I'm reading a cute book but it has alot of insight too. It is about a self-limiting woman who comes alive in all her senses on her trip to Amalfi Coast with her mother.

It got me thinking about how I travel and if I let adventure happen or do I play it safe and stick to a pre-arranged schedule at all costs.

How do you travel? It might be a good discussion. I bought the book in Sorrento, it is I Love Capri by Belinda Jones.

I usually travel with a pretty detailed itinerary (including directions, which train to take to get to this place, etc), but I also make sure that it stays flexible with plenty of "free" time each day, plus with at least one day with nothing planned. And, if I decide to ignore my itinerary for a day (or a week) I feel no guilt


Of course, there was this one trip when I met the most interesting man the first day and tossed my plans for the rest of the time while he showed me his city in a way that I never would have seen if I had followed the tourist trail. It remains one of my favorite trips. Gee, wonder why!

Usually when I travel, I know what I'd like to see and then just decide on a day-to-day basis what to do. I just returned from France a few weeks ago and did things a bit different.

On this trip, the friend I usually stay with when I'm in Paris met me at CDG, we picked up a rental car, and took off for Burgundy. We actually said that we were heading off for a great adventure!

My friend had a rough itinerary of villages that looked interesting but, as we drove through the countryside we would stop wherever something looked interesting to us. We were lost at some point every day and, although we knew which villages we planned to stay in each night, we had made no hotel reservations and simply looked for a hotel when we got into the village at around 7:30 or 8:00 in the evening.

It was a fantastic adventure, one of the best vacations I've ever had and we're going to do it again next year except that he wants to show me Brittany (where he grew up).

Hi SeaUrchin. I rarely have any kind of set schedule when visiting a city or a specific area but I typically have specific cities, towns or areas I want to visit. For example, on my last visit to Italy, we knew we wanted to spend five days in Tuscany (and rent a car and stay in Siena), all of which we did, but we had not made specific plans for daytrips ahead of time. We also had not made any hotel reservations for this part of the trip and that turned out great since this locanda we fell in love with in Siena doesn't even take advance reservations.

I always make a point of scheduling Adventure on every rigidly planned trip I take!

Call me crazy, but its worth 30 minutes or so to wander a bit, but only if time permits and my "must do list" is done! I've even been known to stop at an outdoor cafe for a quick drink in the middle of the afternoon!

Usually the first time we visit a place, we have a pretty detailed agenda. The more often we return, the less we plan and the more we leave to chance. This fall we are going to Paris (8 days) for the 8th time and to Andalucia (8 days) for the first. Almost all of the planning and scheduling has gone into the Spain portion. We will leave Paris to chance for the most part.

I usually have a very structured itinerary planned (because I don't wish to waste time or money on a trip that is expensive, any way you look at it). HOWEVER, if something serendipitous comes along, I definitely surrender to adventure. My answer: ABSOLUTEMENT!

I just hate an itinerary, in any shape or form. Never plan beyond dates for arriving a city and a hotel reservation. That doesn't necessarily lead me to adventure (unfortunately!).

Here's another definite "Yes" to adventure, SeaUrchin.

I too find myself planning vacations with just the basics settled for, such as flights and first night hotel and then seeing how the rest goes. I do however research the options in advance of arrival and have an idea of places and things I'd like to see and do and stay at. Just no map of when exactly to do them, allowing maximum flexibility to satisfy one's whims and remain open to adventure. And always expect the unexpected. Amongst many fun things, this destructured planning has resulted in the most amazing 10 day trek through the Amazon jungle (that was only meant to be 5 days), followed by another 10 days in the Andes, including an unscheduled overnight stay at Agua Calientes at the base of Macchu Pichu to catch the dawn mystical climb back up. It was awesome.

I have to say however, and with some regret, that this kind of travel works best for solo travellers or very understanding travel mates, including oneself. My then girlfriend refused this approach to the Amazon trip and didn't go with me. She didn't know what she missed, but I know what I missed.

Life's too short.

Oh. That's what you meant! I thought you were talking about leaving the shades/draperies open at night and the bedside light on...

SeaUrchin,
Liked your picture on the Sorrento webcam! To answer, I usually do a villa and explore. I do my homework on the area whether it's France,Spain,Italy or wherever. Getting lost is the most fun, and finding a town that has probably never seen a tourist is fantastic. Language? If you are smiling and trying to use the language you will have a friend. I have stories!

johnthedorf, thanks, it was fun.

I'm happy to see so many adventurers here, good for us!!

One of the passages from the book is that she has thought about controlling her personal climate so much that it is exhilarating to let the cool wind whip her hair on a speed boat off the Amalfi Coast. Isn't that the truth!

..adventure..when on vacation i have a very loosy-goosy plan (wouldnt call it itinerary). only fixed thing is time of take-off and landing (though on some trips have fixed visits with friends and family and that is another issue). more fun! I never feel as though ive missed anything...If want to hit all the must sees i can go to a travel movie..my must sees are my own personal Musts things i have read about ect. I have many special memories which are my own and many which ive shared with others (either people ive met on my wanderings or like thinking travel companions). when my kids were small again had to be more structured but still "itineraries are made to be broken".

"Do you surrender to adventure on a trip?"

Only if there's a hot man in the mix.

Well....tell us.

..isnt there always!!!! and if not you can make up a story to tell your friends at home

Each trip should have some portions planned and some that are left to chance. We went to Paris once without any planning and ended up having an OK time but eating in just so so places and thinking we should have planned better.

You should also know how adventurous you are. I know I am very unhappy if I had to sleep in a gross place - where some people would be just fine with it!

What is the name of the book you are reading? It sounds good!

oops, sorry I see the book's name in your original message!

SeaUrchin,
Am I allowed to respond to NYCFood snob?
LOL......cracked me up! "Please take this man back, he's not qiute "fixed" correctly!

I can't believe degas' "Funky Smells" got shut down. Is Holly out of jail, again?

Anyway, here's the reply that never made that thread. It sort of works here.

<i>&quot;Since Americans do, it just makes our noses a bit sensitive!&quot;</i>

Too many <i>Americans</i> have overly sensitized and sanitized noses. (Too bad.) God forbid everyone doesn't smell like some piece of fruit or candy. Some people forget (or never have known [too bad]) that smell and scent (natural) can be the greatest aphrodisiac.

When I read something like, <i>&quot;Where I come from it's called body odor and it's offensive&quot;</i>, I immediately think <b>lousy</b> lover, <b>awful</b> sex life. When did the smell of Listerine and Ban become such a turn on? If you're turned on by the taste and smell of chemical, I suggest you see a doctor.

I don't love all body odor but I'll take any man's natural scent over Right Guard any day. Don't fodorite women lick their man's armpits? What the hell are you girls doing for fun?

ps Very funny capo! (re: pacino)