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Is overseas travel overrated?

spotifiedman

You might remark "If you want to be an ignorant fool. You have to step outside your country to appreciate things" but in may cases, I think it is. I didn't have money to travel this summer but I always thought about Gates and how he said he never took a day off in his twenties. bet that money saved up led to him being a billionaire.

point half-aside, Holidays are probably only great if you have the money for them and plan well. I've realized this all to well when travelling with not so nice family members. No point in going to Nice, Berlin, Amsterdam without money and a lack of plans when you can go somewhere small in the country on your budget and have a memorable experience.

It's probably even better to work travel even again to a not so glamorous city but a different culture.

I think for me as a young person, I'll call of travel until I buy the ticket to leave Ireland for good. Another non-related reason is that I like my codeine, valium, alcohol, and antihistamines. I stock up on these so with all the anti terrorist/drug smuggling B.S. after 9/11, I don't want the hassle of American or Australian border agents questioning "Sir, are you trying to import a controlled subtance across an international border". **** off mate..

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OldMrBrennan83

It's great if you want to do it and not great if.you don't. Nothing worse than a **** who thinks everyone 'simply must' though.

Shenshen

Deleted User wrote: »

Really? I haven't found that... at least, the difference is more to do with age/maturity rather than money. I'm just not interested in nightclubs, beach parties, drugs etc anymore which means I'm not associating with that kind of crowd. I still do cities, so I tend to meet people of similar ages with professional backgrounds (who also are educated enough to speak English, or understand my Chinese). Admittedly, my travels are nowadays firmly fixed on Asia.

I never used to do nightclubs and beach parties, that would always have been my personal idea of hell

But I find with staying in hotels not hostels (my lazy nature makes me choose comfort where possible) and being able to afford the official guided tours and all that, there's just fewer interaction with locals or even other travelers. And where there are any, they're far more reserved, people tend to be more respectful to me than they would have been when I was a young 'un, and that creates distance.

irishman86

sugarman wrote: »

Quiet the contrary, was barley in the room ..and I had an absolutely brilliant time! I didnt go with a budget in mind, I went on a no frills lads holiday for a bit of a piss up and some sight seeing. What I spent is what I spent! ...I didnt go on the last day 'Ah sure.. ive only spent €200, better find something to lash another €200 on'..

A quick break down...

Flights were €35 return.
Hostel in Prague was €15 for 3 nights.
Hostel in Berlin was €30 for 2 nights. (Was 5 nights total not 6 as I said)
Train from Prague to Berlin €18.

The rest was spend on food, drinks and attractions.

Off top my head, things I did whilst there...

Prague:
- Sparta Prague football match - €7
- Guided walking tour around the Old Town, Charles Bridge etc.. Tip
- Went see Child of Prague - Free
- Climbed the Castle - Free
- Organized pub crawl - Free / whatever you spend on drink (€1.50 a pint btw)

Berlin:
- Guided walking tour around the Brandenburg, Reichstag, Tiergarden etc.. Tip
- Jewish memorial / Museum - €3
- Topography of Terror Museum - Free
- Checkpoint Charlie - Free
- Walk the Berlin Wall - Free
- Olympic stadium Tour €8
- Berlin TV tower - €10

...probably a few other things I forget as most nights were a piss up!

Germany is a great bargain holiday did two weeks a few years ago for €500

TrustedApple

I love traveling myself.

It opens your eyes to the world and the difference between every country.

In the past year I have been to the US and Russia. But a strange and crazy countrys. People from both country's never speak down about there own country. People from the US think the US is the best country in the world whole the same about Russia.

It's just some people in Ireland love putting there country down to people. Yes we are a small island but its one of the niceist places you can go to on a holiday and I see why people love coming here. People are friendly, great food drink night life, a very safe country the list is endless) endless.

You have to tavel to realise that the world is a fantastic place and we have a short time here so we might try and enjoy it.

