Why do you visit X or Y?
May 23rd, 2017, 07:20 AM
#21
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Research, research, research. I keep a list in my head of places I want to go, consult my loving traveling companion, and we decide where to go. Then we each separately buy and read some travel guides.
I am a voracious reader of history and biography, and my spouse is very interesting in art and architecture, so when we decide where to go, to some extent it's a matter of connecting up the places that have the things we decide we want to see.
I am a voracious reader of history and biography, and my spouse is very interesting in art and architecture, so when we decide where to go, to some extent it's a matter of connecting up the places that have the things we decide we want to see.
May 23rd, 2017, 07:22 AM
#22
I always had specific reasons to travel where I did. Now I'm wondering whether to travel at all. I might be done with it, not because I've seen all there is to see, or even that portion of it that interests me, but because I'm not sure what I'm looking for on my travels anymore.
May 23rd, 2017, 07:59 AM
#24
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I think you guys are making some unfounded assumptions about posters who ask "What is there to see/do in Italy?".
Maybe they have no understanding or interests, but I think it more likely that they left the question vague in order to receive a broader range of answers, and/or used online shorthand, instead of typing paragraphs and paragraphs of background information.
Fodorites insist that they need all the background information, but they don't, they just like reading it. And for some reason, they approve of nitnoid questions about rail passes and schedules, when that information can be easily obtained online; and disapprove of vague questions that are simply asking for opinions and biased recommendations.
"What should I do in X country or city?" is a pleasingly open-ended question that usually gets nothing but scorn here.
Maybe it's Fodorites who lack interest and understanding?
Maybe they have no understanding or interests, but I think it more likely that they left the question vague in order to receive a broader range of answers, and/or used online shorthand, instead of typing paragraphs and paragraphs of background information.
Fodorites insist that they need all the background information, but they don't, they just like reading it. And for some reason, they approve of nitnoid questions about rail passes and schedules, when that information can be easily obtained online; and disapprove of vague questions that are simply asking for opinions and biased recommendations.
"What should I do in X country or city?" is a pleasingly open-ended question that usually gets nothing but scorn here.
Maybe it's Fodorites who lack interest and understanding?
May 23rd, 2017, 10:08 AM
#28
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Why do group tours - on which the vast majority of Americans at least go to Europe - why do they pick X and Y -because it's what folks have heard of and the reason they go to Europe-see the big tourist meccas and sights.
May 23rd, 2017, 12:24 PM
#29
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We've now visited lots (most) of Europe, but when we were first starting our series of European visits, I'd often choose by which places had the best airfares and most affordable accommodation. My assumption then was that if I had equal interest in say a half dozen places, why not stretch our money further so I could travel more in the future. It was a very good strategy for us.
May 23rd, 2017, 02:12 PM
#30
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I would be interested to go to every country on earth. I only know something about a very few of them, given how many there are. Just for an example, I'm sure I'd be interested to go to South Korea, but I'd need to pick up a guide book to begin to know the most rewarding places to visit - -rewarding because they are representive of what Korea is all about in some way. Couldn't even guess.
Some people enjoy learning through social media, not reading guidebooks. I guess other people find it bewildering (or, I am beginning to suspect, some people hang around social media because they like using as a way to talk about themselves in self-aggrandizing, delusional ways, and no one can really make themshut up.)
Some people enjoy learning through social media, not reading guidebooks. I guess other people find it bewildering (or, I am beginning to suspect, some people hang around social media because they like using as a way to talk about themselves in self-aggrandizing, delusional ways, and no one can really make themshut up.)
May 24th, 2017, 06:14 AM
#32
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I have to admit I'm always curious about why people choose destinations too, when they ask the generic question "what to do when in X" without any indications of their interests or at least major tourist sites identified. I'm one of those people that already has itineraries laid out for a dozen places, without any dates attached. Therefore, most of my forum questions are about logistics.
Having said that, I understand that many people do not have the privilege of overseas travel often, and therefore may be clueless about how to start planning such a trip beyond booking airfare. And I agree with some of the comments above that some people just aren't all that interested in reading and research, and prefer to get information in a more interactive way.
