General Travel Tips and Advice Have you traveled before?- Please share your tips and advice with fellow Tpunks! |
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06-08-2008, 03:24 PM
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#1
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Artist of Life
Join Date: Jul 2004
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A backpacking philosophy question...
Hello tpunks,
A more philosophical travel question for you all, both new and seasoned.
This year I'm going to China, and I only really have a good 11 days of backpacking (the other week, I have to spend in Hong Kong to see family).
But 11 days is still good enough to get into some adventures... but my dilemma is:
-do I spend 4-5 days in 2 places, or spend 2-3 days in 3-4 places?
I've done both... first trip I spent longer times in some cities, and it you definitely get a flavour for the places you are staying. On my second trip, I was travelling like a madman, pretty much travelling every second day (which burned me out hardcore)...but I got to see so much, and a one month trip felt like a year!
So what do you guys prefer, given a limited travel timeframe? More time and less places, or less time in more places?
I don't know which one I like better....
__________________
Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."
Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)
"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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06-08-2008, 05:53 PM
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#2
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Tpunk Senior Moderators
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I have to tell you Jason, both of us truly like the longer time per city plan. Like you, we've done both types, and the longer style is just better..... We usually always try to plan a long day trip out, just to get a different view for a day, ya know. For me, its actually getting to that feeling of kinda living there, the atmosphere and vibe of the city.
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When an adventure ends you can never go back, never relive it, never hope to feel the same emotion. The secret is to not try and go back but to keep searching for new adventure....
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06-08-2008, 07:48 PM
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#3
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TPunk Moderator
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option A for the same reasons you listed in the first post, unless you feel like you will never have a chance to see the other places
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06-09-2008, 03:35 AM
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#4
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TPunk Emeritus
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I feel that 3 days is a nice number for a city. Usually, on the day you arrive, you end up with only about a half day to get oriented and see the main sights. The next day you may get a chance to see it in depth. And the third day, I like to take a day trip out from the city and then return that evening.
So, if it was me, I'd shoot for at least 3 places among your 11 days backpacking in China. Of course, if travel distances are huge among your stops, that can affect things...
worldwidemike
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Check out my travel web page at:
Worldwidemike.com
"Life is not measured in the number of breaths we take, but by the places that take our breath away..."
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06-09-2008, 04:08 AM
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#5
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lover of Germany
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I say 2-3 days in 3-4 places. 3 days is enough time and you can cover more cities.
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I have been to: Canada, USA, Iceland, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Germany, Sardinia, Switzerland, China, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Morocco.
Do to list: [color=blue][color=black] Australia, New Zealand, Austria India and Bolivia.
[color=blue][i][font=Verdana][color=black]"I'm just another stranger lookin' for the promised land"
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06-09-2008, 05:13 AM
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#6
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TPunk Recognized
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I find it is different for different people. I stayed in a city for almost 5 days and it was too long. I move like a mad man so I need to move to different places faster. Unless I am visiting a friend it doesn't make sense to stay longer. Why? A city only possesses so much for one person to see. In other words, I may be interested in seeing a, b, & c whereas another person may be interested in x, y, & z. Once you gain the experience and see what you want to see - move on.
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"An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger, or a beer."
-Confucius
Somewhere in England (maybe) - Spring (TBA)
Israel - Summer (TBA)
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06-09-2008, 07:28 AM
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#7
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french touch
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10 days for such an immense country ! I share your hesitations.
Hmmm... it depends on the goals you have set for the trip, your personal pace and interests.
My philosophy is to stay as flexible as possible. You never know when you're going to fall in love with a city. Or meet people, travelers or locals, you'd want to spend more time with.
In this particular situation, with so little time and so much to see, I'd go for the 3-day stay, with a set plan B in case I'd change my mind.
Also, if you plan on returning to China for a longer stay, I would definitively go for the whirwind trip, as a kind of "scout" visit for the next time.
And as Mike said, distance is an issue in China.
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people are people
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06-24-2008, 06:37 PM
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#8
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Artist of Life
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ottawa, Canada aka O-town
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Hey thanks for all the input: but I have decided on more places, less days.
It helps that I justified it based on seeing three parts of china: historical china (beijing), modern china (shanghai) and scenic rural china (yangshuo).
Who knows when I'll go back! So yeah... there you go, decision made.
