A friend recently told me about this site. After reading some of the posts I have a general question or I guess it may just be a statement. I guess I am surprized at some of the questions. Where to eat, what to wear, what is weather like...Whatever happened to the sheer joy and adventure of travel? Doesn't anyone just go somewhere and "wing it"?

Of course we do, and it's a wonderful way to travel, but what this site is about is, ultimately, research. And some people are not just not comfortable without knowing certain facts. For instance, I have a good friend who would drop anything to go to Europe on a minute's notice (her favorite saying is "All I need is my passport and my ATM and charge cards and I'm ready to go", but would really want to know what kind of clothes are being worn there before she leaves. (I guess that's presuming she has time to pack.) Also, being on this board can help keep us from making mistakes, like going to a dingy hotel in a bad part of town, and it can save us money and time, both very valuable commodities when you're traveling. Lastly, it can really optimize our travel experience. That's for the ones who are asking questions. Those of us who are only reading and answering posts get two things: We learn more about the world so we can do an "educated wing it", and we get that good feeling that comes from helping others.

By the way, welcome to Fodors. Many of us are adicted--we hope to see you here more.

Sharon-

Maybe you have the money or time to waste on a crappy hotel/resort, but most of us do not. Sorry for the negative tone, but part of what makes this site so fun, is being able to pick up tidbits that can make your trip more "joyful". But...you can surely keep "winging it"

And some of us are simply anal retentive perfectionists always seeking to plan and follow through on the perfect vacation.
The info which can be obtained here can be very difficult (if not impossible) to obtain anywhere else.

I agree with all of the above, hopefully without the negative tone. To me, planning is part of the fun of a vacation, and sharing information afterwards is part of it too.

In the short time I've been checking these boards I've picked up tips on where to get a great breakfast in San Diego, and how to get from Dorval to Montreal center city using mass transit, saving about $20 CAD each way, at least. These are the kind of things that you can't easily find elsewhere.

I've also printed out so many tips for future travels that I'm trying to figure out how to organize them. There's an awful lot of slamming here, which is unfortunate, so you don't want to ask a question that's already been answered in the past decade!

Welcome to the board. As for your observations, I think that people are looking for "real world" interpretations of a certain setting- not just the travel brochure, magazine, guidebook descriptions. Everyone can toss around descriptives like serene, majestic, tropical, etc., but I like the nitty-gritty info about lodging, activities, etc. And let's face it- there's a lot more of us "travelers" out there now. It's getting increasingly harder to find those undisturbed spots, so if I'm headed to place with more than a few folks, I like to be prepared. Even the woods now are a little less lonely!

Sharon,

What did your friend say about the site?

I liked "winging it" when I was 23 and I went around Europe for 3 months on five hundred dollars. A time and a place for everything no way will I want to choose a Viennese pastry over my dinner something I was forced into with my small budget. I can still taste the sugar on my lips. Sound fun Sharon? It was but a time and a place for everything it would be depressing today. I did learn on this tour that some of my best travel experiences where the recommendations of other back packers I met along the way. This chat room provides the same kind of opportunity before you leave for your trip.

I also used a cross section of reading for my first trip around Europe. It was not at all about being a perfectionist. I know that I have spent most of my life in the U.S. but I take for granted what is here and I have to read to find the great hikes, see about historical sites in the area or just happen in on a great piece of country pie. I see people "winging it" at some travel destinations they just don't know what is available. Waikiki is a good example of this. But Hawaii aside don't you know people who travel in Europe and never make it out of major cities what is the point, cities kind of blend together after a while. Food for thought I hope I have not offended. Think of this as advice from your travel elder . Good journeys to yah!!!

PSS I have traveled so much in my life that the only thing that would provide sheer adventure for me is feeding Sharks from a protected cage. Perhaps a trip to a remote area in the East (Orient) but do you think I would do this without this board or reading...nada.

I really appreciate this site--in fact I check it everyday. I know I'll get the message"get a life" I have traveled a lot in U.S. usually solo or with Elderhostel. This is the only place I have been able to get info about safety issues i.e. parts of town to avoid==the guide books usually don't have this unless it is a really BAD area--like the "combat zone " in Boston (this was a few years ago)
I also appreciate the views of other travelers as to their likes and dislike of popular areas. It helps me make choices rather than wasting time and money by trial and error.
Welcome to the group.....

Group hug, Sharon.