Dream Along...

It's time to start thinking of getaways. I don't feel the need for one right now, as I do love the autumn here, but looking ahead to a long cold winter, I realize that I had better start planning now - to either get out of here, or at least have a trip to look forward to while the wind blows and the snow flies. 

So, today I pored over some travel materials ....which makes me chuckle as I can't help but think of Keeping up Appearances and Hyacinth picking up and flaunting her travel "brochures"!  Haha..There's not meant to be any flaunting in this blip; no exotic adventures for only the rich and famous.  In fact, it is an admission that I am getting older and I just may have to reconsider the manner in which I travel and still stay within my budget!

I have always traveled independently..and have found that my travel dollar goes a lot further that way. I make my own bookings, rent a car and accommodation and go for as long a time as possible. I like staying in cities but only for a short time period of no more than 1-2 weeks and then renting a house in the countryside or in a small village and doing day trips in the car. 

I think it is the car thing that is making me re-think my trips. Renting one is always stressful and the constant driving takes it toll. Also in some countries there is an age limit after which you cannot rent a car or if you can, you have to  pay through the nose for the insurance! Yikes! 

So, I thought I would at least investigate alternative ways to travel. I have never been interested in cruises..so that is not an option. Motion sickness is a problem for me, so bus tours have also been off the table  - except for one..I have only been on one, and that was back in 2011 when I went on a  Wool Tour of England and Scotland. I really enjoyed everything except taking Gravol every day, always being rushed at sites and not having the freedom to stop to take photos or just get out to enjoy the landscape! What I did like, was that someone else booked everything and when there was a problem, I was not the one who had to solve it!

I am wondering about working into things gradually.. like renting a car for a short period and combining it with a guided bus tour, river cruise, city break, or one-week art workshop, something that means I do not have to drive all the time...

So, here I am, browsing through brochures for city breaks, bus tours and river cruises....I never thought I would see that day!