Staying in one place - am I the only one?
 

I am just wondering...am I the only one who likes to travel and stay in only one place, maybe two tops? Only once was I able to accomplish a 4-cities-in-2-weeks trip to Europe, in this case it was Italy. I found on that trip that I never really had my bearings about me. I would just begin to feel slightly familiar with my surroundings, and it was time to leave again. I never really had time to do many of the things that I wanted to do and see, and would leave each place feeling quite sad and regretful. And I was tired - all the time!

Now, I like to travel to one place and really enjoy myself in that one place. I like to absorb the surroundings, learn how to use public transport, see some of the sites, wander the streets, linger in museums, enjoy the cuisine, and simply relax. I read some of these itineraries that others are planning - 2 days here, 2 days there, 1 day here, day trips in, out, up, down. I just don't think I could manage that - not just physically, but emotionally!

My favorite one place to visit for a week or ten days is Rome. I just can't seem to run out of things to do and see. I love spending half a day in a cafe and not feeling like I have to rush off to the next activity. I love waking up with no real agenda, because I have enough time there to keep it loose and only partially planned out.

I am just wondering - is there anyone else out there that prefers to travel to one place, or am I the only one? Am I a lazy traveler?

Greetings Faredolce,

You are not lazy.

While I greatly enjoying reading what I refer to as the fast track traveler's reports, I often feel as though I need a little Napa after I finish.

You are not alone, and thank heavens my husband is right there with us basking in the splendor.

As I stated on another thread, travel with said significant partner before making it legal. You can tell a vast amount about a person when you travel with them (and ideally when they prefer to travel at the same pace as you, ahhhhhhhhhh the magic begins!)

He's my match, we bask together!

Happy relaxing journey to you, Tiff

I am pretty emotional, and I think that if I knew I only had half a day in one place, I would start to cry when I had to leave, just knowing that I had barely been able to really experience it. I would rather just not go. I guess that's why I have never been much of a day-tripper.

Tiff, you are SO right about learning about people by traveling with them...I hope I find another "basker" like us to travel with someday!

You will ((L)).

:S-

no, you are not alone. i never travel on the 2 day here, 2 day there plan. many people here will even split one week into 2 countries which is mad. depending on the location, it usually takes 2-4 days to see just the "must see" very basic touristy bits. after you get those out of the way, you can only then really start to learn about the place and soak up its real atmosphere. if you are just going to look at a few sites and then move on, you might as well just get a glossy picture book.

Nah, you are definitely not the only one. I could never do the "If it's Tuesday it must be Denmark" trip. No way. I like to sit back, relax, and take it all in.

faredolce
You're not the only one by a very long shot- You can find many of us at www.slowtrav.com. We are legion.
Happy travels

We too have moved more into this mode of travel, but primarily locate ourselves in smaller towns rather than the major tourist centers because we have other interests than just non-stop visiting of tourist sites. However, no matter how much research I have done, I always have this nagging fear that we wil find ourselves in a place that we don't like and that bores us. My husband is not one of those who is happy to travel all that way to Europe from the US and then just sit around and read and relax. Have you ever found yourself in a place for an extended period of time and then found that you aren't that enamoured with the place?

The first time in Europe in 2003 and well into my 30s, I wanted to see as much as I could, and I did that 3-4 days per city type of tour (not with a group). We went from London to Istanbul, via Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome and Athens. I figured if I only got over there once, I'd better see as much as I could.

I don't regret it, but when we decided to go back this time, we only have 10 days, and decided to spend a couple of days in London and the rest in Paris. I can hardly wait for a more leisurely visit of Paris, a city that wow'd me so much I insisted my Mom and Aunt come with us so they can see it too.

Everyone's travel style is different. Everyone has to learn from their experiences and yes, even mistakes. But there's no mistake in putting your suitcases down for a week or longer in one place, at least not for me.

Happy travels,

Jules

I haven't found myself bored or trapped yet, but then, I like to travel to larger cities that have plenty to occupy my free time. I am never one to go and lay on a beach somewhere - I would find that extremely boring.

I like to read up about a destination, and if I see that there is a nice balance of museums, shopping, restaurants, and other points of interest, then I can be happily occupied. I kind of have this silly rule of thumb in my head - 3 things to visit a day - plus lunch and dinner, and that's my maximum.

