Which posters do you think give the best advice?

It's a function of how many times there - - and far more importantly - - how recently?<BR><BR>And the best advice comes from trying to understand the questioners' real driving question(s) and their individual situation.<BR><BR>For one-answer-fits-all advice, books are still a very good source of answers.<BR><BR>Finally, Fodors Rants'n'Raves CAN be - - for some hotels and restaurants - - like getting a cross-section of a dozen of more people just like you.<BR><BR>But as with all travel info, the listings there contain perishable information. Fresh new observations should always be sought whenever you can find someone here to offer it.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Here is the best advice...read all you can..guide book and posters experiences...then do your own thing. Usually, I have lists of information..and find that the best places are ones that I discover on my own.

In most cases, I don't think it's a matter of "best advice". Every reader needs to read, absorb, and weigh opinions and suggestions against his or her own travel style.<BR>Of course, it's usually pretty easy to accept great posts of specific web sites, factual train schedule information, prices of car rentals, etc.<BR>But when it comes to restaurants, hotels, what to see and do, and which towns or cities to spend the most time in, that has to be judged by the reader. <BR><BR>There may be posts about really wonderful Tuscan villas or lakeside retreats that offer a super value by the week, but I know I couldn't stand that. I'm not good at relaxing and want to be on the move. I don't like to stay in the "countryside" for more than a night at the very most, because I enjoy strolling around villages or cities at night, picking out cafes or restaurants, and not driving out into the country to go "home" after dinner somewhere. So while someone's suggestion may be "best" for others, that same suggestion won't be "best" for me.

Patrick is right...what's good for the goose may not be so good for the gander! How many times have I heard raves from people I know well about a restaurant or hotel or whatever..and have been disappointed by the very same. We are all different and have different points of view. Actually, your own "finds" will always be the best because "finding them" is part of the fun.

Bob the Navigator<BR>Paolo<BR>Dean<BR>Christina<BR>Elavine ? [email protected] (Elaine?)<BR>Thyra<BR>Rex<BR><BR>

[email protected] is Elira not Elaine<BR><BR>I take Rex with 2 grains of salt!

Rex was quite accurate in observing that it is most important to understand what kind of information is really being sought. So many times, people ask questions that are simply too general, or that don't include enough information to allow the experienced travelers on this site to give advice. <BR><BR>I think of questions I have seen such as "I'm going to Italy. What should I see and do?" There is no indication of when, how long, where the arrival and departure points are, what the individual's interests are, how they want to travel (train, car, etc), where in Italy is of interest, and so forth. It's not easy to help someone who hasn't thought through their plans enough to be able to articulate them. No one should ever say "I want to travel" without at least having some basic objectives in mind.

please, not another exercise in ass-kissing.

Ergo, the jealousy over no place for someone to place their lips and pucker.<BR>

No one.

Sometimes the value of the answer depends on the quality of the question. Many times I see queries that are poorly worded or incomplete. And often, the person is looking for information that is readily available in guidebooks. This forum should really be the resource of last resort.

For information on Tuscany, Dean's advice can't be beat.

I disagree that this forum should be the resource of last resort. There is no such rule. Many people come here with legitimate questions, are jeered for not having read the guidebooks first, and are then told to do some research before posting. I bet these folks thought they were doing research by asking the travelers here for their opinions. <BR><BR>It may be true that to those who post here regularly the more common questions have become boring, but there is no rule that they have to answer them.

I agree with the list of names posted by Carin. Rex & Elaine (and bookchick) have given useful information that pointed me in the right direction. Ben Haines also supplied a detailed and literate response about the trains... The first time I posted a general question Rex answered it, but also told me to do a text search; and when you do that it's true that most questions have been answered. Sometimes, though, it is the most current info we want to hear. I would never book a hotel or a tour without doing my own research but it sure is fun to read all these opinions!

Steve James' information has been invaluable in my trip planning. Thanks, Steve! And so has GAC. By the way, where is GAC lately? And Vincenzo, too.

up<BR>

&lt;&lt;I disagree that this forum should be the resource of last resort.&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Amen. It's crazy to think that questions here can't or shouldn't be the first resort. Anything less is an affornt to everyone who is, or ever was, a newcomer. And we were all newcomers once.

Sometimes the best places are the ones that no one is raving about. I have visited many villages and towns and even areas in Italy that barely get a mention here. After you see all the museums, etc. it is fun to strike out on your own with a book of hotels and a guidebook. Most of these Fodorites run as a pack, following the well touristed areas over and over, recommending the same hotels over and over, eating at the same places, etc.

Thanks, lyn, for the kind remarks.<BR>