[Deleted User]

Shenshen wrote: »

I never used to do nightclubs and beach parties, that would always have been my personal idea of hell

But I find with staying in hotels not hostels (my lazy nature makes me choose comfort where possible) and being able to afford the official guided tours and all that, there's just fewer interaction with locals or even other travelers. And where there are any, they're far more reserved, people tend to be more respectful to me than they would have been when I was a young 'un, and that creates distance.

Haha... Hostels were never my kind of place, although I did experience them in Oz for a while. Enough to know they're not for me.

Hotel bars are often a good way to meet people, although it really depends on the hotel, and alas, it's more often than not, populated by escorts. I do get what you're saying though. Still, i think it depends on the destination.

I found places in the west to be more difficult to meet people, whereas in Asia or Eastern Europe, were really easy to meet random people in the street, in restaurants, etc. There seems to be more of a privacy bubble in western destinations. I also think the language difficulties tend to encourage people to try to help you out, and that provides an intro. Spending some time in a cafe remains the best place for me to meet new people, especially if there's an outdoor area.

anewme

I take 2-3 trips a year now.

Sightseeing, walking, hiking, cycling, kayaking, road trips.

There will come a time when I physically CANT do these things and I will remember what it felt like .....first sighting of the lost city of Petra, to hike to the top Angels landing, to visit Alcatraz, to cycle around Chiang Mai through the paddy fields and villages, to kayak around Halong Bay, to experience the War Museum in Ho Chi Min (very moving) to swim in the dead sea, to walk over a misty Golden Gate Bridge, to snorkel near Whitehaven Bay.

It felt like I was alive.

Since my Dad was diagnosed with dementia, I've realised that in time, all you are left with are memories and sometimes not even they remain.

If you don't want to travel then don't, but if you do, enjoy and appreciate every single SECOND.

whisky_galore

Dr.MickKiller wrote: »

I don't think they're supposed to do that.

Unless you have some extra baggage up there.....

Arghus

I tend to find holidays stressful, I guess it's something about being knocked out of my comfort zone. I don't think I'd bother going anywhere if people didn't always go on about it. Having said that I don't regret seeing any place that I have been too.

I do especially find the business of travelling aggrevating, "when's the next time and place where I'll get the chance to take a peaceful contemplative crap?"

weemcd

Proper travel is probably the number one thing most people can do in their lives.

4Ad

Patww79 wrote: »

It's great if you want to do it and not great if.you don't. Nothing worse than a **** who thinks everyone 'simply must' though.

The worst kind of people to listen to.
I still packback on my hols, enjoyable for a few days but I need a night or 2 in a hotel by myself..only so much of hostels you can do..I'm 50 so not cool or hip...I never was !!

4Ad

Deleted User wrote: »

Haha... Hostels were never my kind of place, although I did experience them in Oz for a while. Enough to know they're not for me.

Hotel bars are often a good way to meet people, although it really depends on the hotel, and alas, it's more often than not, populated by escorts. I do get what you're saying though. Still, i think it depends on the destination.

I found places in the west to be more difficult to meet people, whereas in Asia or Eastern Europe, were really easy to meet random people in the street, in restaurants, etc. There seems to be more of a privacy bubble in western destinations. I also think the language difficulties tend to encourage people to try to help you out, and that provides an intro. Spending some time in a cafe remains the best place for me to meet new people, especially if there's an outdoor area.

And people watch..A very important part of travelling, esp in Eastern Europe..call me sexist but the local females are stunning...

the purple tin

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Depends.

Travel can broaden your horizons and other nebulous things.

Unless you're going to Sydney for a year to spend your time in Irish bars wearing your county colours talking about home. I'm not so sure there's a great benefit in that.

Don't knock it, anything that reduces the amount of morons in this country even temporarily is no bad thing.

[Deleted User]

4Ad wrote: »

And people watch..A very important part of travelling, esp in Eastern Europe..call me sexist but the local females are stunning...

