Question about couples traveling together
Sep 30th, 2004, 11:46 AM
#21
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You know, I'll bet there are four people for whom this would all work out beautifully. But I don't know any of them.
Yes, if not all of you have the same morning ablution routine, that would help. If some of you are very fast in the bathroom that would help.
If you are all always open and honest in your communications, and no one ever plays martyr and no one whines and no one bullies and everyone is a bathroom cleaner-upper, and each of you is flexible and considerate and all the time, that would help.
But I see it as unlikely, and possibly damaging to your friendship and travel future.
Yes, if not all of you have the same morning ablution routine, that would help. If some of you are very fast in the bathroom that would help.
If you are all always open and honest in your communications, and no one ever plays martyr and no one whines and no one bullies and everyone is a bathroom cleaner-upper, and each of you is flexible and considerate and all the time, that would help.
But I see it as unlikely, and possibly damaging to your friendship and travel future.
Sep 30th, 2004, 11:52 AM
#22
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Hi Jed,
>I have the responsibility of finding the "right" places to stay in the nine (9!) cities/towns on our planned itinerary. <
Are you guys sure that you want to do 9 towns in 21 days?
And you want to share an apt?
With maybe only one bathroom?
>I have the responsibility of finding the "right" places to stay in the nine (9!) cities/towns on our planned itinerary. <
Are you guys sure that you want to do 9 towns in 21 days?
And you want to share an apt?
With maybe only one bathroom?
Sep 30th, 2004, 01:00 PM
#24
Wow, I hadn't put that part together. 9 cities in 21 days. Yikes!
Using my trusty equasion- substract the first and last days because these are basically eaten up in arriving and departing airports, then subtract 1/2 day each time you change locations (checking in/out of hotel or apartments, taxi, train ride, bus, car trip, whatever, and then checking in to new place) there goes essentially another 4 days. Take the 15 days left and divide by 9... that's ~1.5 days in each place.
Maybe that's OK with your group, but I like to throw this idea out just as a reality check about the logistics of the kind of trip you're describing.
Using my trusty equasion- substract the first and last days because these are basically eaten up in arriving and departing airports, then subtract 1/2 day each time you change locations (checking in/out of hotel or apartments, taxi, train ride, bus, car trip, whatever, and then checking in to new place) there goes essentially another 4 days. Take the 15 days left and divide by 9... that's ~1.5 days in each place.
Maybe that's OK with your group, but I like to throw this idea out just as a reality check about the logistics of the kind of trip you're describing.
Sep 30th, 2004, 01:12 PM
#25
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I was wondering about that, too (itinerary). I haven't done this in a long time (only when much younger) but being around other couples gets on my nerves 24/7, but I really need a lot of privacy and I know other people don't. I wouldn't even consider it, but I know myself.
HOwever, I was just amazed as to where you could easily find two-bedroom "units" (apartments? hotels? I don't know many two-bedroom hotel units, but I guess there are some but they are usually in expensive hotels) that are cheaper than hotels and easily book-able on an itinerary that seems to involve moving every couple of days.
HOwever, I was just amazed as to where you could easily find two-bedroom "units" (apartments? hotels? I don't know many two-bedroom hotel units, but I guess there are some but they are usually in expensive hotels) that are cheaper than hotels and easily book-able on an itinerary that seems to involve moving every couple of days.
Sep 30th, 2004, 02:07 PM
#27
Christina brings up an excellent point. Jed, are you sure these apartments you are hearing about are willing to rent just for 1-2 nights?
Often that kind of place requires a week minimum stay. That might solve your planning problems, or at least eliminate this option.
Often that kind of place requires a week minimum stay. That might solve your planning problems, or at least eliminate this option.
Sep 30th, 2004, 09:52 PM
#28
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This question brought back a memory I just have to share:
My great-uncle and great-aunt used to travel with another elderly couple sharing a quad motel room to save money. They got along famously and went on many trips together.
They were overseas once when, unexpectedly, their male friend passed away during the night. Undaunted, they finished their trip with "Harry's" ashes being carried along by the new widow. They figured "Harry" would have wanted it that way. Talk about intrepid travellers!
