Is tourism Europe's #1 industry?

[Baz]

My brother and his family just returned from 2 weeks in Italy. He sent out a link to a Shutterfly page with his photos of the trip.

Holy mackeral......there's tourists swarming the joint!

To the point it looks like some pushing and shoving might be necessary to achieve your objective - whether photographing or just plain viewing.

I know Italy (and probably the spots they especially went to) is a popular tourist destination but I have to wonder if this is what it's like elsewhere?

[AFC-911]

It's summertime and the kids are out of school.

[imcarthur]

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Ian

PS This is Ephesus, Turkey last year about 11 am in May - after the arrival of the bus loads of cruise passengers. It was almost empty 2 hours earlier when we arrived.

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Ian

PS This is Ephesus, Turkey last year about 11 am in May - after the arrival of the bus loads of cruise passengers. It was almost empty 2 hours earlier when we arrived.

Did you cruise the Olympia? We did the Mykonos, Ephesus, Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini tour in '04.

[LakeCleElum]

I've always gone to Europe in late Oct, Nov or May....Was told that summertime in Florence: 2,000 tour buses per day arrive....

[imcarthur]

No. We don't cruise. We flew & drove Turkey. And as a 'road' traveler, I have come to hate the cruise tours who envelop every site, trampling everyone in their path following the umbrella . . . sorry, but it is ugly to witness. Any easily accessible place in the Med that is within one hour of a cruise port is mobbed from May until October. On the travel forums, a major topic of discussion for any site is when to go to avoid the hordes.



The Vatican Museums in May 4 yrs ago. We were on a guided tour & abandoned it because it was impossible to move, see anything or even hear the guide. And then I lost my wife in the Sistine . . .

Ian

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

No. We don't cruise. We flew & drove Turkey. And as a 'road' traveler, I have come to hate the cruise tours who envelop every site, trampling everyone in their path following the umbrella . . . sorry, but it is ugly to witness.

Ian

Ian, I like the ships for what they are amazing floating cities, but what I don't like is never seeing a city at night and always having to be conscious of when you have to get back etc, etc.

The worst one was to the Caribbean with 60% loud and impatient New Jersey retirees. I've also noticed the avg age is pretty high on cruise ships.

[Baz]

Thanks for the replies guys....confirming my thoughts - that place is crawling with tourists!

Too bad.

When I went to Moorea in '03 I learned a little more about the Bali Hai Boys who brought a lot of publicity to the place when a Life magazine article came out with their story on the cover. That was in the 60's. I sensed tourism had left it's mark - a shame....

[imcarthur]

The Chinese have started to travel over the last 10 years & that is certainly having an impact. But the popularity of cruising is the big one imho. Floating buffets with sleeping cubicles. What could be finer?

I am glad that my wife & I have seen the 'greatest hits' of Europe. Seriously . . . do some research, rent a car, book some rooms & discover. It is a lot easier than many think. My booking/guide services are available for an outrageous fee btw . . .

Ian

[Rick Lee]

This kind of scene made me get my fill of Venice after just a few hours.



Rural Austria was more my cup of tea.

[widebody911]

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by widebody911

That's almost as bad as watching everyone take photos inside the Venetian in Vegas, as if it were a real historical site.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by widebody911

People are so dumb.

We arrived (regular city bus) in Venice and there were a boat load of people already there. It was crazy, jam packed. You have to fight to get on the water taxi. Yes, fight. We started walking off the beaten path going away from the tourists and found another side of Venice quiet and wonderful. I even took a nap on the bench. A bunch of locals were around. Same with Florance. We had to see all the attraction then off away from the crowds.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by Baz

I know Italy (and probably the spots they especially went to) is a popular tourist destination but I have to wonder if this is what it's like elsewhere?

Not only do Europeans holiday in southern Europe in July and August, but the whole rest of the world seems to come to southern Europe at the same time. Italy in the summer is madness, and you would have to be very silly to travel there then. Prices double. Meals get worse. All the hucksters are out.

There are many parts of Europe that are not overrun with tourists in the summertime. But if you are heading south of the Alps, or to tourist towns generally, there will be crowds. And this is getting worse each year as the Chinese and Indians start travelling in large numbers.