What are the criteria that make you choose one destination over another?

Hi there,

The title might be a bit long, but I hope it’s completely understandable!

When it comes to choosing your next trip, what tips the scales in favor of Eritrea over Ibiza?

Why pick Canada over French Polynesia?

The price? A magazine or TV report, a travel journal, an Instagram ad? Ease of travel? Minimal time difference? The country that has the most in common with all the trip participants? Activities? Relaxation? The desire to push your limits?

A photo?



What else, I wonder...

Personally, I often prioritize simple destinations (no administrative hassles), where I’m not at risk (nothing extraordinary like getting kidnapped by Daesh or ending up in a jail cell because the current geopolitics aren’t favorable to my passport, etc.), and where I can drive.

Wide-open natural spaces are more my thing than urban anthills.

Finally, I try not to spend three days on a plane to reach my destination, and I aim for a maximum budget of 3500 € (for 3 weeks) in comfortable conditions—that means charming hotels, good meals, etc.

What about you?🙂

Hi,

The title’s a bit long, but I hope it’s still clear!

Yeah, it’s easy enough to understand anyway!!

When it comes to picking your next trip, what tips the scales in favor of Eritrea over Ibiza?

I prefer Eritrea to Ibiza, but in reality, it won’t be either one.

Why choose Canada over French Polynesia?

Canada—because of Quebec. French Polynesia—too much flight time for me.

Price? A magazine or TV report, a travel journal, an Instagram ad? Ease of travel? Minimal time difference? The country that has the most in common with all the trip participants? Activities? Relaxing? The desire to push yourself?

A photo?

Price, yeah, probably. Ease of travel, definitely too. Relaxing? No, resting, yes. A photo? I’d need way more than that.

What else...

For me, it’s often about circumstances—vacation with my association (swimming pool) in Sicily in 2024, with friends often in Germany.

Personally, I usually prioritize simple destinations (no administrative hassles), where I’m not at risk (nothing extraordinary like getting kidnapped by Daesh or ending up in jail because the geopolitical situation isn’t favorable for my passport, etc.), and where I can drive.

Wide-open natural spaces are more my thing than urban anthills.

Both work for me—I’m curious about everything and want to learn everywhere.

Finally, I try not to spend three days on a plane to get to my destination, and I aim for a maximum budget of 3500 € (for 3 weeks) in comfortable conditions (meaning charming hotels, good meals, etc.).

Anyway... I really dread long flight times. For me, the budget changes from one year to the next.

Hi there,

This is a really fun topic. For me, my choice can be influenced by a number of factors, though they don’t all need to be present at the same time, of course.

1 - A non-touristy spot with a "real" airport, not a leisure or charter hub. So, Stavanger instead of Dubrovnik, Debrecen instead of Zadar.

2 - A name that’s evocative, something that just *sounds* interesting. Wakkanai, Karaganda, Tirana.

3 - A border, a crossing point between cultures or nations. Ruse, Kars, Batumi.

4 - A place that’s unknown *precisely* because it is. Zhytomyr, Daugavpils, Eskişehir.

5 - Geopolitical uniqueness. Tiraspol, Gazimağusa, Pristina, Narva.

No Spanish-speaking countries, and preferably no French-speaking ones either.

Michel

No Spanish-speaking countries, and if possible no French-speaking ones either.

You have a pretty unique and quirky take on travel... so if you had the chance to visit archaeological sites in Peru, for example, you wouldn’t go?

I don’t get the feeling that archaeological sites are a deciding factor for Michel.

But yeah, it’s definitely a factor for others.

I left it off my own list (for less nature-focused destinations).

Dolce far niente, no—resting, yes

What’s the difference between the two for you?

La dolce far niente, no—resting, yes

What’s the difference between the two for you?

I’d say dolce far niente starts when you’ve finished resting, right? 😉

I gather from your answer that you prefer medium-haul to long-haul flights.

And more eastern destinations.

Why this preference?

No Spanish-speaking countries

Same here. Why?

