Dumbed down travel

Funny, I was reading these articles with breakfast this morning. This one struck me, though I was more struck with my perceptions of 'dumb down' travel....not reading and prepping; more about referencing Instagram, tick boxes and 'top 10 lists' without knowing why.
That being said, I say I 'travel' and 'vacation'. There are usually not the same. Yes, my North American adventures are more 'vacation' with less concrete involved, but I have had some memorable road trips into Virginia revolving around American history. That state does a great job noting battle routes and a sympathetic approach (given that it is below the Mason Dixon Line) to both sides of whatever name you want to give that war of 1861-65. A week in the Shenandoah Valley is hardly enough to visit war sites, museums, massive used book stores (barns), quilt museums, then head over the beautiful Skyline Parkway into the next valley with 4 presidential museums to visit. Another time it was further south for Williamsburg and it happened to be during open houses of old plantations and gardens....so an earlier century and different war. I certainly wouldn't have learned as much or had an incentive to read about it if I wasn't going to be in the areas. I also learned most of it on site, so perhaps still 'dumbed down'.
Otherwise, I will take time to visit historical sites, but no, I don't always do the same prep work.
It's rare for me to 'hit the beach' without doing something else in the area. I have that inquisitive mind, and ingrained sense of responsibility to actually learn something when I leave home.

I have lived overseas for 9 years (5 in Saudi Arabia and 4 in Germany). Also, have traveled extensively to 6 continents.

There are many reasons to travel, including going to historic places, visiting great museums, enjoying the ambiance of unique places and great cities, large and small. Also, taking in fantastic scenery, great foreign cuisine and most of all great people everywhere.

We have taken some tours line one in Russia, Ukraine and the Baltic countries as well as China, that involved us having an evening with local citizens. We have learned much from these visits. While in Kiev, Ukraine, we learned all about living through Chernobyl and in a police state where is there is a knock on the door at 1am, it is probably the KGB and not a good thing.

There is much out there to see, feel and enjoy. From the amazing Sistine Chapel to the Fjords of Norway or Great Wall of China to Around the Horn of South America. Our next trip is a safari in East Africa, looking forward to that one.

Sometimes I want dumbed down travel and I go to Florida (not that Florida is all dumbed down, but I go and mostly go to beaches or amusement parks for the kids). There’s nothing wrong with this, it’s relaxing.

But other domestic travel is not dumbed down. A trip to NYC for museums and interesting food is educational and culturally enriching. And I like to go to national parks or other scenic areas. Often these aren’t cultural experiences, unlike Europe, but they are educational about geology and the environment as well as physically enriching. A day of difficult (for me) hiking can be mind opening in the same way international travel can be. It gets you out of your comfort zone, pushes limits.

Now that you bring it up, Allan, wherever I’m going, I’m interested in how that place got to be how it is, so history is meaningful. Many times in many destinations, we’ve taken guided tours, and consulted guidebooks for more than just lodging or dining recommendations.

Rick’s comments suggest there could be a souvenir T-shirt available that says, “I’m with Stupid,” and instead of an arrow pointing left or right, it would point straight up.

I think what Rick is saying is the only right way to travel is his way. To do that you have to buy his guidebooks and take his tours. Don't bother with anyone else

What I say.....it's your money, it's your time. Do whatever makes you happy.

When I travel, I decide where I want to go and what I want to see. I don't let anyone else tell me what I must do or see. I don't open a guidebook and follow it to the letter. If something doesn't interest me, I skip it.

Ouch, harsh, Frank II...particularly given where you are a regular.
I don't have the same take away from this article at all.
Certainly in Canada, it's almost impossible to fail a child in school. Teachers have to teach to the least brightest bulb in the class room. That is an entire 'dumbed down' generation.... unless someone encourages them to do better. He's been encouraging people to travel and get out of their comfort zone for a long time. I don't see the harm to include recommending self learning (though it does come across as somewhat pompous and someone will feel threatened by the label).

Even Rick suggests beaches and other places to relax. Since he’s devoted most of his life promoting meaningful travel, though, he’d clearly like everyone to share in some of his zeal in discovering and learning about places he sees as significant. But he’s not paying for your trip, and doesn’t get to determine how you spend it. And maybe he’s like those of us who are just getting crotchetier as we get older.

