where to go
Aug 12th, 2012, 09:52 AM
#21
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Some thoughts.
+ Have you traveled with them before? If not it would be a really good idea to talk through your different travel styles. Sleeping in vs staying up, how much to spend on dinner, how many `sights' to see in one day, what is an acceptable length of time in the car, hotel expectations, etc. etc. Neither party needs to be right, you and they just need to know what to expect.
You need this information to make a plan. If it turns out you have very different styles, you'll have to compromise on hotels for example, but you can agree, say, to go separate ways most afternoons (they hit another museum, you sit on the terrace), or leave whole days unplanned. Whatever works.
+ Start the trip, anyway, with some place in their comfort zone -- where they can expect to be understood in English, assuming they don't have second-language skills. Or, if one of them speaks a European language, then certainly go to that country -- this will reduce their newbie nerves and shrink the experience gap between you.
+ Nothing wrong with presenting them with a few broad ideas (as you suggest) and starting with the one they pick. How about London+Paris and outskirts (urban), Southern Germany+Alps (driving tour), Northern Italy, Southern Italy, or Spain.
On the other hand, they won't really know what they like until they get there -- you could just pick a region that makes your eyes light up, so you know that at least some of you will be happy.
+ Have you traveled with them before? If not it would be a really good idea to talk through your different travel styles. Sleeping in vs staying up, how much to spend on dinner, how many `sights' to see in one day, what is an acceptable length of time in the car, hotel expectations, etc. etc. Neither party needs to be right, you and they just need to know what to expect.
You need this information to make a plan. If it turns out you have very different styles, you'll have to compromise on hotels for example, but you can agree, say, to go separate ways most afternoons (they hit another museum, you sit on the terrace), or leave whole days unplanned. Whatever works.
+ Start the trip, anyway, with some place in their comfort zone -- where they can expect to be understood in English, assuming they don't have second-language skills. Or, if one of them speaks a European language, then certainly go to that country -- this will reduce their newbie nerves and shrink the experience gap between you.
+ Nothing wrong with presenting them with a few broad ideas (as you suggest) and starting with the one they pick. How about London+Paris and outskirts (urban), Southern Germany+Alps (driving tour), Northern Italy, Southern Italy, or Spain.
On the other hand, they won't really know what they like until they get there -- you could just pick a region that makes your eyes light up, so you know that at least some of you will be happy.
Aug 12th, 2012, 01:55 PM
#22
Join Date: Aug 2008
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How independent are you? That's the question you need to ask yourself and others.
I don't mind going off by myself, I can read a map or asked directions and generally get along well by myself. It's part of my everyday activity anyway.
I need alone time. Some people just need to feel as though they have freedom, even if they don't use it, they have to know it's an option.
Once I was on vacation with a friend who wanted to be with me all the time. There are times when I just want to be alone. It's a tough thing to explain to someone who is clingy or insecure. Be completely honest about your needs.
Including, your wake up times, dinner times, how long you canb spend in a museum (hours for me), types of activities, what you don't like, etc.
I think everyone should spend their vacation the way they want, as long as it doesn't interfere with me, I'm fine.
Vacations can be expensive and we only have so much vacation time, so no one should be uncomfortable. Honesty and self evaulation are the keys.
I don't mind going off by myself, I can read a map or asked directions and generally get along well by myself. It's part of my everyday activity anyway.
I need alone time. Some people just need to feel as though they have freedom, even if they don't use it, they have to know it's an option.
Once I was on vacation with a friend who wanted to be with me all the time. There are times when I just want to be alone. It's a tough thing to explain to someone who is clingy or insecure. Be completely honest about your needs.
Including, your wake up times, dinner times, how long you canb spend in a museum (hours for me), types of activities, what you don't like, etc.
I think everyone should spend their vacation the way they want, as long as it doesn't interfere with me, I'm fine.
Vacations can be expensive and we only have so much vacation time, so no one should be uncomfortable. Honesty and self evaulation are the keys.
