Please don't knock my travel plans!
 

Last week a co-worker told me she and her boyfriend were going to Paris. I said thats great, you should have a great time. I then said to her, I wanted to visit more of the caribbean (like St Kitts, Anguilla, etc).,before visiting Europe and she said "I'm tired of the same old tired places, I want to go somewhere different". I said to her, Have you ever been to the island I mentioned above, and she said, you seen one island you seen them all". I've heard many people say that in the past, and it always disturbs me when people group all destinations in the same category. I told her each island offers something different ie; history, culture, places, things, etc. That did not make much difference to her. But what struck me as interesting was when she said how many other places in Europe she and her partner were going to visit during their week stay, and I asked her did you research your places of interest yet, and she said no, but we will just wing it when we get there! Thats when I knew I was through with the conversation. I have never traveled to Europe, but I do know enough to do my homework/research, prior to my trip. No matter where I travel too, whether its within the USA, a cruise, or the caribbean, I know research is essential. I can't imagine going anywhere without any information about the place I plan to visit.. I also think knowing why you are traveling somewhere is important too. That really did not occur to me until I was asked about a trip to Cancun recently, instead my upcoming trip to Jamaica. I pretty much have no desire to travel there. "Oh's its fun, entertaining"beautiful beaches, etc. etc (this is what I was told)... I said, thats fine, but I have no desire to go. Please don't knock my travel plans!!

all comments welcome

I know exactly what you mean. I don't understand why people can't figure out we don't all like the same thing, the same places, or even the same style of traveling. I have friends who love to travel but do it in very small doses because when they go they enjoy doing it only in top class. They only cruise when they can get the "Presidential Suite", they'll only fly first class, etc. But I'd prefer to travel in a simpler style and go more often.

My most dreaded comments about my annual 2 to 5 month trips to Europe:

"You're going to Europe again? I thought you'd already seen it."

"Don't you get tired of living out of a suitcase?"

"You must be pretty unhappy with where you live if you have to leave all the time."

"Do you have friends in all these places? How can you have fun if you don't know anyone there?"

"How can you like France when they're all so rude?" (This usually from people who have never even been to Europe).

"I hear ______________(insert any city you choose) is just another big, ugly, dirty city."

Most of my considerable travel is work related but I almost always plan the weekend prior/after to visit the location and see the sights.
I do a little research but since I do not generally like to do touristy things I always end up winging it upon arrival.
In Toronto I had a free day and I decided to leave the city and visit a great little Mennonite town for the day.
Someone told me about it and it sounded good. Ditto with Pittsburgh. I didn't spend any free time in the city. I headed to Ligonier (sp) and spent the day in that little hamlet.
Travel is as individual as the person.
Some people like to have a schedule and others like to sleep in and do what sounds good at that moment.
I'm not a beach person, so my opinions about islands really do not match those who have a passion for such things.
I'm all about small picturesque towns, friendly locals, hot chocolate in the winter and iced tea in the summer.
In Europe I had NO plans at all. Every night during my 1 month stay in London I would just head out walking. I saw much of the city and met many locals. Ditto with Paris. That's my travel style.
To each his/her own!
~Laura

Actually, I tend to agree with your antagonist regarding travel to Europe in particular. I sometimes find that I over plan and over research my trips. When travelling in the USA, you kinda have to because our cities are very spread out and we have poor public transportation. The first time I went to Paris, I drove there from the Netherlands having done no research at all. We asked someone for directions from the Netherlands and they said, "See that highway over there (points finger)? Get on there, follow the signs towards 'Antwerpen', then follow the signs towards 'France' and then 'Paris'" We went past CDG airport and were obviously in/near Paris. We got off the highway onto what looked like another main road and headed toward greater density. Eventually the streets were pretty crowded, we found a garage and ditched the car. Hopped onto a bus, asked which way towards the Eiffel Tower. Within about 6 hours we visited the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe. No maps. No research. A bus ride, a taxi and a couple trips on the metro. It was really fun. Most of Europe is easy to navigate, especially by rail, and as long as you know a few historic sites in each town, you'll have no trouble finding things to do. I find that when I over research, I never see everything on my list, and I'm always rushing from one place to the other. Also with Europe, it's amazing that things can be so different over such a short distance. I think your colleague is right that the disparity between culture in Europe changes much more rapidly than that of the carribean. Give Europe a try...

