Comments on: Has The Internet Destroyed The Spontaneity of Travel? http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/has-the-internet-destroyed-the-spontaneity-of-travel/ travel culture worldwide Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:35:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Aleks http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/has-the-internet-destroyed-the-spontaneity-of-travel/#comment-35687 Aleks Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:54:16 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2590#comment-35687 The beauty about the internet is that people have the choice to use it. It is there for travelers to utilize, but it is also there for them to ignore. I have been to 14 countries and I have only used a travel book once. I found that it took away from my experience as a foreigner. I am also the type of person that will forget everything if my day is planned out, even if its by the internet or a travel guide. My most memorable experiences come from walking into a country with no plan. This is not to say that I was ignorant of the country. I think every traveler is entitled to learn about the country he or she is about to explore, but I don't believe in using a cheat sheet to get the best deals/experience. Even bad experiences are looked back upon fondly. The beauty about the internet is that people have the choice to use it. It is there for travelers to utilize, but it is also there for them to ignore.

I have been to 14 countries and I have only used a travel book once. I found that it took away from my experience as a foreigner.

I am also the type of person that will forget everything if my day is planned out, even if its by the internet or a travel guide.

My most memorable experiences come from walking into a country with no plan. This is not to say that I was ignorant of the country. I think every traveler is entitled to learn about the country he or she is about to explore, but I don’t believe in using a cheat sheet to get the best deals/experience.

Even bad experiences are looked back upon fondly.

]]> By: traveling_mike http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/has-the-internet-destroyed-the-spontaneity-of-travel/#comment-35607 traveling_mike Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:04:32 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2590#comment-35607 I think the internet is most valuable as a tool to encourage and show that it can be done. I am certain that by seeing other people there before me, it encourages me to go that extra step and see something I never before thought was possible. When I go out, I have one lonely planet to show me around. That covers the basics and the rest I "discover" on my own. Its the best of both, for me at least. Otherwise, you get information overload. I think the internet is most valuable as a tool to encourage and show that it can be done. I am certain that by seeing other people there before me, it encourages me to go that extra step and see something I never before thought was possible.

When I go out, I have one lonely planet to show me around. That covers the basics and the rest I “discover” on my own. Its the best of both, for me at least. Otherwise, you get information overload.

]]> By: Sarah Whiting http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/has-the-internet-destroyed-the-spontaneity-of-travel/#comment-35599 Sarah Whiting Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:31:18 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2590#comment-35599 This is an interesting read as I have just set up a travel company in Sydney where we provide personal itineraries for travelers to Sydney & NSW. I have done a fair bit of traveling myself over the years, and have used a Lonely Planet guide plus utilised some invaluable information gained from locals where possible. I agree that some of my best experiences have been the ones off "the beaten track". I am not a big fan of tourist destinations and following the crowds, although in Sydney you have to see the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge...both are a must see for sure! After living in Sydney for 3 years, I have discovered so much about this beautiful city and there is definitely more to see than just a city and Eastern suburbs. Without knowing a local, many people miss out on some great things to do in and around Sydney & NSW. My boyfriend and I have had many adventures on our weekends and have written entries about these on our blog site. Without the internet people would not be able to see these and ask our advice. I definitely feel that the internet has helped to open up a whole new world!! This is an interesting read as I have just set up a travel company in Sydney where we provide personal itineraries for travelers to Sydney & NSW. I have done a fair bit of traveling myself over the years, and have used a Lonely Planet guide plus utilised some invaluable information gained from locals where possible. I agree that some of my best experiences have been the ones off “the beaten track”. I am not a big fan of tourist destinations and following the crowds, although in Sydney you have to see the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge…both are a must see for sure!

After living in Sydney for 3 years, I have discovered so much about this beautiful city and there is definitely more to see than just a city and Eastern suburbs. Without knowing a local, many people miss out on some great things to do in and around Sydney & NSW. My boyfriend and I have had many adventures on our weekends and have written entries about these on our blog site. Without the internet people would not be able to see these and ask our advice. I definitely feel that the internet has helped to open up a whole new world!!

