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What first: Explore the world, or your own country?
- Thread starter ROON
- Start date
That's sad.
Not trying to offend you or anything. You should save up and go on a nice trip somewhere.
The downside with travelling outside of your home country is that it can become addictive. Travelling in your own country is good but there is much commonality in language, architecture, culture, food. You just might see the same clothing and food chains in every town on the way. Sure there are landmarks and the geography changes, but not much else changes. And for a lot of people, there's comfort in that, and there is.
As per usual the poll does not cover what I would say...
So my view is that I would like to explore Europe as much as possible - but am not interested in visiting the whole world and I think it's an unrealistic ambition anyway!
The more of Europe I explore, the more I find there is that I would like to visit. I've been to France, Spain, Portugal,Greece,Germany Holland, Belgium,Russia etc. but then parts of Croatia and Slovenia look really nice - I visited Austria on my last holiday and Switzerland looks like a must - there are just so many great European cities and beauty spots that I can't see exhausting the possibilities.
Whereas - many parts of the world have extreme (unpleasant) climate, disease, wars, poverty - I can't see me ever visiting any of those!
So my view is that I would like to explore Europe as much as possible - but am not interested in visiting the whole world and I think it's an unrealistic ambition anyway!
The more of Europe I explore, the more I find there is that I would like to visit. I've been to France, Spain, Portugal,Greece,Germany Holland, Belgium,Russia etc. but then parts of Croatia and Slovenia look really nice - I visited Austria on my last holiday and Switzerland looks like a must - there are just so many great European cities and beauty spots that I can't see exhausting the possibilities.
Whereas - many parts of the world have extreme (unpleasant) climate, disease, wars, poverty - I can't see me ever visiting any of those!
Not an easy answer this one...
I've recently been getting in to travelling a lot more - the more places I go, the more my eyes open up. I always thought I was quite open minded, but you just don't experience this until you taste other cultures. I've been all over Europe on a road trip (all very similar to the UK with small differences), and I've been to America.
This will probably be a bit strange to the Americans on here, but when I went over to California last April, and I spent the entire time with my mouth open... the country is so huge it's astonishing. The whole culture is strange to me - having to work out a 20% tip on top of every meal (I didn't dare finish a meal without leaving a tip in case I got lynched!
), driving for miles and miles without any sign of life, trailer parks, dust tracks, "blocks", straight & humongus roads. It's just nothing like England, but everyone speaks my language (apart from the incorrect spellings and pronunciations of course ). Everything is just "bigger"!
I found all the people to be very laid back - I went over to Coachella festival in Palm Springs and made friends almost immediately. People reacted to my English accent with amazement and genuine interest, everyone's humour was awesome (I watch a lot of American DVDs like Family Guy, Simpsons, Futurama etc so I think that helped
) and all service personnel were ridiculously pleasant.
I even had a run in with the police when I was there - I was on my way to the Grand Canyon (I was so close I thought I might as well!) and came off a 75mph Freeway on to a side road, that had no signs, and kept doing 75mph... the ONLY car in sight was a Police SUV, which was coming towards me with it's lights blaring... I kept going at 75 thinking the lights were for someone else (not sure why). It turned round and pulled me over... the officer came to my door - I've never been pulled over in England, let along another country! I went to get my license out of the centre compartment and the officer pulled his gun, and shouted at me to put my hands out of the car! Talk about s***ing my pants! He was very facetious when he spoke to me, but only gave me a warning. Not sure he could have given me points anyway?
Police having guns is a strange situation... we see a few officers with MP5s in Airports, but that's it... our road system is terrible, whereas the American road system is absolutely perfect in my opinion. I don't like the idea of guns, but I suppose that's just what you're used to.
I'm going to visit America a lot more in the future, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of my trip. I'll spend longer than a week there next time though!
But, to answer the question (sorry, went off on a tangent), I would say both... travelling is an awesome passtime as long as you don't mind meeting new people and embracing cultures that are different from your own...
I've recently been getting in to travelling a lot more - the more places I go, the more my eyes open up. I always thought I was quite open minded, but you just don't experience this until you taste other cultures. I've been all over Europe on a road trip (all very similar to the UK with small differences), and I've been to America.
This will probably be a bit strange to the Americans on here, but when I went over to California last April, and I spent the entire time with my mouth open... the country is so huge it's astonishing. The whole culture is strange to me - having to work out a 20% tip on top of every meal (I didn't dare finish a meal without leaving a tip in case I got lynched!