Louise:

The situation you're describing is very similar to that related to other consumer arenas:

Cars: some people spend large amounts of money on expensive cars and some people want an econo-box. The car nuts don't understand why others don't share their perspective. The economy-driven folks (even wealthy ones) will claim that spending $$$ on cars is the single biggest waste of money a consumer can engage in.
Both sides make valid points.
Neither is more or less correct.

Expensive watches: ditto the above except depreciation is not such a problem.

Expensive homes: some people must have the 'monument to themselves' in which to reside. Others will claim that's the ugliest form of conspicuous consumption.
Who's right?


It all boils down to personal style.
Your friend is not 'wrong' for not wanting to do research. No style of vacation is 'wrong'.
I prefer not to visit the same places repeatedly, but my wife would go the same three places every year for the rest of her life if she could choose.
Is one of us right or wrong?

It is 'wrong' IMO to dismiss other people's tastes and perspectives as 'incorrect' just because they are different. But it is also wrong for someone to make sweeping judgments about a place they've never been....although you'll hear a lot of people do just that (and also make judgements about other people's tastes in cars, watches, homes etc).

It's your vacation, do what you want to do.

I like to know where I'm sleeping each night, so I can't completely wing the trip. Or maybe I'm a control freak. I can adapt the schedule because of weather or something I heard about that wasn't in the guidebook. That's how I ended up in Tilliamook Oregon. Best cheese sandwich and a fine scoop of ice cream at the creamery that wasn't mentioned in a guide book. So I thank the tour guide at the fish hatchery for the suggestion.

Every person's travel plans are unique to them. How/where a person chooses to travel is really no one else's business but that person's traveling companions, in my opinion.

But, yeah, I do have to say that I find it grating when people make quips about my travel plans. From the people I've dealt with, it seems that those who are the most critical are those who have travelled the least. Frequent travellers seem to have more positive comments, encouraging remarks, and great tips than those who travel infrequently.

I guess I've just learned to ignore the negative comments and concentrate on the positive and on what my companion(s) and I want to do.

Well of course no one should judge anything about where you decide to go.

I WILL SAY THIS THOUGH AND IT IS NOT A JUDGEMENT JUST AN OBSERVATION

I go to Hawaii every year. I am truley addicted. I make the same observations you did about the islands. People on this forum tell others "you can see Kauai in 3 days". Of course that is nonsense. I have been going for about 8-10 years and I find new hiking trails, shops, restaurants, activities on every trip. but but but...

Early in November I took a spontaneous trip to Florence Italy. I had been before but 20 years ago. I have to tell you it was an entirely different experience. In Hawaii I need to read about the Hawaiians to fully appreciate where they lived and how. I do that but often you have to seek out the sights, read about migrations off the island. In Italy the remnants are all around you. You just feel the presence of people that have gone before. Don't get me wrong no place will steal my heart the way Hawaii has. It is just that opening yourself to a new place can be sort of rewarding, expanding. I am actually learning about wine now. I picked up pieces of info here and there that add on to who I am. Ok I know this sounds dramatic and I don't mean it that way. It is just broadening that is all I am saying. Still checking out airfares to Hawaii for the return. I guess my point is that sometimes it is good to push yourself to explore something new. It is not as comfortable as going back to a place you know but it is certainly broadening. I can never say anything quickly.

