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This travel information site is
geared for travelers that wish to travel often but do not crave necessarily
either 5 star or cheap hostel type accommodations. Although the use of local
guides is sometime warranted, traveling to us means exploring, learning, and
appreciating the geography, culture and history of the places we visit.
Traveling to us involves some simple concepts.
Preplanning - Learn about the places you will travel to.
For us, this is one of the best parts of traveling. Learn about the geography,
the currency used, the language(s) spoken, the local customs such as greeting a
person, etc. One of the more pleasant customs we encountered and attempted to
respond to was the holding of ones hands in front and bowing in Thailand (sawat
dee for Hello and la-gon for Goodbye)- how civilized, courteous and cultured! By
studying travel guides, websites that specialize in travel information, and
reading books based in or on the travel destination, your traveling will surely
be enhanced.
Other things to learn about ahead of time include any dangers (e.g.. box jelly
fish on the Australian coast from November to March) or Canadian government
travel alerts such as political instability or health warnings. Learn also about
what immunizations are needed to where you will travel or what medication your
physician can prescribe to prevent problems, e.g. hepatitis shots or
anti-malaria drugs. Most of all learn when local festivals or celebrations occur
so that you can be part of them.
Your are the Foreigner -
Real travelers know that they are the foreigners and not the locals. Real
travelers appreciate the "humanness" of others and realize that just
because they speak a different language, wear different clothes, may be richer
or poorer, or eat food we will not touch, they are above all fellow human beings
who have feelings, pride and something to contribute. Remember you are the
foreigner so do not expect the "locals" to be like you and do things "your way", Don't be like the
obnoxious blond Texan woman who loudly berated our well educated, multilingual
guide in the Vatican Museums that she could not understand the guide's accent
and the guide should "speak better English" - it took all of my strength not to
tell our fellow "tourist from Texas" that the guide's English, German and most
likely Italian, where of much better quality than her Texan drawl! Become a
better listener and observer when traveling and learn that others are worthy of
consideration and respect.
Soak in the Local Atmosphere
- Although friends of ours enjoy cruises and fully escorted tours
of various places throughout the world, the real traveler learns to go "local".
By that we mean, after reading up both in books and on the internet, find small
local eating establishments like the "pub" on the canal in Bruges built in the
15 hundreds and serving 55 different types of beer and good local food. Or,
eating in the courtyard of the oldest brewery in the world - Weihenstephan near
Munich - built in 1040 and owned by the University!! Try
local accommodations (you can find out how good they are by visiting sites such
as Trip Advisor, Rick Steeves, etc.) which range from B & B's, pensions,
self-catered apartments, baches, Ferienwohnungen, beach houses, canal boats,
etc. When affordable and advisable, use local transportation - the trains in
Italy are cheap and run on time. Use some of the "Back Door" approaches that
Rick Steves recommends in Europe - that is how we stumbled on to some
interesting spots in New Zealand and Australia. Stay in a B & B in a small place
at the end of the subway or rapid rail line and save much money and get to know
someone who knows what is happening locally. By all means even visit Harrods
while in London to soak in the feeling of what it might be like to be really
rich and have Harrods deliver things you want to your place. Eat in a local pub
near Gatwick and learn what the average bloke in Britain does for nightly fare!
Enjoy the Dorf Fest in Maria Alm - with bands, yodeling and Alp horns.
Pace your Travels -
When traveling we try to avoid rushing through towns or cities. Even then, a 4
week trip of New Zealand left us with the feeling that we need to go back again.
We attempt to stay at least usually 3 to 4 days in an area and use that as a
base to visit events, places, and soak up local customs and culture. There is no
rush - hopefully the days of the 1960's is gone when "if this is Tuesday it must
be Belgium" type of traveling was the vogue. Sometimes when traveling long
distances by car or rail, one day stops may be in order but keep that to the
minimum. When spending months traveling, take a Holiday From Your Travels - find
a 5 star resort and spend at least 4 days unwinding and relaxing. Being on the
road, trail or in the air (mostly airports) can be stressful. Learn to take a
break and rejuvenate yourself. The rest of your travels will be enhanced.
-Erich Berndt
June 29, 2009 |
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Travel Commentaries and Review
Links
Not sure about
your pension,, bache, self-catered apartment, condo, pension, hotel, or other
accommodation, click on one of the travel commentary sites to find out more.
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