I also tend to wear myself out preparing for a vacation - you know all those little nagging things that you have to take care of, plus research and reservations - that I arrive at my destination a little bit tired. I need a few slow days at first before I can work myself into full tourist mode.

Having learned some lessons in Italy and England, I am hoping to apply my new approach to Paris next year!

Hi faredolce,

Sign me up!

I also like to stay in one place for long-ish periods, about 5-7 nights. I use one spot as a base and day-trip the area, limiting my range to two hours by train. I also like to visit the local tourist office and do most of the walks they recommend. I call this "getting under the skin" of the place. Like you, I like to meander the backstreets and sometimes spend an entire afternoon in one vicinity, moving from bench to cafe and back to bench -- watching people, sipping wine, reading, and watching people.

This Sept, I'm going back to Montreux for the xxth time, and I'm spending seven nights there (but in a new hotel and a new location a few km from Montreux).

Nice to see I'm not alone. Those "two days in Paris . . . " itineraries would make me mad.

s

Each mode of travel has its merits, and I like to mix them up. A weekend in a city can be lots of fun, just pick the things you feel like doing and enjoy it. I have to have the mindset that I won't see or do everything there is to do, but that doesn't mean I can't have a great time. On the other hand, a week in a city gives you time to really settle in and get to know a place, which is a whole different experience.

I have taken a couple of spring break trips with my daughter while she was in college, and two of the ones that we both really enjoyed combined a three night stay in one city with a five night stay in a very different city.

And next week we're doing a combination. A week in London with my husband and daughter in a rented apartment, getting together with friends and familly and digging a little deeper into London. Then a week in France with a rental car, just my husband and myself, staying in each place between one and three nights.

Plenty of ways to have a good vacation.

I've done some of both, although I prefer the one or two destination vacation. My first trip to Europe was a whirlwind two weeks with three nights in Paris, three nights in Provence, one night in the Cinque Terre, three nights on the island of Corfu, Greece, and three nights in Rome. Phew!!!!! The best thing about the trip was that it gave me a thumbnail sketch of each of the five places so I could pick which ones I wanted to return to spend more time in. I've since been back to the CT and Rome, and also back to Paris. Now I've booked a trip to Paris for seven nights in the fall to relax, wander the streets, get lost and soak up the atmosphere with no having to rush anywhere. I have a feeling this will be my favorite trip of all.

Everyone has their own travel style, and whether it be ten days in the French countryside or three countries in two weeks, we all eventually find the kind of trip that works best for us.

Faredolce,

I think we were separated at birth, because I too LOVE Rome (Roma = Amor spelled backwards, how suitable!) and have spent ten days there on every trip, soaking up it's beauty and never tiring of it. I just returned from yet another ten days there, which was the third year in a row that I have done such a thing, and Rome keeps getting better every time. I feel more natural being there as time goes on, as if it is my primary home (maybe one day!). There is something magical about revisiting locals you've met, or store vendors, hotel staff, etc. and yet every time discovering more and more new things, new experiences, that make every trip unique in its own way, and increasingly getting to knew the "real" city. After having experienced this type of travel, I can't imagine going on a tour or being on the road every two days, etc. (but I can understand why some people, upon first seeing a place/country, may want to). So thank you for making me not feel alone in my love for Rome and my repeated and extended trips there! Now I am back in New York and sad but drooling at the thought of returning again soon.

It really depends on my mood and what I hope to get out of a trip. I am not the type of traveler who can stop for hours at a time and do....nothing. It bores me. Funny, but while at home I'm more of a type B personality. While traveling, I seem to develope more aspects of a type A personality - need almost constant activity. It's weird, I know.

Some trips I only want to find a place to sit and do nothing. Other times, I have to be on the go from dawn til dusk. And I enjoy both.

I love Rome so much, I cry when I leave. I am going again in November!

I feel like I am being preach-y in this post, and I don't mean to be. I think the quicker pace of travel has its merits, too. I just see sooo many posts here about cramming in 2 days here, 1 day there, it makes me a little sad for folks that may be missing out on the little nuances of traveling. So I apologize if I seem like I am lecturing. My intentions are true!

tonianyc, maybe we are long-lost twins...I live in NYC too ! (I am assuming you do from your screen name)

Faredolce...that makes two of us who cry when we leave Rome.