Nothing sexist about it. The local females do tend to be stunning.

I was in Dublin recently with a Spanish friend, and he spent the whole time remarking how many good looking Irish women there were. I didn't see it myself, but he certainly did. Had a similar experience in Tokyo with a Chinese friend who was amazed I found so many of the local women gorgeous. Many of us just prefer women not from our own country. I certainly do. Nothing sexist about that... just a natural/personal preference.

Edgware

Another week or two and we can listen to the third level students taking ****e about their summer trips and then their whining about how easy it is to get accommodation in Staten Island or Greenwich village for half the cost in Dublin

the_syco

Trigger Happy wrote: »

Travel overseas is not over rated but you do need some money to do it.
I don’t think you need to plan too much though.

It can be expensive if you don't plan it. Planning it in advance can get you some very good deals, and allow you to stay in the cheap hostels. Now, some places are cheap regardless, but other places the transport is often the most expensive part. Get a cheap flight, and the money saved could pay for your accommodation.

For example; I'm in Toronto. It'll cost me CAD$400 for a one way ticket to Ireland in late September (visa has ran out), but have seen round trips to France for CAD$355, or Costa Rica for CAD$328

=-=

If I'm going abroad, I'd like to visit some cultural things, as opposed to getting sh|tfaced; I can do that at home.

NIMAN

I wouldn't say overseas travel is over-rated, I love it but its ruined by having to use airports to get there!

Hateful places.

metaoblivia

I love traveling abroad and try to go on an international trip and a domestic trip once a year. I went to Hawaii this past spring and am going to Spain, Morocco and Portugal in November. My trips are the highlights of my year and I spend the time in between looking forward to them. I have friends who don't like traveling though. Some just don't like airplanes, but others just don't think it's worth the expense. One friend went on his first trip abroad this summer to Norway, where he did a lot of hiking and mountain climbing. He said it wasn't worth the expense, which kind of blew me away because I love Norway. But to each their own!

the_syco

metaoblivia wrote: »

He said it wasn't worth the expense, which kind of blew me away because I love Norway. But to each their own!

Did he go package, or book everything himself?

metaoblivia

the_syco wrote: »

Did he go package, or book everything himself?

He booked his own stuff. He was on a tight budget, so he basically just had a flight & airbnb and winged it from there. I think had he added in just a few excursions, he may have had a better time. Winging it sounds romantic, but if you're not an experience traveler, you can miss a lot.

con___manx1

I have lived abroad twice in 2 different country's. it really made me appreciate ireland and the people here more.
We have great people in this country. The best in my opinion .the only thing i hate is the weather but not this year : )

[Deleted User]

I'd say it's adequately rated. Plenty hate it, some love it, and seemingly everyone would rather talk about anything other than stories about a place.

the_syco

metaoblivia wrote: »

He booked his own stuff. He was on a tight budget, so he basically just had a flight & airbnb and winged it from there. I think had he added in just a few excursions, he may have had a better time. Winging it sounds romantic, but if you're not an experience traveler, you can miss a lot.

"Winging it" sounds like a couple of impulse buys.

Deleted User wrote: »

I'd say it's adequately rated. Plenty hate it, some love it, and seemingly everyone would rather talk about anything other than stories about a place.

I find those who hated it often went on package tours that placed them nearby other tourists. If that's what you expect, fine, but if you look for tranquillity, and goto a city; you should have gone elsewhere.

One of my mates went well off the beaten track with his missus in Spain, into a quite little town. They loved it. Lots of walks, nice wine, and nice food. No tourists.

OldMrBrennan83

weemcd wrote: »

Proper travel is probably the number one thing most people can do in their lives.

There's exhibit A.

Candyshell

Now that we have google street view it has made travelling obsolete, you can see the whole world from the comfort of your couch.

nice_guy80

Yep

Stay in hostels. Cuts down on the cost

Wanderer78

I think Henry rollins is right, 'knowledge without miles, is bull****'