I agree with the previous poster who views travel and vacation differently, but also think why do each of these have to exist separately?

Were we dumbed down when in Cinque Terre we chose to spend two days bobbing in the sea because we couldn't take the heat?

What about the time we cruised to Bonaire. We spent the morning snorkeling. After lunch we had a taxi take us around the island. He took us to recreated slave huts and told us all about the history of slavery on the island. He also took us to the salt flats and educated us on that.

We try to combine relaxation/fun times with historical sites/museums, as often as possible.

When we are on a trip with more historical sites/museums, we try to combine relaxation/fun times. Actually, now I think about it, since we've allowed ourselves some downtime on our trips to Europe, I've enjoyed them more (I remember our first ever trip [England]. We dragged ourselves all over hardly stopping for a second. DH felt even a cup of tea took too much time and maybe we'd never be back. It was exhausting).

The difference is that I generally don't feel the same excitement and
anticipation when I stay in the US.

This is one of the points I was getting at, and I have to wonder if we take home for granted. Sometimes interesting things have to find me instead of seeking out things like I do in Europe. For example, there is a small town called Carberry which is a small farming town of about 1700 people in Southwest Manitoba, Canada. For reference, the closest American city of significance is Minot, North Dakota. While visiting family in nearby Brandon we stopped in Carberry to visit a friend and while walking through town we came upon a couple signs in remembrance of Carberry's military history. During WW1, 38,000 soldiers made there way through Carberry for battle training in trenches built to mimic what they'd be facing overseas. The outlines of those trenches are still there and are designated as a national historic site.

Wop May was born in Carberry, he's considered Canada's top flying ace with 13 confirmed enemy aircraft shot down during WW1 along with 5 unconfirmed. There are stories that it was he and not another Canadian, Roy Brown who shot down the Red Baron.

In WW2, Carberry was back in action as an RAF flying school . According to the sign in town, over 130,000 troops from around the world passed through Carberry during the war, including actor Richard Burton who trained pilots.

This was just a family trip and I had no desire or thought to seek out local knowledge. Thankfully it found me and it was the most interesting thing about the trip.

Yep, Ufkak and Frank ll. Advice is usually given in a way to make the reader feel he or she is privy to a secret, successful way to travel that other people don't know. It's his usual writing technique, also in the TV scripts, a contrast to make the point, whether it's reserving ahead vs waiting in line, or as in this case plunging into the moment vs being affected by heat and thirst. The irony is that if one is observing and judging others, that person's energy isn't in the exceptional moment.

@ Alan:
*Wop May was born in Carberry, he's considered Canada's top flying ace with 13 confirmed enemy aircraft shot down during WW1 along with 5 unconfirmed.*

While very famous Wop May, was very far behind Canada's top WWW1 Ace Billy Bishop who had 72 recorded victories.

Steve, I should have known that. I'm guilty of believing the first site I googled.
http://canadaehx.blogspot.com/2019/12/carberry-manitoba-brushes-with-war-and.html#:~:text=The%20military%20has%20played%20an,is%20something%20that%20extremely%20interesting.&text=Extensive%20trench%20systems%2C%20grenade%20and,built%20during%201915%20and%201916.

Canada’s greatest flying ace of the First World War, and a legendary
figure in Canadian aviation, Wop May, was born in Carberry in 1896.

I suppose it’s similar to the traveller vs tourist argument. It can come across as a tiny bit pompous.

Couldn't agree more. The article just came across as pompous and elitist. Who cares why other people travel, who cares what other people want to do with their time abroad. Everyone seeks different things when on holiday (or should I say travelling) and if one person wants to lie in the sun and go shopping before hitting the bar in the evening why is their choice inferior or more "dumbed down" than someone who wants to spend their day with a crooked neck looking up at medieval architecture and browsing museums.

I've had just an enjoyable and "richer" experience lazing in the tropical heat in Thailand or the Carribean than I have wandering the streets of Prague, Budapest or Krakow. They've all been incredibly enjoyable for different reasons and none of them involved being preoccupied with trivialities (except for spending too long deciding which beers to have from a huge menu in a craft beer pub in Prague).

