The Temporary European

need(ed) training to learn how to "be there" in lieu of believing the priority is "seeing there"

I've just seen so, so many of the "seeing there" threads, newcomers / old-timers alike, that I'm becoming more reluctant to post any ideas for travel stops - so much of travel these days is directed solely to "must-sees" - garnered from guide books and online sites like TA and this forum. I mean, when you're down to timeslotting "events" in spreadsheets there's little time for goofing off.

I also think that when you travel as a retiree and can take longer trips you slow down - literally and figuratively - and can be more ‘in the moment’. Also, we’ve come to realize that many of the don’t miss sights people rave about are just so-so to us. Therefore, if we miss something, we miss it because we are still seeing sights that are new to us. His book is on my Christmas list.

I was so glad to be reading Cameron's book just before leaving for my recent trip to Portugal. It (sometimes humorously) reinforced that "maximizing" my trip wouldn't be measured by my count of sites visited.

I try and tack on a few days at the end in Paris each time I visit Europe. Just to be there and enjoy the Cafes and the city itself. Thinking Budapest & Paris in 2024, I got a S. Korea trip for next year. I also purchased Cameron's book.

For many working people without a lot of money(myself), it sometimes is about seeing things. The most I can take off is two weeks so being there has to compete with seeing what I want to-especially if one can't travel every year.

I think it's also one's style. I have a friend who stays about 2-3 days in a city and moves on. They love it-kind of like the Amazing Race. They see what they want, they decide where to eat and then move on to the next city. They spend their money in the country just like those who "slow travel". I used to think there was one way to travel but as long as one is having fun and seeing what they want to, then I don't see the harm in it. Different strokes.

And I know a guidebook writer isn't glamorous but I'd still take his job.

You have to see there before you want to be the there. But also one could have never seen there but still have a be there experience.

We all travel differently. We have different reasons for wanting to travel, we have different agendas as to what we want to see and accomplish, and we have different time frames available.

Everyone needs to travel in a way that makes them happy. It's their time and their money.

As an example, I like to take my time and travel slowly. I'm lucky as I have the time and resources to do so. I have also been known to take multi-day tours. But on my last tour, I realized they were no longer for me. Too rushed, too much time spent at places I wasn't interested in and too little time, if at all, at places I wanted to see or linger.

Does that mean tours aren't good? Of course not. They just aren't right for me.

Travel in a way that is right for you and let others travel in a way that is right for them.

Travel in a way that is right for you and let others travel in a way
that is right for them.

Well said Frank!!!!

I'm with Frank. I think the tourist versus temporary local dichotomy false, and more than anything a textbook case of a way that some people need to assign themselves to the cool crowd.

This is not to say that some types of tourists are not more removed from their surroundings than others, nor that some types of tourists on average might be more of a PITA to the locals than others. However you travel be engaged and be kind.

I have spent years touristing in Europe, ranging from meeting people, sleeping on apartment couches, getting a job etc, to riding around behind glass looking at stuff. Either way is a great time.

We read Cameron's book and didn't get much from it, but I agree that it could offer the path to create a "journey". As mentioned, we all have different travel style and expectations. I'm learning that the hard way, but I think I'm finally understanding how my husband and I like to travel and what we expect. It's like a hybrid between tourist and traveler.

I found Cameron's book to be an enjoyable read, though I will admit I skipped a chapter or two that did not hold much interest for me. Cameron's travel style is similar to mine, but I agree with James II's words of wisdom...

Everyone needs to travel in a way that makes them happy. It's their
time and their money.

and

Travel in a way that is right for you and let others travel in a way
that is right for them.

I didn’t read the book sounds interesting; but I will assume that its pretty balanced and non-judgmental; after all, RS tours are very much “SEEING”.

Cataloging people is rarely a good idea, maybe okay when attempting to answer questions about what might be a good addition to their trip; but when cataloging people is to place them in an inferior light with an attitude that “I would help them, but they aren’t deserving” I think demonstrates the insecurity of the person doing the cataloguing; not that I ever see that on this forum thank G-d.

If you grew up hearing and learning of the great monuments of Europe and you save for years and years to SEE them; my guess is that you will get more personal value out of the trip, then would someone who travels six times a year and thinks they are BEING THERE and not SEEING (but they would really need to read the book before they could comment).

The superior titles seem to be often self-appointed by people who have already done all the SEEING and now want to elevate their position by advising others to do otherwise.

A person who wants to go to a European coast and ride jet skis for a week is no less a person that someone who wants to travel to an Italian village for a week and live in a stone hut.

So, lets just continue to accept that everyone is different, no one’s attitude is superior or more right, or more advanced, or more wise or more … whatever … and try and help however and whenever we can.

I just finished this book and I think it's one of the best travel books I've read. He's a very good writer and the book was entertaining and thoughtful. I didn't look at it like a guide book or a how to travel book, just one person's memoirs of a life of travels.

Not every chapter was exciting and enthralling, but many were. And it was humorous! He does know how to tell a good story.

I love a book that makes me laugh and one where I learn something new. He taught me a new word and how to use it in a sentence: A situation pregnant with the possibility of upchuckery. Now there's a word that paints a picture! You gotta love someone who can pull that off.

This is on sale again for $1.99, FYI.

One's travel style is what one makes of it. Which options you find satisfactory or can cope with or without, rental car, ride share, night trains, ferries, flights within Europe, taxis, sole reliance on public transport, group travel or solo, level of luxury as a prerequisite in a hotel (A/C, parking, etc) and a host others, all depend on you.

Very true in regards to one having seen films, movies, or done tons of reading, is emotional attached to seeing certain sights or just getting there, is much more meaningful and significant when you are actually there. I felt that way regarding numerous places I saw the very first time having arrived, ie this feeling of "I made it, disbelief that I'm actually here" regarding, most definitely , Paris, Amiens, Fontainebleau, Potsdam , Berlin, Weimar, Gdansk, London, Slavkov/Austerlitz, etc.

Bottom line....personal choices and level of travel style tolerance.

Thanks, roubrat. I had Kindle credit from Amazon (for bundling orders) that actually made this free!

I'll have a look for this book.

I'm glad we all see travel from different viewpoints, whether it be from a tour bus and a different place every day or staying put in one place for a month.
It would get very crowded if we all did it the same way.

Me, I'm just happy to get on a plane to anywhere!
(And have my packed undies and other stuff arrive in the same place at the same time these days.)