flpab

I travel now but at a much more relaxed pace. Don't even like to plan much.
NYtraveler, Where does the Ivy get those crystal ice cube molds they use for their old fashions? I have looked everywhere.

BumbleB6

I believe most US travelers take these kinds of vacations - see all of Europe in 7 days kind of thing - because here in the US, we have very limited vacation time. VERY LIMITED. Even white-collar workers in high positions take short vacations because it's frowned upon to take more than 3 or 4 weeks out of the year.

For most Americans, going to Europe - or anywhere overseas - is truly a "once-in-a lifetime" experience. They want to make the most of it. They assume they will NEVER go back.

Just today, I had lunch with an elderly lady I know, and I told her I was considering visiting Europe again this fall, for two weeks. She said, "Oh what countries will you visit?" When I told her I wanted to stay in Italy the entire two weeks - and I was even considering NOT going to Venice - she looked at me askance. I explained that I just can't stand moving around too much in such a short time, and I like to stay in one place for at least a few days, preferably at least a week. I try to always assume I'll go back...
But realize that so many people in the USA, even those with the means to travel, just want to see everything in a hurry, because we've been trained this way...

We're an overworked culture (but oddly proud to be that way) and there is also a more subtle attitude by many Americans that the world's sights and cities are just something to see, then mark off a list; rather than actual PLACES to BE and savor.
We seem to treat our national parks here, the same way. I can't tell you how many people I know, who drove to Yellowstone or the Rockies and never got out of the car to take even a short hike... They are satisfied to have just briefly seen the view...

Blueeyedcod

All the old fossil grizzlers about that Top Deck tour just make me laugh.

Newsflash - these tours are *not* directed at your ancient demographic. They are immersions - designed to give samples so the youthful traveller will decide to go back one day. They are loads of fun, fast paced with the Corfu stop designed for some swimming, rest and recreation.

So that doesn't suit you? Well never mind. It's not your business how the youth of today - and 40 years ago too mind you - Contiki were doing 40 countries in 60 days in the 1970s as well.

I am sure Adelaidean's niece will have the time of her life and considering Australia is far FAR away from Europe, it may be a while before she makes it back again.

scdreamer

I think half the reason for these crazy itineraries is so people can post photos on Facebook - "Look, I have been EVERYWHERE!"

IMDonehere

When we were in our early 20's we started traveling with the same idea, it is better to see a few places well, than many poorly.

Now we are older we are tired of moving every days and dragging our luggage around. So in September we will be going away for most of the month and will use three bases, to cut down on the moving.

We still dread tours as they do not linger, it is their version of the world, they chose the restaurants, etc. but we might have to acquiesce for places we have never been.

Whathello

Blueeye
just one thing : who pays the 5000 $ for the niece ?
Herself or an old fossil ? don't you think a young guy could not spend more intelligently the fossil's money ?
When I traveled alone in the US, I as young and I spent a LOT LESS.
So laugh if you want, I still find this trip a total waste of money ad a proof of limited autonomy.
At the time of internet how do you explain that the young are so conformist and don't go off the beaten paths ?

marvelousmouse

Whathehello-

I actually don't think taking a tour is about being a "conformist". I've roomed with a lot of young ladies (mostly Australians) that do part of their trip as a tour and part of it as independent travelers. The choice to take the tour is usually tied to either 1) they can't rent a car or 2) travel is about socializing with people their own age, and a tour gives them a ready made party group. They still do stuff off the tour- often the cities that they can navigate alone.

Another aspect- this based on my friends- is that many people want a sort of light overview, and they want convenience. They're more likely to do such a trip if they don't have to do all the nit picky planning, and they don't travel with food or off the beaten path attractions in mind.

In my case- food may be not WHY I travel, but it's pretty darn high on the list. And I spend way more time in museums, and a lot less time drinking. So I don't take tours, and I often solo travel because I don't care for planning trips for my friends. And I'm probably weird but I actually really enjoy the logistics and planning

jubilada

BumbleB6,
You make enormous generalizations about Americans, some truism, some very far from my experience. I know many many well travelled people with all kinds of travel styles.

traveller1959

The bus tour is not a problem per se, but a 15-countries-in-20-days-tour is crazy, because these young chicks are misguided by the advertising and find themselves half of their precious vacation time pressed in coach seats.

flpab

bumbleB6, I was lucky to have a job that consisted of good vacation time and I could also use overtime as comp time instead of overtime. People could never understand why I would do that but vacation days meant more to me that the extra money. My husband had good leave also.
My nieces travel on their own, don't think they have ever done a tour. One is leaving for Italy on Sunday. My two young cousins just got back from a two month back pack/couch surf/hostel trip. They went everywhere in Europe.
But, tours are good for some and they will probably have a great time with others on the tour and the night life is where they will be and sleep on that bus during the day. We took a pub tour with our local and about 14 of the 24 were recent college grads. They didn't waste a minute of the stops, but slept on the bus when they could. We just did one country and had two nights in each though.