There is the controversy of the numbers purported to be shot down by Billy Bishop. Many were not witness and cannot be collaborated from German records.
Now, back to regularly scheduled programming.

I think people are reading way too much into this. What he said wasn't any different or new than what he's been saying all along. In fact what most travel shows and writers have always said - knowing something about the history of a place can make for a richer experience. So maybe that applies just to those receptive to it. RS is just a business, and its no sin to sell books and tours. He makes suggestions and recommendations, not mandates. His style seems to be successful. Maybe its the word "dumb" that bothers folks.

Dumbed down schools produce dumbed down travelers-and anti-vaxxers who know little about biology.

https://media1.tenor.com/images/9611dd3f7acccb7ca5b4f37f52076f9d/tenor.gif?itemid=10569236

what's in the link?

Stan- Exactly!!! Over the top analysis of the issue at hand.
Nigel- a “duuh” gif

You tell 'em, Frank.

I will tell you no air conditioning in Paris when it's in the 90s has a definite, tangible impact on your vacation. It's not trivial.

Personally, I'm not OK at all with the "dumbed down" label. Why make someone feel small if they don't travel the way Rick or his disciples think they should? Why would they spend any time with this forum if their initial experience caused them to feel demeaned because they want different with their time/money than people here tell them that they should to belong to the "RS discipline."

I also wonder about all the people from other parts of the world who travel abroad successfully without this forum or an RS guide. What resources do they turn to make that happen? We've run across people from all over the globe on our hiking treks in the U.S., and they've somehow managed to research and plan wonderful trips without the "RS ideology."

I've been on three organized tours: Anatolia, Sicily, Armenia. All other travel has been independent. Although I learned more at the moment on the tours, less went into long-term memory compared to independent travel. These tours tend to become a jumble of memories of ruins, meals, mixed up names and geography. When someone else takes care of logistics, it all runs together. The best for me has been traveling independently but hiring guides for a day, including RS guides. I get the enriched experience and remember the details.
I think Rick Steves tours could have a different effect, a better balance, because with the free afternoons, the travelers have to do some fending and learning for themselves.

Turn responsibility of the day to day over to others and a person
becomes a vegetable.

After years of doing solo travel and having the responsibility of 'everything', I don't mind the occasional eggplant vacations/travel.

does the RS travel ideology stick with you when you travel at home or
do you save it for the rest of the world?

Anyone interested in getting back on topic and answering the original question? The post wasn't meant as a Rick-bashing topic or a right/wrong travel style topic.

@Allan, completely meant to be constructive - what about changing the title? The 'dumb down' comment seems to rankle. Maybe a fresh spin to it?
Or, you have the right to delete the whole thing and maybe start over?

I always enjoy it when I can find some commonality with someone that I otherwise disagree with. When faced by a question such as

The US and Canada have wonderful historical tales to tell but I have
to wonder, does the RS travel ideology stick with you when you travel
at home or do you save it for the rest of the world?

My first thought is, do I even know what his ideology is? So, with too much free time on my hands I did a little poking around to try and get a handle on it. I guess the primary source document would be his book “Travel As A Political Act”. Not having a copy, I read the online reviews of it.

I found an interesting RS Quote.

“We can learn more about our country by observing other countries—and by challenging ourselves (and our neighbors) to be broad-minded when it comes to international issues,”

You can travel brilliantly, or you can travel as dumb as a doorknob. But you know, like it or not, the observations and experiences will come home with you. And, hopefully, they will color your outlook of the world in general and the US in particular. I would suggest that the differences between the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Martha’s Vineyard are equally as stark as the whole of the US and the whole of Russia. So yes, travel within the US can have the same impact.

I would only caution to look below the surface and not just at face value. I guess that would be the difference between a smart traveler and a dumb one. For instance that French Café Lifestyle that so many love, comes with a French apartment lifestyle that few Americans would enjoy. And also, to try and look at the whole as opposed to one aspect or success of a society. Understand that individual solutions are all part of a larger fiscal and cultural balance in the perspective of unique cultural norms and values.

@Allan, completely meant to be constructive

@Maria. My comment wasn't aimed at you, you just happened to have been the last person to comment. My math may be a bit off, but it seems that only 6 comments so far stayed on topic. I suspected the title may have been inflammatory however I thought the question was straightforward enough to overcome.