About distance - ill be taking overnight train from beijing to shanghai, and flying from shanghai to guilin. Flying will hopefully cut down the time... but since I have to wait to buy tickets in country, we'll see how it goes =)
CB
__________________
Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."
Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)
"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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06-24-2008, 06:38 PM
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#9
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Artist of Life
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ottawa, Canada aka O-town
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Quote:
Originally Posted by expatben
I say 2-3 days in 3-4 places. 3 days is enough time and you can cover more cities.
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That's pretty much it... i'm sticking with this 3 day rule mostly.
J
__________________
Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."
Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)
"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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06-24-2008, 06:48 PM
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#10
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The Finisher
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Location: NYC
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when i travel i'll only stay in a big city more than 3 days if i'm burnt out and need a day or 2 to just chill out.
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07-01-2008, 08:22 AM
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#11
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Members
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I'd go the 4-5 day --- it's a much better way to soak up a culture.
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Want to know about sun, surf, sea and gadgets? Check out my blog at Blue Wave Ted.
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07-04-2008, 02:10 AM
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#12
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TPunk Recognized
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completely different experiences...the 3-day is more of an adrenaline rush, land in a city, figure your way around, hit the main sites, hop on a plane/train/bus to the next town...you get to see a ton of interesting stuff and cover a lot of ground and 'traveling' is the experience. staying longer gives you a chance to see more indepth stuff, meet people and catch the vibe of the place and kind of experience what it's like to live there, plus it generally can be cheaper. both are fun...it just kind of depends on your mood, what you want from the trip and what you want to experience in the places you're going...
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Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish. Albert Einstein
USA, Canada, Mexico, England, France, Italy, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile.
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07-04-2008, 10:40 AM
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#13
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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i am planning on a 4-5 day per city schedule, just because i really want to experience the places im going to be at. i think it seems like a grand idea
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07-04-2008, 04:02 PM
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#14
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TPunk Recognized
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If you plan 4-5 days in each city then it will give you some flexibility. If you love it, you can stay but if you don't need that much time, then you'll have a few days to go somewhere else close by.
I always find it best to be super flexible, you never know what opportunities will come up!
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07-07-2008, 07:41 PM
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#15
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The " ... " queen of TP!
Join Date: Aug 2004
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As you're limited in time, I'd say 3-4 cities....you wont be out long enough to get burnt out in 11 days
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~Laura
GO CANADA!!!!
If you walk backwards, you'll find out that you can go forward and people won't know if you're coming or going.
Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today.
-James Dean
Countries I've Visited: Austria, Botswana, Canada, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy. Malawi, Mexico, Portugal, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Tanzania, Uganda, USA, UK, Vatican City, Zambia
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07-12-2008, 02:07 AM
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#16
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Join Date: Mar 2003
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“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving"
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving"
"For those who practice not-doing, everything will fall into place."
both by Lao Tsu
I use to keep an old copy of his 81 poems in my suit jacket pocket to reduce stress on the plane when we were involved in black market, the "white collar" crime of smuggling electronics, cameras, and gold ingots.
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Life is Short! Traveling the World & the people you meet, experiencing life "on the road" will enhance your life forever. GO FOR IT! Explore Philippines
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07-13-2008, 07:16 AM
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#17
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TPunk Emeritus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilBill
I use to keep an old copy of his 81 poems in my suit jacket pocket to reduce stress on the plane when we were involved in black market, the "white collar" crime of smuggling electronics, cameras, and gold ingots.
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Do tell, PhilBill...do tell!
worldwidemike
__________________
Check out my travel web page at:
Worldwidemike.com
"Life is not measured in the number of breaths we take, but by the places that take our breath away..."
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07-13-2008, 08:49 AM
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#18
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Artist of Life
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ottawa, Canada aka O-town
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilBill
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving"
"For those who practice not-doing, everything will fall into place."
both by Lao Tsu
I use to keep an old copy of his 81 poems in my suit jacket pocket to reduce stress on the plane when we were involved in black market, the "white collar" crime of smuggling electronics, cameras, and gold ingots.
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"Now the general who wins a battle makes many
calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought.
The general who loses a battle makes but few
calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations
lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat:
how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention"
to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
I read The Art Of War while I am at work. I feel all strategic after.
__________________
Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."
Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)
"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
Last edited by Canadian Bacon; 07-13-2008 at 08:51 AM.
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