I noticed there are classes here about traveling Europe? Anyone ever taken one? Do you think I would learn more than just reading books and online? It's a bit of a drive away. Do you think it would be worth the time and money?

islandmom
Maybe if you could say what issues or questions you feel you need help with, (other than general reassurance), you can get quite a bit of information or referrals to websites right here.

Hi,
I would offer that the wealth of information available here is much greater than you could get in a class taught by only one person.

And it's free.

I think it would depend on the cost. A lot of community centers, etc, have courses on travel, so that doesn't surprise me. I think it would depend on how good the travel was, credentials, etc, as to whether it would be worthwhile. Sometimes, a live presentation can be more useful to someone than reading a book, especially if there's something in particular you want to know and there's a Q&A period. Rick Steves'organization does it and I'm sure makes a bundle, and has classes all the time near his company headquarters.

Personally, I think it would probably not be worth it if it's a class about Europe in general. That just sounds too broad to be of much use, but you never know -- if it lasts several nights, it could be okay. Some people need visuals or a different medium than books, I know. Also, you may meet other people there who are traveling to the same places at you or who live near you and make some friends or trade info that way.

Actually - for some people classes are worthwhile. Not necessarily for the type who frequents a site like this, but only a small % of travelers even look at web forums. Remember - more people take guided tours than travel independently. I think mostly because they are too timid to try it or are overwhelmed by the planning.

I give several travel classes. I give free 1-hour seminars about 8 times a year and an average of 50 or 60 folks come to each one.

I also teach 5 or 6 paid classes a year at the local community college - these are 3 hour workshops and I limit the class size to 20 or less.

They are usually very specific - Like Independent Travel to the West of Scotland, or London and the Cotswolds - How to do it on Your Own for Less. Those types of things. My main goal is to get folks off of tours and saving money.

I also teach a packing class which is very popular -

So for most folks on this forum - I agree a class is not of very much value. But for a very large minority, they need the "push" do venture out on their own.

Classes about traveling sound a bit formal--but probably it is a good practical orientation for folks who haven't traveled in Europe before.

I give a 7 1/2 hour--3 session course on planning your trip to France--at a local college and get a big turnout, primarily of people who have not had a lot of experience traveling outside of the USA. I include travelers vocabulary and some key phrases for travelers, geography and a rundown of the highlights of each of the regions of France, transportation, lots of tips on hotels and restaurants and 2 pages of web sites to do the planning. We also learn a French song and people really seem to gain confidence.

Believe me, it's no way to earn any money--I spend far more than I make on it--but it is a nice way to share my love of France.

Not everyone is plugged in to Fodors--it takes a certain personality.

I heard that different people learn in different ways and am inclined to believe that's true. The four types of learning (as told to me by an educator - this is 2nd hand so don't take this as gospel) were literal, aural, visual and tactile - or some combination of these.

Literal people learn best by reading. Aural people do well at listening to lectures (my worst area).
Visual people pick things up from well, visual aids.. pictures
while Tactile people are "hands on" learners.

If the literal approach isn't your most effective way to digest information, and you're more aural and/or visual, then I don't see anything wrong with taking a class. If reading for information is your strong suit, then it may not be as valuable to you.

Me, I'm more a tactile learner, and literal to a lesser extent. Effectively, this means I can try to learn by reading guide books and message boards, but I really have to screw it up in person to learn my lesson.

I've gone to the Rick Steves sessions in Edmunds (which are free) and have gotten some good information there, but probably have gotten even more on this website and with guidebooks and the internet. Still, it all helps and it's all lots of fun.

A local community college offers such classes, but at this point, I think those would probably be too elementary for me, but as others have pointed out, they might be very helpful for some people.

Islandmom, I think you might learn all you need from travel books (Rick Steves' are quite practical and chatty, as well) and videos you might get from the library or a rental place. And, of course, you can always ask questions (and browse) here.

So my question is: do you think you would enjoy such a class, the interaction with a teacher and others who are planning trips, and benefit from being able to ask your questions in person to a real person? Weigh that against the negatives of cost and time involved to make your decision.

Well, ONE thing they probably teach in these classes is how to separate biased "opinions" from FACTS, especially when destinations, hotel properties are being "described." Another would be how to avoid being impolite to people's honest questions..particularly when one considers some of the rather inane "questions" these very responders have posed on this board.

It would depend on your own experience level (have you traveled extensively already or not at all)? And the background of the teacher (travel agent selling something or independent)?

I agree with the poster who mentions fact vs hearsay!!! Books most likely give reasonably factual information. Often it seems people don't remember that internet travel BB's are people's *opinions* which may or may not prove true to your own experience.