My great-uncle and great-aunt used to travel with another elderly couple sharing a quad motel room to save money. They got along famously and went on many trips together.
They were overseas once when, unexpectedly, their male friend passed away during the night. Undaunted, they finished their trip with "Harry's" ashes being carried along by the new widow. They figured "Harry" would have wanted it that way. Talk about intrepid travellers!
Oct 1st, 2004, 03:29 AM
#29
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Regarding the comments about Jed's itinerary (which are dangerously close to being patronizing by the way) - we've easily done 9 cities/towns in less time than 21 days. The intensity of an itinerary depends on the goals of the trip and the overall geographic area, not just the number of stops.
Now, back to the question at hand:
we've shared one bathroom with TWO other couples and sometimes a single to boot! However, a few points:
on these occasions we were not trying to tour or even sightsee much at all but were simply relaxing in one spot. If you have a particular destination in the morning, bathroom pressures could be awkward.
Secondly, the women were not doing much primping - and any that was, was done before the bedroom mirrors, not the bathroom.
Thirdly, the informality of the group was such that we were able to manage by conducting activities like toothbrushing and hairwashing at the kitchen sink. Obviously, this is what is known as 'shipboard privacy' and might not be tolerable with all people or more to the point, under all situations. If we had been planning to get to a certain museum or destination in the mornings, I doubt it would have worked.
Now, back to the question at hand:
we've shared one bathroom with TWO other couples and sometimes a single to boot! However, a few points:
on these occasions we were not trying to tour or even sightsee much at all but were simply relaxing in one spot. If you have a particular destination in the morning, bathroom pressures could be awkward.
Secondly, the women were not doing much primping - and any that was, was done before the bedroom mirrors, not the bathroom.
Thirdly, the informality of the group was such that we were able to manage by conducting activities like toothbrushing and hairwashing at the kitchen sink. Obviously, this is what is known as 'shipboard privacy' and might not be tolerable with all people or more to the point, under all situations. If we had been planning to get to a certain museum or destination in the mornings, I doubt it would have worked.
Oct 1st, 2004, 07:30 AM
#32
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Suze - "Maybe that's OK with your group, but I like to throw this idea out just as a reality check about the logistics of the kind of trip you're describing." - I have spent a long time figuring out this itinerary, and being a seasoned traveler, I feel sure it is reasonable.
Christina - "HOwever, I was just amazed as to where you could easily find two-bedroom "units" (apartments? hotels? I don't know many two-bedroom hotel units, but I guess there are some" - I wish it were easy. Sometimes it requires poking into the nooks and crannies of their websites and booking sites. And even then the descriptions of the rooms and bathrooms are not clear.
"but they are usually in expensive hotels)" - not so. You can find them in many small hotels/motels. Look and ye shall find. Just for example, check out <http://www.pungagrove.co.nz/tariff.asp>
Sue_xx_yy - "Regarding the comments about Jed's itinerary (which are dangerously close to being patronizing by the way)" - Thanks - I hesitated to say anything.
Christina - "HOwever, I was just amazed as to where you could easily find two-bedroom "units" (apartments? hotels? I don't know many two-bedroom hotel units, but I guess there are some" - I wish it were easy. Sometimes it requires poking into the nooks and crannies of their websites and booking sites. And even then the descriptions of the rooms and bathrooms are not clear.
"but they are usually in expensive hotels)" - not so. You can find them in many small hotels/motels. Look and ye shall find. Just for example, check out <http://www.pungagrove.co.nz/tariff.asp>
Sue_xx_yy - "Regarding the comments about Jed's itinerary (which are dangerously close to being patronizing by the way)" - Thanks - I hesitated to say anything.
Oct 1st, 2004, 08:14 AM
#33
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Jed, there seems to be a disconnect here. You say you are a seasoned traveler and feel confident that 9 cities in 21 days will work. However, you couldn't see the obvious drawbacks of couples sharing an apartment with one bathroom?
