The Travel & Vacation Conundrum

[Gryffindorian]

As I stated in my other threads, I have been feeling like I'm stuck in a rut and that I want more out of life in terms of fun and excitement. I find it ironic that just last month, I mentioned in one of my posts how content I was with being single and unattached and how much I enjoyed my independence. I still do to some extent. Lately, however, I feel sad, bored, and restless.

So I've been thinking about traveling somewhere not only to have some fun but also to broaden my horizons by trying something new and meeting new people. Then I ask myself these questions: August or September? A weekend getaway or a whole week? Orlando, San Diego, Las Vegas, or Disneyland? All I know is I don't like to drive, especially if it's more than two hours, so flying would be a possibility.

I also realize that there's a lot of planning and preparing involved when traveling, even if it's only a short trip. When I pack, I almost include everything but the kitchen sink, so it's a bit of a hassle for me.

One other thing that I'm not certain about is whether to travel alone or with someone else. I've always gone with a relative, and I haven't got too many friends who are available to get away with.

Traveling is supposed to be fun and relaxing, but at the same time it can be overwhelming and stressful. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Finn]

^Be like one of those people who fly somewhere on the spot, with no luggage

 

[Avalon]

I also realize that there's a lot of planning and preparing involved when traveling, even if it's only a short trip. When I pack, I almost include everything but the kitchen sink, so it's a bit of a hassle for me.

Just a quick suggestion -- think back to your other trips and make a point of remembering what, exactly, ended up staying in your suitcase the entire time.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

My suggestion: start with a weekend trip alone. The experience of traveling by yourself will be new, and you might be more likely to meet new people if you aren't already with someone. When and where depends on your interests, budget and schedule.

 

[Finn]

Okay, a serious post.

Good ideas have been mentioned. I'd go for a short trip to a nearby city, especially one you never have been to (passing though doesn't count). For example, despite being from the Northeast, and traveling between DC and New Hampshire almost yearly, I've never been to Philly. It's just two hours from where I am. It would be a good weekend trip. If there's a place not that far from you that you hadn't really visited, you should try that first.

 

[Lindley]

Traveling with someone is usually much more rewarding than traveling alone IMO....

One thing to keep in mind if you are with someone is that if you leave your home country, your cell phone may not work or may become very expensive to use while you're there. I recommend a short-range walkie in that case, just in case you get separated from your companion. There are also disposable international phones available for such situations.

 

[Winged Victory]

I think that traveling alone makes it easier to meet new people, IMHO. Having a buddy or relative with you will make it harder for you (or a single traveler wanting to talk) to strike up a conversation with a stranger if you're always with someone.

I love to travel by myself! I think it brings out my sense of adventure, conversational skills, and planning... I find when I'm with a companion, if we don't have the same schedules (morning vs night person), or if we don't have much in common for interests, it's hard to see/do/meet places/things/people that I want.

I would hit up a city like Boston or Chicago; they're very walkable, have mass transit so you don't have to drive, tons to see and do, and you're bound to meet new people there. But from your post, it sounds like you want to go somewhere sunny and warm! Hope you post in the future what you decided to do and that you met someone new!

 

[JiNX-01]

As I stated in my other threads, I have been feeling like I'm stuck in a rut and that I want more out of life in terms of fun and excitement. I find it ironic that just last month, I mentioned in one of my posts how content I was with being single and unattached and how much I enjoyed my independence. I still do to some extent. Lately, however, I feel sad, bored, and restless.

So I've been thinking about traveling somewhere not only to have some fun but also to broaden my horizons by trying something new and meeting new people. Then I ask myself these questions: August or September? A weekend getaway or a whole week? Orlando, San Diego, Las Vegas, or Disneyland? All I know is I don't like to drive, especially if it's more than two hours, so flying would be a possibility.

I also realize that there's a lot of planning and preparing involved when traveling, even if it's only a short trip. When I pack, I almost include everything but the kitchen sink, so it's a bit of a hassle for me.

One other thing that I'm not certain about is whether to travel alone or with someone else. I've always gone with a relative, and I haven't got too many friends who are available to get away with.

Traveling is supposed to be fun and relaxing, but at the same time it can be overwhelming and stressful. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Well, since I don't know where you live...
Here's my suggestion: Make your first trip a weekender. Select an location you can drive to in a few hours that gives you a variety of options for guided tours and/or opportunities to strike out on your own. And take only a carry-on bag. It will force you to travel light.

