Will you be changing your holiday travel plans if you have any?

Ralphy1

Ralphy1

Well-known Member
Some are saying they won't be flying due to the threat of a terrorist attack or visit New York as many do. How about you, or are you past traveling?
 

Terrorists will never scare me out of flying anywhere. I have no plans to visit NYC in the near future but if I had, I wouldn't change them.

At the end of the last two annual visits to the US when we were coming home hubby and I were told to go in the line for minimal security check - didn't have to take off shoes, jackets, or take out bag of liquids or laptops. Just a quick line where we put our backpacks through the xray, and that was it. We must fit a profile that says we are harmless?
 
I would travel anywhere in the US... even NYC.... before I'd leave the country.. Not planning on going anywhere.
 

This recent comment would make me change plans to fly during this Isis crises

" This past June, less than 6 months ago: the TSA failed to detect ***95 percent*** of weapons brought through in breach tests at various airports."
 
I don't like flying anyway, and rarely do, only when necessary. I don't have any travel plans, but if I did I wouldn't change them. I've never been out of the US except to go camping a couple of times in Canada, furthest I've ever flown was to Hawaii.
 
I have been a licensed pilot so not afraid of flying. But I quite commercial flying shortly after they started the security stuff. I hated the lines. Also hate the way they now pack folks into the planes. My last flight I had a person ahead of me who wanted to take a nap just as they were distributing the lunches. I blocked their seat with my knees. They called for assistance, the stewardess looked at my tray with food on it and walked away. So the person ahead only got two notches instead of all three.

After that flight my travel has been limited to auto. We have toured much of Canada. Much of the middle areas one trip and then more of the central western areas and over the Rockies and further to Vancouver then on to Vancouver Island. We have also toured most of the US, except the New England corner. Also toured Mexico down as far as they allow and then back north to the US. I like auto travel as I see so much more and get to meet the people along the way. Not sure if cheaper than airways as I do buy hotels each day.

Would I change my ways today? Nope, just keep on driving.
 
BobF said:
I have been a licensed pilot so not afraid of flying. But I quite commercial flying shortly after they started the security stuff. I hated the lines. Also hate the way they now pack folks into the planes. My last flight I had a person ahead of me who wanted to take a nap just as they were distributing the lunches. I blocked their seat with my knees. They called for assistance, the stewardess looked at my tray with food on it and walked away. So the person ahead only got two notches instead of all three.

After that flight my travel has been limited to auto. We have toured much of Canada. Much of the middle areas one trip and then more of the central western areas and over the Rockies and further to Vancouver then on to Vancouver Island. We have also toured most of the US, except the New England corner. Also toured Mexico down as far as they allow and then back north to the US. I like auto travel as I see so much more and get to meet the people along the way. Not sure if cheaper than airways as I do buy hotels each day.

Would I change my ways today? Nope, just keep on driving.
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On airlines to the US we pay a bit extra to fly economy plus which gives you tons of legroom. On non US flights we fly Emirates and they have more legroom, good food and excellent service.

Not critizing anyone at all and to each his/her own, but I will never understand someone not having any desire to leave their own country and explore cultures very different from one's own. I can easily understand that people can't afford it, but not having the curiosity? Can't understand it.
 
I would think twice about taking a journey to any Asian or middle eastern country at this particular time, although I have no plans to do so, some people I know are going regardless.

As far as recreational travel goes, some people just aren't that interested, just as some people aren't interested in creative pursuits, music, art, cooking, sewing or gardening. Traveling is different now than it was when I was younger, when people backpacked and roughed it, stayed in hostels or with friends, etc. and saw the sites directly, rather than from a tour bus window.

I wouldn't exactly call staying at luxury resorts, riding around in tour buses, and gigantic cruises real traveling, and its very expensive -- only for those who have lots of money to spare. And I find it very main stream touristy. Apparently Venice is so packed with tourists that the residents have to avoid certain areas.