To be honest, your post was so long that I started to skim and just followed the "dumb down" theme. Guilty as charged.

Allan, I do appreciate your OP (as always; I love your topics) and when we travel in the States, yes, we try to learn as much as we can. We travel with the back seat full of reference books: history, geology, archeology, and handbooks on trees, wild flowers, insects, snakes, mammals... An evening when we're camping will usually find us diving into our books, one of us trying to identify the interesting bird we saw on our hike, the other prepping for the planned visit to an archeological site the next day. We glory in learning.

But I also remember when I was a grad student. I was working two jobs and writing my dissertation. Stan was also in school, and working full time, as well. One of our cheap pleasures was to visit a local used book store. I always headed for the mysteries - one of the only ways I could spend my time that wasn't devoted to work, school, or research. Agatha Christie, Rex Stout, and Dorothy Sayers helped keep me sane during those difficult times.

But the store owner would frown and say "Why are you wasting your time on this trash.? You're much too smart to be reading these books."

So part of may reaction to Rick's quote is yes, we should be learning, spreading our wings, broadening our horizons... And part of me said "There's nothing wrong with just having fun and relaxing."

And yes, I do object to the term "dumbing down," although I have thought it myself, especially reading some magazines such as National Geographic or Smithsonian. And then I stop and chide myself. Is reaching a broader audience a bad thing? No, I don't think so. Anyone who wants to follow up on a subject in depth can find other resources.

Apologies as well if you thought I'd ignored the topic, Allan. Like it did for a few others, the "dumbed down" label rankled enough to be a sticking point, and I got stuck. My bad. That said, the "RS ideology" isn't something he invented. Travel for educational purposes has been around much longer than RS guidebooks. That's NOT to bash Rick! I just don't know as even he would be comfortable with the "RS disciple" thing? LOL, I've visions of ritual sacrifice at the Altar of the Holy Moneybelt. 😉

Anyway, if the "RS ideology" means doing the deeper dive into a place or a thing, then I guess we do the same when traveling the States as abroad. Some of our National Parks and Monuments, such as Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, Grand Canyon, Bandelier, Petroglyph, etc. have fascinating human histories/artifacts. I've taken self-guided architecture tours in several cities with printed guides from tourist offices, and the interior of churches and other structures with brochures they've provided. Art museums, history museum... Especially interesting things get followup research online. Sometimes we just enjoy the stunning scenery and blessed quiet of the Great Outdoors.

We've also been at that too tired, too footsore, too hot, too distracted to pay close attention point so can forgive the preoccupation of others experiencing the same.

Maria, I loved your "eggplant vacations" comment!!!!!

@Maria. My comment wasn't aimed at you, you just happened to have been
the last person to comment

Allan, no harm done and I didn't take it personally. There must have been some punctuation flaw or something, as I was doing the Canadian 'softening a topic' thing, but leading into 'rename or delete' comment....which some people could have been offended by. At times we forget that we can actually dictate whether our posts have relevance or not and delete or alter parts of it. I am sure no one is going to miss my moaning email from last month. I waited until it got to page 3 and then hit 'delete'. It had no enduring or constructive long term content....but I appreciated the pep talks and being able to get it off my chest.
@Kathy, if you liked the comment, then the eggplant did its job. :-)

But the store owner would frown and say "Why are you wasting you time
on this trash.? You're much too smart to be reading these books."

So part of may reaction to Rick's quote is yes, we should be learning,
spreading our wings, broadening our horizons... And part of me said
"There's nothing wrong with just having fun and relaxing."

Great analogy Jane. I love to read, and for me it's to escape from reality for a bit. Trashy spy or crime novels are my favourite. Historical fiction-I love the historical content, but it's the soap opera scenarios that keep me engaged. On the other hand, when I turn to non-fiction it's usually sports biographies-another form of escapism for me.

I always study the culture of where I am going so as to know some of the local customs and to not inadvertently be rude. Simple phrases in the local language for example would be a start. To answer the OP's question then...no I don't do this when traveling in the U.S. because there is no need. As for history, I already know a lot of American history (relative to my knowledge of Europe before I started traveling there) so again, not necessary.

