Travel Shows

Since all our travel plans are finished and we're waiting for our departure date, we've been watching travel shows on television.

I'm sure you have seen, or at least heard of, most of them.  All of Anthony Bourdain's shows, Samantha Brown's series and Rick Steves' Europe among others.  All feature wonderful travel destinations that I would love to visit although, admittedly, some of the destinations on a few of these programs I have no intention of visiting.

Anthony Bourdain's programs focus mainly on one city and while he could explore each city's history, architecture or cultural he chooses to focus on the food and alcohol.  This really isn't surprising as he is a chef and admittedly is very fond of alcohol.

Rick Steves, Samantha Brown and others try to squeeze as many sites in as possible while traveling.  While I find all of these programs entertaining, and I am able to pick up a few pointers, I really don't feel their travel styles fit ours.  Rather than try to visit 14 cities in 7 seven days, I would rather slow down and experience one or two cities.

I realize most of the travel programs shown in the United States are geared to the traveler with limited time, therefore push yourself to visit as much as possible while you're there, I believe we will come away from our travel experience richer simply because we decided to experience the area rather than just visit.  Our time spent in Paris will be an immersion into the city, the art, the architecture, the people and the food.  We plan on the biggest decision each day will be whether we turn left or right once we leave our apartment each morning.

This doesn't mean we will not have plans at all.  There will be an anniversary dinner to plan, specific sites either my wife or I want to see such as the Louvre and Notre Dame for me and the catacombs for her, if they're open.  I'm sure we'll do some shopping while we're there (it's Paris, who doesn't shop in Paris?).  Mostly though, we are going to wander the streets of Paris, get lost and discover what surprises await around the next corner.

Until next time keep the dream of travel alive.