 

[Gryffindorian]

Thanks, everyone. I've been looking on Expedia, Orbitz, and SouthwestVacations.com for good deals. You know, it would be interesting to try some of the "LGBT" activities/places that are suggested by travel sites. For this kind of trip, I'd surely want to venture out on my own.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

I would rather chew a roll of tin foil than go to Disney....or any other amusement park/artificial environment.

To me, that is not 'traveling' - that is 'vacationing'. Traveling, to me, involves experiencing a different culture, or exploring a previously unexplored (by you) aspect of humanity. It involves some sort of challenge to self. And an amusement park is not that.

Not saying that amusement parks are 'bad'. I'm sure a lot of people really enjoy themselves, and there is certainly something to be said for having fun and being entertained. And if you are on vacation with kids, a park is a relatively safe environment. But it's not like it's pressing any envelopes of adventure or anything. It's a closed, controlled, and 'tidy' artificial environment. Which is exactly what some people want and need on vacation. But it is not 'traveling' in the sense I think of traveling.

Also, why overpack? There are stores in every single place you listed. Ditto laundry facilities. So if you absolutely need something, you won't be far from it. But overpacking? Nothing sucks the joy out of trip for me, and causes more stress, than lugging crap all over the frakkin' place. For me, the lighter, the better. I start every trip with a medium sized backpack that is only 2/3 full. Then I have plenty of room to buy stuff, and still have only one pack to carry about.

 

[propita]

I don't know how to plan a vacation, either. Hubby and I have only really gone on short trips to Vegas, Frisco, and LA (where I'm from).

Anybody have hints for planning a trip to, say, London or Paris? If we wanted to see some great gardens/parks in England, how do we decide which and where? I have ZERO experience at this and, while I understand no planning is perfect and problems arise, I don't want to screw it up from the start.

 

[Gryffindorian]

San Francisco is about 30 minutes from where I live, and I've gone there with family on weekends to walk around Chinatown, Union Square, Japantown, Pier 39, etc.

I'm certainly open to experiencing new things and different cultures, especially living here in the Bay Area. PKTG brought up a good point about the distinction between vacation and travel, and at this point I'm looking into either one.

As for over packing, I do have that tendency. I'm not really a very well traveled man, only having been to Vegas a few times. I have yet to explore California and the rest of the US, as well as other countries.

 

[AliciaD496]

I've had a couple of 'solo' travel experiences myself, and I've gone on numerous vacations with my family.

My two solo trips greatly differed than each other: my first trip was when I was working in the travel industry. Fairmont hotels wanted to entice agents to be able to speak with experience so I signed up for a free weekend at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Being in Seattle it was nice to just drive a few hours up the freeway and be where I was going yet still feel like I was taking an 'international' trip. Honestly...it was lonely walking around the city alone, no matter how pretty the city was and how nice the people were. It's just too...awkward to strike up a conversation with a random stranger walking around. If you're comfortable with speaking to strangers or don't mind being alone it might be alright. So yeah, the advice that if you are going alone to make it short trip is a good one.

My other solo trip was while I was studying in London and I took a 7 day tour of Ireland during my Spring Break. I flew to Dublin and after staying a night in a hotel met up with the group and they had all accommodations arranged the rest of the trip. It was a tour company focused on people at least near my age, so I ended up having a fairly good time. Most of my tour group were Aussies or Kiwis so I got to experience a little international flavor on top of experiencing Ireland itself. It was a little awkward being the only Yank, but that was more my problem than theirs. If I were to do another vacation alone that was more than a weekend shopping road trip to Portland or Spokane I'd definitely look into an organized tour.

I just remembered there was one other alone trip I did...in a manner. I studied abroad in Japan for 6 weeks with a group of about 25 from my school. A lot like the organized tour, it was nice to have a structure to our schedule already in place. It was also better because we had the shared history of being from the same school, and being near the same age.

In the end, though...traveling with family (or friends, I suppose) is better. Shared experiences we could talk about together later, unlike these other trips. Some of our best vacations have actually been cruises. They're are a nice option, lots of destinations without unpacking, can be short or long and inexpensive or expensive depending on your tastes.

As a former travel industry worker...if you're doing Disney or Vegas or a cruise I'd suggest talking to an agent. They can sometimes wrangle some awesome discounts that you might not find otherwise.