BumbleB6

I am also an American.
Yes, I generalized somewhat, but it is true that many Americans like comprehensive tours because of their limited vacation time.

I don't travel that way, and I know plenty of American who also do not travel that way.

I'm just saying, while that travel style of seeing a different city every day, or two days, seems crazy and counter-productive - and I guess it is - I am trying to understand where the desire to travel like that is coming from. and I think it's from a general shortage of free time.

historytraveler

I'll probably get slammed but that's okay. I think ( generally speaking and aware there are other factors ) that it's often a lack of knowledge that causes people to imagine impossible itineraries. No idea as to the geography of Europe, how far apart places actually are ( it doesn't look that far on a map, we're use to traveling long distances in US.) and the simple logistics of getting from point A to point B. ( my flight lands @ 12: 00, so I can probably have a good half day tour of the city ).

janisj

>>Yes, I generalized somewhat, but it is true that many Americans like comprehensive tours because of their limited vacation time.<<

IME/IMO (I've given travel talks and packing classes to more than 13,000 people in the last 15+ years) it usually isn't that 'most' Americans want a comprehensive tour. First of all the VAST majority of Americans have not traveled overseas and a majority don't have passports. Locally - what I've found is frequently a family/couple/single decides to travel to say Europe, applies for passports . . . and then panics. 'We only speak English' 'We have 2 weeks and don't know how to travel from place to place' 'How do we find hotels' . . . and they think a tour or cruise is the only way they can manage.


Now - this does NOT apply to most Fodorites. We are a very small, pretty widely traveled sample size. However most neophyte travelers don't know about Fodors, or Trip Advisor, or FlyerTalk, or SlowTrav - they <i>might</i> know about Rick Steves.

marvelousmouse

Interesting, Janisj. The people I know who go on tours generally already have passports and go on tours because whoever used to plan their vacations- parents or spouses- can't or won't go on that particular trip. The people who recently got their passports- in my experience they're the folks that are most enthusiastic about bumbling through the planning. Then they either learn through their mistakes and keep traveling or don't go again or abort it before they go go because they decide they can't afford it (usually because they have preconceived ideas of how much to see or where they should stay).

janisj

>>The people I know <<

The people I know may be different too. . . But during the intro to my talks I always do a 'needs assessment' light hearted survey of those in attendance (usually between 50 and 100 but sometime as may s 150) getting a 'feel' for my audience which often changes the core/direction of my talk. I ask how many have traveled overseas, how many are actually planning a trip or just 'daydreaming' at this point, how many got their very first passport for this trip, etc etc etc,

Trust me - it has been an eye opener . . .

marvelousmouse

That would be eye opening Perhaps you get a slightly slanted perspective though- I would think that the majority of people who go to a packing class would most likely be anxious first time travelers. I went to one a few years ago and I was honeslty surprised by some of the basic questions people ask...or some of the stuff people consider "absolute necessities".

janisj

>>I would think that the majority of people who go to a packing class would most likely be anxious first time travelers<<

Actually not -- the packing class participants are MUCH more widely traveled on average then those attending the travel talks. People have to travel a bit before they realize they maybe don't need/want to be pack mules.

Pegontheroad

I always respond, "Yes!" when the title of the thread is "Is this trip crazy?" because it would be crazy for me. People seem to make the same kinds of mistakes--underestimating the time it takes to get from one destination to another, forgetting to include time it takes to check out of one hotel, get to a new town, and check into another hotel.

I love to read discussions like those on this thread. I like to learn about all the different opinions.

IMDonehere

And thank you all for being extremely civil. (I hope that is not the kiss of death.)

danon

"crazy itineraries is so people can post photos on Facebook -"

I occasionally travel with a friend whose main focus of the trip seems to be having her picture taken in front of the
well known sights (without spending time to look, learn, enjoy.)
She takes pictures of all the dishes at meals and insists on me taking her
picture with the water. (?). Also, she immediately speaks English to everyone regardless of the country's language .

Other than that, she is a great travel companion.
,,,,,,....
I agree that most guidebooks promote totally unreasonable daily itineraries.
Not sure why.