(I’m not asking about French-speaking countries, but maybe I should if the answer differs from the usual one)

I’d say lazing around only starts once you’ve finished resting, right? 😉

So rest is almost "medical"? 😮

(You forgot to answer the topic...)

I preferably look for something exotic (hot and lush if possible) in a country with great food—I am French, after all—and I’ll prioritize a destination I haven’t visited yet.

If there’s a tie, I’ll go for the country that’s most interesting culturally (museums, monuments).

I recommend everyone save Egypt for last because after seeing Egypt, everything else suddenly feels pretty dull. Don’t die before you’ve seen Egypt!

Also, I might try to visit a country where Tatra is, since at least with him, I can have a chat. 😏

Huge topic but interesting to know everyone’s motivations!

One rule governs our travel choices: alternation.

Alternation by continent: If France is in the middle, it’ll be one year to the right (Asia), one year down (Africa), and one year to the left (the Americas). I’m talking about big trips, not just little hops here and there.

Alternation by style: If one year we visit a country with strong historical potential (Egypt, for example), the next year we’ll look for more nature (Namibia).

Alternation by country, finally: Except for Brazil, which is so vast, we haven’t (yet) returned to a country we’ve already visited. Though, there are so many!

Oh, and another important rule: the weather! So far, we try to choose countries where the weather will be (at least) pleasant!

And then, in the end, we also let ourselves be carried away by events. This winter, Argentina was on the program, but a great deal on Singapore Airlines made us go to Australia instead!

Anyway, I want to visit them all! Well, all the ones where it’s possible. So, the order doesn’t really matter in the end! 😉

Price, time difference, flight duration, activities, language, and fashion aren’t criteria for me. Well, not yet anyway!

I’d say lazing around starts when you’ve finished resting, right? 😉

So rest would be almost "medical"? 😮

(You forgot to answer the topic... )

Yeah, rest can be medical after a year of hard work. Lazing around can be optional. Or even a travel goal (a week at a five-trident resort can be a great reason for a vacation). But here, we’re splitting hairs.

And there, I answered 😉

in a country where the gastronomy is good .... Egypt

Not going to Egypt then...

Or maybe the local cooks have improved their recipes in the last 20 years.

after seeing Egypt, everything else suddenly becomes quite bland

For the "archaeological" side, I can only agree. (4 trips to Egypt)

For the rest, I have a different opinion...

Besides, I’ll try to go to a country where Tatra is, since at least with him I can have a conversation

Traveling with someone who shares the same ideas/interests as you?

I think that’s definitely better!

Good evening,

So if you have the chance to visit archaeological sites in Peru, for example, you don’t go?

No, probably not. No more than in Rome, Florence, or the Great Wall of China... I think I stopped by the pyramids once for a few minutes and once at Topkapi, but I didn’t find it all that interesting.

Michel

For me, chilling means beach, pool, super relaxed holidays. Sleeping... Resting for me is strolling along the seafront, visiting sites, shopping. And also clearing my head for a while.

I gather from your reply that you prefer medium-haul to long-haul flights. And more easterly destinations.

Why this preference? I live in Brittany, so the world is to the east for me.

No Spanish-speaking countries. Same here. Why?

I like people who don’t speak loudly, and I can’t stand the way Spanish is expressed. More broadly, I don’t find the freedom I love when traveling in those countries. I never set foot there. I’ve tried, though—I even went through Spain about twenty times as a child, even under Franco. As for French-speaking countries, I prefer to step outside the Francophone bubble for richer discoveries.

Michel

Good evening. So, you don’t particularly like history?? The pyramids—centuries of history right before your eyes—it makes you think, and lets you reflect on the past compared to today.

I like people who don’t talk loudly,

They’re rare people, and getting rarer.

That might be the only thing we have in common.

we haven’t (yet) gone back to a country we’ve already visited.

Oops... I think I’m often a repeat offender...

South Africa is the country I’ve returned to the most.

But I’ve also taken several trips to Mexico, Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Thailand, Indonesia...