]]> By: JoAnna http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/has-the-internet-destroyed-the-spontaneity-of-travel/#comment-35757 JoAnna Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:03:40 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2590#comment-35757 While I agree with you that some of the "chance" that comes with travel has been taken away with the advent of the Internet, I think it's also opened up the doors to things we wouldn't normally know about. Without having the opportunity to chat with locals and people who have experienced these hidden locations, I would never know about some of the places I have traveled and would like to travel some day. I would never have met people who are doing things to keep travel an authentic experience (I wonder if those people would even being doing this if the Internet didn't exist). Also, we run the chance of overrunning some otherwise off-the-beaten track places, but we also give other places the opportunity to thrive. There are many places that are being loved to death, but others have been brought to the forefront of conversation in a positive light (or at least in a way that allows a dialogue to be started, whether that conversation is positive or negative). While I agree with you that some of the “chance” that comes with travel has been taken away with the advent of the Internet, I think it’s also opened up the doors to things we wouldn’t normally know about. Without having the opportunity to chat with locals and people who have experienced these hidden locations, I would never know about some of the places I have traveled and would like to travel some day. I would never have met people who are doing things to keep travel an authentic experience (I wonder if those people would even being doing this if the Internet didn’t exist).

Also, we run the chance of overrunning some otherwise off-the-beaten track places, but we also give other places the opportunity to thrive. There are many places that are being loved to death, but others have been brought to the forefront of conversation in a positive light (or at least in a way that allows a dialogue to be started, whether that conversation is positive or negative).

]]> By: Somchai http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/has-the-internet-destroyed-the-spontaneity-of-travel/#comment-35715 Somchai Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:30:21 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2590#comment-35715 There are many places no one goes to and no one has written about and you can't do a google search and pull up anything. Most towns have some sort of method for when strangers come, someone who rents rooms or more often the headman's house. I usually bring a map. There's a whole world out there. Picking up the most spoken local language is a big plus. There are many places no one goes to and no one has written about and you can’t do a google search and pull up anything. Most towns have some sort of method for when strangers come, someone who rents rooms or more often the headman’s house. I usually bring a map. There’s a whole world out there. Picking up the most spoken local language is a big plus.

]]> By: Ken http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/has-the-internet-destroyed-the-spontaneity-of-travel/#comment-35596 Ken Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:41:44 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2590#comment-35596 I've traveled with crappy guide books and backpacker word-of-mouth since the late 70's. For the last couple trips recently, I did a lot of Internet scouring before hitting the road. But after a while I was getting a been-there-done-that feeling before I'd even gone. Just too much info, so I stopped a few weeks before departing. I’ve traveled with crappy guide books and backpacker word-of-mouth since the late 70′s. For the last couple trips recently, I did a lot of Internet scouring before hitting the road. But after a while I was getting a been-there-done-that feeling before I’d even gone. Just too much info, so I stopped a few weeks before departing.

]]> By: NYer in NZ http://matadornetwork.com/abroad/has-the-internet-destroyed-the-spontaneity-of-travel/#comment-35595 NYer in NZ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:12:52 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2590#comment-35595 Both versions of travel have a place, the same way that both budget and luxury travel have a place. People travel for a variety of some reasons - to see national monuments, to escape from the stresses of home, to become engrossed in a different culture - and traveling with a guide can either help or hinder this purpose. Traveling without information can bring amazing unexpected adventures, but I certainly see the value in knowing where the closest gas station is when driving in a country like New Zealand where cities may be up to an hour apart. Both versions of travel have a place, the same way that both budget and luxury travel have a place. People travel for a variety of some reasons – to see national monuments, to escape from the stresses of home, to become engrossed in a different culture – and traveling with a guide can either help or hinder this purpose. Traveling without information can bring amazing unexpected adventures, but I certainly see the value in knowing where the closest gas station is when driving in a country like New Zealand where cities may be up to an hour apart.

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