Travelling Beyond Tourism

Everyone loves travelling and touring. It's a need felt across socio-economic segments, mindsets, states, countries, continents and even planets, if UFO spottings are to be believed. However, the difference between a casual tourist and a traveller begs to be made apparent. Tourists are different birds from the creatures that travellers are.

Tourists are people who want to see new places for the sheer joy of seeing a place different from the one where their anxiety, rut and routine reside with them. Travelling to a new place constitutes a much-earned, really needed break from the tight, ulcer-causing schedules and the damning sameness that marks every day on their calendar or organizer. It's a joy seeing them gush enthusiastically about the itinerary their value-conscious travel agent has planned for them (and their family, of course). It's amazing, and sometimes helpful, to listen to the great discounts and deals they have managed to get their itchy toes on. And look at the neat way in which a tour is organised to pack in everything.

Day 1: Reach hotel. Welcome drink and Complementary Breakfast. Short rest and then river ride in a gondola. Lunch at Venice Mi Amore restaurant, where you can sample authentic Italian food. Evening Tea at hotel. Venice By Night on a bus ride around the city. Day 2...so on and so forth. Somehow, the idea of breaking free is slaughtered once again by a rigorous schedule. Stuck with the very thing they want to get away from. Even those sensible enough to not opt for the guided tour circus, will play it safe and visit restaurants and places that are tried, tested and come heavily recommended by friends and online reviews. Don't blame them. It's a fixed duration stay and they don't have the time to just wander, experiment and arrive at their own unique conclusions.

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somdeb basu says ... "so true .... but given the jobs & the limited holidays available at a stretch, etc do not find a way out. Look forward to do the \'travelling\' some time in future..."

Shaila Patoley