The Enlightened Tourist

Today, the word tourist has a very negative connotation in the travel world. It brings to mind images of jean and sneaker wearing Americans with fanny packs repeating their requests in English with the hope that saying it louder will make someone understand them. One thinks of Asians in visors led by guides with flowers on umbrellas blocking everything from view. We remember bus loads of overindulged teens chatting their way through a lecture about one of the greatest art museums in the world. But that is not what a tourist has to be.

The term 'tourist' is first used in 1800. 'Tour' originated in Greek as a tool for describing a circle. The meaning "taking a tour around a property" has French origins. Using the word 'tour' to mean traveling from place to place in a circuit was first noted in 1643 and relates to The Grand Tour, a journey through continental Europe which was the finishing touch in the education of a gentleman. The Grand Tour was a time of reflection, education, and increasing the world view of a gentlemen or a lady; it was a time of enlightenment.

Nowadays, most travel shows, guidebooks, and blogs promote living like a local- how to blend in so you do not stand out and how to experience what have become cliché items on a travelers checklist. No local is going to spend 5 straight days visiting museums and parks and historical monuments in their own city. You are only going to be in this place for a short time and you have to pack everything you want to see and do into a short window of opportunity. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for more than 24 hours and less then 1 consecutive year, for leisure, business, and other purposes..."

While it is romantic and exciting to read about the adventures of others who gave it all up and backpacked through some continent for a year, unfortunately, most of us do not have an entire year where we can walk away from work, family, home, etc. Therefore this blog is devoted to the "two-week tourist" - someone who seeks a vacation and some increased world view in 14 days or less. You are a discriminating traveler: you want a suitcase that wheels, a nice B&B experience, gourmet is a must (franchise restaurants need not apply), shopping is beyond shot glasses and magnets, and for you travel is to soak up the life of a city and the soul of a country.

It's time to take back the meaning of being a tourist - someone who journeys abroad to enhance their life through new experiences, continuing education, and meeting others. Embrace what you are and shed the negative stereotypes. Seek enlightenment in your travel not just by showing up ready to learn with guidebook in hand, but through preparing for your journey and what you will see ahead of time so that you can make the most of your short experience.

Photo: Planning the Grand Tour, Emil Brack