Energy saving Tips

I received a message from a reader of this blog, who wants to know if it's not tiring to visit so many countries on my own. I've never found it tiring at all, quite the opposite, I feel invigorated.

I did find it tiring once, when I visited New Zealand. I was there for a family wedding, and had limited time, so I booked for a tour, thinking this would be easier. I loathed it and it turned me off organised tours. It was tiring because we rushed from place to place, without the time to really look at places and things. This might suit some people, but not me.

Since that experience, I have planned and booked my own trips. I don't believe that one can truely appreciate another country rushing from place to place; you need time to stop and look, to talk to the locals, to really 'see' what life is like in that place.

I usually pick somewhere fairly central to what I want to see and do, and book for a long stay. Of course, there are times when one can only spend a night or two, but as long as I have a plan that allows for 'quality' rather than 'quantity' it works for me. The internet allows you to explore from your armchair before you go so that you have a better idea when planning.

For my upcoming trip to the UK, we will be staying for one or two nights only in most places. This is because we have a 'family' trail to follow, visiting those places our family came from when they emigrated to Australia the early 1900s. I have been there before and know exactly where I will be taking my sister, and what we will see.

In Italy, we will be staying in Venice for 4 nights; in Florence for 3 weeks; in Rome for 3 nights, followed by our one and only 'organised tour' (for my sister) of the south, then a final night in Rome before we fly home. During our 'long stay' in Florence, we will spend every second day (a full day) exploring the galleries and streets of the old city, or taking the bus to different places in Tuscany. I don't want to drive in Italy - that would be tiring - and I prefer the bus to the train because it travels slower and we can see more of the places we travel through. Of course, there are some places one cannot get to without a car, but there are people who take small groups in cars to those places. We'll consider that when we are there. Every other day will be spent 'at home', with maybe a visit to a nearby market, but mainly to rest and recover, and to write up our journals, organise our photos, send email home etc.

Good luck with your travels Great Journeys; I'll look for your blog and will read it with interest.