TedTurner...just curious, what 3 places would your wife return to over and over?
For me, it would be Costa Rica , Hawaii and Isla Mujeres. I've also been sailing on the GBR, two Fiji Islands, and Bali in the last 10 years.
Can you tell I'm a beach/water , nature lover?
This coming year I'm going to Belize (sailing) in Jan., back to Costa Rica in May, back to sail the GBR and to The Maldives in Aug.
When I told my friends, a couple said things like, "not again"! ...or "Why not expand your horizen and go to Eurpope?" I just tell them I don't want to! When my husband no longer surfs (He's 47 and has been surfing since he was 16!), when we no longer want to dive or snorkel, then we may consider a trip to Greece, maybe sail around the islands. But for now, let me have my fun in the sun and shut up about it thank you! People are different and like different things, period.

Interesting post -- I have to jump in...yes, different people like different things when they travel. Certain places (and certain people) are more inclined to "winging it" than others. That said, Louise1928, I think your co-worker was more interested in hearing herself talk than having a conversation.
And Patrick, those questions you are asked about your European trips sound condescending and jealous to me. Can't they just say "oh, how nice" and leave it at that? Here's some sassy comebacks for you from a girl who always has to have the last word:

"You're going to Europe again? I thought you'd already seen it."
There's one more painting I need to steal from the Louvre

"Don't you get tired of living out of a suitcase?"
I don't bring a suitcase, I just wear one outfit the whole time.

"Do you have friends in all these places? How can you have fun if you don't know anyone there?"
Because if I bring enough money, I will always have enough friends

"How can you like France when they're all so rude?" (This usually from people who have never even been to Europe).
Oh -- Are you of French descent?

"I hear ______________(insert any city you choose) is just another big, ugly, dirty city." -- But the jail was really nice!

MightyIsis... Brilliant!

LOL Mighty nice remarks!

Outstanding reply, Mightylsis.
Humor mixed with a bit of 'back at ya'.

You should have replied, "Europe, seen one continent you've pretty much seen them all. That's why I'm really saving up for my trip to Greenland!"

I bow to the Mighty Isis! Great come-backs.

:-D Mightylsis. Good ones for us to keep in mind!

Boy, did you flip the right coin here! My husband and I got married in Hawaii, have spent all our vacations on different islands in the Carribbean and are returning to Hawaii again this winter. We enjoy getting away from the winter cold and snow. We have a number of friends who make comments about there being so much to see in the U.S. that they will see the rest of the world later. I believe the real reason is because they can't afford to go, although we would never say anything negative to them, so why be nasty about it? IMHO, I would rather see the parts of the US that I haven't seen when I'm older and maybe in need of close medical help. I'm not sure I want to be in my 70's and be that far away from the states. My own sister told me that we don't really "travel" because these are beach vacations. We also have friends that say,"If you've seen one island, you've seen them all", and yet they go to Africa every year and I can honestly say we have no desire to go there. We have had limited time to take vaactions, i.e. one week - too short for Europe and not a place I want to be in the winter. That is in the process of changing now, but even so, our first longer vacation will probably be Tahiti!

I also often hear "the French are so rude" along with "Rome is so dirty" or "______ is so ______". I usually say "Oh, really. I am surprised you found that to be true. When was the last time you were there?", thereby forcing them to confess that they have never actually been there (which is almost always the case). I also have friends and co-workers say "how can you afford to travel so often--it is so expensive". This is usually from those who own big houses, fancy cars, and lots of costly electronic toys (none of which I have).

Thank you. I have always been dead set against vacationing to Hawaii. Why would I want to visit the set of Hawaii Five-O? No, I have never been there and have voiced my opinion that it is overrated. Reading this thread has helped me find humility. I don't know if my travel adventures ever will find me in the islands of Hawaii, but I certainly won't criticize others for their travel choices.

- SJ

PS On a side note, my wife and I would love to visit Costa Rica, any thoughts?

Perhaps ignorance IS bliss, but I tend to think most of the time, it is just plain lazy stupidity.