), driving for miles and miles without any sign of life, trailer parks, dust tracks, "blocks", straight & humongus roads. It's just nothing like England, but everyone speaks my language (apart from the incorrect spellings and pronunciations of course ). Everything is just "bigger"!I found all the people to be very laid back - I went over to Coachella festival in Palm Springs and made friends almost immediately. People reacted to my English accent with amazement and genuine interest, everyone's humour was awesome (I watch a lot of American DVDs like Family Guy, Simpsons, Futurama etc so I think that helped
) and all service personnel were ridiculously pleasant.I even had a run in with the police when I was there - I was on my way to the Grand Canyon (I was so close I thought I might as well!) and came off a 75mph Freeway on to a side road, that had no signs, and kept doing 75mph... the ONLY car in sight was a Police SUV, which was coming towards me with it's lights blaring... I kept going at 75 thinking the lights were for someone else (not sure why). It turned round and pulled me over... the officer came to my door - I've never been pulled over in England, let along another country! I went to get my license out of the centre compartment and the officer pulled his gun, and shouted at me to put my hands out of the car! Talk about s***ing my pants! He was very facetious when he spoke to me, but only gave me a warning. Not sure he could have given me points anyway?
Police having guns is a strange situation... we see a few officers with MP5s in Airports, but that's it... our road system is terrible, whereas the American road system is absolutely perfect in my opinion. I don't like the idea of guns, but I suppose that's just what you're used to.
I'm going to visit America a lot more in the future, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of my trip. I'll spend longer than a week there next time though!
But, to answer the question (sorry, went off on a tangent
), I would say both... travelling is an awesome passtime as long as you don't mind meeting new people and embracing cultures that are different from your own...
Do both. I am from a little po dunk town in the swamps of South east Louisiana. Get out and see stuff. I have made it to somewhere around half the states in the US. My world travel has taken me to 10 or so countries. Just left Shekou China and now I am in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Why am I on TB now you ask. I have work to do so sight seeing will have to wait till later.
Why am I on TB now you ask. I have work to do so sight seeing will have to wait till later.
Errr I think it's a vast undertstatement to say you've missed some things there!!
!! Similar to the UK ..?
Austria and Switzerland with huge mountains and glaciers, crystal lakes - nothing like the Uk in any way!
The vastness of Russian and the Ukraine - Red Square and surrounding area was like a different planet to me!!?
Greek Islands - fantastic beaches, beautiful blue, Mediterranean - wonderful light - nothing like the UK in any way - islands with no cars and no electricity!
Madrid,Grenada, Barcelona - like the UK - no way - they are completely unique and vibrant cities with massive and ancient culture - the Alahambra in Granada is like nowhere else !!
I could go on an talk about many other places beyond the Arctic Circle or close to Africa....
Errr I think it's a vast undertstatement to say you've missed some things there!!
Similar to the UK ..?
Austria and Switzerland with huge mountains and glaciers, crystal lakes - nothing like the Uk in any way!
The vastness of Russian and the Ukraine - Red Square and surrounding area was like a different planet to me!!?
Greek Islands - fantastic beaches, beautiful blue, Mediterranean - wonderful light - nothing like the UK in any way - islands with no cars and no electricity!
Madrid,Grenada, Barcelona - like the UK - no way - they are completely unique and vibrant cities with massive and ancient culture - the Alahambra in Granada is like nowhere else !!
I could go on an talk about many other places beyond the Arctic Circle or close to Africa....
Yes, you're right... I meant in terms of culture etc... similar in that way. Of course, everywhere has their differences, but I wasn't as blown away with Europe as I was with the USA
I visited France, Belgium, Amsterdam, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary (been quite a few times - my dad's side of the family are from there and I go most years to a Festival in Budapest), Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Germany and Italy. Given, I only spent one day in most places, but it was a good overview
I still thoroughly enjoyed the trip though! Though the Italian drivers are the worst I've seen yet ;P
Errr I think it's a vast undertstatement to say you've missed some things there!!
Similar to the UK ..?
Austria and Switzerland with huge mountains and glaciers, crystal lakes - nothing like the Uk in any way!
The vastness of Russian and the Ukraine - Red Square and surrounding area was like a different planet to me!!?
Greek Islands - fantastic beaches, beautiful blue, Mediterranean - wonderful light - nothing like the UK in any way - islands with no cars and no electricity!
Madrid,Grenada, Barcelona - like the UK - no way - they are completely unique and vibrant cities with massive and ancient culture - the Alahambra in Granada is like nowhere else !!
I could go on an talk about many other places beyond the Arctic Circle or close to Africa....
I haven't seen much of Europe (unfortunately). Though I'd suspect that Russia would be vastly different from any other part of Europe. Considering around (guesstimate here) 70% of the country actually falls under Northern Asia, the European parts would have to have a significantly different culture from the UK on the other side of Europe. I have been to the UK and I think its a great place, though a little too muddy.
Nice people though, and lots to do. I am pretty obsessed with all medieval related stuff so it was a real treat getting to go and see all the old castles. The Tower of London was GREAT!I went to Singapore when I was around 7 years old. I can remember bits and pieces of it, the Tiger Balm Gardens was great. I remember a ride where you entered through a dragons mouth and inside it was a tour sort of thing depicting all horrible tortures and what not. It was awesome.