Will try to return in October/November.
Glad to hear you will be going as well...I am jealous! But happy for you, as I know how that feels.

Cheers from a fellow NY-er,
Tonia

Take a look at the SlowTrav.com site and you'll find many who agree.

I do agree somewhat. I prefer at least four nights in a city.

Hi again Faredolce,

I don't think you are being 'preachy' at all in your post.

I too, have a tremendous amount of respect for my fast track traveler friends, they go, go, go and love it, and I get to live vicariously through their fast pace.

In return, they appreciate our way of traveling. I know they think of us when they take in a moment to bask, hee.

We each learn a little something from the other.

Cheers! Tiff

<Take a look at the SlowTrav.com site and you'll find many who agree.>

Thanks, WillTravel, I love that site too!

And just to clarify, I am a big fan of three-day weekend trips here and there! They are wonderful too - my favorites from NYC are to Philly, Boston and DC! I see what I can see, do what I can do, and never worry about what I missed. Europe, I think, is so different, it begs to be savoured.

It is why you find most on this site do not go on tours..other than local day tours. I went on one group tour, a pricey one, to....didn't like anything about it. Since then I do my own thing. Actually, half the fun is in the planning..getting all the info etc. Some, as you have found even doing their own thing move at a very fast pace, hardly stopping long enough to smell the flowers! I go to an area and get to know it. I have been to Paris many, many, many times, as it changes all the time. Never can see enough of Paris. I don't like to rush and area..next is east of Paris on the edge of champagne country, following that will be 2 weeks in the Dordogne with an additional few days in the San Sebastian area.
We all have our choices of ways that suit us best. Enjoy.........

How about combining the two? Get a place to settle in for a week or so and then take day trips from there. This way you get the best of both worlds.

I'll admit to being a "one week, one place" sort of person, but it does depend on where you are.

I didn't "get" Venice for the first few days - I fixated on the crowds, the expence and the fact that I'd seen photos of everything. Around day 4 or 5 , it finally clicked, I began to really appreciate the place and it would definitely rate as one of my favourites.

On the other hand, I immediately fell in love with Lucca, but felt after 5 days that maybe I had "done it all" and it was time to move on.

you are not alone! i never rush around. i love to BE in a new place, but actually "traveling" isn't my favorite thing to do. shortest i will visit anywhere is 5 days. and most cities in any single trip, 3 (and that was with almost one month's time).

also i never plan daily itineraries. most often i don't use a guidebook rather pick up free maps & information after arrival.

I don't recall ever bragging that to be a nomadic traveller was somehow a more industrious way of travelling than any other type. Actually, it's been my experience that more criticisms are voiced on this board for people trying to exceed some arbitrary standard of 'muchness' as in 'you are doing too much' - and with no qualifiers as to what reference standard is being used.

I don't think you're really as worried about being the only one or even just a member of a select and small elite as you are trying to make me believe. If you have found what works for you, then hey, that's great. However, can you really claim that people who spend only a couple days in a place don't 'linger' in museums? Do you know for a fact that they aren't relaxed, wandering the streets, or familiar with the public transport? How do you know? As for 'enjoying' the cuisine, what are you suggesting is the alternative for all those whom you dismiss as 'rushing around' - do we regurgitate the boeuf bourgignon, as opposed to savouring it?

It's not my intention to stop people from being pleased with themselves for having found what works for them. I only wish to dispute the claims that they need 'reassurance' for being such a sensitive, cultivated traveler - as opposed to all us physically and emotionally exhausted automatons.

Um, did I miss something? I don't recall my purposely using any language that would cause you to be insulted, but since I obviously did, I apologize. I was just wondering if I was the only one who liked to stay in one place. I believe that is what I said. I also don't recall accusing anyone of being an automaton, or claiming that I am more sensitive or more culturally sound.

In fact, I don't really know how to respond. My bad, apparently.

I don't understand Sue_xx_yy's reaction either. It seemed quite over-the-top to me. And needlessly confrontational and argumentitive or nothing.

Ahhhhhh Faredolce,

Welcome to the dark side of Fodor's.

No need to pay it any attention, it will go away if we don't see it.

It does not ever make any sense, so don't even try to figure it out.

Only embrace the happy ones that embrace you and forget the ugliness.

