My husband and I are preparing for a month-long trip to Italy this fall. By my calculations this will be my 14th European adventure and his 10th. As I am busy researching and planning, it occurred to me that the manner I which I plan and also in which I travel varies vastly from ears ago. Aside from the obvious difference made by the availability of GPS and internet, I note that we are, as seasoned travelers, far different than we were as travel neophytes. In some ways, we plan more nowadays, but in others we are much more relaxed and leave more openings for the unexpected and the unplanned. How has your travel changed with experience?
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7053 posts
You can find all the answers here since this same question was posed earlier...I just discovered how unsearchable this forum is. Google it ain't...
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/how-has-your-travel-evolved-over-time
Posted by
St. Louis, MO USA
1976 posts
I've learned to slow down and take mishaps in stride. The first trip I took as an adult, planned with a friend, was a disaster - too much moving around; flying into a different country than the one we wanted to visit because plane tickets were cheaper and we thought we could save money; too much time spent with one person; etc. Now I fly direct, visit fewer places and linger longer in the ones where I do go, balance my time between travel partners and visiting friends, and try to remain lighthearted about mistakes and unforeseen issues.
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
In 12 years of going to Europe I have certainly learned what to pack and how to pack light.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
I drive less and stay longer in places I love.
Posted by
Imperial, Missouri
1001 posts
My packing has definitely changed since the early trips. I used to take a big suitcase and pack extra clothes that I thought maybe I would want to wear. I have also gotten more adventurous and braver about where I go and using trains. I buy many less souvenirs than I used to buy. I think I learn new things and adapt a little after every trip, so my travel style is continually evolving.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15777 posts
I buy fewer souvenirs, but I spend more money :-) I don't rush around to cram in as much as I can, but I suspect that's more due to a natural decline in stamina.
I do go farther afield. My early trips were to major cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, with day trips. In recent years I've gone to more "exotic" locations in Europe and around the world, thanks to the self-confidence I acquired in earlier travels and to the encouragement I've received from friends and especially this forum.
It doesn't feel like I plan substantially more or less than I did 20-30 years ago, though I use the internet instead of guide books. My first travel resource is still my friends here at home.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
The biggest difference is how "well-armed" I am with sight options and information about operating days, hours, etc. I spend a lot of time before a trip learning the options, not so I can see everything but so I can prioritize and know what I'm skipping to see the sights I choose to visit.
Once on the ground, I don't let an itinerary drive the trip. If I'm burned out on churches/museums/castles, I'll skip some. If it's a beautiful day, I'll go to a beach, park or pool.
I travel without reservations (again with a good list of pre-researched lodging options) and call ahead in the morning to book for the evening. I only book before the trip for parts of my trip that are locked in (mostly arrival night and night before the flight home).
I also buy nearly zero souvenirs and spend little or no time shopping (other than grocery stores).
I carry-on only, but I've been doing that for years. It only takes a couple of loaded-down trips before carry-on makes sense.
I drive more now because I stop more places and it's simply not convenient to do that using public transport.
I've learned to keep travel, on travel days, to a reasonable limit so the trip doesn't turn into a death march. I've also learned you see more by spending more time in an area than trying to cover too much. I haven't eliminated one-night stops but I work to keep them to an absolute minimum.