I agree it would be nice to be waited on for a few months and to lie around in front of a pool drinking cocktails and eating exotic snacks, but I accept that it's not everyone's cup of tea.
 
Cookie said:
I would think twice about taking a journey to any Asian or middle eastern country at this particular time, although I have no plans to do so, some people I know are going regardless.

As far as recreational travel goes, some people just aren't that interested, just as some people aren't interested in creative pursuits, music, art, cooking, sewing or gardening. Traveling is different now than it was when I was younger, when people backpacked and roughed it, stayed in hostels or with friends, etc. and saw the sites directly, rather than from a tour bus window.

I wouldn't exactly call staying at luxury resorts, riding around in tour buses, and gigantic cruises real traveling, and its very expensive -- only for those who have lots of money to spare. And I find it very main stream touristy. Apparently Venice is so packed with tourists that the residents have to avoid certain areas.

I agree it would be nice to be waited on for a few months and to lie around in front of a pool drinking cocktails and eating exotic snacks, but I accept that it's not everyone's cup of tea.
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There are many types of travel. Traveling by tour bus is not adventurous at all, and you don't get to know the culture or people at all. Sitting around a pool at a resort doesn't appeal to me either, at least not for more than a few days. I do enjoy visits to cities but only for a short time. Don't like crowds.

Still baffled that people don't have the curiosity to want to explore some of the world. And I don't understand people who go to foreign countries but want it to be the same as at home, wanting the same foods.
 
Cookie said:
I would think twice about taking a journey to any Asian or middle eastern country at this particular time, although I have no plans to do so, some people I know are going regardless.

As far as recreational travel goes, some people just aren't that interested, just as some people aren't interested in creative pursuits, music, art, cooking, sewing or gardening. Traveling is different now than it was when I was younger, when people backpacked and roughed it, stayed in hostels or with friends, etc. and saw the sites directly, rather than from a tour bus window.

I wouldn't exactly call staying at luxury resorts, riding around in tour buses, and gigantic cruises real traveling, and its very expensive -- only for those who have lots of money to spare. And I find it very main stream touristy. Apparently Venice is so packed with tourists that the residents have to avoid certain areas.

I agree it would be nice to be waited on for a few months and to lie around in front of a pool drinking cocktails and eating exotic snacks, but I accept that it's not everyone's cup of tea.
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I certainly do agree with your comments. Money is a big issue for many folks. And what some think is important just does not excite me at all. My son has traveled a lot, been to places in the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, but still comes back to the us for what he considers to be better. He really like where he stayed in the UK pretty much. He loved the old times history and museums items like railroad clubs, steam museum, times to go to London, Shakespeare area. He also like his time in Germany and Switzerland and France. He got to go visit some of our ancestors home lands. Pretty good time he had and did much of it doing the hostels(?), hitch hiking, rail pass things. He traveled cheap and spent lots of time with the people. He also had jobs for some of his experience. So he has done his trips the fun and worth while ways. He did meet with and lived with a German family, in exchange for us also taking in a German student for a short field trip to the US.

Would I like to travel as he did? Yes, but I was busy making a living and build for a retirement. But I do believe he did the right kind of working and travel. He did study enough over the first few years to get a college degree. Right now he is back in the US and working the engine room of a freighter on the great lakes. Says he likes it.
 
Ameriscot said:
There are many types of travel. Traveling by tour bus is not adventurous at all, and you don't get to know the culture or people at all. Sitting around a pool at a resort doesn't appeal to me either, at least not for more than a few days. I do enjoy visits to cities but only for a short time. Don't like crowds.

Still baffled that people don't have the curiosity to want to explore some of the world. And I don't understand people who go to foreign countries but want it to be the same as at home, wanting the same foods.
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Which people do you mean, who don't have the curiosity to travel? I don't think it's curiosity, it might be they just never had the influences to explore the world, and now armchair traveling is an option. I notice it is usually retired westerners who travel most, they no longer have to work and have lots of cash. People over in India and Malasia no doubt travel less, but they still do travel. Life is short and there are priorities.