Hi Allan, back to the question - “ does the RS travel ideology stick with you when you travel at home or do you save it for the rest of the world?”

We typically take one 3-week trip to Europe each year (or I may travel solo), a 2-week trip in the US, and we will have a couple of 3-day weekend trips in more local locations. For the longer US trip, we pick some place with some interesting history and different culture along with some fun activities.

Our last US one in 2019 was Connecticut/Rhode Island/New York City. I purposely book a B&B on these trips for at least one location to get more local ambiance, try the local specialities and get feedback on our plans. For that trip, the B&B was at Newport, RI -wonderful place & amazing mansion tours with history! In NYC, we reserved a neighborhood food tour, and loved it so much that we booked an additional one for another neighborhood. We learn so much history on those tours besides trying lots of local food specialties in a few hours. We also did all of the tourist stuff, including going to a Yankee’s baseball game.

Our 3-day weekend trips are more for enjoyment of the outdoors and/or a nice romantic hotel.

For the longer US trip, I definitely treat it the same way as planning a trip to Europe, even packing light. But, if we go to Hawaii, we still try to pick a different island, stay in a B&B for a few nights of the trip and learn just like the mainland trips, but we pack heavy bringing my husband’s golf clubs and packing a suitcase of food items because the islands are expensive. That’s a more laidback trip but still has elements of our other trip philosophy - fun, plus learning.

On the other hand, if someone wants to go to Hawaii and just hang out at a resort, it’s their vacation time to spend as they desire. It’s similar to when a friend asks me for some help planning a trip. My first question is, “Describe a couple of perfect days if you were on this trip. What are you doing?” There are no “must sees” or “must learn”; it’s their vacation as is ours.

Ok to answer your question: every trip we take, whether US, overseas, or a cruise is approached the same way. Even if we go to our local diner, or down to the lake filled with the boater crowd, or talking to crew members on a cruise ship about their countries and families, we treat it the same way. Now before I sound too much more like a pompous, over-the-top Miss Perfect, I’ll explain that I’m in an international marriage, so even after 45 years I’m still explaining US cultural things to my spouse. One eye notices what he notices when in the US. Even visiting with the neighbors in the US has some differences from visiting with the neighbors in France. Also, coming from families that scrambled up the scale, we are always curious about how others are getting along in their quest for a better life. This is my experience, but certainly others in bilingual/bicultural relationships, others here who are living or lived overseas, and also for many who have traveled SLOWLY have had the same experience. The more time you spend outside your own country, the more you notice about it.

Allan, to answer your original question: yes, my DH & I approach domestic travel much in the same way as when visiting abroad. As educators (he's a professor & I'm a retired high school science teacher) we’re both naturally curious & love to learn. Here in the states, we enjoy hiking in National Parks like Yosemite. We like to ID the trees, wildflowers & animals we encounter out on the trail. We especially enjoy watching and listening to birds, and with practice, have learned to identify many birds simply by their song or call. It’s an accomplishment we’re proud of and have worked hard to achieve, yet it never felt like work because we enjoy doing it.

Sadly, thanks to many visitors’ failure to plan ahead, arrive prepared & “Leave No Trace”, our enjoyment at many National Parks has dramatically diminished. Whether it’s caused by a lack of education or the “dumbing down” of society, I have no idea, but few first time visitors to National Parks seem to know or follow the seven principles of “Leave No Trace” – information meant to minimize the impact people have when visiting the outdoors. Seemingly harmless behaviors like playing loud music, leaving banana peels behind, & stacking stones dramatically impacts the few easily accessible pockets of wilderness that remain, esp. when social media like IG causes a cascade effect. As a result, it's becoming more and more difficult to find undisturbed landscapes where we can still find solitude and seclusion. For those interested in learning how to "Leave No Trace", please keep reading:

1. Plan Ahead & Prepare – this helps visitors accomplish their trip goals while minimizing injuries and damage to natural & cultural resources. Poor planning often results in miserable visitors and damage to the landscape. Unprepared and uninformed visitors can get lost & suffer medical emergencies.