:)>- Tiff

Faredolce, We've always been rather nomadic but we are going to Venice this fall and spending an entire week there (partly because of my "delicate state" which prevents me from lugging my luggage around so much!). I'm looking forward to a slower pace of travel this time.

You are not alone. We are going to Paris for 3 weeks this summer. Of course, we will tak a few side excursions, but the purpose is to live there and become familiar and comfortable. Have fun!

faredolce: i didn't see anything critical or negative in your post so don't worry about it. All you were doing is saying how YOU liked to do it and wondered if anyone else felt the same way. Well, I feel the same way. Last trip I had a week in London and a week in Paris...NOT enough time but I had time to stop and smell the roses and SHOP!!!!!!! Fun, fun. Anyway, ignor some other posts..I don't get a couple of the responses.

I am content to stay in one or two cities at most. As well, my favorite city to spend a couple of weeks would be Rome, followed by Vienna. Anywhere else, I've had enough after about 3 days. On my first several trips, I did hop and skip every two days.

One of the big perks of staying put is the nicer treatment you're bound to receive during subsequent visits to the same businesses. This is especially noticeable in Italy.

My parents go to Italy about every year and a half for at least eight weeks. They spend at least six weeks of every trip at Villa Rosa in Montemelino (Umbria). I've given up asking them over the years why they park themselves in one spot for such a long time--though it is very lovely--because every time they give me the same answer as you've given! So I would have to say that there are many, many kindred souls to you.

My husband and I have never stayed more than one week in one place. We always hope to stay longer, in theory, but get restless for new experiences and find ourselves moving on. I rather envy your ability, and my parents', to be so content in your travel experience.

I'm with you, as are many of us. But it's purely a matter of personal style and taste. Frankly, I hate to travel -- that is, I hate the getting-to-place-to-place business, and what I love is getting familiar with a particular place and the local people. At this stage in my life I keep returning to central Italy -- hey, I've met the love of my life, why keep dating? I stay in a few treasured small villages and take exploratory trips out -- or fly into a different airport and stay in that city for a few days before slowly making my way toward "home" in the hills of Umbria or Abruzzo. Last year,much as I love Rome, Bologna turned out to to be molto simpatico. One beauty of slow travel is, as someone mentioned before, getting to know the locals a bit. By our second or third trip we've usually had invitations to come and stay in homes, and whether we might take them up or not, we make a point of nurturing relationships through emails between trips. I still leave every place feeling sad and regretful, but that's part of the beauty of falling in love, no?

Keep ambling,

Mara

Our minimum is usually a week in one place. We've rented a house in Normandy for a month this fall. It's nice to relax and fit into a groove. You can go out and visit sights, take a two-day trip if you are in the mood, stay in and amuse yourself if the weather is bad.

It's relaxing! ((@))

Faredolce,

No, you're not the only one. There's a whole community of travelers just like you at slowtrav.com

The only reason I made it to Venice (the first time) was because the girlfriend I was visiting in Switzerland told me I should quit drinking wine & sunning myself all day long every day on her garden lakeview terrace... and go do something!

faredolce,
No you are not lazy.I'll never forget the first time I went to Paris;it was a business trip and I was on my own for 3 days in Paris before my sister joined me.I walked and walked and got lost.And discovered charming bistros and shops.I can honestly say it was joyful, even thinking about it now I can feel the mist on my face and smell the pasteries... pure bliss.I spent ten days there total and could have been there a month.I got married in Italy almost 2 years ago, we hit three cities in three weeks.I think it was too much .I won't do more then 2 cities again.
Happy trails
Fluffy

Hi. We do some of both - but more of the changing hotels frequently type. I prefer seeing a lot, but my husband is getting tired of the changing hotels every night type of vacationing.

I think it depends on where you go. I've spend one happy week in Paris, NYC, San Diego. But part of the fun in western US is the scenic driving - driving for 3 hours through the red rock country goes a lot faster than driving on Interstate 95. I have a low boredom threshold and like to relax, but after a few hours of say, sitting on beach, I'm ready to go do something. People who don't feel this way aren't lazy - just different!

I've done trips both ways and found that so far, one place I'd travel your way (1 base for extended time) is in the Berner Oberland region of Switzerland. I'm still trying to figure out a way in h*ll I can, on a teacher's salary, retire there one day! Anyway, I think when one has "done" the main tourist must-sees, future ventures to that same spot can be best done from one base.