To me travel means going from point A to point B -- i.e. travel time. The resort time and cruises I would call 'vacationing'. Not everyone cares to go to the trouble of flying for so long and living in a foreign country. And for some people they would rather stay put and have some peace, especially people who have moved around a lot already (me). I understand that completely. To stay in a place for a while and live there like the locals I would consider the most enriching. But thank goodness everyone doesn't travel, the industry probably couldn't sustain it and think of all the people flocking to Piccadilly Circus, pushing and shoving and taking selfies. Yuk!

What I can't understand is how some people don't have any sense of creativity or want to pursue artistic endeavors. That truly baffles me, as I love that stuff. Go figure. Variety is the spice of life I guess.
 
Cookie said:
Which people do you mean, who don't have the curiosity to travel? I don't think it's curiosity, it might be they just never had the influences to explore the world, and now armchair traveling is an option. I notice it is usually retired westerners who travel most, they no longer have to work and have lots of cash. People over in India and Malasia no doubt travel less, but they still do travel. Life is short and there are priorities.

To me travel means going from point A to point B -- i.e. travel time. The resort time and cruises I would call 'vacationing'. Not everyone cares to go to the trouble of flying for so long and living in a foreign country. And for some people they would rather stay put and have some peace, especially people who have moved around a lot already (me). I understand that completely. To stay in a place for a while and live there like the locals I would consider the most enriching. But thank goodness everyone doesn't travel, the industry probably couldn't sustain it and think of all the people flocking to Piccadilly Circus, pushing and shoving and taking selfies. Yuk!

What I can't understand is how some people don't have any sense of creativity or want to pursue artistic endeavors. That truly baffles me, as I love that stuff. Go figure. Variety is the spice of life I guess.
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I was referring to those who say they've never had any desire to leave the US. Some haven't even left their own state. Not talking about those who want to but don't have the money or the time. It's a huge world and I can't imagine wanting to spend your entire life in the same country and not want to see how other people live - besides online or tv or movies. I lived in Uganda 2 years, that was enriching and enlightening. And of course Scotland for 15. Not living in Thailand, but spending 3 months there in a house, not a resort and getting to know the people and culture. Yes, variety is the spice of life.

Cruises and resorts and tour buses aren't my cuppa. I'm more adventurous.
 
Just a few added comments: I know people who live in Toronto suburbs who have never been downtown. They get very uncomfortable leaving the safety of their neighborhood. Could be fear that keeps people at home. Also, some people I've met had such horrible experiences traveling (saw something bad) or had a terrible trip/time that they never want to do it again. You gotta admit, the world can be a scary place, too -- those darn lepers and beggars everywhere in some places, dirt, filth, poverty, stench, noise, polllution, crime..... you name it. Home can be a good choice for some people. I get that.

And I agree, travel can be exciting and exhilarating when things are going well and the places are nice. But as I get older I find its all the same everywhere, and I really fell content staying here in Canada.
 
Cookie said:
Just a few added comments: I know people who live in Toronto suburbs who have never been downtown. They get very uncomfortable leaving the safety of their neighborhood. Could be fear that keeps people at home. Also, some people I've met had such horrible experiences traveling (saw something bad) or had a terrible trip/time that they never want to do it again. You gotta admit, the world can be a scary place, too -- those darn lepers and beggars everywhere in some places, dirt, filth, poverty, stench, noise, polllution, crime..... you name it. Home can be a good choice for some people. I get that.

And I agree, travel can be exciting and exhilarating when things are going well and the places are nice. But as I get older I find its all the same everywhere, and I really fell content staying here in Canada.
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I know there are many who are afraid to go anywhere and prefer the relative safety of their own neighbourhood.

Definitely can't agree that it's the same everywhere. There are huge differences in cultures, food, people, architecture, animals, climate, landscape, seascape, etc etc. Places don't have to be nice to be exciting and exhilarating or interesting.
 
