What a must thing to Do

@noyida (795)
Singapore
July 26, 2007 3:51am CST
When you decide to visit a certain country or place, what do you want to do there? Do you go to places of interest base on travel agent suggestions? This is more likely to those who take a guided tours. If you are doing EZ pack, what is the must thing to do or visit?. I will love to go to the markets (not just weekend market) if possible where the locals do their daily grocery. I try to avoid as much to visit the same place where tourist flocks. I would love to explore on local recommendations. How about you folks?. What do you look for or go to when travelling to other country or perhaps different part or continent of your country?. Do share. Thank you.
3 responses
@syain1972 (1011)
• Singapore
29 Jul 07
Hello noyida! For my family and I, we would normally go on an R&R kind of trip. Own time own target... I love to buy those travel guide books like Lonely Planet as they will give you a lot of information about the places that we'll be visiting and they are pretty accurate most of the time. Likewise, we'll try to avoid those touristy areas but sometime relent to visiting the places of interest as I guess it's important to take a peek at their national interest. We do love to get suggestions from the town folks about the best food, cheap places to shop and etc so that we have a feel of that country.... WE HATE GUIDED TOURS!! I feel like we a flock of sheeps being hushed from one place to another.... Hahaha.... Sorry no offence intended to others who prefer this safe route!! Hehehehe
@noyida (795)
• Singapore
13 Aug 07
LOL! I hate guided tours too. Not just because of being like a flock of sheeps..I hate the timing that the agency arrange for us to assemble. Holidays are meant to relax and destress. With guided tours, I think it is more taxing and stressful. Your morning calls are programmed. Shopping time given at half hours or so. What more if there are some others who are inconsiderate in the group who always ignore the timing and keep everyone else waiting...its a no no for me unless there is really really no choice like the haj and umrah... you cant just do that on your own for now. Thanks ya for your response.
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
27 Jul 07
I have a strong interest in exploring and get much pleasure from going to countries that I haven't been to before. I am an independent traveler rather than a tourist. I tend to buy a flight from the Internet and then once I arrive at my destination use buses and trains to get around. I don't like to see large crowds and seek out unspoilt sights. I like to stay in small locally owned guest houses and buy food from the market or shops. It is important to me to be able to meet some of the local people. I look for beautiful scenery, different cultures, palm fringed beaches, small tropical islands and native wildlife. I like the coast and countryside more than cities generally. I enjoy going to historic places and finding out about the past. I like to plan my own outings if this is possible and I only go on a guided tour if this is essential.
1 person likes this
@noyida (795)
• Singapore
13 Aug 07
Its kind of interest to do what you do. I rather visit those scenic places then having to throng one shopping centre/area after another. I tends to avoid crowded places too if there any possiblities. Planing you own outing is an interesting thing to do rather than get everything planned for you. Thanks for sharing.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
27 Jul 07
well, i much prefer free and easy these days. think can't go back to traveling with a group of strangers that might be annoying, or have noisy kids. interesting that you like to visit the wet markets. I've been told that a fish market in tokyo is a must see for those who want to travel off the beaten track. of course i would still like to see the famous parts of the country, for instance halong bay at vietnam. and it's just not the same if you e.g. say go to paris and not even see the effiel tower. although i do agree that travelling should be much more than ticking off a list of must-do, must-see things, just so that you can say i've been there done that. i would say the best way to see a country is to spend some time with a local. for instance a homestay or farmstay. that's the best part.
@noyida (795)
• Singapore
13 Aug 07
I too like to do free and easy. Infact with internet, I do everything on my own. From booking airline ticket, accommodation and tickets for land transport all on my own. Of course, I would love to visit those famous landmark and get myself photo there. Its more for the memories perhaps 10 or 20 yrs later for my grandchildren to see. As much as possible, I rather explore these places on my own so I can do it own time own target. Thanks anyway.