 

[Gryffindorian]

I've always wanted to travel to England and Ireland, but I'm going to wait awhile and would like to tour some of the places stateside, like Hawaii, DC, Florida, New Orleans ...

I have this subscription to Conde Nast Travel magazine, and I'm really enticed by some of the amazing places they report on--Rio de Janeiro, the English countryside, and so forth. Next year, when I have enough money and vacation time saved up, I'd like to go on a cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean.

 

[Lindley]

Anybody have hints for planning a trip to, say, London or Paris? If we wanted to see some great gardens/parks in England, how do we decide which and where? I have ZERO experience at this and, while I understand no planning is perfect and problems arise, I don't want to screw it up from the start.

Go to the library and see if they have any travel books on your destination. Usually there will be one or two. These can be a great way to identify the things you want to see.

Always make two lists: The must-see list, and the if-there's-time list.

There are two basic ways to travel. Either you can see everything you can cram into your schedule, which is memorable but a bit hectic, or you can see a smaller number of things but be more leisurely about it. Decide beforehand which experience you want.

 

[propita]

Thanks, Lindley.

We've seen some shows on tv about these gorgeous gardens in England, and Hubby and I are the stroll-and-look-around-while-chatting-up-locals type of people. Seems like a good way for us.

 

[SmoothieX]

Spin the globe, buy a ticket, and see what happens.

Stop whining about not seeing anything and go see something.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Thanks, Lindley.

We've seen some shows on tv about these gorgeous gardens in England, and Hubby and I are the stroll-and-look-around-while-chatting-up-locals type of people. Seems like a good way for us.

propita -

Might I suggest that you start with Rick Steves' books? Based on what you wrote above, and what you wrote earlier about your unfamiliarity with travel planning, I think his 'user friendly' approach is best. Lonely Planet books are great for details...but include WAY too much info for beginning travelers. Shoot...even I get overwhelmed sometimes by the Lonely Planet books, and I've traveled to over 40 countries - mostly backpacking and staying in hostels, B&Bs, etc...and always traveling by train (in other words, I'm no beginner).

Rick Steves' has books by country - I'm sure he has one for the UK. This book will provide suggested itineraries that will give you a place to start, and you can tailor your plan from there to accommodate your interests. He explains to you how to get around a country by rail (or by car...but I think rail is easiest in Europe, except in Ireland) and if you buy your rail passes through his company (which I always do - you must buy rail passes before you leave the US - they can't be purchased in Europe) he will send you a DVD about how to read a train schedule, how to reserve seats and sleeper cars, etc. He also teaches you how to pack (the lighter the better) and tells you what documents you might need, how to stay safe, etc.

I have stayed in several of his recommended accommodations around Europe (especially in Italy, Germany and Belgium) - none of them are 4 star...but they are all centrally located, reasonably priced, clean, and comfortable....most with a lot of character and a local family running the place.

Rick also has a series of TV shows on PBS - it's called Europe Through the Back Door, and these are worth watching. Most segments focus on specific countries or areas within a country, so you will have to watch for one on England if that is where you want to go. They used to be available as podcasts as well and probably still are, so you can go to iTunes and find what you need, I'm sure. His podcasts are great.

His travel philosophy is very much one of experiencing a culture - not checking landmarks off a list, just to say you 'did that' (which is what you are gonna get on a lot of 'tour bus tours'. That is one of the reasons he recommends the locally owned hotels as he does. His philosophy is very much in line with your idea about wandering around and chatting with the locals - a much more holistic experience, IMO.

He has a tour company, by the way...and it is run with that philosophy in mind. If I ever was to do a tour, his would be the only company I would use, for Europe. Although in truth, about the only country in Europe I might consider going on a tour of would be Turkey, just because the infrastructure isn't as good as elsewhere. Most countries in Europe are VERY easy to navigate independently, and I have done so without incident (other than getting lost a few times...and mostly even those experiences turned out really well!).

The only weakness of Rick Steves' materials are the maps in his travel books. His books are great...but the maps are hand-drawn and leave out streets on a fairly regular basis. So get his book...and supplement it with a good map once you are on the ground in-country.

 

[propita]

Thanks! I've seen his shows--they're always interesting and informative. And I've looked at his luggage, to learn what's best and what (not) to pack.

Thanks for the extra info about him.

 

[SmoothieX]

Rick also has a series of TV shows on PBS - it's called Europe Through the Back Door

They have porn on PBS?