I'd love to go back to Singapore one day, from what I can remember I had a great time!
Yes, you're right... I meant in terms of culture etc... similar in that way. Of course, everywhere has their differences, but I wasn't as blown away with Europe as I was with the USA
I know what you mean Spikeh. Down here in Australia people tend to complain that we are swamped by American culture, everything on TV is made there, all the products we buy are owned by American companies, all the foods seem to be available in America too. But when you actually go there you realise the culture is nothing like what we have here in Australia, or in your case, the UK. It's kind of hard to pin down what the different things are, but it sure is different.
Australia is somewhere I really want to go to... it's on my list! I actually have relatives and friends living out there, so it'd just be a plane ticket. Don't fancy the flight though... 24+ hours or something?
Yes, you're right... I meant in terms of culture etc... similar in that way. Of course, everywhere has their differences, but I wasn't as blown away with Europe as I was with the USA
I visited France, Belgium, Amsterdam, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary (been quite a few times - my dad's side of the family are from there and I go most years to a Festival in Budapest), Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Germany and Italy. Given, I only spent one day in most places, but it was a good overview
I still thoroughly enjoyed the trip though! Though the Italian drivers are the worst I've seen yet ;P
I think what you are talking about there is Northern/Central Europe - where there is going to be a certain similarity of culture - although I think you need several weeks to assimilate cultures and get beyond the "tourist traps"!
So there are going to be places that are avoided by the locals and left to the tourists - where the similarities are accentuated by the fact that they are making money out of you and hence are playing down the local culture in favour of business!
But for me - the Mediterranean Culture is very different - Malta and Greece are close to Africa and Turkey, so their culture has very different influences from Northern mainland Europe. Parts of Spain are very Moorish in their culture as well.
Similarly if you go beyond northwards - to Russia and Scandinavia it is very different again.....?
Australia is somewhere I really want to go to... it's on my list! I actually have relatives and friends living out there, so it'd just be a plane ticket. Don't fancy the flight though... 24+ hours or something?
Heh, yeah! When I went to the UK I hadn't traveled in a long time, I was so excited about being on a plane again that I was quite happy to sit around and watch movies and look out the window for almost 24 hours straight.
I wish it was still as exciting. :scowl: Last time I was on a plane was from Abu Dhabi to Sydney. I think it was 16 hours non-stop. God I got so bored. I watched about three movies, read a magazine, played tetris for a solid 2 hours. I was delighted to get off the plane and stand in the immigration line for 40 minutes.
One of the most memorable moments in my life was flying over the India-Pakistan border at night time on the way to Heathrow, the whole border was light up as if every single inch was being watched and guarded. I don't know why but that image has really stuck with me, it was quite amazing.
I'm not that keen on going to Australia - my Dad's brother emigrated with all his family, when I was quite young.
All I remember hearing from them was complaints about how it was too hot, the spiders (insects in general ) were too scary and several family members got tropical diseases....
My cousin visited Novemeber before last, and said how she was really lookin forward to feeling rain!
All I remember hearing from them was complaints about how it was too hot, the spiders (insects in general ) were too scary and several family members got tropical diseases....
My cousin visited Novemeber before last, and said how she was really lookin forward to feeling rain!
I went to Singapore when I was around 7 years old. I can remember bits and pieces of it, the Tiger Balm Gardens was great. I remember a ride where you entered through a dragons mouth and inside it was a tour sort of thing depicting all horrible tortures and what not. It was awesome.
I'd love to go back to Singapore one day, from what I can remember I had a great time!
Tiger Balm Gardens is still open! The attractions are still about the same. Nobody goes there anymore.
I think what you are talking about there is Northern/Central Europe - where there is going to be a certain similarity of culture - although I think you need several weeks to assimilate cultures and get beyond the "tourist traps"!
So there are going to be places that are avoided by the locals and left to the tourists - where the similarities are accentuated by the fact that they are making money out of you and hence are playing down the local culture in favour of business!
But for me - the Mediterranean Culture is very different - Malta and Greece are close to Africa and Turkey, so their culture has very different influences from Northern mainland Europe. Parts of Spain are very Moorish in their culture as well.
Similarly if you go beyond northwards - to Russia and Scandinavia it is very different again.....?
I do try to avoid tourist areas when I go away, unless it's something I really couldn't miss (like the Grand Canyon, the Egyptian Pyramids etc). I love to get "lost" when I go places... when I went to America, I didn't plan anything. I got off the plane, went straight to the festival, then after 2 days there I just set off to the closest place I wanted to go to! I spent a week driving randomly across California
I love to see things in my own way, at my own time - not restricted by a tour guide or booking agency...
I will be spending more time in different places in Europe in the years to come... I'm currently contracting, so I may even be working in various places at some point! Dubai being one place I have my eyes on...