Not necessarily with the same people. And rarely the same trip (itineraries).

Good evening,

So you don’t particularly like history?? The pyramids—centuries of history right before your eyes—it makes you question yourself and reflect on the past compared to today.

I’ve even taught history, would you believe. I’ve been to the pyramids, I looked, then I left; they don’t speak to me any more than that. I’ve been to Cairo 4 or 5 times, but the pyramids never drew me in.

Michel

You didn't even take a photo?

Hi there, For us, heading off in winter, the first thing is warmth because it’s really grim in Normandy during the winter. Next, we check the government website to see what’s allowed. This year, Colombia wasn’t recommended, so we switched to Oman—great choice, by the way. I’d especially recommend it for backpackers like us. Then, we prefer exploring countries we’ve never been to before. Once we’ve picked one, I check the forum to see what people are saying about it. Cheers

Hi,

The essential criterion is that the country shares a border with the previous destination. Well, I skipped over Iran this time (🙁). Next could be one or several other "-stan" countries, or Mughal India, or Armenia, or Ukraine if I set off from Romania again.

Catherine

Oh yeah, the climate is one of my criteria too! 😉

But since my partner prefers temperate destinations, we juggle between cool countries and others with much more pleasant temperatures...

Hi,

You didn’t even take a photo?

Probably, I guess, but that was a long time ago—maybe there’s one somewhere.

Michel

I didn’t quite get the idea.

You just got back from Uzbekistan. So your next destination will be a country that shares a border with it? But how do you end up in India or Armenia then?

It’s like a round-the-world trip with a return home between each country. Cool idea! :)

I live in Brittany; the world is to the east.

For a Breton, it’s to the west: the ocean.

Anyway, since the Earth is round, the east eventually becomes the American continent.

For Surcouf, the world was on the seven seas. Still, I wonder if Tatra has ever flown Corsair 😉

Haha, I cracked myself up!!

Good evening,

Still wondering if Tatra has ever flown with Corsair

Yes, once—well, twice including the return trip. But it was for work, so I have an excuse.

Michel

I didn’t quite get the idea.

Am I the only one who finds the prospect of an upcoming trip to Ukraine... surprising (understatement)?

I didn’t quite get the idea.

Am I the only one who finds the idea of an upcoming trip to Ukraine... surprising (understatement)?

I didn’t get it either. What a strange idea! 🤪

Hi there,

I’m definitely planning to go back soon, probably as soon as possible. What’s so surprising about that? Poltava, Lutsk, Sumy, Dnipro, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Uzhhorod, etc. I only have good memories of them. In a few months, or next year.

Michel

Hi there,

Still not back, exploring the Pamir today (which I actually prefer to the Silk Road cities—I’ve photographically machine-gunned those in advance, but old habits die hard; happiness is the road, the ordinary).



Mughal India because it’s culturally tied to what I’m seeing (Babur is a descendant of Timur the Lame). Armenia because it could’ve been a stop on my route back then, one I skipped but might take now. And Ukraine... Of course it’ll return, sooner or later. Let’s hope sooner.

This isn’t a round-the-world trip at all. The journey ends in Japan. I have zero interest in North America, and not much for South America either.

Catherine

Maybe they thought you wanted to repopulate the country, I don’t know.

Hi there,

I would’ve loved to take a road trip all the way to China.

Same for driving down to Cape Town.

Maybe in 10 years, when I’ve got more free time...

So, you’re doing half a trip around the world. Maybe others on this forum or elsewhere will complete the full loop.

n'ai aucun intéret pour le continent nord américain, et pas bezef pour le sud américain.

And Africa?

Is it just me who finds the prospect of an upcoming trip to Ukraine... surprising (understatement)?

Dreaming is always possible.

For other destinations, the fulfillment of that dream seems even more distant (Afghanistan, for example). 🤪

What’s so surprising about that?

Coming from you, nothing.

Is Tatra one of the three "bigoudènes" from the ad?

