Where real travellers like to travel….?
Question by cosy: Where real travellers like to travel….?
…Times of London greatest travel locations: why isn’t my house here?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/adventure/article6724582.ece
Cambodia and the Middle East – nominated by Anthony Thompson, 30, Dragoman leader
“Cambodia for the people and humbling experience after their recent history. Overlanding originated in the Middle East. It’s been a long time since September 11 so it’s time for people to go back to this amazing part of the world.”
Orissa, India and Lake Malawi – Adam Tomlin, 35, Dragoman driver
“Orissa’s the one chance in India to really get out in the countryside. Lake Malawi was the highlight of my trip down Africa’s east coast.”
Iran – Michael Wyatt, 43, redundant financier, London via USA
“Iran was catapulted to top of the list on this trip. For history and architecture it’s hard to beat Persia. I was also cracking a taboo, you’re not meant to go to Iran as an American and it was myth-shattering in every way. The people, everything about it, turned any preconceptions on their head
Best answer:
Answer by duckwing
Most of the heavy travelers I know would rather stay home on holidays. They travel domestically and globally almost 5 days a week. It gets old real fast. Some people are fascinated by history. Others are excited by art and architecture. Some like to learn about other cultures, especially things gastronomic Others like to shop anyplace other than where they live. Some like majestic natural beauty. Others like pretty much anything exotic. I don’t know this; but, I am guessing that the people being interviewed are of those who like the exotic. My English family is similar. They like to travel to Africa, India, China, Vietnam, etc.
Now that India, China, and Vietnam no longer are that exotic, why not experience the genocide trials in Cambodia or sneak into Burma and contribute to several political blogs? Or, better yet, why not visit nations ruled by dictators and generally viewed as scourges by the West? Iran and Syria come to mind. Iraq is at least as interesting; but, there is the small complication of the ongoing war. That doesn’t stop some travellers whose thirst for the exotic takes them to war zones and generally creates agita for their country’s diplomats operating in the war zone.
The amount of history and art to be found in Iran, Iraq, and Syria is mind numbing. But, I don’t sense that either is the primary motivation of these travelers. I see them as simply adding exciting, exotic notches to their belts…sort of like bungee jumping or sky diving.
It is unfortunate that there aren’t more opportunities to combine vacationing with social action. For example, spend a 4 week vacation traveling to Eastern Chad and volunteer to help out in a refugee camp full of Darfuris displaced by Sudanese soldiers or their agents. Or travel to Pakistan and work in Afghani refugee camps. Those would be both exciting/exotic and value creating.
Some of my family members have traveled to Iran, before the revolution in the late 1970s. Isfahan is indeed more beautiful than described. But, I don’t realistically see me making it there or to Iraq or Syria either…unless I somehow can whip myself into shape and get a position as an over the hill Ranger or something…
I love to travel for pleasure. I have had considerable opportunities to do so to date. It can be especially mind expanding for kids who otherwise would grow up with fairly narrow world experiences. But, I find pleasure in the mundane destinations at least as much in the exotic. It is more important to me to be clear about what the purpose of the travel is and to make sure it is shared with fellow travelers. That way, if the goal is to take in history, everyone is aligned with that objective and there shouldn’t be too much griping when touring the 13th archaeological site in one week. On the other hand, if the goal is to take in the culture and arts, one could spend a very different trip to the same general destination–taking in language, the people, the cuisine, the music, its dance, etc. This doesn’t need to be done in Sub Saharan Africa. This could be equally enjoyable in Paris or Florence or even London, perish the thought… 
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