Why I choose to go to X or Y will depend on:
1. My interests and needs at the time - Do I want to be outside looking at architecture? Do I want to see a bunch of museums? Do I need to be on/near water? Do I want to be busy or relaxed? Do I want to do a bunch of the same stuff or need a variety? Etc..
2. How much time I have vs how much I must minimally have to travel and be there,
3. How much money I have vs how much it will cost to get there and do what I want,
4. Weather - I'm picky about the range of temperatures I want to be out and about in
5. My health and fitness - Are day-long adventures a good idea right now, or will I need naps/to rest my knees? Is this a trip that I should take sooner or later, because of the rigorousness of the location?
6. Political and social factors - Is this a trip I need to take sooner than later, because I may not be able to go later due to politics? Is this not a good time to go due to political factors? Are there festivals or ceremonies that I want to attend or avoid? Is it high season or off season?
KC
Having said that, I understand that many people do not have the privilege of overseas travel often, and therefore may be clueless about how to start planning such a trip beyond booking airfare. And I agree with some of the comments above that some people just aren't all that interested in reading and research, and prefer to get information in a more interactive way.
Why I choose to go to X or Y will depend on:
1. My interests and needs at the time - Do I want to be outside looking at architecture? Do I want to see a bunch of museums? Do I need to be on/near water? Do I want to be busy or relaxed? Do I want to do a bunch of the same stuff or need a variety? Etc..
2. How much time I have vs how much I must minimally have to travel and be there,
3. How much money I have vs how much it will cost to get there and do what I want,
4. Weather - I'm picky about the range of temperatures I want to be out and about in
5. My health and fitness - Are day-long adventures a good idea right now, or will I need naps/to rest my knees? Is this a trip that I should take sooner or later, because of the rigorousness of the location?
6. Political and social factors - Is this a trip I need to take sooner than later, because I may not be able to go later due to politics? Is this not a good time to go due to political factors? Are there festivals or ceremonies that I want to attend or avoid? Is it high season or off season?
KC
May 24th, 2017, 06:48 AM
#33
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I plan trips all the time, have loads of travel books, do incessant research on the 'net when I get an idea.
After much research, I generally have an idea about what I want to see, but it is usually far too much for the time I have. Then I get into 'analysis paralysis' and post here for recommendations and it really helps to talk the options out with people who have been there and done it. Of course, I always post with a preliminary itinerary, based on my research, not just random questions.
I can understand how those that don't constantly plan trips and maybe do a trip every few years can be completely overwhelmed with the number of options in a city, never mind a country. In the olden days, they would have probably used the services of a travel agency and instead come to travel sites like this.
As far as what drives some people to visit a certain country ... who knows. I am driven by reading, history, art and architecture. Some not so. I remember being asked to talk to this multi-millionaire person at a party a few years ago about planning a trip to Rome, because I had visited a few times. I was introduced. I asked her where she had traveled before and what she loved about where she had traveled. The answer was: Florida, where they had a gazillion dollar holiday home and the Caribbean. She wanted to go to Rome, but she did not want to visit churches or museums. What could I say without being rude?
After much research, I generally have an idea about what I want to see, but it is usually far too much for the time I have. Then I get into 'analysis paralysis' and post here for recommendations and it really helps to talk the options out with people who have been there and done it. Of course, I always post with a preliminary itinerary, based on my research, not just random questions.
I can understand how those that don't constantly plan trips and maybe do a trip every few years can be completely overwhelmed with the number of options in a city, never mind a country. In the olden days, they would have probably used the services of a travel agency and instead come to travel sites like this.
As far as what drives some people to visit a certain country ... who knows. I am driven by reading, history, art and architecture. Some not so. I remember being asked to talk to this multi-millionaire person at a party a few years ago about planning a trip to Rome, because I had visited a few times. I was introduced. I asked her where she had traveled before and what she loved about where she had traveled. The answer was: Florida, where they had a gazillion dollar holiday home and the Caribbean. She wanted to go to Rome, but she did not want to visit churches or museums. What could I say without being rude?
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