Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Eight hours in Dublin, Rome or New York

I read travel forums from various sites like Travel Advisor. There is often a post that asks, "I will be in ____ for eight hours during a cruise where do I go?" or "I will have half a day in _____ during a trip, the best places to visit?"

It is understandable that people might like to see the highlights of a place on a stopover, but we have a belief (from first hand experience) that you will see and remember more by getting a video.

It may be important to you to say that your saw the Tower Bridge or the Pantheon, but  you really didn't see London or Rome.

If I had an eight hour stay in one of these places, I might take a Hop On Hop Off bus, but more than likely I would go to a local pub, bar or cafe and sit and talk to the people. I do not travel just to see things. I travel to meet people, to hear stories, to listen.

This is obviously a matter of style, but Dublin is wonderful, not because of the Book of Kells, but because of Irishmen enjoying life in Dublin. I can "see" the Grand Canal in Venice on Rick Steves. I can only talk to a Venetian in Venice.

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