Surprising! !😮

I wish I could have made it all the way to Cape Town.

And Africa?

You can already start with Morocco/Mauritania/Senegal—it’s doable without too many issues, from what I’ve read. I’ve never gone through there to head further south: Togo, Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast. Before, it used to go through Algeria, Mali, Niger...

It’s always possible to dream.

That’s true... Especially on this forum, a vast space of possibilities.

The only place where multitasking, multi-destination experts, fearless adventurers with unmatched physical feats who’ve seen and done it all, discovering hidden spots before regular travelers even get a chance... hold court and spin dreams.

Dreams so well-documented they taste like reality, creating the perfect illusion. Dreams that make *you* dream. A smokescreen...

You're right, I shortened it. I also went to Kherson, Kirovohrad, Lviv, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv, of course. That was my Ukrainian period.

Michel

What’s so surprising about that? Poltava, Lutsk, Sumy, Dnipro, Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Uzhhorod, etc. I only have good memories of them. In a few months, or next year.

You’re really optimistic... Unless you plan to go when Ukraine is under Russian control?

You’re really optimistic... Unless you want to go when Ukraine is under Russian domination?

I went to Ukraine between 2014 and 2019, after the Maidan revolution. Even if Yanukovych had stayed in power and the government had been pro-Russian, I would’ve gone just the same. Sometimes you guys worry me: if you think you can’t go to parts of the world that Europe casually gets upset with, you’ll have to cross off the Russian sphere of influence, the Arab sphere of influence, and soon even the United States. So yeah, I went to Spain under Franco, Syria under Assad, Russia under Putin, Belarus under Lukashenko, and more. So what?

Sticking to Ukraine, I might be optimistic, but I could see travel picking back up next year.

Michel

Hi,

And Africa?

If I still have the desire and the time while in good health, maybe. But I have my doubts about the pace at which I’m moving east. Plus, I can see my trip ending at Benesse House. And then moving on to something else.

For other destinations, the fulfillment of the dream still seems far off (Afghanistan, for example)

I learned today—while daydreaming out loud about Mazar-e-Sharif—that we would’ve reached it before nightfall, despite the potholes, and that Afghanistan wants to open up to tourism. In fact, some Uzbeks have already gone there, escorted by the Taliban.

Catherine

So, yes, I went to Spain under Franco, to Syria under Assad,

Yeah, me too.

And so?

No, that’s not what I meant. What makes me think you’re optimistic is that you’re imagining going there:

In a few months, or next year.

I don’t see the war ending that soon. I’m more worried the conflict will get worse... I’d go to Afghanistan more easily.

What makes me say you're optimistic is more that you're imagining going there

Uh... Yeah... Why not?

Afghanistan already has a few travelers, but I also read somewhere that the country is going to open up to tourism. In my opinion, they're thinking first of the Chinese, who are numerous in the region, and Indians too. But the trend is toward opening up.

Michel

The only place where experts—multi-card, multi-destination, fearless adventurers with unmatched physical feats who’ve seen and done it all, discovering off-limits spots before regular travelers—operate and spin dreams.

More like a nightmare...

Well, yes, I’ve been to Spain under Franco, Syria under Assad, Russia under Putin, and Lukashenko’s Belarus, among others.

Choosing a destination to collect dictatorships? Why not—culture shock is guaranteed.

It reminds me (from a distance!) of those travel agencies that specialize in war zones and offer trips to battlefields.

But the trend is toward openness.

We’re not yet in mass tourism territory, but they’ve been getting visitors for a few years now. I think when it comes to Ukraine, we’ll still have to wait a few more years.

Afghanistan already has a few travelers, but I also read somewhere that the country is going to open up to tourism; in my opinion, they’re thinking first of the Chinese, who are numerous in the region, as well as Indians. But the trend is toward opening up.

The niche tourism I was talking about in my previous post...

More about voyeurism and the thrill of the ultimate adrenaline rush than actual travel.

And I wonder how fanaticism can coexist with visitors.