2. Respect Wildlife & the Landscape – travel quietly and do not pursue, feed, touch or force animals to flee by approaching them to closely. Respect the landscape by leaving no trace of your visit: do no carve initials, write messages or leave drawings (no matter how temporary they may seem) on any surface. Cairns - stacked rocks – have long served as iconic directional guides to keep hikers on the correct trail in the backcountry of national parks and forests. Stacking rocks simply for the sake of entertainment can mislead hikers and is discouraged in national parks.

3. Be Considerate of Other Visitors – many people come to the outdoors to listen to nature. Excessive noise, loud music & uncontrolled pets diminish the enjoyment of others. Learn about passing etiquette when encountering other hikers, bicyclists and equestrians on the trail.

4. Stay on the Trail + Camp on Durable Surfaces – Do not leave established trails (no shortcuts!), it degrades the landscape and often results in injuries causes by unseen dangers or contact with poisonous plants. The decision about where to camp should be guided by the desire to avoid the disturbance of plants, land and wildlife.

5. Leave What You Find – allow others the joy of discovery by leaving flowers, pinecones, rocks, nests & other objects of interest where you found them. It’s illegal to remove natural objects or cultural artifacts from NPs.

6. Dispose of Waste Properly + come prepared to pack out ALL of your trash and waste. If trash receptacles are full or unavailable, you must carry all of your trash & waste out of the park – including used diapers & banana peels. The proper disposal of human waste prevents pollution of water resources & minimizes the spread of diseases.

7. Minimize Campfire Impacts – the natural landscape has been degraded in many areas by the overuse of fires, increasing demand for firewood & illegal campfires. Open fires may be banned due to risk of wildfires. The best place to build a camp fire, when allowed, is in an existing fire ring at an established campsite.

Carolyn, with the usual self-loathing I realized I violated pretty much every single rule.

no I don't do this when traveling in the U.S. because there is no
need. As for history, I already know a lot of American history
(relative to my knowledge of Europe before I started traveling there)
so again, not necessary.

For me, learning about history of the countries I was visiting renewed interest in my own country. I mentioned in a comment earlier on that I sometimes don't seek it out like I will when overseas, but travelling has given me an appreciation that I didn't have before to pay attention to my roots and the formation of my country-beyond the memorized facts from school.

IMO it comes down to people spend their own money and time to travel. They should spend it on what they want without judgment. It's very similar to the traveler vs. tourist argument we regularly discuss.

I have my own ideas on what's important when I'm traveling. In many ways, it coincides with what Rick thinks is important. In other ways, it's not at all like Rick's take on what travel "should" be. Is one approach to travel enlightened while the other is dumbed down? If so, I could argue for my approach.

I've received great value from some of Rick's recommendations/suggestions/clues. At the same time. I've traveled around northern Italy, as an example, and found Rick's book left out all but a smattering of cities and towns. If the only sights you visit are in Rick's guides, isn't that - in the same sense - dumbed down travel?

I probably travel a bit differently in the states vs overseas. Here in the states, I usually consider it a vacation, and it usually involves going back home to Virginia (I currently live in Louisiana). But I have incorporated stops in the North Carolina mountains near Asheville on the way to VA, and when we are in VA we have visited Monticello and various caverns and Natural Bridge. Of course we are also visiting family while doing these things.

We went to the UK in 2018 and of course we wanted to see the big things: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey , etc. These are important to history and I can't imagine bringing my daughters to England and not seeing them. We also visited Wales and saw ancestral homes. This was very meaningful to me and my daughters enjoyed it too. We also enjoyed the natural beauty of Wales. We also managed to see Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Oxford. History is my first love, and it is important no matter where I am.

We will be going on a stateside trip in late spring (hopefully, pandemic willing). It will incorporate family history, Laura Ingalls Wilder history, and the beauty of the Black Hills and Badlands.

I happened to hear part of last night’s Rick Steves radio program on NPR (our local stations hadn’t been carrying his show for years; not sure when this one started), and discussing Crete and its numerous worthwhile sights, he asked his travel guest about some people just going for fun in the sun. His guest, an Australian tour guide, said that he didn’t go there for the beach, although a lot of Brits did, some happy to find purveyors that offered a full English breakfast, and who didn’t need to worry about hearing anything in Greek. He said a lot of Russians did likewise, escaping weather that’s even colder than Britain’s. Not his or Rick’s style, but not saying they couldn’t do it. He does see missed opportunities, though.