the area at a slower pace.
The tour I took to Turkey never had early starts as we were always at a hotel in the area, arriving the evening before. Most days we got on the bus at 9:00 to begin our day. As it was a Turkish tour company there were folks there from Australia and India as well as Americans and that made things more interesting.
A friend went to Scotland with her husband and he would not rent a car and drive and would not allow her to drive either so they did a mini trip of several days from Glasgow. They had arranged this through their hotel.
If carting luggage on trains is becoming a problem you can hire a car service to get you from one location to another. My view is that if you can afford to take tours (much more expensive than DIY) then you can afford a car service to get you from one destination to another as long as it's not across a continent.
I met a couple in Portugal who were on a British tour (they were Brits) and took the name of the tour company which has some interesting short tours although they probably leave from London but perhaps other arrangements could be made. Their lecturers look like they have good credentials.
http://www.martinrandall.com/tour-country/
Start looking at tour companies that are not the traditional American companies and I think you'll find things that enhance your new travel style.
I've taken several GCT tours (never had problems like a recent poster) and found that they move at a leisurely rate and almost never have early morning starts and stay several days in the same location. They also give enough time on your own to explore the area at a slower pace.
The tour I took to Turkey never had early starts as we were always at a hotel in the area, arriving the evening before. Most days we got on the bus at 9:00 to begin our day. As it was a Turkish tour company there were folks there from Australia and India as well as Americans and that made things more interesting.
A friend went to Scotland with her husband and he would not rent a car and drive and would not allow her to drive either so they did a mini trip of several days from Glasgow. They had arranged this through their hotel.
If carting luggage on trains is becoming a problem you can hire a car service to get you from one location to another. My view is that if you can afford to take tours (much more expensive than DIY) then you can afford a car service to get you from one destination to another as long as it's not across a continent.
I met a couple in Portugal who were on a British tour (they were Brits) and took the name of the tour company which has some interesting short tours although they probably leave from London but perhaps other arrangements could be made. Their lecturers look like they have good credentials.
http://www.martinrandall.com/tour-country/
Start looking at tour companies that are not the traditional American companies and I think you'll find things that enhance your new travel style.
Jun 15th, 2014, 04:13 AM
#16
I can appreciate the obvious negative thoughts from the OP about "a tour" and I am certain there are many which are like that. I can remember being on a bus tour in France and the very first morning we were forced to wait for someone's husband to get his rear end on the bus.
So yes, it was a "tour" issue but more specifically it was a PERSON issue and hardly the tour company's fault. But that's what you get sometimes when you are involved with other people.
I suppose there are ways to avoid all of that. Perhaps some of those "other companies" have found some way to avoid those issues.
So yes, it was a "tour" issue but more specifically it was a PERSON issue and hardly the tour company's fault. But that's what you get sometimes when you are involved with other people.
I suppose there are ways to avoid all of that. Perhaps some of those "other companies" have found some way to avoid those issues.
Jun 15th, 2014, 07:47 AM
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What about independent travel feels less manageable? Luggage? Driving? Figure out where you need help and hire that help. Most of our travel has been in Asia, where it is very common to hire a car and driver. Japan has a fabulous luggage delivery service (you give your luggage to the concierge and it's at your next hotel when you arrive the next day). I have seen luggage delivery services advertised elsewhere.
No reason, IMO, to give up your independence entirely.
No reason, IMO, to give up your independence entirely.
Jun 15th, 2014, 08:15 AM
#19
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I too am deferring certain trips and don't know if that's wise or not; only time will tell.
If one is an experienced traveler, I've questioned the value of Untours. I got their print materials in the mail for years, and it never quite clicked with me. I can always get a driver for a leg or transfer if I need one, and the high cost doesn't seem worth it.
What I am "saving" for later is a cruise. I would prefer to cruise to some place unfamiliar and perhaps someplace where I wouldn't enjoy being on the ground as much as I do in England, France and Italy. Perhaps Alaska and Norway.
It seems pretty easy still to take a car trip from home, so I'm hoping to see a lot more of the US in coming years. Hopefully a bag in the trunk will be easier than luggage with trains in Europe.
And of course, the standard of staying put. I think Oxford or Cambridge UK will likely see us later.
Right now, I would like to visit Scotland and Sicily while we are as mobile as we are.
If one is an experienced traveler, I've questioned the value of Untours. I got their print materials in the mail for years, and it never quite clicked with me. I can always get a driver for a leg or transfer if I need one, and the high cost doesn't seem worth it.
What I am "saving" for later is a cruise. I would prefer to cruise to some place unfamiliar and perhaps someplace where I wouldn't enjoy being on the ground as much as I do in England, France and Italy. Perhaps Alaska and Norway.
It seems pretty easy still to take a car trip from home, so I'm hoping to see a lot more of the US in coming years. Hopefully a bag in the trunk will be easier than luggage with trains in Europe.
And of course, the standard of staying put. I think Oxford or Cambridge UK will likely see us later.
Right now, I would like to visit Scotland and Sicily while we are as mobile as we are.
Jun 15th, 2014, 08:19 AM
#20
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Am told that if you part a couple in which one is, shall we say, aging mentally more quickly than the other, it may become less enjoyable, for both, to travel independently. Being part of a tour may create some structure that will prevent unpleasant disputes about communication or scares about location. I'm trying to be gentle here in my description, but I hope my intent is somewhat clear.