Oct 1st, 2004, 08:17 AM
#34
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Jed - While nine locations in 21 days is way too ambitious for me, I am sure you have planned it out well. However, I was wondering if you are going to be staying in hotels or apts? I noticed you said in your first message that you were looking at 2 bedroom units. I think we all assumed that you were talking about an apt. As someone mentioned, apts. usually have a minimum stay, usually a week although I have seen some with 3 day minimum. If that is the case are you looking only at apts or also at hotels? I would definitely make sure you have two bathrooms, an absolute necessity if you want to get on the road at the decent time in the morning.
Oct 1st, 2004, 08:18 AM
#35
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We've been thinking for the past year about renting one of the gorgeous ParisPerfect apartments with my in-laws next Thanksgiving.
We LOVE my inlaws, and love to travel with them. We've rented beach houses together very happily many times.
However, after they stayed with us for two weeks this past summer (in my 2BR, 1 BA house) we decided that there was NO WAY we would share an apartment, even if there were four bathrooms.
The issue isn't just primping time: it's privacy. My house, while small, is much bigger than the average European rental apartment. Even in our house, it was so difficult to get any alone time, and to stop feeling guilty about not wanting to talk and be social evvery minute.
I think that compounding the lack of privacy with the travelling stress of even the best vacation would be deadly.
Being able to totally separate each day would be so healthy for your time together.
The fact that you are seeing nine cities also makes me think that it would be nice to leave things like making the beds, etc to a hotel staff. In an apartment, you would have to do all of this for yourself.
Just my two cents. FYI- we've decided to stay at the Hotel Valadon with my in laws next year.
We LOVE my inlaws, and love to travel with them. We've rented beach houses together very happily many times.
However, after they stayed with us for two weeks this past summer (in my 2BR, 1 BA house) we decided that there was NO WAY we would share an apartment, even if there were four bathrooms.
The issue isn't just primping time: it's privacy. My house, while small, is much bigger than the average European rental apartment. Even in our house, it was so difficult to get any alone time, and to stop feeling guilty about not wanting to talk and be social evvery minute.
I think that compounding the lack of privacy with the travelling stress of even the best vacation would be deadly.
Being able to totally separate each day would be so healthy for your time together.
The fact that you are seeing nine cities also makes me think that it would be nice to leave things like making the beds, etc to a hotel staff. In an apartment, you would have to do all of this for yourself.
Just my two cents. FYI- we've decided to stay at the Hotel Valadon with my in laws next year.
Oct 1st, 2004, 08:20 AM
#37
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I grew up in a one bathroom household. Its the survival of the fittest. Whoever yelled the most got top dog bathroom privileges.
But I really don't see a problem with four adults who are compatible with each other.
But I really don't see a problem with four adults who are compatible with each other.
Oct 1st, 2004, 08:27 AM
#38
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Oh Degas, you almost made me spit my coffee all over my computer screen.
Jed, I was the first to crack a joke about your itinerary, and I apologize if it was taken as "patronizing." Obviously, many do feel that's a lot of ground to cover in 21 days, but I did not mean to offend.
I feel very strongly that people can travel any way they like -- it's their time and their money. But I couldn't resist the wisecrack.
Jed, I was the first to crack a joke about your itinerary, and I apologize if it was taken as "patronizing." Obviously, many do feel that's a lot of ground to cover in 21 days, but I did not mean to offend.
I feel very strongly that people can travel any way they like -- it's their time and their money. But I couldn't resist the wisecrack.
Oct 1st, 2004, 08:52 AM
#39
I didn't mean to sound "patronizing" either, as another who commented on the itinerary. If Jed and friends had traveled like this before (lots of stops in a relatively short timeframe), then they know best.
Oct 1st, 2004, 12:01 PM
#40
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i have not been able to fully read every post, but have you condsidered some nice b and b's?
they usually have a large living room/ study for all the guests to use, but the private rooms and ensuite bathrooms in many of them.
might be a nice comfortable inexpensive solution for all.
they usually have a large living room/ study for all the guests to use, but the private rooms and ensuite bathrooms in many of them.
might be a nice comfortable inexpensive solution for all.