I agree the world is diversely different everywhere, --- but wonderful as they are, its still all essentially people, animals, food, buildings land and water, in all their myriad forms. Its the good experience people are after, the high you get when you travel. You don't actually have to go that far to get that good feeling. It could be right around the corner or in the next town. You could have a great time or you could contact a virus that almost kills you. And not everyone has that thing called wanderlust, just like not everyone likes cake or likes the color blue.

Everyone doesn't have to want to travel, it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them if they don't. I know an avid traveler, who can't sit still in his own house for more than a month without needing to go somewhere, down the coast, across to the island, a cruise, a trip of some kind. I think there's something amiss with that -- the other extreme.
 
Cookie said:
Just a few added comments: I know people who live in Toronto suburbs who have never been downtown. They get very uncomfortable leaving the safety of their neighborhood. Could be fear that keeps people at home. Also, some people I've met had such horrible experiences traveling (saw something bad) or had a terrible trip/time that they never want to do it again. You gotta admit, the world can be a scary place, too -- those darn lepers and beggars everywhere in some places, dirt, filth, poverty, stench, noise, polllution, crime..... you name it. Home can be a good choice for some people. I get that.

And I agree, travel can be exciting and exhilarating when things are going well and the places are nice. But as I get older I find its all the same everywhere, and I really fell content staying here in Canada.
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It's all the same everywhere, really???
Have been to Malaysia, Singapore, Bali, and many other places in S.E. Asia, so interesting and exotic!
If you want SAFE, visit beautiful, scenic New Zealand.
I adore cruising and will never travel any other way (too many health issues).
Unfortunately, can only travel to my home country in my dreams (Afraid of being bankrupted by expensive Dr. and hospital fees).
And yes, cookie, it is CURIOSITY motivating many travelers who enjoy exploring different countries, their culture and language.
(Some travelers I've met even do a lot of research before leaving home.)
 
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Susie, Good grief! I'm not criticizing traveling (or vacationing) at all, read my posts better. Good for you, you are curious - so are most humans. I have been there, done that. Just saying that if someone does not want to do it, that is OK, nothing wrong with that or them.
 
We used to have to fly before my husband retired. I can't imagine I'd let anyone keep me from flying if I wanted to do it and had the $ for the ticket. My husband says he wouldn't fly out of the country, but I don't believe him. I bet he would if we get the chance. I just don't want to let terrorist keep me from living my life. If I die, I die. I think we all die when we are suppose to. The only places I want to fly to are Vegas and Sweden. If I had a lot of money I'd love to visit central and south America and I've always wanted to do that, since I was quite young but that would be a road trip.
 
Now that my hip is fixed and hubby is getting over his back operation we are looking around for our next holiday in 2016. We are looking at a cruise around Japan or a trip to Europe. At our age we can't afford to wait for all the terrorists to be defeated and universal peace to be restored before we make plans.
 
I don't have any plans to go anywhere -- really can't afford it. In my younger days I was all over the place.

I must say, though, that if I did have plans to go into or through the middle east in the immediate future, I would change them.
 
I'll be hostessing the holidays so I don't have to fly to do that.

Would I fly anywhere voluntarily right now? Uh, no. Sorry. I'd be cautious. Now that terrorists have attcaked and killed people on Mali, even a resort isn't a safe bet. I don't mind at all or feel deprived. I'm not a world traveler at all but I do worry for some of my friends who are.
 
Other than spending the night in Dubai as that is our transfer point, I don't have a desire to be a tourist in Middle East. But if I had unlimited funds I'd visit most of the world. I'm not afraid to fly anywhere. We travel as much as we can now since we can stay in places a long time, and we can't predict what the future holds as far as our health which is very good, now. I don't want to die regretting the things I didn't do or places I didn't visit.

And since I have friends and family on 4 continents, flying is the best option unless I want to spend half the year on a ship. :p
 

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