International travel "better" than domestic travel?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Tokyo, Bangkok, Istanbul, etc? Yes- they make the above cities seem small and not that interesting.

Seriously? I bet you have kids that get bored easily--you know what they say: boring people get bored.

I've been to Tokyo, Bangkok, Istanbul and agree that they are fascinating cities. I had the great opportunity to travel extensively due to a job I had when I was young. Are they more interesting than Chicago, NYC, and LA? Different, exotic--but more interesting? Depends on your point of view. I do not happen to think that one is better than the other.

Wtf are you saying? Yes, to me, those cities are more interesting than Chi, NYC, LA. They are more interesting to me because of language, food, culture, customs, religion, and overall immersion. And I will always find a place radically different in all those ways from where I currently live to be "more interesting."

[Anonymous]

The pretentiousness of this thread is hilarious!

Better to travel Internationally? You're kidding? Different? Definitely. And something I think everyone ought to do at least once (the UK doesn't count).

To say that it's "better" or "more sophisticated" is a joke. You suffer from the same small-penis syndrome (metaphorical or not) that your basic BMW owner is accused of suffering from. Geez.

Oh, and by the way, you "worldly and sophisticated" travelers are the one's laughed at and scorned the most.

And I say this having been an ex-pat (not gov or mil) for a third of my 51 years, living in multiple countries on multiple continents and having visited more than 70 countries.

Do the world a favor. Stop at CVS on the way home, buy a needle and pop your ego.

[Anonymous]

Saying visiting Chicago is no different from visiting Bangkok is just as stupid as saying visting one is better than the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I for one think it's odd to prioritize international travel over domestic travel. Both are important for expanding horizons and learning about cultures. The US is not monolithic and has an amazing offering of natural wonders. Our family is taking mostly domestic vacations while the kids are young and international when the kids hit middle school, when we feel that they can better appreciate foreign foods, histories, and cultures. Also, for various reasons, traveling domestically for us when the kids are young is easier. We've taken trips to the major national parks (Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Volcanoes, etc.) and will go to Greece next year. Fwiw, domestic travel can be as expensive as international travel. And, it is odd as an adult to have traveled to the major European capitols, but never the other coast

totally agree- this is what we are doing as well- we do one intl and 2 domestic trips every year, but more focusing on domestic while the kids are very little b/c they should know their own country and its lovely- the natl parks are awesome! Sun Valley is amazing, So is Antelope Canyon. We were ballooning in Cappadocia and the balloonist was like- oh you should go in new mexico -its awesome, so you shouldn't knock domestic travel at all.

[Anonymous]

What bothers me are po who only ever travel to the same place repeatedly- thats def boring in my book.

[Anonymous]

Saying visiting Chicago is no different from visiting Bangkok is just as stupid as saying visting one is better than the other.

Uh....no one said that.

[Anonymous]

What bothers me are po who only ever travel to the same place repeatedly- thats def boring in my book.

Do you begrudge them their choice?

Do we all fall in love with the same person?

[Anonymous]

Domestic flights in US are very expensive comparing to Europe flights. And when we paid for four of us to flight to New Orlean, approximately $500, I could easily get to Europe for just a little bit more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a few friends and acquaintances who give off this vibe. Like you are somehow a "better," more sophisticated, cultured person if you opt for international travel over domestic. I think this is really weird. There are a lot of cool things and places to see in this country. A colleague was asking me about my travel plans this summer and when I told her we are going to Seattle next week, she as like "oh." Apparently Seattle is boring, who knew? I guess if we were going to Greece though it would be worth discussing Do you get this vibe from people too? It's weird right?

i prefer international to domestic travel for two reasons:

1) i don't like american beaches/oceans, much prefer croatia and greece for summer fun
2) the US has a lot of stunning nature, national parks etc, but i don't care much for that. i am more of a city person and american cities are in general small and not that interesting (plus i have already seen so many of them).

I hope you don't go around saying this irl because this is such a ridiculously pretentious thing to say. I wouldn't know what to say if someone said this to me but laugh in their face. Are we supposed to believe you go to Greece or Croatia every summer? In addition to other extensive foreign travel? Are you a socialite who doesn't work? It sounds like something someone like Olivia Palermo might say. "Oh Darling, if your'e not at St. Bath's over Christmas you're no one."

i am sorry if i made you feel inadequate. my point was that i don't like american beaches and oceans, people in the US like the surf and water is often dark or there are animals in it. i am not saying that's bad, just that i don't like it and much prefer what i am used to (i grew up in souther europe). and yes i do go there frequently.

What about the US Virgin Islands or Hawaii? And I'm pretty sure there are animals in almost all bodies of water...

[Anonymous]

I thought this thread was going to be about how it is "better" internationally in terms of better service. I love traveling in the US but I do feel like I get more for my money in many other countries (not just due to exchange rate but just the nice people/quality of service etc.) Everyone said the service in disney resorts would be top notch but it was nothing compared with your average Dominican Republic/Cancun all inclusive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Domestic flights in US are very expensive comparing to Europe flights. And when we paid for four of us to flight to New Orlean, approximately $500, I could easily get to Europe for just a little bit more.

Was coming here to say this! We were debating between a trip to the UK and Seattle for a trip last spring, actually. Went with the UK because we found better flight and hotel rates.

Personally, I would love to go to Seattle and would have said so if we were talking, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've traveled many countries in the world - also have been to all 50 states. I think both are important. I've been to South Africa and the South, I've been to Mexico and New Mexico. I've been to China and Chinatown in New York and San Fran.

Anyone who thinks they are sophisticated because they do tourist travel overseas is a rube.

Have you been South of the Border and to "South of the Border"?

Hahahahaha

I've been to both LOL and they are very different

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought this thread was going to be about how it is "better" internationally in terms of better service. I love traveling in the US but I do feel like I get more for my money in many other countries (not just due to exchange rate but just the nice people/quality of service etc.) Everyone said the service in disney resorts would be top notch but it was nothing compared with your average Dominican Republic/Cancun all inclusive

I know! Isn't it fabulous to travel to places where the poverty creates a culture of desperate abasement!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, OP. I know what you mean. While generally I DGAF either, the posters saying you have a chip on your shoulder are probably the ones pooh-poohing Seattle. It is definitely a thing that happens. DH and I are big national parks fans. Our favorite vacations together have been, in order, to Montana, Costa Rica, Tennessee. Definitely got some funny looks for MT and TN. We've also done Italy, Peru, and Paris, so we're not anti international travel. I enjoy the culture of a different country, but frankly there's a lot of different cultures here too. We spent a vacation evening discussing hog-hunting with several East Texas missionaries. That's some different culture from the DC area!

+1 -- and can I come along on your next vacation? This sounds awesome!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is like asking whether the Acura is better than the Honda. Yes, it is.

Wrong. Personally, when my family goes abroad I find it stressful and the amount of planning etc. undermines the trip at a certain point. I can tell you with a straight face that I enjoyed our AirBNB in Sonoma much more than our surface-level trourist trip to Italy.